Optical proximity correction for anamorphic extreme ultraviolet lithography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Clifford, Chris; Lam, Michael; Raghunathan, Ananthan; Jiang, Fan; Fenger, Germain; Adam, Kostas

2017-10-01

The change from isomorphic to anamorphic optics in high numerical aperture extreme ultraviolet scanners necessitates changes to the mask data preparation flow. The required changes for each step in the mask tape out process are discussed, with a focus on optical proximity correction (OPC). When necessary, solutions to new problems are demonstrated and verified by rigorous simulation. Additions to the OPC model include accounting for anamorphic effects in the optics, mask electromagnetics, and mask manufacturing. The correction algorithm is updated to include awareness of anamorphic mask geometry for mask rule checking. OPC verification through process window conditions is enhanced to test different wafer scale mask error ranges in the horizontal and vertical directions. This work will show that existing models and methods can be updated to support anamorphic optics without major changes. Also, the larger mask size in the Y direction can result in better model accuracy, easier OPC convergence, and designs that are more tolerant to mask errors.

Highway proximity associated with cardiovascular disease risk: the influence of individual-level confounders and exposure misclassification

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Elevated cardiovascular disease risk has been reported with proximity to highways or busy roadways, but proximity measures can be challenging to interpret given potential confounders and exposure error. Methods We conducted a cross sectional analysis of plasma levels of C-Reactive Protein (hsCRP), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha receptor II (TNF-RII) and fibrinogen with distance of residence to a highway in and around Boston, Massachusetts. Distance was assigned using ortho-photo corrected parcel matching, as well as less precise approaches such as simple parcel matching and geocoding addresses to street networks. We used a combined random and convenience sample of 260 adults >40 years old. We screened a large number of individual-level variables including some infrequently collected for assessment of highway proximity, and included a subset in our final regression models. We monitored ultrafine particle (UFP) levels in the study areas to help interpret proximity measures. Results Using the orthophoto corrected geocoding, in a fully adjusted model, hsCRP and IL-6 differed by distance category relative to urban background: 43% (-16%,141%) and 49% (6%,110%) increase for 0-50 m; 7% (-39%,45%) and 41% (6%,86%) for 50-150 m; 54% (-2%,142%) and 18% (-11%,57%) for 150-250 m, and 49% (-4%, 131%) and 42% (6%, 89%) for 250-450 m. There was little evidence for association for TNF-RII or fibrinogen. Ortho-photo corrected geocoding resulted in stronger associations than traditional methods which introduced differential misclassification. Restricted analysis found the effect of proximity on biomarkers was mostly downwind from the highway or upwind where there was considerable local street traffic, consistent with patterns of monitored UFP levels. Conclusion We found associations between highway proximity and both hsCRP and IL-6, with non-monotonic patterns explained partly by individual-level factors and differences between proximity and UFP concentrations. Our analyses emphasize the importance of controlling for the risk of differential exposure misclassification from geocoding error. PMID:24090339

Highway proximity associated with cardiovascular disease risk: the influence of individual-level confounders and exposure misclassification.

PubMed

Brugge, Doug; Lane, Kevin; Padró-Martínez, Luz T; Stewart, Andrea; Hoesterey, Kyle; Weiss, David; Wang, Ding Ding; Levy, Jonathan I; Patton, Allison P; Zamore, Wig; Mwamburi, Mkaya

2013-10-03

Elevated cardiovascular disease risk has been reported with proximity to highways or busy roadways, but proximity measures can be challenging to interpret given potential confounders and exposure error. We conducted a cross sectional analysis of plasma levels of C-Reactive Protein (hsCRP), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha receptor II (TNF-RII) and fibrinogen with distance of residence to a highway in and around Boston, Massachusetts. Distance was assigned using ortho-photo corrected parcel matching, as well as less precise approaches such as simple parcel matching and geocoding addresses to street networks. We used a combined random and convenience sample of 260 adults >40 years old. We screened a large number of individual-level variables including some infrequently collected for assessment of highway proximity, and included a subset in our final regression models. We monitored ultrafine particle (UFP) levels in the study areas to help interpret proximity measures. Using the orthophoto corrected geocoding, in a fully adjusted model, hsCRP and IL-6 differed by distance category relative to urban background: 43% (-16%,141%) and 49% (6%,110%) increase for 0-50 m; 7% (-39%,45%) and 41% (6%,86%) for 50-150 m; 54% (-2%,142%) and 18% (-11%,57%) for 150-250 m, and 49% (-4%, 131%) and 42% (6%, 89%) for 250-450 m. There was little evidence for association for TNF-RII or fibrinogen. Ortho-photo corrected geocoding resulted in stronger associations than traditional methods which introduced differential misclassification. Restricted analysis found the effect of proximity on biomarkers was mostly downwind from the highway or upwind where there was considerable local street traffic, consistent with patterns of monitored UFP levels. We found associations between highway proximity and both hsCRP and IL-6, with non-monotonic patterns explained partly by individual-level factors and differences between proximity and UFP concentrations. Our analyses emphasize the importance of controlling for the risk of differential exposure misclassification from geocoding error.

Growth Modulation in Achondroplasia.

PubMed

McClure, Philip K; Kilinc, Eray; Birch, John G

2017-09-01

Achondroplasia is the most common skeletal dysplasia with a rate of nearly 1/10,000. The development of lower extremity deformity is well documented, and various modes of correction have been reported. There are no reports on the use of growth modulation to correct angular deformity in achondroplasia. Medical Records from 1985 to 2015 were reviewed for the diagnosis of achondroplasia and growth modulation procedures. Patients who had been treated for angular deformity of the legs by growth modulation were identified. A detailed analysis of their medical record and preoperative and final lower extremity radiographs was completed. Four patients underwent growth modulation procedures, all to correct existing varus deformity of the legs. Three of the 4 patients underwent bilateral distal femoral and proximal tibial growth modulation. The remaining patient underwent tibial correction only. Two of the 4 patients had a combined proximal fibular epiphysiodesis. All limbs had some improvement of alignment; however, 1 patient went on to bilateral osteotomies. Only 1 limb corrected to a neutral axis with growth modulation alone at last follow-up, initial implantation was done before 5 years of age. Growth modulation is an effective means for deformity correction in the setting of achondroplasia. However implantation may need to be done earlier than would be typical for patients without achondroplasia. Osteotomy may still be required after growth modulation for incomplete correction.

Tibial rotational osteotomy for idiopathic torsion. A comparison of the proximal and distal osteotomy levels.

PubMed

Krengel, W F; Staheli, L T

1992-10-01

A retrospective analysis was done of 52 rotational tibial osteotomies (RTOs) performed on 35 patients with severe idiopathic tibial torsion. Thirty-nine osteotomies were performed at the proximal or midtibial level. Thirteen were performed at the distal tibial level with a technique previously described by one of the authors. Serious complications occurred in five (13%) of the proximal and in none of the distal RTOs. For severe and persisting idiopathic tibial torsion, the authors recommend correction by RTO at the distal level. Proximal level osteotomy is indicated only when a varus or valgus deformity required concurrent correction.

Is there a relationship between students' knowledge of HIV/AIDS ways of transmission and their responses regarding their proximity to people living with HIV/AIDS?

PubMed

Santos, Vanessa Prado; Coelho, Maria Thereza Ávila Dantas; Macário, Estéfani Lima; Oliveira, Tâmara Cerqueira da Silva

2017-08-01

This paper aims to identify college students' knowledge of HIV ways of transmission and correlate it with their answers concerning the proximity to people living with HIV/AIDS. We applied a questionnaire from the Brazilian Ministry of Health to 591 health undergraduate students. We analyzed the 10 questions about the virus ways of transmission, evaluating the number of correct answers and verifying the association between the number of correct answers and questions related to the proximity to people living with HIV/AIDS. Most students (96%) answered correctly 7 to 10 questions related to HIV ways of transmission (Group A) and 4% answered correctly 3 to 6 questions (Group B). Correlating these two subgroups and the answers about the non-acceptance of proximity to people living with HIV/AIDS, we found significant association between Group B and the agreement that the employer should fire an employee living with HIV and the statement that they would feel uncomfortable if a child living with HIV/AIDS studied at the same school as their own children. Negative opinions concerning the proximity to people living with HIV/AIDS were less prevalent, but were correlated to the lower knowledge of HIV ways of transmission.

Extra-articular osteotomy for malunited unicondylar fractures of the proximal phalanx.

PubMed

Harness, Neil G; Chen, Alvin; Jupiter, Jesse B

2005-05-01

To evaluate an extra-articular osteotomy rather than an intra-articular osteotomy in the treatment of malunited unicondylar fractures of the proximal phalanx. An extra-articular osteotomy was used to correct the deformity resulting from a malunion of a unicondylar fracture of the proximal phalanx in 5 patients. A closing wedge osteotomy that was stabilized with tension band fixation accomplished realignment of the joint. Each patient was evaluated at a minimum of 1 year after surgery for radiographic healing, correction of angulation, digital motion, postoperative complications, current level of pain with motion, and overall satisfaction with the procedure. All of the osteotomies healed by 10 to 12 weeks after surgery with an average angular correction from 25 degrees to 1 degrees . The average proximal interphalangeal joint motion improved to 86 degrees from the preoperative average of 40 degrees , whereas the average total digital motion improved from 154 degrees before surgery to 204 degrees at follow-up evaluation. This method of extra-articular osteotomy for malunited unicondylar fractures of the proximal phalanx is highly reproducible, avoids the risks of intra-articular surgery, and leads to a predictable outcome.

Optical proximity correction for anamorphic extreme ultraviolet lithography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Clifford, Chris; Lam, Michael; Raghunathan, Ananthan; Jiang, Fan; Fenger, Germain; Adam, Kostas

2017-10-01

The change from isomorphic to anamorphic optics in high numerical aperture (NA) extreme ultraviolet (EUV) scanners necessitates changes to the mask data preparation flow. The required changes for each step in the mask tape out process are discussed, with a focus on optical proximity correction (OPC). When necessary, solutions to new problems are demonstrated, and verified by rigorous simulation. Additions to the OPC model include accounting for anamorphic effects in the optics, mask electromagnetics, and mask manufacturing. The correction algorithm is updated to include awareness of anamorphic mask geometry for mask rule checking (MRC). OPC verification through process window conditions is enhanced to test different wafer scale mask error ranges in the horizontal and vertical directions. This work will show that existing models and methods can be updated to support anamorphic optics without major changes. Also, the larger mask size in the Y direction can result in better model accuracy, easier OPC convergence, and designs which are more tolerant to mask errors.

Humeral lengthening and proximal deformity correction with monorail external fixator in young adults.

PubMed

Ruan, Hongjiang; Zhu, Yi; Liu, Shen; Kang, Qinglin

2018-05-01

Several humeral lengthening or simultaneous deformity corrections through one osteotomy using various external fixators were reported, while literature regarding correction of shortening and proximal varus deformity is scarce. This retrospective clinical study evaluated the results of preforming an acute correction and delayed lengthening in young adults through two osteotomies using monorail external fixator. We report seven patients with various pathologies who underwent humeral proximal deformity correction and lengthening between 2009 and 2015. Pre-operative and post-operative clinical and radiographic data were collected. The mean follow-up time was 33.4 months (25-46 months). The humeral neck-shaft angle improved from 97.9° (85-110°) to 138.6° (135-145°). The magnitude of lengthening achieved was average 7.6 cm (range, 6-10 cm) at an average healing index of lengthening of 30.2 days/cm (range, 27.7-35.4 days/cm). There was a significant increase in range of shoulder abduction, and active abduction improved from pre-operative 136.4° (range, 95-160°) to post-operative 166.4° (range, 150-180°). The DASH score improved significance from 23.29 ± 8.36 to 6.57 ± 3.65 (t = 4.848; p < 0.001). Acute deformity correction and gradual lengthening with the monorail external fixator can be used for humeral shortening and proximal varus angular deformity. Functional improvement is expected after surgery and post-operative therapy.

Comparison of the proximal chevron and Ludloff osteotomies for the correction of hallux valgus.

PubMed

Choi, Woo Jin; Yoon, Han Kook; Yoon, Hang Seob; Kim, Bom Soo; Lee, Jin Woo

2009-12-01

Although several studies have described good results of proximal chevron and Ludloff osteotomies, there have been no studies comparing the results of these two techniques at a single institution. We consecutively evaluated 46 patients who underwent proximal chevron osteotomies and 52 patients who underwent Ludloff osteotomies. Patients were evaluated by preoperative and postoperative weight bearing radiographs and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) hallux MP score. Both groups had similarly high AOFAS scores and good correction by radiographic parameters. No statistically significant differences were found with respect to correction of hallux valgus angle (HVA) and intermetatarsal angle (IMA) between the two groups. Significant shortening of the first metatarsal was found after Ludloff osteotomy (p < 0.05). At 6 weeks after surgery, the pain subscore was significantly lower in the proximal chevron group than in the Ludloff group (p < 0.05). The proximal chevron and Ludloff osteotomies yielded equivalent clinical and radiological results. The Ludloff osteotomy with lag screw fixation is more stable and does not require postoperative hardware removal, although it is technically demanding and has a tendency toward greater shortening of the first metatarsal.

Orbital Express AVGS Validation and Calibration for Automated Rendezvous

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Heaton, Andrew F.; Howard, Richard T.; Pinson, Robin M.

2008-01-01

From March to July of 2007, the DARPA Orbital Express mission achieved a number of firsts in autonomous spacecraft operations. The NASA Advanced Video Guidance Sensor (AVGS) was the primary docking sensor during the first two dockings and was used in a blended mode three other automated captures. The AVGS performance exceeded its specification by approximately an order of magnitude. One reason that the AVGS functioned so well during the mission was that the validation and calibration of the sensor prior to the mission advanced the state-of-the-art for proximity sensors. Some factors in this success were improvements in ground test equipment and truth data, the capability for ILOAD corrections for optical and other effects, and the development of a bias correction procedure. Several valuable lessons learned have applications to future proximity sensors.

Enabling full-field physics-based optical proximity correction via dynamic model generation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lam, Michael; Clifford, Chris; Raghunathan, Ananthan; Fenger, Germain; Adam, Kostas

2017-07-01

As extreme ultraviolet lithography becomes closer to reality for high volume production, its peculiar modeling challenges related to both inter and intrafield effects have necessitated building an optical proximity correction (OPC) infrastructure that operates with field position dependency. Previous state-of-the-art approaches to modeling field dependency used piecewise constant models where static input models are assigned to specific x/y-positions within the field. OPC and simulation could assign the proper static model based on simulation-level placement. However, in the realm of 7 and 5 nm feature sizes, small discontinuities in OPC from piecewise constant model changes can cause unacceptable levels of edge placement errors. The introduction of dynamic model generation (DMG) can be shown to effectively avoid these dislocations by providing unique mask and optical models per simulation region, allowing a near continuum of models through the field. DMG allows unique models for electromagnetic field, apodization, aberrations, etc. to vary through the entire field and provides a capability to precisely and accurately model systematic field signatures.

Nanoscience and Nanotechnology

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-05-05

Stanford has fabricated gate lengths down to 65 nm, and are entering into consortia to fabricate modulation doped field effect transistors (MODFETs...and from the substrate exposes the resist over a greater area than the beam xpot size. Correcting for these effects (where possible) is computationally...the lithographic pattern (proximity effects ). The push to smaller dimensions is concentrated on controlling and understanding these phenomena rather

Evaluation of a fast and flexible OPC package: OPTISSIMO

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maurer, Wilhelm; Waas, Thomas; Eisenmann, Hans

1996-12-01

It is out of question, that current state-of-the-art lithography--printing 350 nm structures with i-line tools or 250 nm structures with DUV tools--needs to correct for proximity effects (OPC). Otherwise, all the well-known effects like line-end shortening, linewidth variation as a function of adjacent patterns, linewidth non-linearity, etc. will produce a pattern, that is significantly different from the intended design. In this paper, we report first evaluation results of OPTISSIMO, a software package for automatic proximity correction. Besides the ability to handle full-chip designs by preserving as much as possible of the original data-hierarchy, there are significant options for the user. A large number of choices can be made to balance between the precision of the correction and the complexity of the corrected design. The main target of our evaluations was to check for full-chip OPC for the gate level of a state-of-the-art design. This corresponds to print either linewidths in the 350 nm to 400 nm range with i-line lithography or 250 nm/300 nm linewidth with DUV lithography. Taking 400 nm i-line lithography as an example, 3% precision OPC which has been demonstrated. By using hierarchical data handling, it was shown, that even the data complexity of a 256 M DRAM can be managed within reasonable time.

Proximal fibular osteotomy: a new surgery for pain relief and improvement of joint function in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

PubMed

Wang, Xiaohu; Wei, Lei; Lv, Zhi; Zhao, Bin; Duan, Zhiqing; Wu, Wenjin; Zhang, Bin; Wei, Xiaochun

2017-02-01

Objective To explore the effects of proximal fibular osteotomy as a new surgery for pain relief and improvement of medial joint space and function in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Methods From January 2015 to May 2015, 47 patients who underwent proximal fibular osteotomy for medial compartment osteoarthritis were retrospectively followed up. Preoperative and postoperative weight-bearing and whole lower extremity radiographs were obtained to analyse the alignment of the lower extremity and ratio of the knee joint space (medial/lateral compartment). Knee pain was assessed using a visual analogue scale, and knee ambulation activities were evaluated using the American Knee Society score preoperatively and postoperatively. Results Medial pain relief was observed in almost all patients after proximal fibular osteotomy. Most patients exhibited improved walking postoperatively. Weight-bearing lower extremity radiographs showed an average increase in the postoperative medial knee joint space. Additionally, obvious correction of alignment was observed in the whole lower extremity radiographs in 8 of 47 patients. Conclusions The present study demonstrates that proximal fibular osteotomy effectively relieves pain and improves joint function in patients with medial compartment osteoarthritis at a mean of 13.38 months postoperatively.

[Growth behaviour after fractures of the proximal radius: differences to the rest of the skeleton].

PubMed

Hell, A K; von Laer, L

2014-12-01

Fractures of the proximal end of the radius in the growth phase have three characteristics: the head of the radius articulates with two joint partners and is therefore indispensable for an undisturbed function of the elbow. The blood supply of the proximal end of the radius is via periosteal vessels in the sense of a terminal circulation which makes it extremely vulnerable. Severe trauma caused either by accidents or treatment, can result in partial or complete necrosis with deformity of the head and neck region of the radius. Radioulnar synostosis and chronic epiphysiolysis are irreversible complications which can occur after excessive physiotherapy. Despite a low potency growth plate, in young patients the proximal end of the radius shows an enormous spontaneous correction of dislocations. Side to side shifts, however, will not be remodeled. Therapy should be as atraumatic as possible. Due to the blood supply situation, with the appropriate indications the spontaneous correction and a brief period of immobilization without physiotherapy should be integrated into the therapy concept. If an operation is necessary, repeated traumatic repositioning maneuvers should be avoided and in case of doubt closed or careful open repositioning can be achieved with intramedullary nailing. In order to take the special characteristics of the proximal radius into consideration, the vulnerability and correction potential must be weighed up against each other. Therapy must be as atraumatic as possible. The spontaneous correction potential should be integrated into the primary therapy without overestimating this potential with respect to the extent and age of the patient.

Angular deformity correction by guided growth in growing children: Eight-plate versus 3.5-mm reconstruction plate.

PubMed

Park, Kyeong-Hyeon; Oh, Chang-Wug; Kim, Joon-Woo; Park, Il-Hyung; Kim, Hee-June; Choi, Young-Seo

2017-09-01

Guided growth using the eight-plate (8-plate) is the most commonly used method to correct angular deformities in children; however, implant failure has been reported. Recently, the 3.5-mm reconstruction plate (R-plate) has been used as an alternative option for guided growth; however, hardware prominence has been problematic. This study aimed to compare the coronal angular deformity correction results of guided growth between relatively thin 8-plates with cannulated screws and thick R-plates with solid screws. Thirty-nine physes (24 distal femoral, 15 proximal tibial) in 20 patients underwent hemiepiphysiodesis using 8-plates, and 61 physes (40 distal femoral, 21 proximal tibial) in 35 patients underwent hemiepiphysiodesis using R-plates. Coronal angular corrections were measured and compared preoperatively, and after the completion of corrections. Amounts and rates of correction and complications were compared between the groups. Mean body mass index was 18.7 kg/m2 in the 8-plate group, and 22.7 kg/m2 in the R-plate group. Angular correction was achieved in all deformities at a mean of 13.7 months and 19.7 months in the 8-plate and the R-plate group, respectively. The mean corrected mechanical lateral distal femoral angle was 9.0° in the 8-plate group, and 9.9° in the R-plate group (P = 0.55). The mean corrected medial proximal tibial angle was 7.1° in the 8-plate group, and 9.0° in the R-plate group (P = 0.07). The mean rates of angular correction were also not significantly different in the distal femur (1.03°/month vs. 0.77°/month, P = 0.2) and the proximal tibia (0.66°/month vs. 0.63°/month, P = 0.77). There was one superficial infection in each group, and one case of implant failure in the R-plate group. Two rebound deformities were observed and needed repeat hemiepiphysiodesis. Permanent physeal arrest was not observed in this series. Copyright © 2017 The Japanese Orthopaedic Association. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

OPC modeling by genetic algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, W. C.; Lai, C. M.; Luo, B.; Tsai, C. K.; Tsay, C. S.; Lai, C. W.; Kuo, C. C.; Liu, R. G.; Lin, H. T.; Lin, B. J.

2005-05-01

Optical proximity correction (OPC) is usually used to pre-distort mask layouts to make the printed patterns as close to the desired shapes as possible. For model-based OPC, a lithographic model to predict critical dimensions after lithographic processing is needed. The model is usually obtained via a regression of parameters based on experimental data containing optical proximity effects. When the parameters involve a mix of the continuous (optical and resist models) and the discrete (kernel numbers) sets, the traditional numerical optimization method may have difficulty handling model fitting. In this study, an artificial-intelligent optimization method was used to regress the parameters of the lithographic models for OPC. The implemented phenomenological models were constant-threshold models that combine diffused aerial image models with loading effects. Optical kernels decomposed from Hopkin"s equation were used to calculate aerial images on the wafer. Similarly, the numbers of optical kernels were treated as regression parameters. This way, good regression results were obtained with different sets of optical proximity effect data.

Proximal metatarsal osteotomies: a comparative geometric analysis conducted on sawbone models.

PubMed

Nyska, Meir; Trnka, Hans-Jörg; Parks, Brent G; Myerson, Mark S

2002-10-01

We evaluated the change in position of the first metatarsal head using a three-dimensional digitizer on sawbone models. Crescentic, closing wedge, oblique shaft (Ludloff 8 degrees and 16 degrees), reverse oblique shaft (Mau 8 degrees and 16 degrees), rotational "Z" (Scarf), and proximal chevron osteotomies were performed and secured using 3-mm screws. The 16 degrees Ludloff provided the most lateral shift (9.5 mm) and angular correction (14.5 degrees) but also produced the most elevation (1.4 mm) and shortening (2.9 mm). The 8 degrees Ludloff provided lateral and angular corrections similar to those of the crescentic and closing wedge osteotomies with less elevation and shortening. Because the displacement osteotomies (Scarf, proximal chevron) provided less angular correction, the same lateral displacement, and less shortening than the basilar angular osteotomies, based upon this model they can be more reliably used for a patient with a mild to moderate deformity, a short first metatarsal, or an intermediate deformity with a large distal metatarsal articular angle. These results can serve as recommendations for selecting the optimal osteotomy with which to correct a deformation.

Benchmarking of software tools for optical proximity correction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jungmann, Angelika; Thiele, Joerg; Friedrich, Christoph M.; Pforr, Rainer; Maurer, Wilhelm

1998-06-01

The point when optical proximity correction (OPC) will become a routine procedure for every design is not far away. For such a daily use the requirements for an OPC tool go far beyond the principal functionality of OPC that was proven by a number of approaches and is documented well in literature. In this paper we first discuss the requirements for a productive OPC tool. Against these requirements a benchmarking was performed with three different OPC tools available on market (OPRX from TVT, OPTISSIMO from aiss and PROTEUS from TMA). Each of these tools uses a different approach to perform the correction (rules, simulation or model). To assess the accuracy of the correction, a test chip was fabricated, which contains corrections done by each software tool. The advantages and weakness of the several solutions are discussed.

Compensation of long-range process effects on photomasks by design data correction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schneider, Jens; Bloecker, Martin; Ballhorn, Gerd; Belic, Nikola; Eisenmann, Hans; Keogan, Danny

2002-12-01

CD requirements for advanced photomasks are getting very demanding for the 100 nm-node and below; the ITRS roadmap requires CD uniformities below 10 nm for the most critical layers. To reach this goal, statistical as well as systematic CD contributions must be minimized. Here, we focus on the reduction of systematic CD variations across the masks that may be caused by process effects, e.g. dry etch loading. We address this topic by compensating such effects via design data correction analogous to proximity correction. Dry etch loading is modeled by gaussian convolution of pattern densities. Data correction is done geometrically by edge shifting. As the effect amplitude has an order of magnitude of 10 nm this can only be done on e-beam writers with small address grids to reduce big CD steps in the design data. We present modeling and correction results for special mask patterns with very strong pattern density variations showing that the compensation method is able to reduce CD uniformity by 50-70% depending on pattern details. The data correction itself is done with a new module developed especially to compensate long-range effects and fits nicely into the common data flow environment.

Error measure comparison of currently employed dose-modulation schemes for e-beam proximity effect control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peckerar, Martin C.; Marrian, Christie R.

1995-05-01

Standard matrix inversion methods of e-beam proximity correction are compared with a variety of pseudoinverse approaches based on gradient descent. It is shown that the gradient descent methods can be modified using 'regularizers' (terms added to the cost function minimized during gradient descent). This modification solves the 'negative dose' problem in a mathematically sound way. Different techniques are contrasted using a weighted error measure approach. It is shown that the regularization approach leads to the highest quality images. In some cases, ignoring negative doses yields results which are worse than employing an uncorrected dose file.

Modified tubularized incised plate urethroplasty reduces the risk of fistula and meatal stenosis for proximal hypospadias: a report of 63 cases.

PubMed

Arshadi, Hamid; Sabetkish, Shabnam; Kajbafzadeh, Abdol-Mohammad

2017-12-01

To report the feasibility of modified tubularized incised plate (TIP) urethroplasty technique for proximal hypospadias in 63 cases. From January 2004 to March 2010, 63 patients underwent one-stage TIP urethroplasty (modified Snodgrass technique repair) using 2-3 of three covering layers (corpus spongiosum, dartos, and tunica vaginalis). The primary meatus was proximal penile, penoscrotal, scrotal, and perineal in 38, 13, 10, and 2 patients, respectively. All patients had chordee that was corrected with dorsal plication. Glanuloplasty was performed in all cases. Complications and cosmetic results were documented after 6-72 months of follow-up. A total of 63 boys with proximal hypospadias underwent Snodgrass hypospadias repair at a mean age of 8.5 months (range 6-54). Mean operative time was 210 ± 35 min. Patients were followed up with 6-month intervals for up to 6 years postoperatively. After 6 years of follow-up, nine urethrocutaneous fistulae, four bleeding, four meatal stenoses, and one urethral stricture were reported. Cosmetic result was satisfactory according to parent's opinion and another surgeon. No residual chordee was observed in any cases (without artificial correction). In conclusion, this preliminary report can be estimated as an alternative technique with acceptable complication and cosmetic results for proximal hypospadias correction.

A comparison of Kodak Ultraspeed and Ektaspeed plus dental X-ray films for the detection of dental caries.

PubMed

Wong, A; Monsour, P A; Moule, A J; Basford, K E

2002-03-01

Using the fastest dental X-ray film available is an easy way of reducing exposure to ionizing radiation. However, the diagnostic ability of fast films for the detection of proximal surface caries must be demonstrated before these films will become universally accepted. Extracted premolar and molar teeth were arranged to simulate a bitewing examination and radiographed using Ultraspeed and Ektaspeed Plus dental X-ray films. Three different exposure times were used for each film type. Six general dentists were used to determine the presence and depth of the decay in the proximal surfaces of the teeth radiographed. The actual extent of the decay in the teeth was determined by sectioning the teeth and examining them under a microscope. There was no significant difference between the two films for the mean correct diagnosis. However, there was a significant difference between the means for the three exposure times used for Ultraspeed film. The practitioners used were not consistent in their ability to make a correct diagnosis, or for the film for which they got the highest correct diagnosis. Ektaspeed Plus dental X-ray film is just as reliable as Ultraspeed dental X-ray film for the detection of proximal surface decay. The effect of underexposure was significant for Ultraspeed, but not for Ektaspeed Plus. Patient exposure can be reduced significantly with no loss of diagnostic ability by changing from Ultraspeed X-ray film to Ektaspeed Plus X-ray film.

Evaluation of Hallux Valgus Correction With Versus Without Akin Proximal Phalanx Osteotomy.

PubMed

Shibuya, Naohiro; Thorud, Jakob C; Martin, Lanster R; Plemmons, Britton S; Jupiter, Daniel C

2016-01-01

Although the efficacy of Akin proximal phalanx closing wedge osteotomy as a sole procedure for correction of hallux valgus deformity is questionable, when used in combination with other osseous corrective procedures, the procedure has been believed to be efficacious. However, a limited number of comparative studies have confirmed the value of this additional procedure. We identified patients who had undergone osseous hallux valgus correction with first metatarsal osteotomy or first tarsometatarsal joint arthrodesis with (n = 73) and without (n = 81) Akin osteotomy and evaluated their radiographic measurements at 3 points (preoperatively, within 3 months after surgery, and ≥6 months after surgery). We found that those people who had undergone the Akin procedure tended to have a larger hallux abduction angle and a more laterally deviated tibial sesamoid position preoperatively. Although the radiographic correction of the deformity was promising immediately after corrective surgery with the Akin osteotomy, maintenance of the correction was questionable in our cohort. The value of additional Akin osteotomy for correction of hallux valgus deformity is uncertain. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Proximate composition, fatty acid analysis and protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score of three Mediterranean cephalopods.

PubMed

Zlatanos, Spiros; Laskaridis, Kostas; Feist, Christian; Sagredos, Angelos

2006-10-01

Proximate composition, fatty acid analysis and protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS) in three commercially important cephalopods of the Mediterranean sea (cuttlefish, octopus and squid) were determined. The results of the proximate analysis showed that these species had very high protein:fat ratios similar to lean beef. Docosahexaenoic, palmitic and eicosipentaenoic acid were the most abundant fatty acids among analyzed species. The amount of n-3 fatty acids was higher than that of saturated, monounsaturated and n-6 fatty acids. Despite the fact that cephalopods contain small amounts of fat they were found quite rich in n-3 fatty acids. Finally, PDCAAS indicated that these organisms had a very good protein quality.

Analysis of Proximity-1 Space Link Interleaved Time Synchronization (PITS) Protocol

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Woo, Simon S.

2011-01-01

To synchronize clocks between spacecraft in proximity, the Proximity-1 Space Link Interleaved Time Synchronization (PITS) Protocol has been proposed. PITS is based on the NTP Interleaved On-Wire Protocol and is capable of being adapted and integrated into CCSDS Proximity-1 Space Link Protocol with minimal modifications. In this work, we will discuss the correctness and liveness of PITS. Further, we analyze and evaluate the performance of time synchronization latency with various channel error rates in different PITS operational modes.

Multiple collagenase injections are safe for treatment of Dupuytren's contractures.

PubMed

Gajendran, Varun K; Hentz, Vincent; Kenney, Deborah; Curtin, Catherine M

2014-07-01

The authors report the case of a 65-year-old, right-hand-dominant man who had severe Dupuytren's disease with multiple cords and flexion contractures of the metacarpophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joints of both hands and underwent repeated collagenase injections for treatment. Collagenase has been shown to be safe and effective in the treatment of Dupuytren's contractures when administered as a single dose, but the results of multiple injections over a prolonged period are unknown. Antibodies to collagenase develop in all patients after several treatments, raising concerns about safety and efficacy as a result of sensitization from repeated exposures. The antibodies generated as a result of repeated exposure to collagenase could theoretically render it less effective with time and could also lead to immune reactions as severe as anaphylaxis. The authors present the case of a single patient who experienced continued correction of his contractures with only minor and self-limited adverse reactions after administration of 12 collagenase doses through 15 injections during a 4-year period. Over time, the injections continued to be effective at correcting metacarpophalangeal joint contractures, but less effective at correcting proximal interphalangeal joint contractures. The patient did eventually require a fasciectomy, but the safety and modest success of the repeated collagenase injections shows promise for a less invasive treatment with a better risk profile than open fasciectomy. Although further studies are needed, repeated administration of collagenase appears to be safe and modestly effective for severe Dupuytren's contractures, although a fasciectomy may ultimately be required in the most severe cases. Copyright 2014, SLACK Incorporated.

Transverse preputial onlay island flap urethroplasty for single-stage correction of proximal hypospadias.

PubMed

Singal, Arbinder Kumar; Dubey, Manish; Jain, Viral

2016-07-01

Transverse preputial onlay island flap urethroplasty (TPOIF) was described initially for distal hypospadias, but has seen extended application for proximal hypospadias. We describe a set of modifications in the technique and results in a large series of proximal hypospadias. All children who underwent TPOIF repair for proximal hypospadias (proximal penile, penoscrotal and scrotal) from June 2006 to June 2013 by a single surgeon were prospectively followed till June, 2014. A standard technique and postoperative protocol were followed. Salient points to be emphasized in the technique: (1) dissection of the dartos pedicle till penopubic junction to prevent penile torsion, (2) incorporation of the spongiosum in the urethroplasty, (3) midline urethral plate incision in glans (hinging the plate), (4) Dartos blanket cover on whole urethroplasty. Out of 136 children with proximal hypospadias, 92 children who underwent TPOIF formed the study group. Out of 92 children, 48 (52 %) children required a tunica albuginea plication for chordee correction. In total, 16 (17 %) patients developed 24 complications and 11 children (12 %) required second surgeries: fistula closure in 7 (with meatoplasty in 5), glansplasty for glans dehiscence in 2 and excision of diverticulum in 2. Two children required a third surgery. Only 5 children had a noticeable penile torsion (less than 30 degree), and 7 had a patulous meatus. Transverse preputial onlay island flap urethroplasty can deliver reliable cosmetic and functional outcomes in proximal hypospadias.

Beat-to-beat respiratory motion correction with near 100% efficiency: a quantitative assessment using high-resolution coronary artery imaging.

PubMed

Scott, Andrew D; Keegan, Jennifer; Firmin, David N

2011-05-01

This study quantitatively assesses the effectiveness of retrospective beat-to-beat respiratory motion correction (B2B-RMC) at near 100% efficiency using high-resolution coronary artery imaging. Three-dimensional (3D) spiral images were obtained in a coronary respiratory motion phantom with B2B-RMC and navigator gating. In vivo, targeted 3D coronary imaging was performed in 10 healthy subjects using B2B-RMC spiral and navigator gated balanced steady-state free-precession (nav-bSSFP) techniques. Vessel diameter and sharpness in proximal and mid arteries were used as a measure of respiratory motion compensation effectiveness and compared between techniques. Phantom acquisitions with B2B-RMC were sharper than those acquired with navigator gating (B2B-RMC vs. navigator gating: 1.01±0.02 mm(-1) vs. 0.86±0.08 mm(-1), P<.05). In vivo B2B-RMC respiratory efficiency was significantly and substantially higher (99.7%±0.5%) than nav-bSSFP (44.0%±8.9%, P<.0001). Proximal and mid vessel sharpnesses were similar (B2B-RMC vs. nav-bSSFP, proximal: 1.00±0.14 mm(-1) vs. 1.08±0.11 mm(-1), mid: 1.01±0.11 mm(-1) vs. 1.05±0.12 mm(-1); both P=not significant [ns]). Mid vessel diameters were not significantly different (2.85±0.39 mm vs. 2.80±0.35 mm, P=ns), but proximal B2B-RMC diameters were slightly higher (2.85±0.38 mm vs. 2.70±0.34 mm, P<.05), possibly due to contrast differences. The respiratory efficiency of B2B-RMC is less variable and significantly higher than navigator gating. Phantom and in vivo vessel sharpness and diameter values suggest that respiratory motion compensation is equally effective. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Beat-to-beat respiratory motion correction with near 100% efficiency: a quantitative assessment using high-resolution coronary artery imaging☆

PubMed Central

Scott, Andrew D.; Keegan, Jennifer; Firmin, David N.

2011-01-01

This study quantitatively assesses the effectiveness of retrospective beat-to-beat respiratory motion correction (B2B-RMC) at near 100% efficiency using high-resolution coronary artery imaging. Three-dimensional (3D) spiral images were obtained in a coronary respiratory motion phantom with B2B-RMC and navigator gating. In vivo, targeted 3D coronary imaging was performed in 10 healthy subjects using B2B-RMC spiral and navigator gated balanced steady-state free-precession (nav-bSSFP) techniques. Vessel diameter and sharpness in proximal and mid arteries were used as a measure of respiratory motion compensation effectiveness and compared between techniques. Phantom acquisitions with B2B-RMC were sharper than those acquired with navigator gating (B2B-RMC vs. navigator gating: 1.01±0.02 mm−1 vs. 0.86±0.08 mm−1, P<.05). In vivo B2B-RMC respiratory efficiency was significantly and substantially higher (99.7%±0.5%) than nav-bSSFP (44.0%±8.9%, P<.0001). Proximal and mid vessel sharpnesses were similar (B2B-RMC vs. nav-bSSFP, proximal: 1.00±0.14 mm−1 vs. 1.08±0.11 mm−1, mid: 1.01±0.11 mm−1 vs. 1.05±0.12 mm−1; both P=not significant [ns]). Mid vessel diameters were not significantly different (2.85±0.39 mm vs. 2.80±0.35 mm, P=ns), but proximal B2B-RMC diameters were slightly higher (2.85±0.38 mm vs. 2.70±0.34 mm, P<.05), possibly due to contrast differences. The respiratory efficiency of B2B-RMC is less variable and significantly higher than navigator gating. Phantom and in vivo vessel sharpness and diameter values suggest that respiratory motion compensation is equally effective. PMID:21292418

Effects of Growth Conditions on the Measured Electrical Properties of Monolayer Molybdenum Disulfide

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-02-01

rpm (thickness around 300 nm) and then baked on a hotplate at 185 °C for 2 min. The PMMA was exposed using a proximity effect correction with a base...and then soft baked at 50 °C in air for 30 min. After air-drying in a fume hood for an additional 3 h at room temperature, the PMMA was scraped from

Early Postoperative Results of Percutaneous Needle Fasciotomy in 451 Patients with Dupuytren Disease.

PubMed

Molenkamp, Sanne; Schouten, Tanneke A M; Broekstra, Dieuwke C; Werker, Paul M N; Moolenburgh, J Daniel

2017-06-01

Percutaneous needle fasciotomy is a minimally invasive treatment modality for Dupuytren disease. In this study, the authors analyzed the efficacy and complication rate of percutaneous needle fasciotomy using a statistical method that takes the multilevel structure of data, regarding multiple measurements from the same patient, into account. The data of 470 treated rays from 451 patients with Dupuytren disease that underwent percutaneous needle fasciotomy were analyzed retrospectively. The authors described the early postoperative results of percutaneous needle fasciotomy and applied linear mixed models to compare mean correction of passive extension deficit between joints and efficacy of primary versus secondary percutaneous needle fasciotomy. Mean preoperative passive extension deficits at the metacarpophalangeal, proximal interphalangeal, and distal interphalangeal joints were 37, 40, and 31 degrees, respectively. Mean preoperative total passive extension deficit was 54 degrees. Results were excellent, with a mean total passive extension deficit correction of 85 percent. Percutaneous needle fasciotomy was most effective for metacarpophalangeal joints and less effective for proximal interphalangeal and distal interphalangeal joints. Secondary percutaneous needle fasciotomy was as effective as primary percutaneous needle fasciotomy. Complications were rare and mostly minor. The results of this study confirm that percutaneous needle fasciotomy is an effective and safe treatment modality for patients with mild to moderate disease who prefer a minimally invasive procedure. Therapeutic, IV.

Quantifying sex, race, and age specific differences in bone microstructure requires measurement of anatomically equivalent regions.

PubMed

Ghasem-Zadeh, Ali; Burghardt, Andrew; Wang, Xiao-Fang; Iuliano, Sandra; Bonaretti, Serena; Bui, Minh; Zebaze, Roger; Seeman, Ego

2017-08-01

Individuals differ in forearm length. As microstructure differs along the radius, we hypothesized that errors may occur when sexual and racial dimorphisms are quantified at a fixed distance from the radio-carpal joint. Microstructure was quantified ex vivo in 18 cadaveric radii using high resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography and in vivo in 158 Asian and Caucasian women and men at a fixed region of interest (ROI), a corrected ROI positioned at 4.5-6% of forearm length and using the fixed ROI adjusted for cross sectional area (CSA), forearm length or height. Secular effects of age were assessed by comparing 38 younger and 33 older women. Ex vivo, similar amounts of bone mass fashioned adjacent cross sections. Larger distal cross sections had thinner porous cortices of lower matrix mineral density (MMD), a larger medullary CSA and higher trabecular density. Smaller proximal cross-sections had thicker less porous cortices of higher MMD, a small medullary canal with little trabecular bone. Taller persons had more distally positioned fixed ROIs which moved proximally when corrected. Shorter persons had more proximally positioned fixed ROIs which moved distally when corrected, so dimorphisms lessened. In the corrected ROIs, in Caucasians, women had 0.6 SD higher porosity and 0.6 SD lower trabecular density than men (p<0.01). In Asians, women had 0.25 SD higher porosity (NS) and 0.5 SD lower trabecular density than men (p<0.05). In women, Asians had 0.8 SD lower porosity and 0.3 SD higher trabecular density than Caucasians (p<0.01). In men, Asians and Caucasians had similar porosity and trabecular density. Results were similar using an adjusted fixed ROI. Adjusting for secular effects of age on forearm length resulted in the age-related increment in porosity increasing from 2.08 SD to 2.48 SD (p<0.05). Assessment of sex, race and age related differences in microstructure requires measurement of anatomically equivalent regions. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

77 FR 3579 - Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-01-25

..., relocating and adjusting the sensor target and the sensor proximity switch, and testing to ensure positive... bearings and lockbase retainer in the door latch assembly, relocating and adjusting the sensor target and the sensor proximity switch, and testing to ensure positive door locking and corrective action if...

[Augmentation technique on the proximal humerus].

PubMed

Scola, A; Gebhard, F; Röderer, G

2015-09-01

The treatment of osteoporotic fractures is still a challenge. The advantages of augmentation with respect to primary in vitro stability and the clinical use for the proximal humerus are presented in this article. In this study six paired human humeri were randomized into an augmented and a non-augmented group. Osteosynthesis was performed with a PHILOS plate (Synthes®). In the augmented group the two screws finding purchase in the weakest cancellous bone were augmented. The specimens were tested in a 3-part fracture model in a varus bending test. The augmented PHILOS plates withstood significantly more load cycles until failure. The correlation to bone mineral density (BMD) showed that augmentation could partially compensate for low BMD. The augmentation of the screws in locked plating in a proximal humerus fracture model is effective in improving the primary stability in a cyclic varus bending test. The targeted augmentation of two particular screws in a region of low bone quality within the humeral head was almost as effective as four screws with twice the amount of bone cement. Screw augmentation combined with a knowledge of the local bone quality could be more effective in enhancing the primary stability of a proximal humerus locking plate because the effect of augmentation can be exploited more effectively limiting it to the degree required. The technique of augmentation is simple and can be applied in open and minimally invasive procedures. When the correct procedure is used, complications (cement leakage into the joint) can be avoided.

Investigation of the layout and optical proximity correction effects to control the trench etching process on 4H-SiC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kyoung, Sinsu; Jung, Eun-Sik; Sung, Man Young

2017-07-01

Although trench gate and super-junction technology have micro-trench problems when applied to the SiC process due to the material characteristics. In this paper, area effects are analyzed from the test element group with various patterns and optical proximity correction (OPC) methods are proposed and analyzed to reduce micro-trenches in the SiC trench etching process. First, the loading effects were analyzed from pattern samples with various trench widths (Wt). From experiments, the area must limited under a proper size for a uniform etching profile and reduced micro-trenches because a wider area accelerates the etch rate. Second, the area effects were more severely unbalanced at corner patterns because the corner pattern necessarily has an in-corner and out-corner that have different etching areas to each other. We can balance areas using OPC patterns to overcome this. Experiments with OPC represented improved micro-trench profile from when comparing differences of trench depth (Δdt) at out corner and in corner. As a result, the area effects can be used to improve the trench profile with optimized etching process conditions. Therefore, the trench gate and super-junction pillar of the SiC power MOSFET can have an improved uniform profile without micro-trenches using proper design and OPC.[Figure not available: see fulltext.

Effect of Positioning of the ROI on BMD of the Forearm and Its Subregions.

PubMed

Rosen, Elizabeth O; McNamara, Elizabeth A; Whittaker, LaTarsha G; Malabanan, Alan O; Rosen, Harold N

2018-03-21

Inconsistent positioning of patients and region of interest (ROI) is known to influence the precision of bone mineral density (BMD) measurements in the spine and hip. However, it is unknown whether minor shifts in the positioning of the ROI along the shaft of the radius affect the measurement of forearm BMD and its subregions. The ultradistal (UD-), mid-, one-third, and total radius BMDs of 50 consecutive clinical densitometry patients were acquired. At baseline the distal end of the ROI was placed at the tip of the ulnar styloid as usual, and then the forearm was reanalyzed 10 more times, each time shifting the ROI 1 mm proximally. No corrections for multiple comparisons were necessary since the differences that were significant were significant at p < 0.001. The UD-radius BMD increased as the ROI was shifted proximally; the increase was significant when shifted even 1 mm proximally (p < 0.001). These same findings held true for the mid- and total radius bone density, though the percent increase with moving proximally was significantly greater for the UD radius than for the other subregions. However, there was no significant change in the one-third radius BMD when shifted proximally 1-10 mm. Minor proximal shifts of the forearm ROI substantially affect the BMD of the UD-, mid- and total radius, while having no effect on the one-third radius BMD. Since the one-third radius is the only forearm region usually reported, minor proximal shifts of the ROI should not influence forearm BMD results significantly. Copyright © 2018 The International Society for Clinical Densitometry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A numerical study of the effects of wind tunnel wall proximity on an airfoil model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Potsdam, Mark; Roberts, Leonard

1990-01-01

A procedure was developed for modeling wind tunnel flows using computational fluid dynamics. Using this method, a numerical study was undertaken to explore the effects of solid wind tunnel wall proximity and Reynolds number on a two-dimensional airfoil model at low speed. Wind tunnel walls are located at varying wind tunnel height to airfoil chord ratios and the results are compared with freestream flow in the absence of wind tunnel walls. Discrepancies between the constrained and unconstrained flows can be attributed to the presence of the walls. Results are for a Mach Number of 0.25 at angles of attack through stall. A typical wind tunnel Reynolds number of 1,200,000 and full-scale flight Reynolds number of 6,000,000 were investigated. At this low Mach number, wind tunnel wall corrections to Mach number and angle of attack are supported. Reynolds number effects are seen to be a consideration in wind tunnel testing and wall interference correction methods. An unstructured grid Navier-Stokes code is used with a Baldwin-Lomax turbulence model. The numerical method is described since unstructured flow solvers present several difficulties and fundamental differences from structured grid codes, especially in the area of turbulence modeling and grid generation.

Treating the Proximal Interphalangeal Joint in Swan Neck and Boutonniere Deformities.

PubMed

Fox, Paige M; Chang, James

2018-05-01

Swan neck and boutonniere deformities of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint are challenging to treat. In a swan neck deformity, the PIP joint is hyperextended with flexion at the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint. In a boutonniere deformity, there is flexion the PIP joint with hyperextension of the DIP joint. When the deformities are flexible, treatment begins with splinting. However, when the deformity is fixed, serial casting or surgery is often necessary to restore joint motion before surgical correction. Many surgical techniques have been described to treat both conditions. Unfortunately, incomplete correction and deformity recurrence are common. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Proximal Hypospadias

PubMed Central

Kraft, Kate H.; Shukla, Aseem R.; Canning, Douglas A.

2011-01-01

Hypospadias results from abnormal development of the penis that leaves the urethral meatus proximal to its normal glanular position. Meatal position may be located anywhere along the penile shaft, but more severe forms of hypospadias may have a urethral meatus located at the scrotum or perineum. The spectrum of abnormalities may also include ventral curvature of the penis, a dorsally redundant prepuce, and atrophic corpus spongiosum. Due to the severity of these abnormalities, proximal hypospadias often requires more extensive reconstruction in order to achieve an anatomically and functionally successful result. We review the spectrum of proximal hypospadias etiology, presentation, correction, and possible associated complications. PMID:21516286

Longitudinal and Circumferential Strain of the Proximal Aorta

PubMed Central

Bell, Vanessa; Mitchell, William A.; Sigurðsson, Sigurður; Westenberg, Jos J. M.; Gotal, John D.; Torjesen, Alyssa A.; Aspelund, Thor; Launer, Lenore J.; de Roos, Albert; Gudnason, Vilmundur; Harris, Tamara B.; Mitchell, Gary F.

2014-01-01

Background Accurate assessment of mechanical properties of the proximal aorta is a requisite first step for elucidating the pathophysiology of isolated systolic hypertension. During systole, substantial proximal aortic axial displacement produces longitudinal strain, which we hypothesize causes variable underestimation of ascending aortic circumferential strain compared to values in the longitudinally constrained descending aorta. Methods and Results To assess effects of longitudinal strain, we performed magnetic resonance imaging in 375 participants (72 to 94 years old, 204 women) in the Age, Gene/Environment Susceptibility‐Reykjavik Study and measured aortic circumferential and longitudinal strain. Circumferential ascending aortic area strain uncorrected for longitudinal strain was comparable in women and men (mean [95% CI], 8.3 [7.8, 8.9] versus 7.9 [7.4, 8.5]%, respectively, P=0.3). However, longitudinal strain was greater in women (8.5±2.5 versus 7.0±2.5%, P<0.001), resulting in greater longitudinally corrected circumferential ascending aortic strain (14.4 [13.6, 15.2] versus 13.0 [12.4, 13.7]%, P=0.010). Observed circumferential descending aortic strain, which did not require correction (women: 14.0 [13.2, 14.8], men: 12.4 [11.6, 13.2]%, P=0.005), was larger than uncorrected (P<0.001), but comparable to longitudinally corrected (P=0.12) circumferential ascending aortic strain. Carotid‐femoral pulse wave velocity did not correlate with uncorrected ascending aortic strain (R=−0.04, P=0.5), but was inversely related to longitudinally corrected ascending and observed descending aortic strain (R=−0.15, P=0.004; R=−0.36, P<0.001, respectively). Longitudinal strain was also inversely related to carotid‐femoral pulse wave velocity and other risk factors for higher aortic stiffness including treated hypertension. Conclusions Longitudinal strain creates substantial and variable errors in circumferential ascending aortic area strain measurements, particularly in women, and should be considered to avoid misclassification of ascending aortic stiffness. PMID:25523153

Radiographic diagnosis of proximal caries-influence of experience and gender of the dental staff.

PubMed

Geibel, Margrit-Ann; Carstens, S; Braisch, U; Rahman, A; Herz, M; Jablonski-Momeni, A

2017-12-01

The aim of this study was to examine the influence of experience and gender on the radiographic detection of proximal caries lesions and on therapeutic decisions. A survey of 220 examiners (students and employees at three universities and dentists in the field) was taken using a standardized written questionnaire concerning radiographic diagnosis and therapy planning. An expert opinion of four dentists was determined as radiographic reference. A mixed effect logistic regression model was used for statistical evaluation and the odds ratio and p values were calculated (α = 0.05). Examiners with experience had an almost four times greater chance of a correct assessment, if proximal caries lesion was present or not, than examiners with low experience (OR 3.7 (95% CI 2.4-5.8)). No gender-specific differences were discovered (OR women vs. men 0.9 (95% CI 0.6-1.4)). There was a relationship between the severity of the burnout effect on the x-ray and false positive caries diagnosis. Overall, 43% of respondents would plan invasive treatment in the enamel on a patient at low risk of caries and 78% on a high-risk patient. The results showed that the more experienced practitioners would be more likely to postpone restorative therapy on proximal caries until the lesion reached a later stage. The results of this study suggest that examiner's experience influences the radiographic diagnosis of proximal lesions. No gender-specific differences could be found. Examiner's professional experience is an important factor when radiography is included for detection and treatment planning of proximal lesions.

Phase holograms in PMMA with proximity effect correction

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Maker, Paul D.; Muller, R. E.

1993-01-01

Complex computer generated phase holograms (CGPH's) have been fabricated in PMMA by partial e-beam exposure and subsequent partial development. The CGPH was encoded as a sequence of phase delay pixels and written by the JEOL JBX-5D2 E-beam lithography system, a different dose being assigned to each value of phase delay. Following carefully controlled partial development, the pattern appeared rendered in relief in the PMMA, which then acts as the phase-delay medium. The exposure dose was in the range 20-200 micro-C/sq cm, and very aggressive development in pure acetone led to low contrast. This enabled etch depth control to better than plus or minus lambda(sub vis)/60. That result was obtained by exposing isolated 50 micron square patches and measuring resist removal over the central area where the proximity effect dose was uniform and related only to the local exposure. For complex CGPH's with pixel size of the order of the e-beam proximity effect radius, the patterns must be corrected for the extra exposure caused by electrons scattered back up out of the substrate. This has been accomplished by deconvolving the two-dimensional dose deposition function with the desired dose pattern. The deposition function, which plays much the same role as an instrument response function, was carefully measured under the exact conditions used to expose the samples. The devices fabricated were designed with 16 equal phase steps per retardation cycle, were up to 1 cm square, and consisted of up to 100 million 0.3-2.0 micron square pixels. Data files were up to 500 MB long and exposure times ranged to tens of hours. A Fresnel phase lens was fabricated that had diffraction limited optical performance with better than 85 percent efficiency.

[Aesthetic criteria in surgical treatment of hypospadias in children].

PubMed

Kozyrev, G V; Protasov, A A; Nikolaev, V V; Abdullaev, F K; Abdulkarimov, G A; Karmanov, M E

2017-10-01

Aesthetically acceptable cosmetic results of surgical correction of external genital organ defects are important for treatment evaluation along with well-known criteria of good functional outcomes.The purpose of this study was to improve the results of treating children with hypospadias by improving the assessment of results and introducing multi-step correction modalities. From 2013 to 2015, 476 patients with various forms of hypospadias were treated at the Department of Uroandrology of RCCH. The patients age ranged from 1 year to 17 years (mean age 3 years). All patients were divided into 3 groups depending on the form of hypospadias and type of treatment. They included patients with distal forms of hypospadias (group1, n=270), proximal forms (group 2, n=112) and patients with stem and penoscrotal hypospadias who underwent 3-6 operations before admission (group 3, n=94). The study evaluated both functional and cosmetic results. Cosmetic appearance was assessed using the HOPE scoring system [2]. Despite the difference in surgical methods used for all types of hypospadias, good cosmetic results have been achieved in the majority of patients (65%). Functional outcomes differed depending on the form of hypospadias. In primary patients with distal and proximal forms of hypospadias, good results were achieved in 96% and 77% of patients, respectively. At the same time, 72% of patients who underwent repeat interventions had good results, which is comparable to the group of primary patients with proximal forms. The results of treating patients after repeat/failed surgery confirm the high effectiveness of our surgical methods (the Bracka two-stage graft repair, buccal mucosa hypospadias repair, reconstruction with scrotal skin flaps, correction of scrotal transposition). Using the HOPE scoring system to assess cosmetic results helps motivate surgeons to achieve the best treatment results.

Unicameral Bone Cysts of the Pelvis

PubMed Central

Hammoud, Sommer; Weber, Kristy; McCarthy, Edward F

2005-01-01

Unicameral bone cysts of the pelvis are extremely rare. This study summarizes the clinical, radiologic and pathologic features of 16 cases. Patients ranged in age from nine to 69. Most lesions were in the anterior portion of the iliac wing; many appeared to be related to an open iliac crest apophysis. This suggests that the pathogenesis of unicameral bone cysts in this portion of the ilium is similar to that seen in the proximal humerus and the proximal femur. The correct diagnosis was made preoperatively in only five cases. This indicates that, although they are well documented, unicameral bone cysts of the pelvis remain a diagnostic problem. Patients received a spectrum of treatments from curettage to observation. There appeared to be no difference in the outcome after any form of treatment. Therefore, unicameral bone cysts of the pelvis can be managed conservatively. The choice to manage patients conservatively depends on making the correct diagnosis based on clinical history and imaging. The most effective imaging is a combination of plain radiographs, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). PMID:16089077

Unicameral bone cysts of the pelvis: a study of 16 cases.

PubMed

Hammoud, Sommer; Weber, Kristy; McCarthy, Edward F

2005-01-01

Unicameral bone cysts of the pelvis are extremely rare. This study summarizes the clinical, radiologic and pathologic features of 16 cases. Patients ranged in age from nine to 69. Most lesions were in the anterior portion of the iliac wing; many appeared to be related to an open iliac crest apophysis. This suggests that the pathogenesis of unicameral bone cysts in this portion of the ilium is similar to that seen in the proximal humerus and the proximal femur. The correct diagnosis was made preoperatively in only five cases. This indicates that, although they are well documented, unicameral bone cysts of the pelvis remain a diagnostic problem. Patients received a spectrum of treatments from curettage to observation. There appeared to be no difference in the outcome after any form of treatment. Therefore, unicameral bone cysts of the pelvis can be managed conservatively. The choice to manage patients conservatively depends on making the correct diagnosis based on clinical history and imaging. The most effective imaging is a combination of plain radiographs, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Improved line-end foreshortening and corner-rounding control in optical proximity correction using radius of curvature method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mukherjee, Maharaj; Phan, Vinhthuy

2002-07-01

We describe how to generate better Optical Proximity Corrections (OPC) for line-ends and corners by using rounded anchors and serifs. These rounded serifs and anchors can be made smaller in size and shape than the traditional rectilinear anchors and serifs. The smaller size of the serifs tend to have less problems in satisfying mask-rule constraints. They also have less adverse effects on the printability of neighboring shapes. We refer to these rounded anchors and serifs as Mouse-Ears. The rounding is done by circles which are regular octagons with Ortho-45 straight lines. The main idea of this paper stems from the physical description of the lithographic process, which can be conceptualized as a low-pass filter. The low-pass filter eliminates the sharp corners of the feature which are made of high spatial-frequency components and retains the low spatial-frequency components. Since the rounded anchors and serifs have fewer high-frequency components than their rectilinear counterparts they get less deformed in the lithographic process.

[Humerus varus: correction by proximal valgus osteotomy with precontourned plate fixation in children].

PubMed

Tallón-López, J; Domínguez-Amador, J J; Andrés-García, J A

2014-01-01

Varus deformity of the proximal humerus in children is a little known pathology due to its low incidence of presentation. Progress has been made in recent years in understanding the possible etiology and pathophysiological causes. Radiological criteria for diagnosis and functional impairment that occurs have also been defined. However, there are few reports in the literature about the surgical treatment of this deformity in children. In this paper we present a case of surgical treatment of this deformity by corrective osteotomy fixed with precontoured external maleolar plate osteosynthesis. Copyright © 2013 SECOT. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.

76 FR 13541 - Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Model 757-200, -200CB, and -300 Series Airplanes

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-03-14

... the bearings and lockbase retainer in the door latch assembly, relocating and adjusting of the sensor target and the sensor proximity switch, and testing to ensure positive door locking and corrective action... retainer, and relocating and adjusting the sensor target and the sensor proximity switch to forward...

Percutaneous triplanar femoral osteotomy correction for developmental coxa vara: a new technique.

PubMed

Sabharwal, Sanjeev; Mittal, Rahul; Cox, Garrick

2005-01-01

Developmental coxa vara (DCV) is a well-known pediatric hip disorder that is associated with triplanar deformity of the proximal femur. Several techniques of proximal femur osteotomies have being cited in the literature, with variable outcomes. Recently, the authors have used a percutaneous technique with application of a low-profile Ilizarov external fixator for acute opening wedge correction of the femoral deformity associated with DCV. Five children (six affected hips) underwent the above procedure at an average age of 8 + 4 years. The average improvement in Hilgenreiner's epiphyseal angle was from 74 degrees before surgery to 33 degrees after surgery, the neck-shaft angle improved from 86 degrees to 137 degrees, and the articulo-trochanteric distance improved from -6 mm to +11 mm. Latest follow-up at a mean of 2.1 years after surgery showed satisfactory healing with no significant loss of correction in any case. This percutaneous technique offers several advantages over currently available methods for surgical correction of DCV.

Wafer hotspot prevention using etch aware OPC correction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hamouda, Ayman; Power, Dave; Salama, Mohamed; Chen, Ao

2016-03-01

As technology development advances into deep-sub-wavelength nodes, multiple patterning is becoming more essential to achieve the technology shrink requirements. Recently, Optical Proximity Correction (OPC) technology has proposed simultaneous correction of multiple mask-patterns to enable multiple patterning awareness during OPC correction. This is essential to prevent inter-layer hot-spots during the final pattern transfer. In state-of-art literature, multi-layer awareness is achieved using simultaneous resist-contour simulations to predict and correct for hot-spots during mask generation. However, this approach assumes a uniform etch shrink response for all patterns independent of their proximity, which isn't sufficient for the full prevention of inter-exposure hot-spot, for example different color space violations post etch or via coverage/enclosure post etch. In this paper, we explain the need to include the etch component during multiple patterning OPC. We also introduce a novel approach for Etch-aware simultaneous Multiple-patterning OPC, where we calibrate and verify a lumped model that includes the combined resist and etch responses. Adding this extra simulation condition during OPC is suitable for full chip processing from a computation intensity point of view. Also, using this model during OPC to predict and correct inter-exposures hot-spots is similar to previously proposed multiple-patterning OPC, yet our proposed approach more accurately corrects post-etch defects too.

Electrostatic focal spot correction for x-ray tubes operating in strong magnetic fields.

PubMed

Lillaney, Prasheel; Shin, Mihye; Hinshaw, Waldo; Fahrig, Rebecca

2014-11-01

A close proximity hybrid x-ray/magnetic resonance (XMR) imaging system offers several critical advantages over current XMR system installations that have large separation distances (∼5 m) between the imaging fields of view. The two imaging systems can be placed in close proximity to each other if an x-ray tube can be designed to be immune to the magnetic fringe fields outside of the MR bore. One of the major obstacles to robust x-ray tube design is correcting for the effects of the MR fringe field on the x-ray tube focal spot. Any fringe field component orthogonal to the x-ray tube electric field leads to electron drift altering the path of the electron trajectories. The method proposed in this study to correct for the electron drift utilizes an external electric field in the direction of the drift. The electric field is created using two electrodes that are positioned adjacent to the cathode. These electrodes are biased with positive and negative potential differences relative to the cathode. The design of the focusing cup assembly is constrained primarily by the strength of the MR fringe field and high voltage standoff distances between the anode, cathode, and the bias electrodes. From these constraints, a focusing cup design suitable for the close proximity XMR system geometry is derived, and a finite element model of this focusing cup geometry is simulated to demonstrate efficacy. A Monte Carlo simulation is performed to determine any effects of the modified focusing cup design on the output x-ray energy spectrum. An orthogonal fringe field magnitude of 65 mT can be compensated for using bias voltages of +15 and -20 kV. These bias voltages are not sufficient to completely correct for larger orthogonal field magnitudes. Using active shielding coils in combination with the bias electrodes provides complete correction at an orthogonal field magnitude of 88.1 mT. Introducing small fields (<10 mT) parallel to the x-ray tube electric field in addition to the orthogonal field does not affect the electrostatic correction technique. However, rotation of the x-ray tube by 30° toward the MR bore increases the parallel magnetic field magnitude (∼72 mT). The presence of this larger parallel field along with the orthogonal field leads to incomplete correction. Monte Carlo simulations demonstrate that the mean energy of the x-ray spectrum is not noticeably affected by the electrostatic correction, but the output flux is reduced by 7.5%. The maximum orthogonal magnetic field magnitude that can be compensated for using the proposed design is 65 mT. Larger orthogonal field magnitudes cannot be completely compensated for because a pure electrostatic approach is limited by the dielectric strength of the vacuum inside the x-ray tube insert. The electrostatic approach also suffers from limitations when there are strong magnetic fields in both the orthogonal and parallel directions because the electrons prefer to stay aligned with the parallel magnetic field. These challenging field conditions can be addressed by using a hybrid correction approach that utilizes both active shielding coils and biasing electrodes.

Electrostatic focal spot correction for x-ray tubes operating in strong magnetic fields

PubMed Central

Lillaney, Prasheel; Shin, Mihye; Hinshaw, Waldo; Fahrig, Rebecca

2014-01-01

Purpose: A close proximity hybrid x-ray/magnetic resonance (XMR) imaging system offers several critical advantages over current XMR system installations that have large separation distances (∼5 m) between the imaging fields of view. The two imaging systems can be placed in close proximity to each other if an x-ray tube can be designed to be immune to the magnetic fringe fields outside of the MR bore. One of the major obstacles to robust x-ray tube design is correcting for the effects of the MR fringe field on the x-ray tube focal spot. Any fringe field component orthogonal to the x-ray tube electric field leads to electron drift altering the path of the electron trajectories. Methods: The method proposed in this study to correct for the electron drift utilizes an external electric field in the direction of the drift. The electric field is created using two electrodes that are positioned adjacent to the cathode. These electrodes are biased with positive and negative potential differences relative to the cathode. The design of the focusing cup assembly is constrained primarily by the strength of the MR fringe field and high voltage standoff distances between the anode, cathode, and the bias electrodes. From these constraints, a focusing cup design suitable for the close proximity XMR system geometry is derived, and a finite element model of this focusing cup geometry is simulated to demonstrate efficacy. A Monte Carlo simulation is performed to determine any effects of the modified focusing cup design on the output x-ray energy spectrum. Results: An orthogonal fringe field magnitude of 65 mT can be compensated for using bias voltages of +15 and −20 kV. These bias voltages are not sufficient to completely correct for larger orthogonal field magnitudes. Using active shielding coils in combination with the bias electrodes provides complete correction at an orthogonal field magnitude of 88.1 mT. Introducing small fields (<10 mT) parallel to the x-ray tube electric field in addition to the orthogonal field does not affect the electrostatic correction technique. However, rotation of the x-ray tube by 30° toward the MR bore increases the parallel magnetic field magnitude (∼72 mT). The presence of this larger parallel field along with the orthogonal field leads to incomplete correction. Monte Carlo simulations demonstrate that the mean energy of the x-ray spectrum is not noticeably affected by the electrostatic correction, but the output flux is reduced by 7.5%. Conclusions: The maximum orthogonal magnetic field magnitude that can be compensated for using the proposed design is 65 mT. Larger orthogonal field magnitudes cannot be completely compensated for because a pure electrostatic approach is limited by the dielectric strength of the vacuum inside the x-ray tube insert. The electrostatic approach also suffers from limitations when there are strong magnetic fields in both the orthogonal and parallel directions because the electrons prefer to stay aligned with the parallel magnetic field. These challenging field conditions can be addressed by using a hybrid correction approach that utilizes both active shielding coils and biasing electrodes. PMID:25370658

Meat intake, cooking methods and risk of proximal colon, distal colon and rectal cancer: the Norwegian Women and Cancer (NOWAC) cohort study.

PubMed

Parr, Christine L; Hjartåker, Anette; Lund, Eiliv; Veierød, Marit B

2013-09-01

Red and processed meat intake is an established risk factor for colorectal cancer (CRC), but epidemiological evidence by subsite and sex is still limited. In the population-based Norwegian Women and Cancer cohort, we examined associations of meat intake with incident proximal colon, distal colon and rectal cancer, in 84,538 women who completed a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) during 1996-1998 or 2003-2005 (baseline or exposure update) at age 41-70 years, with follow-up by register linkages through 2009. We also examined the effect of meat cooking methods in a subsample (n = 43,636). Multivariable hazard ratios (HRs) were estimated by Cox regression. There were 459 colon (242 proximal and 167 distal), and 215 rectal cancer cases with follow-up ≥ 1 (median 11.1) year. Processed meat intake ≥60 vs. <15 g/day was associated with significantly increased cancer risk in all subsites with HRs (95% confidence interval, CI) of 1.69 (1.05-2.72) for proximal colon, 2.13 (1.18-3.83) for distal colon and 1.71 (1.02-2.85) for rectal cancer. Regression calibration of continuous effects based on repeated 24-hr dietary recalls, indicated attenuation due to measurement errors in FFQ data, but corrected HRs were not statistically significant due to wider CIs. Our study did not support an association between CRC risk and intake of red meat, chicken, or meat cooking methods, but a high processed meat intake was associated with increased risk of proximal colon, distal colon and rectal cancer. The effect of processed meat was mainly driven by the intake of sausages. Copyright © 2013 UICC.

Evidence for involvement of nonesterified fatty acid-induced protonophoric uncoupling during mitochondrial dysfunction caused by hypoxia and reoxygenation

PubMed Central

Feldkamp, Thorsten; Weinberg, Joel M.; Hörbelt, Markus; Von Kropff, Christina; Witzke, Oliver; Nürnberger, Jens; Kribben, Andreas

2009-01-01

Background. Proximal tubules subjected to hypoxia in vitro under conditions relevant to ischaemia in vivo develop an energetic deficit that is not corrected even after full reoxygenation. We have provided evidence that accumulation of nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) is the primary reason for this energetic deficit. In this study, we have further investigated the mechanism for the NEFA-induced energetic deficit. Methods. Mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψ) was measured in digitonin-permeabilized, freshly isolated proximal tubules by safranin O uptake. Addition of the potassium/proton exchanger nigericin enables the determination of the mitochondrial proton motive force (Δp) and the proton gradient (ΔpH). ATP was measured luminometrically and NEFA colorimetrically. Results. Tubule ATP content was depleted after hypoxia and recovered incompletely, even after full reoxygenation. Mitochondrial safranin O uptake was decreased in proximal tubules after hypoxia and reoxygenation (H/R). This decrease was attenuated by delipidated bovine serum albumin (dBSA) or citrate. Addition of nigericin increased safranin O uptake of mitochondria in normoxic proximal tubules, but not in proximal tubules after H/R. Addition of dBSA restored the effect of nigericin to increase mitochondrial safranin O uptake. Addition of the NEFA oleate had the same impact on mitochondrial safranin O uptake as subjecting proximal tubules to H/R. Conclusion. The mechanism of the NEFA-induced energetic deficit in freshly isolated rat proximal tubules induced by H/R is characterized by impaired ATP production after full reoxygenation, impaired recovery of Δψ and Δp, abrogation of ΔpH and sensitivity to citrate, consistent with involvement of the tricarboxylate carrier. The data support the concept that protonophoric uncoupling by NEFA movement on anion carriers plays a critical role in proximal tubule mitochochondrial dysfunction after H/R. PMID:18678559

Proximal tibial osteotomy. A survivorship analysis.

PubMed

Ritter, M A; Fechtman, R A

1988-01-01

Proximal tibial osteotomy is generally accepted as a treatment for the patient with unicompartmental arthritis. However, a few reports of the long-term results of this procedure are available in the literature, and none have used the technique known as survivorship analysis. This technique has an advantage over conventional analysis because it does not exclude patients for inadequate follow-up, loss to follow-up, or patient death. In this study, survivorship analysis was applied to 78 proximal tibial osteotomies, performed exclusively by the senior author for the correction of a preoperative varus deformity, and a survival curve was constructed. It was concluded that the reliable longevity of the proximal tibial osteotomy is approximately 6 years.

Conductivity of Weakly Disordered Metals Close to a "Ferromagnetic" Quantum Critical Point

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kastrinakis, George

2018-05-01

We calculate analytically the conductivity of weakly disordered metals close to a "ferromagnetic" quantum critical point in the low-temperature regime. Ferromagnetic in the sense that the effective carrier potential V(q,ω ), due to critical fluctuations, is peaked at zero momentum q=0. Vertex corrections, due to both critical fluctuations and impurity scattering, are explicitly considered. We find that only the vertex corrections due to impurity scattering, combined with the self-energy, generate appreciable effects as a function of the temperature T and the control parameter a, which measures the proximity to the critical point. Our results are consistent with resistivity experiments in several materials displaying typical Fermi liquid behaviour, but with a diverging prefactor of the T^2 term for small a.

Time dependent effects of stress prior to encoding on event-related potentials and 24 h delayed retrieval.

PubMed

Quaedflieg, Conny W E M; Schwabe, Lars; Meyer, Thomas; Smeets, Tom

2013-12-01

Stress can exert profound effects on memory encoding. Here, we investigated whether (sub)cortical information processing during encoding and memory retrieval at a 24 h delayed test are affected by the temporal proximity between stress and memory encoding. Sixty-four participants engaged in the Maastricht Acute Stress Test (MAST) or a no-stress control condition either immediately before (i.e., proximate condition) or 30 min before (i.e., distant condition) a picture encoding task. In general, stress decreased the number of freely recalled and recognized pictures and increased the number of false alarms. However, timing of stress exposure did not differentially affect picture recall, recognition or selective attention processes (i.e., LPP). Nevertheless, stress-induced cortisol responses and correctly recognized neutral pictures were positively associated within the proximate stress condition but negatively associated within the distant stress condition. These findings suggest that the time at which a stressor is applied might differentially impact the association between stress-induced cortisol elevations and memory formation and indicate the need for a finer delineation of the time window during which glucocorticoids affect memory formation processes. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Interaction dynamics between grouping principles in touch: phenomenological and psychophysical evidence.

PubMed

Prieto, Antonio; Mayas, Julia; Ballesteros, Soledad

2018-05-24

In two experiments, we investigated the interactions between the grouping principles of spatial proximity and texture similarity in touch. For that purpose, we adapted to touch two paradigms widely employed in vision. In Experiment 1, we used an experimental phenomenological task consisting of rating the strength of grouping in both acting alone and conjoined cooperative and competitive conditions. In Experiment 2, participants performed a psychophysical task in which an objective (in)correct response was defined by selectively attending to one grouping cue in different blocks of trials. The results showed that spatial proximity dominated over texture similarity when the two principles were conjoined in competition. In addition, the present results are compatible with an additive model of grouping effects as indicated by the greater grouping effect in the cooperative condition and the smaller grouping effect in the competitive condition relative to a.0cting alone grouping principles. The similarities and differences between vision and touch are discussed.

Correction of moderate to severe hallux valgus with combined proximal opening wedge and distal chevron osteotomies: a reliable technique.

PubMed

Jeyaseelan, L; Chandrashekar, S; Mulligan, A; Bosman, H A; Watson, A J S

2016-09-01

The mainstay of surgical correction of hallux valgus is first metatarsal osteotomy, either proximally or distally. We present a technique of combining a distal chevron osteotomy with a proximal opening wedge osteotomy, for the correction of moderate to severe hallux valgus. We reviewed 45 patients (49 feet) who had undergone double osteotomy. Outcome was assessed using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) and the Short Form (SF) -36 Health Survey scores. Radiological measurements were undertaken to assess the correction. The mean age of the patients was 60.8 years (44.2 to 75.3). The mean follow-up was 35.4 months (24 to 51). The mean AOFAS score improved from 54.7 to 92.3 (p < 0.001) and the mean SF-36 score from 59 to 86 (p < 0.001). The mean hallux valgus and intermetatarsal angles were improved from 41.6(o) to 12.8(o) (p < 0.001) and from 22.1(o) to 7.1(o), respectively (p < 0.001). The mean distal metatarsal articular angle improved from 23(o) to 9.7(o). The mean sesamoid position, as described by Hardy and Clapham, improved from 6.8 to 3.5. The mean length of the first metatarsal was unchanged. The overall rate of complications was 4.1% (two patients). These results suggest that a double osteotomy of the first metatarsal is a reliable, safe technique which, when compared with other metatarsal osteotomies, provides strong angular correction and excellent outcomes with a low rate of complications. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:1202-7. ©2016 The British Editorial Society of Bone & Joint Surgery.

Investigating the dominant corrections to the strong-stretching theory for dry polymeric brushes.

PubMed

Matsen, M W

2004-07-22

The accuracy of strong-stretching theory (SST) is examined against a detailed comparison to self-consistent field theory (SCFT) on dry polymeric brushes with thicknesses of up to approximately 17 times the natural chain extension. The comparison provides the strongest evidence to date that SST represents the exact thick-brush limit of SCFT. More importantly, it allows us to assess the effectiveness of proposed finite-stretching corrections to SST. Including the entropy of the free ends is shown to rectify the most severe inaccuracies in SST. The proximal layer proposed by Likhtman and Semenov provides another significant improvement, and we identify one further effect of similar importance for which there is not yet an accurate treatment. Furthermore, our study provides a valuable means of rejecting mistaken refinements to SST, and indeed one such example is revealed. A proper treatment of finite-stretching corrections is vital to a wide range of phenomena that depend on a small excess free energy, such as autophobic dewetting and the interaction between opposing brushes.

Comparison of line shortening assessed by aerial image and wafer measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ziegler, Wolfram; Pforr, Rainer; Thiele, Joerg; Maurer, Wilhelm

1997-02-01

Increasing number of patterns per area and decreasing linewidth demand enhancement technologies for optical lithography. OPC, the correction of systematic non-linearity in the pattern transfer process by correction of design data is one possibility to tighten process control and to increase the lifetime of existing lithographic equipment. The two most prominent proximity effects to be corrected by OPC are CD variation and line shortening. Line shortening measured on a wafer is up to 2 times larger than full resist simulation results. Therefore, the influence of mask geometry to line shortening is a key item to parameterize lithography. The following paper discusses the effect of adding small serifs to line ends with 0.25 micrometer ground-rule design. For reticles produced on an ALTA 3000 with standard wet etch process, the corner rounding on them mask can be reduced by adding serifs of a certain size. The corner rounding was measured and the effect on line shortening on the wafer is determined. This was investigated by resist measurements on wafer, aerial image plus resist simulation and aerial image measurements on the AIMS microscope.

PROXIMAL JUNCTIONAL KYPHOSIS IN ADULT RECONSTRUCTIVE SPINE SURGERY RESULTS FROM INCOMPLETE RESTORATION OF THE LUMBAR LORDOSIS RELATIVE TO THE MAGNITUDE OF THE THORACIC KYPHOSIS

PubMed Central

Mendoza-Lattes, Sergio; Ries, Zachary; Gao, Yubo; Weinstein, Stuart L

2011-01-01

Background Proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) is defined as: 1) Proximal junction sagittal Cobb angle >≥10°, and 2) Proximal junction sagittal Cobb angle of at least 10° greater than the pre-operative measurement PJK is a common complication which develops in 39% of adults following surgery for spinal deformity. The pathogenesis, risk factors and prevention of this complication are unclear. Methods Of 54 consecutive adults treated with spinal deformity surgery (age≥59.3±10.1 years), 19 of 54 (35%) developed PJK. The average follow-up was 26.8months (range 12 - 42). Radiographic parameters were measured at the pre-operative, early postoperative (4-6 weeks), and final follow-up visits. Sagittal alignment was measured by the ratio between the C7-plumbline and the sacral-femoral distance. Binary logistic regression model with predictor variables included: Age, BMI, C7-plumbline, and whether lumbar lordosis, thoracic kyphosis and sacral slope were present Results Patients who developed PJK and those without PJK presented with comparable age, BMI, pelvic incidence and sagittal imbalance before surgery. They also presented with comparable sacral slope and lumbar lordosis. The average magnitude of thoracic kyphosis was significantly larger than the lumbar lordosis in the proximal junctional kyphosis group, both at baseline and in the early postoperative period, as represented by [(-lumbar )lordosis - (thoracic kyphosis)]; no- PJK versus PJK; 6.6°±23.2° versus -6.6°±14.2°; p≥0.012. This was not effectively addressed with surgery in the PJK group [(-LL-TK): 6.2°±13.1° vs. -5.2°±9.6°; p≥0.004]. This group also presented with signs of pelvic retroversion with a sacral slope of 29.3°±8.2° pre-operatively that was unchanged after surgery (30.4°±8.5° postoperatively). Logistic regression determined that the magnitude of thoracic kyphosis and sagittal balance (C7-plumbline) was the most important predictor of proximal junctional kyphosis. Conclusions Proximal junctional kyphosis developed in those patients where the thoracic kyphosis remained greater in magnitude relative to the lumbar lordosis, and where the sagittal balance seemed corrected, but part of thise correction was secondary to pelvic retroversion. Level of Evidence Prognostic case-control study – Level III. PMID:22096442

Adaptive multiphoton endomicroscopy through a dynamically deformed multicore optical fiber using proximal detection.

PubMed

Warren, Sean C; Kim, Youngchan; Stone, James M; Mitchell, Claire; Knight, Jonathan C; Neil, Mark A A; Paterson, Carl; French, Paul M W; Dunsby, Chris

2016-09-19

This paper demonstrates multiphoton excited fluorescence imaging through a polarisation maintaining multicore fiber (PM-MCF) while the fiber is dynamically deformed using all-proximal detection. Single-shot proximal measurement of the relative optical path lengths of all the cores of the PM-MCF in double pass is achieved using a Mach-Zehnder interferometer read out by a scientific CMOS camera operating at 416 Hz. A non-linear least squares fitting procedure is then employed to determine the deformation-induced lateral shift of the excitation spot at the distal tip of the PM-MCF. An experimental validation of this approach is presented that compares the proximally measured deformation-induced lateral shift in focal spot position to an independent distally measured ground truth. The proximal measurement of deformation-induced shift in focal spot position is applied to correct for deformation-induced shifts in focal spot position during raster-scanning multiphoton excited fluorescence imaging.

Hair Cortisol in the Evaluation of Cushing Syndrome

PubMed Central

Hodes, Aaron; Lodish, Maya B.; Tirosh, Amit; Meyer, Jerrold; Belyavskaya, Elena; Lyssikatos, Charalampos; Rosenberg, Kendra; Demidowich, Andrew; Swan, Jeremy; Jonas, Nichole; Stratakis, Constantine A.; Zilbermint, Mihail

2017-01-01

Purpose Hair cortisol evaluation has been used to help detect patients with suspected Cushing Syndrome. Our goal was to correlate segmental hair cortisol with biochemical testing in patients with Cushing syndrome and controls. This study was a prospective analysis of hair cortisol in confirmed Cushing syndrome cases over 16 months. Methods Thirty six subjects (26.5±18.9 years, 75% female, and 75% Caucasian) were analyzed by diurnal serum cortisol, 24 h urinary free cortisol corrected for body surface area (UFC/BSA), and 24 h urinary 17-hydroxysteroids corrected for creatinine (17OHS/Cr). Thirty patients were diagnosed with Cushing syndrome, and six were defined as controls. 3-cm hair samples nearest to the scalp, cut into 1-cm segments (proximal, medial, and distal), were analyzed for cortisol by enzyme immunoassay and measured as pmol cortisol/g dry hair. Hair cortisol levels were compared with laboratory testing done within previous 2 months of the evaluation. Results Proximal hair cortisol was higher in Cushing syndrome patients (266.6 ± 738.4 pmol/g) than control patients (38.9 ± 25.3 pmol/g) (p = 0.003). Proximal hair cortisol was highest of all segments in 25/36 (69%) patients. Among all subjects, proximal hair cortisol was strongly correlated with UFC/BSA (r=0.5, p=0.005), midnight serum cortisol (r=0.4, p=0.03), and 17OHS/Cr, which trended towards significance (r=0.3, p=0.06). Conclusions Among the three examined hair segments, proximal hair contained the highest cortisol levels and correlated the most with the initial biochemical tests for Cushing syndrome in our study. Further studies are needed to validate proximal hair cortisol in the diagnostic workup for Cushing syndrome. PMID:28194652

Hair cortisol in the evaluation of Cushing syndrome.

PubMed

Hodes, Aaron; Lodish, Maya B; Tirosh, Amit; Meyer, Jerrold; Belyavskaya, Elena; Lyssikatos, Charalampos; Rosenberg, Kendra; Demidowich, Andrew; Swan, Jeremy; Jonas, Nichole; Stratakis, Constantine A; Zilbermint, Mihail

2017-04-01

Hair cortisol evaluation has been used to help detect patients with suspected Cushing syndrome. Our goal was to correlate segmental hair cortisol with biochemical testing in patients with Cushing syndrome and controls. This study was a prospective analysis of hair cortisol in confirmed Cushing syndrome cases over 16 months. Thirty-six subjects (26.5 ± 18.9 years, 75% female, and 75% Caucasian) were analyzed by diurnal serum cortisol, 24 h urinary free cortisol corrected for body surface area (UFC/BSA), and 24 h urinary 17-hydroxysteroids corrected for creatinine (17OHS/Cr). Thirty patients were diagnosed with Cushing syndrome, and six were defined as controls. 3-cm hair samples nearest to the scalp, cut into 1-cm segments (proximal, medial, and distal), were analyzed for cortisol by enzyme immunoassay and measured as pmol cortisol/g dry hair. Hair cortisol levels were compared with laboratory testing done within previous 2 months of the evaluation. Proximal hair cortisol was higher in Cushing syndrome patients (266.6 ± 738.4 pmol/g) than control patients (38.9 ± 25.3 pmol/g) (p = 0.003). Proximal hair cortisol was highest of all segments in 25/36 (69%) patients. Among all subjects, proximal hair cortisol was strongly correlated with UFC/BSA (r = 0.5, p = 0.005), midnight serum cortisol (r = 0.4, p = 0.03), and 17OHS/Cr, which trended towards significance (r = 0.3, p = 0.06). Among the three examined hair segments, proximal hair contained the highest cortisol levels and correlated the most with the initial biochemical tests for Cushing syndrome in our study. Further studies are needed to validate proximal hair cortisol in the diagnostic workup for Cushing syndrome.

Written Corrective Feedback from Sociocultural Theoretical Perspectives: A Research Agenda

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Storch, Neomy

2018-01-01

Using key constructs from sociocultural theory and activity theory, this paper outlines three broad areas of future research on written corrective feedback (WCF) that may be of interest to second language (L2) researchers and practitioners. The first area uses the constructs of the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) and scaffolding to assess the…

Management of concealed penis with modified penoplasty.

PubMed

Xu, Jian-Guo; Lv, Chuan; Wang, Yu-Chong; Zhu, Ji; Xue, Chun-Yu

2015-03-01

To investigate the effect of penile degloving in combination with penoscrotal angle reconstruction for the correction of concealed penis. A foreskin circumcision incision was made along the coronal sulcus. After a sharp dissection under the superficial layer of tunica albuginea, the penile shaft was degloved to release the fibrous bands of the tunica dartos. Through a longitudinal incision or Z-plasty at the penoscrotal junction, securing of the tunica albuginea to the proximal tunica dartos was performed. The penoscrotal angle was reconstructed. This procedure effectively corrected the concealed penis, while correcting other problems such as phimosis. From August 2008 to August 2013, we performed 41 procedures for concealed penis. Correction was successful in all patients with an improved median length of 2.1 cm in the flaccid state. Follow-up ranged from 6 months to 2 years, and satisfactory cosmetic outcomes were obtained without scars or erectile discomfort. Our technique includes degloving and penoscrotal angle reconstruction, which provides proper visualization for fixation of the penile base. The longitudinal or Z-plasty incision also opened the degloving dead cavity, which was good for drainage. The procedure is straight forward with good functional and cosmetic outcomes and is thus ideal for correction of the concealed penis. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Impact of a Geometric Correction for Proximal Flow Constraint on the Assessment of Mitral Regurgitation Severity Using the Proximal Flow Convergence Method.

PubMed

Jang, Jeong Yoon; Kang, Joon-Won; Yang, Dong Hyun; Lee, Sahmin; Sun, Byung Joo; Kim, Dae-Hee; Song, Jong-Min; Kang, Duk-Hyun; Song, Jae-Kwan

2018-03-01

Overestimation of the severity of mitral regurgitation (MR) by the proximal isovelocity surface area (PISA) method has been reported. We sought to test whether angle correction (AC) of the constrained flow field is helpful to eliminate overestimation in patients with eccentric MR. In a total of 33 patients with MR due to prolapse or flail mitral valve, both echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance image (CMR) were performed to calculate regurgitant volume (RV). In addition to RV by conventional PISA (RV PISA ), convergence angle (α) was measured from 2-dimensional Doppler color flow maps and RV was corrected by multiplying by α/180 (RV AC ). RV measured by CMR (RV CMR ) was used as a gold standard, which was calculated by the difference between total stroke volume measured by planimetry of the short axis slices and aortic stroke volume by phase-contrast image. The correlation between RV CMR and RV by echocardiography was modest [RV CMR vs. RV PISA (r = 0.712, p < 0.001) and RV CMR vs. RV AC (r = 0.766, p < 0.001)]. However, RV PISA showed significant overestimation (RV PISA - RV CMR = 50.6 ± 40.6 mL vs. RV AC - RV CMR = 7.7 ± 23.4 mL, p < 0.001). The overall accuracy of RV PISA for diagnosis of severe MR, defined as RV ≥ 60 mL, was 57.6% (19/33), whereas it increased to 84.8% (28/33) by using RV AC ( p = 0.028). Conventional PISA method tends to provide falsely large RV in patients with eccentric MR and a simple geometric AC of the proximal constraint flow largely eliminates overestimation.

Positional error and time-activity patterns in near-highway proximity studies: an exposure misclassification analysis

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background The growing interest in research on the health effects of near-highway air pollutants requires an assessment of potential sources of error in exposure assignment techniques that rely on residential proximity to roadways. Methods We compared the amount of positional error in the geocoding process for three different data sources (parcels, TIGER and StreetMap USA) to a “gold standard” residential geocoding process that used ortho-photos, large multi-building parcel layouts or large multi-unit building floor plans. The potential effect of positional error for each geocoding method was assessed as part of a proximity to highway epidemiological study in the Boston area, using all participants with complete address information (N = 703). Hourly time-activity data for the most recent workday/weekday and non-workday/weekend were collected to examine time spent in five different micro-environments (inside of home, outside of home, school/work, travel on highway, and other). Analysis included examination of whether time-activity patterns were differentially distributed either by proximity to highway or across demographic groups. Results Median positional error was significantly higher in street network geocoding (StreetMap USA = 23 m; TIGER = 22 m) than parcel geocoding (8 m). When restricted to multi-building parcels and large multi-unit building parcels, all three geocoding methods had substantial positional error (parcels = 24 m; StreetMap USA = 28 m; TIGER = 37 m). Street network geocoding also differentially introduced greater amounts of positional error in the proximity to highway study in the 0–50 m proximity category. Time spent inside home on workdays/weekdays differed significantly by demographic variables (age, employment status, educational attainment, income and race). Time-activity patterns were also significantly different when stratified by proximity to highway, with those participants residing in the 0–50 m proximity category reporting significantly more time in the school/work micro-environment on workdays/weekdays than all other distance groups. Conclusions These findings indicate the potential for both differential and non-differential exposure misclassification due to geocoding error and time-activity patterns in studies of highway proximity. We also propose a multi-stage manual correction process to minimize positional error. Additional research is needed in other populations and geographic settings. PMID:24010639

Positional error and time-activity patterns in near-highway proximity studies: an exposure misclassification analysis.

PubMed

Lane, Kevin J; Kangsen Scammell, Madeleine; Levy, Jonathan I; Fuller, Christina H; Parambi, Ron; Zamore, Wig; Mwamburi, Mkaya; Brugge, Doug

2013-09-08

The growing interest in research on the health effects of near-highway air pollutants requires an assessment of potential sources of error in exposure assignment techniques that rely on residential proximity to roadways. We compared the amount of positional error in the geocoding process for three different data sources (parcels, TIGER and StreetMap USA) to a "gold standard" residential geocoding process that used ortho-photos, large multi-building parcel layouts or large multi-unit building floor plans. The potential effect of positional error for each geocoding method was assessed as part of a proximity to highway epidemiological study in the Boston area, using all participants with complete address information (N = 703). Hourly time-activity data for the most recent workday/weekday and non-workday/weekend were collected to examine time spent in five different micro-environments (inside of home, outside of home, school/work, travel on highway, and other). Analysis included examination of whether time-activity patterns were differentially distributed either by proximity to highway or across demographic groups. Median positional error was significantly higher in street network geocoding (StreetMap USA = 23 m; TIGER = 22 m) than parcel geocoding (8 m). When restricted to multi-building parcels and large multi-unit building parcels, all three geocoding methods had substantial positional error (parcels = 24 m; StreetMap USA = 28 m; TIGER = 37 m). Street network geocoding also differentially introduced greater amounts of positional error in the proximity to highway study in the 0-50 m proximity category. Time spent inside home on workdays/weekdays differed significantly by demographic variables (age, employment status, educational attainment, income and race). Time-activity patterns were also significantly different when stratified by proximity to highway, with those participants residing in the 0-50 m proximity category reporting significantly more time in the school/work micro-environment on workdays/weekdays than all other distance groups. These findings indicate the potential for both differential and non-differential exposure misclassification due to geocoding error and time-activity patterns in studies of highway proximity. We also propose a multi-stage manual correction process to minimize positional error. Additional research is needed in other populations and geographic settings.

Single Stage Treatment of Non - Union of Transcervical Neck Femur Fracture with Shepherd Crook Deformity of Proximal Femur in A Case of Fibrous Dysplasia using Dynamic Hip Screw Fixation.

PubMed

Vk, Kandhari; Ss, Bava; Mm, Desai; Rn, Wade

2015-01-01

Fibrous dysplasia is a rare benign disorder of the skeletal system characterized by fibro osseous proliferation with intervening areas of normal or immature bone in the intramedullary region. It can either be a monostotic (involves one bone) or a polyostotic (involves more than one bone) presentation and usually occurs equally in males and females. Deformities like scoliosis and shepherd's crook deformity are frequently encountered in the polyostotic form. We report a rare managed case of bilateral non-union of the pathological fracture of femur neck with shepherd's crook deformity of the proximal femur in a case of polyostotic fibrous dysplasia. A 16 years old female case of polyostotic fibrous dysplasia had bilateral Shepherd's crook deformity of the proximal femur with bilateral non - union of pathological fracture of neck femur. We managed each side in one stage with two osteotomies. On the right side, first oblique osteotomy was done from just distal to the greater trochanter up to the level of the neck and the second; lateral closing wedge abduction osteotomy was done at the subtrochanteric level. 2 months later on the left side double lateral closing wedge abduction osteotomies were performed both at the subtrochanteric level. Fixation of both the sides was done using a 135° Dynamic Richard's screw with a long side plate to span the osteotomy sites and the lesion. Post - operatively we achieved a neck shaft angle of 135° on right side and 133° on the left side. Follow up imaging showed union at both the osteotomy sites bilaterally and also at the site of the pathological fracture of neck femur. Presently, at 18 months post - operatively, patient is walking full weight bearing without support and there are no signs of recurrence of lesions of fibrous dysplasia or the deformity. Double osteotomy is an easy and effective method to correct the shepherd's crook deformity and achieve correct mechanical alignment. Dynamic hip screw with long side plate is a versatile implant to tackle the proximal femur deformity. Double osteotomy corrects the deformity and tackles the associated problems like non - union of the pathological neck femur fracture in one stage.

Single Stage Treatment of Non – Union of Transcervical Neck Femur Fracture with Shepherd Crook Deformity of Proximal Femur in A Case of Fibrous Dysplasia using Dynamic Hip Screw Fixation

PubMed Central

VK, Kandhari; SS, Bava; MM, Desai; RN, Wade

2015-01-01

Introduction: Fibrous dysplasia is a rare benign disorder of the skeletal system characterized by fibro osseous proliferation with intervening areas of normal or immature bone in the intramedullary region. It can either be a monostotic (involves one bone) or a polyostotic (involves more than one bone) presentation and usually occurs equally in males and females. Deformities like scoliosis and shepherd’s crook deformity are frequently encountered in the polyostotic form. We report a rare managed case of bilateral non-union of the pathological fracture of femur neck with shepherd’s crook deformity of the proximal femur in a case of polyostotic fibrous dysplasia. Case Report: A 16 years old female case of polyostotic fibrous dysplasia had bilateral Shepherd’s crook deformity of the proximal femur with bilateral non – union of pathological fracture of neck femur. We managed each side in one stage with two osteotomies. On the right side, first oblique osteotomy was done from just distal to the greater trochanter up to the level of the neck and the second; lateral closing wedge abduction osteotomy was done at the subtrochanteric level. 2 months later on the left side double lateral closing wedge abduction osteotomies were performed both at the subtrochanteric level. Fixation of both the sides was done using a 135° Dynamic Richard’s screw with a long side plate to span the osteotomy sites and the lesion. Post – operatively we achieved a neck shaft angle of 135° on right side and 133° on the left side. Follow up imaging showed union at both the osteotomy sites bilaterally and also at the site of the pathological fracture of neck femur. Presently, at 18 months post – operatively, patient is walking full weight bearing without support and there are no signs of recurrence of lesions of fibrous dysplasia or the deformity. Conclusion: Double osteotomy is an easy and effective method to correct the shepherd’s crook deformity and achieve correct mechanical alignment. Dynamic hip screw with long side plate is a versatile implant to tackle the proximal femur deformity. Double osteotomy corrects the deformity and tackles the associated problems like non - union of the pathological neck femur fracture in one stage. PMID:27299066

Complication of hybrid treatment in type B aortic dissection diagnosed by echocardiography.

PubMed

Weber, Thaís Rossoni; Hotta, Viviane Tiemi; Rochitte, Carlos Eduardo; Staszko, Kamila Fernanda; Dias, Ricardo Ribeiro; Mady, Charles

2017-05-01

This case illustrates an unusual and fatal complication after endovascular treatment of type B aortic dissection and highlights the role of echocardiography in the early diagnosis of complications. In this case, a patient with previous diagnosis of chronic type B aortic dissection and moderate aortic regurgitation underwent endovascular repair of the proximal descending aorta and conservative surgical correction of the aortic valve. On early postoperative, a transesophageal echocardiogram and aortic angiotomography demonstrated proximal endoleak by contrast extravasation around the proximal graft attachment site, causing compression of the stent in its middle portion, resulting in narrowing with reduced cross-sectional area. © 2017, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Technique of Dynamic Flexor Digitorum Superficialis Transfer to Lateral Bands for Proximal Interphalangeal Joint Deformity Correction in Severe Dupuytren Disease.

PubMed

Schreck, Michael J; Holbrook, Hayden S; Koman, L Andrew

2018-02-01

Pseudo-boutonniere deformity is an uncommon complication from long-standing proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint contracture in Dupuytren disease. Prolonged flexion contracture of the PIP joint can lead to central slip attenuation and resultant imbalances in the extensor mechanism. We present a technique of flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) tendon transfer to the lateral bands to correct pseudo-boutonniere deformity at the time of palmar fasciectomy for the treatment of Dupuytren disease. The FDS tendon is transferred from volar to dorsal through the lumbrical canal and sutured into the dorsally mobilized lateral bands. This technique presents an approach to the repair of pseudo-boutonniere deformity in Dupuytren disease. Copyright © 2018 American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Intelligent model-based OPC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, W. C.; Lai, C. M.; Luo, B.; Tsai, C. K.; Chih, M. H.; Lai, C. W.; Kuo, C. C.; Liu, R. G.; Lin, H. T.

2006-03-01

Optical proximity correction is the technique of pre-distorting mask layouts so that the printed patterns are as close to the desired shapes as possible. For model-based optical proximity correction, a lithographic model to predict the edge position (contour) of patterns on the wafer after lithographic processing is needed. Generally, segmentation of edges is performed prior to the correction. Pattern edges are dissected into several small segments with corresponding target points. During the correction, the edges are moved back and forth from the initial drawn position, assisted by the lithographic model, to finally settle on the proper positions. When the correction converges, the intensity predicted by the model in every target points hits the model-specific threshold value. Several iterations are required to achieve the convergence and the computation time increases with the increase of the required iterations. An artificial neural network is an information-processing paradigm inspired by biological nervous systems, such as how the brain processes information. It is composed of a large number of highly interconnected processing elements (neurons) working in unison to solve specific problems. A neural network can be a powerful data-modeling tool that is able to capture and represent complex input/output relationships. The network can accurately predict the behavior of a system via the learning procedure. A radial basis function network, a variant of artificial neural network, is an efficient function approximator. In this paper, a radial basis function network was used to build a mapping from the segment characteristics to the edge shift from the drawn position. This network can provide a good initial guess for each segment that OPC has carried out. The good initial guess reduces the required iterations. Consequently, cycle time can be shortened effectively. The optimization of the radial basis function network for this system was practiced by genetic algorithm, which is an artificially intelligent optimization method with a high probability to obtain global optimization. From preliminary results, the required iterations were reduced from 5 to 2 for a simple dumbbell-shape layout.

Biliary sphincteroplasty facilitates retrieval of proximally migrated plastic biliary stent.

PubMed

Shah, Dharmesh K; Jain, Samit S; Somani, Piyush O; Rathi, Pravin M

2014-01-01

Proximal migration of biliary stents presents a technical challenge for the therapeutic endoscopist. It may require multiple, complicated corrective procedures resulting in significant morbidity to the patients. In this study we evaluated the utility of balloon biliary sphincteroplasty with CRE (Controlled Radial Expansion) Balloon Dilator on retrieval of proximally migrated biliary stents. We identified patients from our ERCP database who presented with proximal migration of biliary stent, between August 2011 and October 2013. Patients in whom the stent could not be retrieved with conventional methods, balloon sphincteroplasty was performed with a 12 mm CRETM Balloon Dilator (Boston Scientific). Stent removal was attempted with extraction balloon or basket thereafter. We identified 28 patients with proximal migration of biliary stents, placed for benign diseases of the common bile duct. Stent removal was successful in 18 patients (64.28%) with help of an extraction balloon or basket. Of the remaining 10 patients, balloon sphincteroplasty was successfully followed by stent removal in eight patients. Balloon biliary sphincteroplasty increases the success rate of retrieving proximally migrated biliary stents. The procedure is safe, technically easy and yields a good success rate in our experience.

Burnei's technique of femoral neck variation and valgisation by using the intramedullary rod in Osteogenesis imperfecta.

PubMed

Georgescu, I; Gavriliu, Șt; Nepaliuc, I; Munteanu, L; Țiripa, I; Ghiță, R; Japie, E; Hamei, S; Dughilă, C; Macadon, M

2014-01-01

Varus or valgus deviations of the femoral neck in osteogenesis imperfecta have been an ignored chapter because the classic correction procedures were applied in medical practice with unsatisfying results. Until the use of telescopic rods, coronal deviations remained unsolved and the distal configuration of the proximal femoral extremity remained uncorrected or partially corrected, which required an extensive use of the wheel chair or bed immobilization of the patient. The concomitant correction of the complex deformities, coxa vara/valga and femoral integrated configuration, have been a progress which allowed the patients to walk with or without support. The purpose of this study is to present the Burnei's technique, a therapeutic alternative in deformity corrections of the varus or valgus hip in children with osteogenesis imperfecta. The paper is about a retrospective study done in a single center, which analyses Burnei technique and other procedures described in literature. The content of the article is based on a 12 years experience on a batch of 51 patients with osteogenesis imperfecta from which 10 patients (13 hips) presented frontal plane deviations of the femoral neck. All the patients with osteogenesis imperfecta who presented coxa vara or valga were submitted to investigations with the purpose of measuring blood loss, the possibility of extending the surgical intervention to the leg, the association of severe deformities of the proximal extremity of the femur and the necessity of postoperative intensive care. Burnei's technique: The operation was first performed in 2002. A subtrochanteric osteotomy was made in an oblique cut, from the internal side to the external side and from proximal to distal for coxa vara, or by using a cuneiform resection associated with muscular disinsertions. Only telescopic rods were used for osteosynthesis. There are a few articles in literature, which approach corrections of vara or valgus deviations in osteogenesis imperfecta. Some of them are the techniques described by Finidori, Wagner and Fassier. Burnei's technique is simple; it corrects the varus and valgus deviations concomitantly with Sofield-Millar. Even though only a telescopic rod is used, no stress fractures were seen postoperatively, deviation recurrence or assembly loss.

EUV local CDU healing performance and modeling capability towards 5nm node

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jee, Tae Kwon; Timoshkov, Vadim; Choi, Peter; Rio, David; Tsai, Yu-Cheng; Yaegashi, Hidetami; Koike, Kyohei; Fonseca, Carlos; Schoofs, Stijn

2017-10-01

Both local variability and optical proximity correction (OPC) errors are big contributors to the edge placement error (EPE) budget which is closely related to the device yield. The post-litho contact hole healing will be demonstrated to meet after-etch local variability specifications using a low dose, 30mJ/cm2 dose-to-size, positive tone developed (PTD) resist with relevant throughput in high volume manufacturing (HVM). The total local variability of the node 5nm (N5) contact holes will be characterized in terms of local CD uniformity (LCDU), local placement error (LPE), and contact edge roughness (CER) using a statistical methodology. The CD healing process has complex etch proximity effects, so the OPC prediction accuracy is challenging to meet EPE requirements for the N5. Thus, the prediction accuracy of an after-etch model will be investigated and discussed using ASML Tachyon OPC model.

Model-based MPC enables curvilinear ILT using either VSB or multi-beam mask writers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pang, Linyong; Takatsukasa, Yutetsu; Hara, Daisuke; Pomerantsev, Michael; Su, Bo; Fujimura, Aki

2017-07-01

Inverse Lithography Technology (ILT) is becoming the choice for Optical Proximity Correction (OPC) of advanced technology nodes in IC design and production. Multi-beam mask writers promise significant mask writing time reduction for complex ILT style masks. Before multi-beam mask writers become the main stream working tools in mask production, VSB writers will continue to be the tool of choice to write both curvilinear ILT and Manhattanized ILT masks. To enable VSB mask writers for complex ILT style masks, model-based mask process correction (MB-MPC) is required to do the following: 1). Make reasonable corrections for complex edges for those features that exhibit relatively large deviations from both curvilinear ILT and Manhattanized ILT designs. 2). Control and manage both Edge Placement Errors (EPE) and shot count. 3. Assist in easing the migration to future multi-beam mask writer and serve as an effective backup solution during the transition. In this paper, a solution meeting all those requirements, MB-MPC with GPU acceleration, will be presented. One model calibration per process allows accurate correction regardless of the target mask writer.

Plasma versus Drude Modeling of the Casimir Force: Beyond the Proximity Force Approximation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hartmann, Michael; Ingold, Gert-Ludwig; Neto, Paulo A. Maia

2017-07-01

We calculate the Casimir force and its gradient between a spherical and a planar gold surface. Significant numerical improvements allow us to extend the range of accessible parameters into the experimental regime. We compare our numerically exact results with those obtained within the proximity force approximation (PFA) employed in the analysis of all Casimir force experiments reported in the literature so far. Special attention is paid to the difference between the Drude model and the dissipationless plasma model at zero frequency. It is found that the correction to PFA is too small to explain the discrepancy between the experimental data and the PFA result based on the Drude model. However, it turns out that for the plasma model, the corrections to PFA lie well outside the experimental bound obtained by probing the variation of the force gradient with the sphere radius [D. E. Krause et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 98, 050403 (2007), 10.1103/PhysRevLett.98.050403]. The corresponding corrections based on the Drude model are significantly smaller but still in violation of the experimental bound for small distances between plane and sphere.

Outcomes of proximal chevron osteotomy for moderate versus severe hallux valgus deformities.

PubMed

Moon, Jae-Young; Lee, Keun-Bae; Seon, Jong Keun; Moon, Eun-Sun; Jung, Sung-Taek

2012-08-01

Proximal chevron osteotomy with a distal soft tissue procedure has been widely used to treat moderate to severe hallux valgus deformities. However, there have been no studies comparing the results of proximal chevron osteotomy between patients with moderate and severe hallux valgus. We compared the results of this procedure among these groups. A retrospective review of 95 patients (108 feet) that underwent proximal chevron osteotomy and distal soft tissue procedure for moderate and severe hallux valgus was conducted. The 108 feet were divided into two groups: moderate hallux valgus (Group A) and severe hallux valgus (Group B). Group A was composed of 57 feet (52 patients) and Group B of 51 feet (43 patients). Average followup was 45 months. Mean American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society hallux metatarsophalangeal-interphalangeal scores were 54.1 points in Group A and 53.0 points in Group B preoperatively, and these improved to 90.8 and 92.6, respectively, at the last followup. Mean hallux valgus angles in Groups A and B reduced from 32.3 and 40.8 degrees, preoperatively to 10.7 and 13.2 degrees, postoperatively. Similarly, mean first intermetatarsal angles in Groups A and B reduced from 15.0 and 19.2 degrees, preoperatively to 9.0 and 9.2 degrees, postoperatively. The clinical and radiographic outcomes of proximal chevron osteotomy with a distal soft tissue procedure were found to be comparable for moderate and severe hallux valgus. Accordingly, our results suggest that this procedure provides an effective and reliable means of correcting hallux valgus regardless of severity of deformity.

Igniter adapter-to-igniter chamber deflection test

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cook, M.

1990-01-01

Testing was performed to determine the maximum RSRM igniter adapter-to-igniter chamber joint deflection at the crown of the inner joint primary seal. The deflection data was gathered to support igniter inner joint gasket resiliency predictions which led to launch commit criteria temperature determinations. The proximity (deflection) gage holes for the first test (Test No. 1) were incorrectly located; therefore, the test was declared a non-test. Prior to Test No. 2, test article configuration was modified with the correct proximity gage locations. Deflection data were successfully acquired during Test No. 2. However, the proximity gage deflection measurements were adversely affected by temperature increases. Deflections measured after the temperature rise at the proximity gages were considered unreliable. An analysis was performed to predict the maximum deflections based on the reliable data measured before the detectable temperature rise. Deflections to the primary seal crown location were adjusted to correspond to the time of maximum expected operating pressure (2,159 psi) to account for proximity gage bias, and to account for maximum attach and special bolt relaxation. The maximum joint deflection for the igniter inner joint at the crown of the primary seal, accounting for all significant correction factors, was 0.0031 in. (3.1 mil). Since the predicted (0.003 in.) and tested maximum deflection values were sufficiently close, the launch commit criteria was not changed as a result of this test. Data from this test should be used to determine if the igniter inner joint gasket seals are capable of maintaining sealing capability at a joint displacement of (1.4) x (0.0031 in.) = 0.00434 inches. Additional testing should be performed to increase the database on igniter deflections and address launch commit criteria temperatures.

Selective reinnervation: a comparison of recovery following microsuture and conduit nerve repair.

PubMed

Evans, P J; Bain, J R; Mackinnon, S E; Makino, A P; Hunter, D A

1991-09-20

Selective reinnervation was studied by comparing the regeneration across a conventional neurorraphy versus a conduit nerve repair. Lewis rats underwent right sciatic nerve transection followed by one of four different nerve repairs (n = 8/group). In groups I and II a conventional neurorraphy was performed and in groups III and IV the proximal and distal stumps were coapted by use of a silicone conduit with an interstump gap of 5 mm. The proximal and distal stumps in groups I and III were aligned anatomically correct and the proximal stump was rotated 180 degrees in groups II and IV (i.e. proximal peroneal nerve opposite the distal tibial nerve and the proximal tibial nerve opposite the distal peroneal nerve). By 14 weeks, there was an equivalent, but incomplete return in sciatic function index (SFI) in groups I, III, and IV as measured by walking track analysis. However, the SFI became unmeasurable by 6 weeks in all group II animals. At 14 weeks, the percent innervation of the tibialis anterior and medial gastronemius muscles by the peroneal and tibial nerves respectively was estimated by selective compound muscle action potential amplitude recordings. When fascicular alignment was reversed, there was greater tibial (P = 0.02) and lesser peroneal (P = 0.005) innervation of the gastrocnemius muscle in the conduit (group IV) versus the neurorraphy (group II) group. This suggests that the gastrocnemius muscle may be selectively reinnervated by the tibial nerve. However, there was no evidence of selective reinnervation of the tibialis anterior muscle. Despite these differences, the functional recovery in both conduit repair groups (III and IV) was equivalent to a correctly aligned microsuture repair (group I) and superior to that in the incorrectly aligned microsuture repair (group II).

Automatic Correction Algorithm of Hyfrology Feature Attribute in National Geographic Census

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, C.; Guo, P.; Liu, X.

2017-09-01

A subset of the attributes of hydrologic features data in national geographic census are not clear, the current solution to this problem was through manual filling which is inefficient and liable to mistakes. So this paper proposes an automatic correction algorithm of hydrologic features attribute. Based on the analysis of the structure characteristics and topological relation, we put forward three basic principles of correction which include network proximity, structure robustness and topology ductility. Based on the WJ-III map workstation, we realize the automatic correction of hydrologic features. Finally, practical data is used to validate the method. The results show that our method is highly reasonable and efficient.

Automated Geometry assisted PEC for electron beam direct write nanolithography

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ocola, Leonidas E.; Gosztola, David J.; Rosenmann, Daniel

Nanoscale geometry assisted proximity effect correction (NanoPEC) is demonstrated to improve PEC for nanoscale structures over standard PEC, in terms of feature sharpness for sub-100 nm structures. The method was implemented onto an existing commercially available PEC software. Plasmonic arrays of crosses were fabricated using regular PEC and NanoPEC, and optical absorbance was measured. Results confirm that the improved sharpness of the structures leads to increased sharpness in the optical absorbance spectrum features. We also demonstrated that this method of PEC is applicable to arbitrary shaped structures beyond crosses.

Effects of Optical Artifacts in a Laser-Based Spacecraft Navigation Sensor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

LeCroy, Jerry E.; Howard, Richard T.; Hallmark, Dean S.

2007-01-01

Testing of the Advanced Video Guidance Sensor (AVGS) used for proximity operations navigation on the Orbital Express ASTRO spacecraft exposed several unanticipated imaging system artifacts and aberrations that required correction to meet critical navigation performance requirements. Mitigation actions are described for a number of system error sources, including lens aberration, optical train misalignment, laser speckle, target image defects, and detector nonlinearity/noise characteristics. Sensor test requirements and protocols are described, along with a summary of test results from sensor confidence tests and system performance testing.

Effects of Optical Artifacts in a Laser-Based Spacecraft Navigation Sensor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

LeCroy, Jerry E.; Hallmark, Dean S.; Howard, Richard T.

2007-01-01

Testing Of the Advanced Video Guidance Sensor (AVGS) used for proximity operations navigation on the Orbital Express ASTRO spacecraft exposed several unanticipated imaging system artifacts and aberrations that required correction, to meet critical navigation performance requirements. Mitigation actions are described for a number of system error sources, including lens aberration, optical train misalignment, laser speckle, target image defects, and detector nonlinearity/noise characteristics. Sensor test requirements and protocols are described, along with a summary ,of test results from sensor confidence tests and system performance testing.

Elements of proximal formative assessment in learners' discourse about energy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harrer, Benedikt W.; Scherr, Rachel E.; Wittmann, Michael C.; Close, Hunter G.; Frank, Brian W.

2012-02-01

Proximal formative assessment, the just-in-time elicitation of students' ideas that informs ongoing instruction, is usually associated with the instructor in a formal classroom setting. However, the elicitation, assessment, and subsequent instruction that characterize proximal formative assessment are also seen in discourse among peers. We present a case in which secondary teachers in a professional development course at SPU are discussing energy flow in refrigerators. In this episode, a peer is invited to share her thinking (elicitation). Her idea that refrigerators move heat from a relatively cold compartment to a hotter environment is inappropriately judged as incorrect (assessment). The "instruction" (peer explanation) that follows is based on the second law of thermodynamics, and acts as corrective rather than collaborative.

Demonstration of electronic design automation flow for massively parallel e-beam lithography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brandt, Pieter; Belledent, Jérôme; Tranquillin, Céline; Figueiro, Thiago; Meunier, Stéfanie; Bayle, Sébastien; Fay, Aurélien; Milléquant, Matthieu; Icard, Beatrice; Wieland, Marco

2014-07-01

For proximity effect correction in 5 keV e-beam lithography, three elementary building blocks exist: dose modulation, geometry (size) modulation, and background dose addition. Combinations of these three methods are quantitatively compared in terms of throughput impact and process window (PW). In addition, overexposure in combination with negative bias results in PW enhancement at the cost of throughput. In proximity effect correction by over exposure (PEC-OE), the entire layout is set to fixed dose and geometry sizes are adjusted. In PEC-dose to size (DTS) both dose and geometry sizes are locally optimized. In PEC-background (BG), a background is added to correct the long-range part of the point spread function. In single e-beam tools (Gaussian or Shaped-beam), throughput heavily depends on the number of shots. In raster scan tools such as MAPPER Lithography's FLX 1200 (MATRIX platform) this is not the case and instead of pattern density, the maximum local dose on the wafer is limiting throughput. The smallest considered half-pitch is 28 nm, which may be considered the 14-nm node for Metal-1 and the 10-nm node for the Via-1 layer, achieved in a single exposure with e-beam lithography. For typical 28-nm-hp Metal-1 layouts, it was shown that dose latitudes (size of process window) of around 10% are realizable with available PEC methods. For 28-nm-hp Via-1 layouts this is even higher at 14% and up. When the layouts do not reach the highest densities (up to 10∶1 in this study), PEC-BG and PEC-OE provide the capability to trade throughput for dose latitude. At the highest densities, PEC-DTS is required for proximity correction, as this method adjusts both geometry edges and doses and will reduce the dose at the densest areas. For 28-nm-hp lines critical dimension (CD), hole&dot (CD) and line ends (edge placement error), the data path errors are typically 0.9, 1.0 and 0.7 nm (3σ) and below, respectively. There is not a clear data path performance difference between the investigated PEC methods. After the simulations, the methods were successfully validated in exposures on a MAPPER pre-alpha tool. A 28-nm half pitch Metal-1 and Via-1 layouts show good performance in resist that coincide with the simulation result. Exposures of soft-edge stitched layouts show that beam-to-beam position errors up to ±7 nm specified for FLX 1200 show no noticeable impact on CD. The research leading to these results has been performed in the frame of the industrial collaborative consortium IMAGINE.

The diversity effect in diagnostic reasoning.

PubMed

Rebitschek, Felix G; Krems, Josef F; Jahn, Georg

2016-07-01

Diagnostic reasoning draws on knowledge about effects and their potential causes. The causal-diversity effect in diagnostic reasoning normatively depends on the distribution of effects in causal structures, and thus, a psychological diversity effect could indicate whether causally structured knowledge is used in evaluating the probability of a diagnosis, if the effect were to covary with manipulations of causal structures. In four experiments, participants dealt with a quasi-medical scenario presenting symptom sets (effects) that consistently suggested a specified diagnosis (cause). The probability that the diagnosis was correct had to be rated for two opposed symptom sets that differed with regard to the symptoms' positions (proximal or diverse) in the causal structure that was initially acquired. The causal structure linking the diagnosis to the symptoms and the base rate of the diagnosis were manipulated to explore whether the diagnosis was rated as more probable for diverse than for proximal symptoms when alternative causations were more plausible (e.g., because of a lower base rate of the diagnosis in question). The results replicated the causal diversity effect in diagnostic reasoning across these conditions, but no consistent effects of structure and base rate variations were observed. Diversity effects computed in causal Bayesian networks are presented, illustrating the consequences of the structure manipulations and corroborating that a diversity effect across the different experimental manipulations is normatively justified. The observed diversity effects presumably resulted from shortcut reasoning about the possibilities of alternative causation.

Optical proximity correction (OPC) in near-field lithography with pixel-based field sectioning time modulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oh, Seonghyeon; Han, Dandan; Shim, Hyeon Bo; Hahn, Jae W.

2018-01-01

Subwavelength features have been successfully demonstrated in near-field lithography. In this study, the point spread function (PSF) of a near-field beam spot from a plasmonic ridge nanoaperture is discussed with regard to the complex decaying characteristic of a non-propagating wave and the asymmetry of the field distribution for pattern design. We relaxed the shape complexity of the field distribution with pixel-based optical proximity correction (OPC) for simplifying the pattern image distortion. To enhance the pattern fidelity for a variety of arbitrary patterns, field-sectioning structures are formulated via convolutions with a time-modulation function and a transient PSF along the near-field dominant direction. The sharpness of corners and edges, and line shortening can be improved by modifying the original target pattern shape using the proposed approach by considering both the pattern geometry and directionality of the field decay for OPC in near-field lithography.

Optical proximity correction (OPC) in near-field lithography with pixel-based field sectioning time modulation.

PubMed

Oh, Seonghyeon; Han, Dandan; Shim, Hyeon Bo; Hahn, Jae W

2018-01-26

Subwavelength features have been successfully demonstrated in near-field lithography. In this study, the point spread function (PSF) of a near-field beam spot from a plasmonic ridge nanoaperture is discussed with regard to the complex decaying characteristic of a non-propagating wave and the asymmetry of the field distribution for pattern design. We relaxed the shape complexity of the field distribution with pixel-based optical proximity correction (OPC) for simplifying the pattern image distortion. To enhance the pattern fidelity for a variety of arbitrary patterns, field-sectioning structures are formulated via convolutions with a time-modulation function and a transient PSF along the near-field dominant direction. The sharpness of corners and edges, and line shortening can be improved by modifying the original target pattern shape using the proposed approach by considering both the pattern geometry and directionality of the field decay for OPC in near-field lithography.

Magnetic translator bearings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hockney, Richard L. (Inventor); Downer, James R. (Inventor); Eisenhaure, David B. (Inventor); Hawkey, Timothy J. (Inventor); Johnson, Bruce G. (Inventor)

1990-01-01

A magnetic bearing system for enabling translational motion includes a carriage and a shaft for movably supporting the carriage; a first magnetic bearing fixed to one of the carriage and shaft and slidably received in a first channel of the other of the carriage and shaft. The first channel is generally U shaped with two side walls and a back wall. The magnetic bearing includes a pair of spaced magnetic pole pieces, each pole piece having a pair of electromagnetic coils mounted on poles on opposite ends of the pole piece proximate the side walls, and a third electromagnetic coil mounted on a pole of the pole piece proximate the backwall; a motion sensor for sensing translational motion along two axes and rotationally about three axes of the carriage and shaft relative to each other; and a correction circuit responsive to the sensor for generating a correction signal to drive the coils to compensate for any misalignment sensed between the carriage and the shaft.

Evaluation of eddy-current proximity devices for measuring thin potassium film thicknesses

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Asadourian, A. S.

1972-01-01

Two eddy current proximity probe systems were tested over a range of 0 to 508 micrometers (0 to 20 mils) of simulated potassium film thicknesses for simulated temperatures of 66 C (150 F), 232 C (450 F), and 666 C (1230 F). The results of short time calibration tests are presented. Instrument drift was a problem throughout the testing and, without correction, may limit the use of such systems to short periods of time. Additional development will be required prior to their being usable as practical instrumentation systems.

A new treatment for parrot beak deformity of the toe.

PubMed

Kurokawa, M; Isshiki, N; Inoue, K

1994-03-01

Two cases of congenital parrot beak deformity of the toe were treated by pushing back the nail plate, nailbed, matrix, and proximal skin fold in one piece as a flap. The proximal skin portion of this flap was deepithelialized to facilitate this shift, and thus no dog-ear deformity was produced. The distal skin defect of the pulp was covered by a palmar advancement flap. This method does not require augmentation of the fingertip or toetip and is very useful for correcting parrot beak deformities of the toes.

Gradual digital lengthening with autologous bone graft and external fixation for correction of flail toe in a patient with Raynaud's disease.

PubMed

Lamm, Bradley M; Ades, Joe K

2009-01-01

Iatrogenic flail toe is a complication of hammertoe surgery that occurs when an overaggressive resection of the proximal phalanx occurs. This can cause both functional and cosmetic concerns for the patient. We present a case report of the correction of a flail second toe in a patient with Raynaud's disease. The correction was achieved by means of gradual soft tissue lengthening with external fixation and an interposition autologous bone graft digital arthrodesis. After 5 months, this 2-stage procedure lengthened, stabilized, and restored the function of the toe. 4.

Physiologic Cryoamputation in Managing Critically Ill Patients with Septic, Advanced Acute Limb Ischemia.

PubMed

Chen, Samuel L; Kuo, Isabella J; Kabutey, Nii-Kabu; Fujitani, Roy M

2017-07-01

Certain critically ill patients with advanced acute limb ischemia with a nonviable extremity may be unsuitable for transport to the operating room to undergo definitive amputation. In these unstable patients, rapid regional cryotherapy allows for prompt infectious source control and correction of hemodynamic and metabolic abnormalities, thereby lessening the risk associated with definitive surgical amputation. We describe our refined technique for lower extremity physiologic cryoamputation and review our institutional experience. After adequate analgesia is administered to the patient, a heating pad is secured circumferentially at the proximal amputation margin and the affected extremity is placed in a customized Styrofoam cooler. A circumferential seal is secured at the proximal chill zone without use of a tourniquet and dry ice is placed into the cooler to surround the entire affected leg. Delayed definitive lower extremity amputation is later performed when hemodynamic and metabolic derangements are corrected. We reviewed 5 patients who underwent lower extremity cryoamputation with this technique identified at our institution between 2005 and 2015. Age ranged from 31 to 79 years old. All presented with severe foot infection and septic shock requiring vasopressor support. All 5 patients stabilized hemodynamically following the initial cryoamputation and later underwent definitive lower extremity amputation, with a median time of 3 days following initial cryoamputation. Lower extremity physiologic cryoamputation is an effective, immediate bedside procedure that can provide local source control and the opportunity for correction of metabolic derangements in initially unstable patients to lessen the risk for definitive major lower extremity amputation. Refinement of the cryoamputation technique, as described in this report, allows for a predictable and reproducible physiologic amputation. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Electron beam lithographic modeling assisted by artificial intelligence technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakayamada, Noriaki; Nishimura, Rieko; Miura, Satoru; Nomura, Haruyuki; Kamikubo, Takashi

2017-07-01

We propose a new concept of tuning a point-spread function (a "kernel" function) in the modeling of electron beam lithography using the machine learning scheme. Normally in the work of artificial intelligence, the researchers focus on the output results from a neural network, such as success ratio in image recognition or improved production yield, etc. In this work, we put more focus on the weights connecting the nodes in a convolutional neural network, which are naturally the fractions of a point-spread function, and take out those weighted fractions after learning to be utilized as a tuned kernel. Proof-of-concept of the kernel tuning has been demonstrated using the examples of proximity effect correction with 2-layer network, and charging effect correction with 3-layer network. This type of new tuning method can be beneficial to give researchers more insights to come up with a better model, yet it might be too early to be deployed to production to give better critical dimension (CD) and positional accuracy almost instantly.

A portable pattern-based design technology co-optimization flow to reduce optical proximity correction run-time

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Yi-Chieh; Li, Tsung-Han; Lin, Hung-Yu; Chen, Kao-Tun; Wu, Chun-Sheng; Lai, Ya-Chieh; Hurat, Philippe

2018-03-01

Along with process improvement and integrated circuit (IC) design complexity increased, failure rate caused by optical getting higher in the semiconductor manufacture. In order to enhance chip quality, optical proximity correction (OPC) plays an indispensable rule in the manufacture industry. However, OPC, includes model creation, correction, simulation and verification, is a bottleneck from design to manufacture due to the multiple iterations and advanced physical behavior description in math. Thus, this paper presented a pattern-based design technology co-optimization (PB-DTCO) flow in cooperation with OPC to find out patterns which will negatively affect the yield and fixed it automatically in advance to reduce the run-time in OPC operation. PB-DTCO flow can generate plenty of test patterns for model creation and yield gaining, classify candidate patterns systematically and furthermore build up bank includes pairs of match and optimization patterns quickly. Those banks can be used for hotspot fixing, layout optimization and also be referenced for the next technology node. Therefore, the combination of PB-DTCO flow with OPC not only benefits for reducing the time-to-market but also flexible and can be easily adapted to diversity OPC flow.

Hybrid approach to surgical correction of tetralogy of Fallot in all patients with functioning Blalock Taussig shunts.

PubMed

Sivakumar, Kothandam; Krishnan, Prasad; Pieris, Rajeeva; Francis, Edwin

2007-08-01

In total surgical correction of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) with functioning Blalock Taussig shunts (BTS), shunt take down increased surgical time, bleeding, and might injure phrenic and recurrent laryngeal nerve and thoracic duct. A routine hybrid approach using transcatheter BTS closure immediately before total surgical correction of TOF in all patients might reduce these problems. We analyze the safety and feasibility of this approach. Transcatheter BTS closure was achieved using single or multiple stainless steel embolization coils, Amplatzer vascular plugs, or duct occluders. When coils were released without control by bioptome forceps, coil migration in larger shunts was prevented by proximal or distal balloon occlusion. This routine hybrid strategy was followed in 22 consecutive patients aged 1-13 years over 4-year-period and 21 procedures were successful. Among the 16 patients attempted with coils, 13 had successful closure, 2 needed Amplatzer duct occluder devices, and 1 sent for surgical shunt takedown due to acute angulation of the shunt. New Amplatzer vascular plugs were used in six patients. Bioptome was used in six patients and proximal or distal balloon occlusion of flow was used in three patients. Four patients had closure of associated aortopulmonary or chest wall collaterals. Hybrid approach using routine transcatheter closure of all BTS immediately before surgical correction of TOF shunts with coils/plugs/devices is safe, feasible, and reproducible. Copyright (c) 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Patterns of recontracture after surgical correction of Dupuytren disease.

PubMed

Dias, Joseph J; Singh, Harvinder Pal; Ullah, Aamer; Bhowal, Bhaskar; Thompson, John R

2013-10-01

To study the evolution of deformity of the proximal interphalangeal joint over 5 years after good surgical correction of Dupuytren-induced contracture. We assessed 63 patients (72 fingers; 69 hands) with Dupuytren disease for the degree of contracture, its correction after surgery, and the range of movement at the proximal interphalangeal joints at 3 and 6 months, and 1, 3, and 5 years after fasciectomy with or without the use of a firebreak graft. We investigated associations between the recurrence of contracture and preoperative patient and surgical factors. There were 4 patterns of evolution of contracture after surgical correction. A total of 31 patients (33 hands) showed good improvement that was maintained for 5 years (minimal recontracture group). Twenty patients (23 hands) showed good initial improvement, which mildly worsened (< 20°) but was then maintained over 5 years (mild early recontracture group). Four patients (5 hands) worsened in first 3 months after surgery (> 20°) but there was no further worsening (severe early recontracture group). Eight patients (8 hands) worsened progressively over 5 years (progressive recontracture group). Worsening of contracture more than 6° between 3 and 6 months after surgery predicted progressive recontracture at 5 years. Recurrence of contracture (not disease recurrence) could be predicted as early as 6 months after surgery for Dupuytren disease. Copyright © 2013 American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

CORRECTION OF THE INERTIAL EFFECT RESULTING FROM A PLATE MOVING UNDER LOW FRICTION CONDITIONS

PubMed Central

Yang, Feng; Pai, Yi-Chung

2007-01-01

The purpose of the present study was to develop a set of equations that can be employed to remove the inertial effect introduced by the movable platform upon which a person stands during a slip induced in gait; this allows the real ground reaction force (GRF) and its center of pressure (COP) to be determined. Analyses were also performed to determine how sensitive the COP offsets were to the changes of the parameters in the equation that affected the correction of the inertial effect. In addition, the results were verified empirically using a low friction movable platform together with a stationary object, a pendulum, and human subjects during a slip induced during gait. Our analyses revealed that the amount of correction required for the inertial effect due to the movable component is affected by its mass and its center of mass (COM) position, acceleration, the friction coefficient, and the landing position of the foot relative to the COM. The maximum error in the horizontal component of the GRF was close to 0.09 body weight during the recovery from a slip in walking. When uncorrected, the maximum error in the COP measurement could reach as much as 4 cm. Finally, these errors were magnified in the joint moment computation and propagated proximally, ranging from 0.2 to 1.0 Nm/body mass from the ankle to the hip. PMID:17306274

A first principles investigation of electron transfer between Fe(II) and U(VI) on insulating Al- vs. semiconducting Fe-oxide surfaces via the proximity effect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taylor, S. D.; Marcano, M. C.; Becker, U.

2017-01-01

This study investigates how the intrinsic chemical and electronic properties of mineral surfaces and their associated electron transfer (ET) pathways influence the reduction of U(VI) by surface-associated Fe(II). Density functional theory (DFT), including the Hubbard U correction to the exchange-correlation functional, was used to investigate sorption/redox reactions and ET mechanisms between Fe(II) and U(VI) coadsorbed on isostructural, periodic (0 0 1) surfaces of the insulator corundum (α-Al2O3) vs. the semiconductor hematite (α-Fe2O3). Furthermore, the coadsorbed Fe(II) and U(VI) ions are spatially separated from one another on the surfaces (⩾5.9 Å) to observe whether electronic-coupling through the semiconducting hematite surface facilitates ET between the adsorbates, a phenomenon known as the proximity effect. The calculations show that the different chemical and electronic properties between the isostructural corundum and hematite (0 0 1) surfaces lead to considerably different ET mechanisms between Fe(II) and U(VI). ET on the insulating corundum (0 0 1) surface is limited by the adsorbates' structural configuration. When Fe(II) and U(VI) are spatially separated and do not directly interact with one another (e.g. via an inner-sphere complex), U(VI) reduction by Fe(II) cannot occur as there is no physical pathway enabling ET between the adsorbates. In contrast to the insulating corundum (0 0 1) surface, the hematite (0 0 1) surface can potentially participate in ET reactions due to the high number of electron acceptor sites from the Fe d-states near the Fermi level at the hematite surface. The adsorption of Fe(II) also introduces d-states near the Fermi level as well as shifts unoccupied d-states of the Fe cations at the hematite surface to lower energies, making the surface more conductive. In turn, electronic coupling through the surface can link the spatially separated adsorbates to one another and provide distinct ET pathways for an electron from Fe(II) to travel through the hematite surface and reach U(VI). The progression and extent of ET occurring on the semiconducting hematite (0 0 1) surface via the proximity effect depends on the electronic properties of the surface. ET between the spatially separated U(VI) and Fe(II) occurs most readily when orbitals between the Fe and U adsorbates overlap with those of neighboring O and Fe ions at the hematite surface, as shown by calculations without the Hubbard U correction. Analyses of the spins densities confirm that the U and Fe adsorbates were reduced and oxidized, respectively, (acquiring 0.33 μB and 0.11-0.20 μB, respectively), while Fe cations at the hematite surface were reduced (losing ⩽0.6 μB). If electrons are highly localized, the amount of orbital mixing and electronic coupling through the hematite surface decreases and in turn leads to a lower degree of spin transfer, as predicted by calculations with the Hubbard U correction. Thus, the proximity effect is a potential mechanism on semiconducting surfaces facilitating surface-mediated redox reactions, although its significance varies depending on the electronic properties and subsequent charge-carrying ability of the surface. These results provide insight into ET pathways and mechanisms on insulating Al- and semiconducting Fe oxide surfaces influencing the reduction U(VI) by Fe(II) that may subsequently limit uranium's transport in the subsurface.

Dense arrays of millimeter-sized glass lenses fabricated at wafer-level.

PubMed

Albero, Jorge; Perrin, Stéphane; Bargiel, Sylwester; Passilly, Nicolas; Baranski, Maciej; Gauthier-Manuel, Ludovic; Bernard, Florent; Lullin, Justine; Froehly, Luc; Krauter, Johann; Osten, Wolfgang; Gorecki, Christophe

2015-05-04

This paper presents the study of a fabrication technique of lenses arrays based on the reflow of glass inside cylindrical silicon cavities. Lenses whose sizes are out of the microfabrication standards are considered. In particular, the case of high fill factor arrays is discussed in detail since the proximity between lenses generates undesired effects. These effects, not experienced when lenses are sufficiently separated so that they can be considered as single items, are corrected by properly designing the silicon cavities. Complete topographic as well as optical characterizations are reported. The compatibility of materials with Micro-Opto-Electromechanical Systems (MOEMS) integration processes makes this technology attractive for the miniaturization of inspection systems, especially those devoted to imaging.

Fifth Metatarsal Osteotomies.

PubMed

Weil, Lowell; Consul, Devon

2015-07-01

A tailor's bunion or bunionette deformity is a combination of osseous and soft tissue bursitis on the lateral aspect of the fifth metatarsal head. This article discusses 7 corrective measures: medial oblique sliding osteotomy with fixation, medial oblique slide osteotomy-minimal incision procedure without fixation, SERI (simple, effective, rapid, inexpensive) with fixation, chevron with or without fixation, closing, lateral wedge osteotomy at the metatarsal neck or proximal diaphysis, Weil osteotomy, and scarfette. These evidence-based techniques can be used by practitioners for medical management of their patients through evaluation, diagnosis, and prognosis. Complications are also addressed. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Atomic states in optical traps near a planar surface

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Messina, Riccardo; Pelisson, Sophie; Angonin, Marie-Christine

2011-05-15

In this paper, we discuss the atomic states in a vertical optical lattice in proximity of a surface. We study the modifications to the ordinary Wannier-Stark states in the presence of a surface, and we characterize the energy shifts produced by the Casimir-Polder interaction between atom and mirror. In this context, we introduce an effective model describing the finite size of the atom in order to regularize the energy corrections. In addition, the modifications to the energy levels due to a hypothetical non-Newtonian gravitational potential as well as their experimental observability are investigated.

Predicting translational deformity following opening-wedge osteotomy for lower limb realignment.

PubMed

Barksfield, Richard C; Monsell, Fergal P

2015-11-01

An opening-wedge osteotomy is well recognised for the management of limb deformity and requires an understanding of the principles of geometry. Translation at the osteotomy is needed when the osteotomy is performed away from the centre of rotation of angulation (CORA), but the amount of translation varies with the distance from the CORA. This translation enables proximal and distal axes on either side of the proposed osteotomy to realign. We have developed two experimental models to establish whether the amount of translation required (based on the translation deformity created) can be predicted based upon simple trigonometry. A predictive algorithm was derived where translational deformity was predicted as 2(tan α × d), where α represents 50 % of the desired angular correction, and d is the distance of the desired osteotomy site from the CORA. A simulated model was developed using TraumaCad online digital software suite (Brainlab AG, Germany). Osteotomies were simulated in the distal femur, proximal tibia and distal tibia for nine sets of lower limb scanograms at incremental distances from the CORA and the resulting translational deformity recorded. There was strong correlation between the distance of the osteotomy from the CORA and simulated translation deformity for distal femoral deformities (correlation coefficient 0.99, p < 0.0001), proximal tibial deformities (correlation coefficient 0.93-0.99, p < 0.0001) and distal tibial deformities (correlation coefficient 0.99, p < 0.0001). There was excellent agreement between the predictive algorithm and simulated translational deformity for all nine simulations (correlation coefficient 0.93-0.99, p < 0.0001). Translational deformity following corrective osteotomy for lower limb deformity can be anticipated and predicted based upon the angular correction and the distance between the planned osteotomy site and the CORA.

A General Simulation Method for Multiple Bodies in Proximate Flight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Meakin, Robert L.

2003-01-01

Methods of unsteady aerodynamic simulation for an arbitrary number of independent bodies flying in close proximity are considered. A novel method to efficiently detect collision contact points is described. A method to compute body trajectories in response to aerodynamic loads, applied loads, and inter-body collisions is also given. The physical correctness of the methods are verified by comparison to a set of analytic solutions. The methods, combined with a Navier-Stokes solver, are used to demonstrate the possibility of predicting the unsteady aerodynamics and flight trajectories of moving bodies that involve rigid-body collisions.

Comparison of outcomes between proximal and distal chevron osteotomy, both with supplementary lateral soft-tissue release, for severe hallux valgus deformity: A prospective randomised controlled trial.

PubMed

Park, H-W; Lee, K-B; Chung, J-Y; Kim, M-S

2013-04-01

Severe hallux valgus deformity is conventionally treated with proximal metatarsal osteotomy. Distal metatarsal osteotomy with an associated soft-tissue procedure can also be used in moderate to severe deformity. We compared the clinical and radiological outcomes of proximal and distal chevron osteotomy in severe hallux valgus deformity with a soft-tissue release in both. A total of 110 consecutive female patients (110 feet) were included in a prospective randomised controlled study. A total of 56 patients underwent a proximal procedure and 54 a distal operation. The mean follow-up was 39 months (24 to 54) in the proximal group and 38 months (24 to 52) in the distal group. At follow-up the hallux valgus angle, intermetatarsal angle, distal metatarsal articular angle, tibial sesamoid position, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) hallux metatarsophalangeal-interphalangeal score, patient satisfaction level, and complications were similar in each group. Both methods showed significant post-operative improvement and high levels of patient satisfaction. Our results suggest that the distal chevron osteotomy with an associated distal soft-tissue procedure provides a satisfactory method for correcting severe hallux valgus deformity.

Deep Venous Thrombosis: An Interventionalist's Approach

PubMed Central

Jenkins, J. Stephen; Michael, Paul

2014-01-01

Background Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) of the lower extremity has traditionally been anatomically categorized into proximal DVT (thrombosis involving the popliteal vein and above) and distal DVT (isolated calf vein thrombosis). Proximal DVT involving the common femoral and/or iliac veins, referred to as iliofemoral DVT (IFDVT), represents a disease process with a worse prognosis and higher risk for poor clinical outcomes compared to proximal DVT not involving the common femoral or iliac draining veins. Methods This review discusses therapeutic options for treatment of lower extremity IFDVT, including adjuvant anticoagulation and catheter-based invasive therapies; literature supporting current acute interventional techniques; and the recommendations from the recently published American Heart Association guidelines. Results Patients with IFDVT represent an opportune subset of patients for acute interventional management with currently available techniques. This subset of patients with proximal DVT has a worse prognosis, is less well studied, and benefits more from acute intervention compared to patients with proximal DVT or distal DVT. Conclusion Invasive catheter-based therapies that remove thrombus and correct venous outflow obstructions improve outcomes and morbidity in patients with IFDVT. Future trials that address IFDVT specifically will improve our understanding and the proper management of this higher-risk subset of patients with DVT. PMID:25598728

Way for LEEPL technology to succeed in memory device application

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, In-Sung; Woo, Sang-Gyun; Cho, Han-Ku; Han, Woo-Sung; Moon, Joo-Tae

2004-05-01

Lithography for 65nm-node device is drawing a lot of attentions these days especially because lithography solution for this node is not clear and even tool makers tend to wait for the consensus in lithography roadmap to avoid the risk of erroneous amount of investment. Recently proposed concept of low energy electron-beam proximity-projection lithography (LEEPL)1,2 technology has already released its first production machine in 2003, which is being expected to cover the design rule down to 65nm-node and even smaller3. Although production of semiconductor device has been pursuing optical lithography, without any optical technology that is proved as a convincing solution for 65nm node and below, we need to take account of all the candidates. So we made an investigation on LEEPL technology and evaluated beta and first production tool to see the feasibility of printing sub-70nm resolution and of optic-first mix-and-match overlay from a chip maker"s point of view. Two different kinds of stencil masks were fabricated for the evaluation, which are fabricated in SiC and Si membrane. The former mask is for sparse contact holes(C/H) and the latter for dense C/Hs. Beta-tool showed a good resolving power of sub-70nm sparse C/Hs of SRAM with negligibly small proximity effect. It implies that LEEPL does not require much effort for proximity correction comparing to that required in optical lithography, which is one of the biggest issues in low-k1. LEEPL also showed a good capability of optic-first mix-and-match overlay correction and this is the most stringent and important functionality for optic-first mix-and-match application. However random intra-membrane image placement(IP) error that is a little bit larger than the requirement for sub-70nm node was observed, which is interpreted to come from the larger stress of 100MPa in 3X3mm2 dry-etched SiC unit membrane. For dense C/Hs, we failed, to the contrary, to obtain any good quality of stencil masks for DRAM cell patterns because of e-beam proximity effect which is unavoidable in the reversed order of front-side forward direct writing and back-side later membrane formation. Pros and cons of LEEPL technology are discussed based on the evaluation results and estimation from the memory device standpoint. We also propose a novel concept of stencil mask that can be helpful in memory device application.

Beyond-proximity-force-approximation Casimir force between two spheres at finite temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bimonte, Giuseppe

2018-04-01

A recent experiment [J. L. Garrett, D. A. T. Somers, and J. N. Munday, Phys. Rev. Lett. 120, 040401 (2018), 10.1103/PhysRevLett.120.040401] measured for the first time the gradient of the Casimir force between two gold spheres at room temperature. The theoretical analysis of the data was carried out using the standard proximity force approximation (PFA). A fit of the data, using a parametrization of the force valid for the sphere-plate geometry, was used by the authors to place a bound on deviations from PFA. Motivated by this work, we compute the Casimir force between two gold spheres at finite temperature. The semianalytic formula for the Casimir force that we construct is valid for all separations, and can be easily used to interpret future experiments in both the sphere-plate and sphere-sphere configurations. We describe the correct parametrization of the corrections to PFA for two spheres that should be used in data analysis.

Two-stage urethroplasty is a better choice for proximal hypospadias with severe chordee after urethral plate transection: a single-center experience.

PubMed

Zheng, Da-Chao; Yao, Hai-Jun; Cai, Zhi-Kang; Da, Jun; Chen, Qi; Chen, Yan-Bo; Zhang, Ke; Xu, Ming-Xi; Lu, Mu-Jun; Wang, Zhong

2015-01-01

It is still debatable whether single- or two-stage urethroplasty is a more suitable technique for treating hypospadias with severe chordee after urethral plate transection. This retrospective study evaluated these two techniques. A total of 66 patients of proximal hypospadias with severe chordee were divided into two groups according to the techniques they underwent: 32 and 34 patients underwent single-stage (Duckett) or two-stage urethroplasty, respectively. Median ages at presentation were 7.5 years and 11.0 years in single-stage and two-stage repair groups, respectively. Median follow-ups were 28.5 months (20-60 months) and 35 months (18-60 months) in the single-stage and two-stage groups, respectively. The meatus of the neourethra was located at the top of the glans in all patients. No recurrence of chordee was found during follow-up, and all patients or parents were satisfied with the penile length and appearance. Complications were encountered in eight patients in both groups, with no statistically significant differences between the two techniques. The late complication rate of stricture was higher after the single-stage procedure (18.75% vs 0%). The complication rate after single-stage repairs was significantly lower in the prepubescent subgroup (10.52%) than in the postpubescent cohort (46.15%). These results indicate that the urethral plate transection effectively corrects severe chordee associated with proximal hypospadias during the intermediate follow-up period. Considering the higher rate of stricture after single-stage urethroplasty, two-stage urethroplasty is recommended for proximal hypospadias with severe chordee after urethral plate transection.

Using intervention-oriented evaluation to diagnose and correct students' persistent climate change misconceptions: A Singapore case study.

PubMed

Pascua, Liberty; Chang, Chew-Hung

2015-10-01

The evaluation of classroom-based educational interventions is fraught with tensions, the most critical of which is choosing between focusing the inquiry on measuring the effects of treatment or in proximately utilizing the data to improve practice. This paper attempted to achieve both goals through the use of intervention-oriented evaluation of a professional development program intended to diagnose and correct students' misconceptions of climate change. Data was gathered, monitored and analyzed in three stages of a time-series design: the baseline, treatment and follow-up stages. The evaluation itself was the 'intervention' such that the data was allowed to 'contaminate' the treatment. This was achieved through giving the teacher unimpeded access to the collected information and to introduce midcourse corrections as she saw fit to her instruction. Results showed a significant development in students' conceptual understanding only after the teacher's decision to use direct and explicit refutation of misconceptions. Due to the accessibility of feedback, it was possible to locate specifically at which point in the process that the intervention was most effective. The efficacy of the intervention was then measured through comparing the scores across the three research stages. The inclusion of a comparison group to the design is recommended for future studies. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Performance and stability of mask process correction for EBM-7000

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saito, Yasuko; Chen, George; Wang, Jen-Shiang; Bai, Shufeng; Howell, Rafael; Li, Jiangwei; Tao, Jun; VanDenBroeke, Doug; Wiley, Jim; Takigawa, Tadahiro; Ohnishi, Takayuki; Kamikubo, Takashi; Hara, Shigehiro; Anze, Hirohito; Hattori, Yoshiaki; Tamamushi, Shuichi

2010-05-01

In order to support complex optical masks today and EUV masks in the near future, it is critical to correct mask patterning errors with a magnitude of up to 20nm over a range of 2000nm at mask scale caused by short range mask process proximity effects. A new mask process correction technology, MPC+, has been developed to achieve the target requirements for the next generation node. In this paper, the accuracy and throughput performance of MPC+ technology is evaluated using the most advanced mask writing tool, the EBM-70001), and high quality mask metrology . The accuracy of MPC+ is achieved by using a new comprehensive mask model. The results of through-pitch and through-linewidth linearity curves and error statistics for multiple pattern layouts (including both 1D and 2D patterns) are demonstrated and show post-correction accuracy of 2.34nm 3σ for through-pitch/through-linewidth linearity. Implementing faster mask model simulation and more efficient correction recipes; full mask area (100cm2) processing run time is less than 7 hours for 32nm half-pitch technology node. From these results, it can be concluded that MPC+ with its higher precision and speed is a practical technology for the 32nm node and future technology generations, including EUV, when used with advance mask writing processes like the EBM-7000.

Crowding, Proximity, Inmate Violence, and the Eighth Amendment.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Anson, Richard H.; Hancock, Barry W.

1992-01-01

Rejects federal court ruling that prison crowding must be considered in light of total space availability of given institution. Notes variability in body buffer zones for each individual inmate, aggression potential, and variability between violent and nonviolent inmates. Contends that correctional practitioners should allocate institutional space…

[The Akin procedure as closing wedge osteotomy for the correction of a hallux valgus interphalangeus deformity].

PubMed

Arnold, Heino

2008-12-01

Realignment of the great toe in the case of a hallux valgus interphalangeus by means of a medially based closing wedge osteotomy. Hallux valgus interphalangeus deformity, characterized by an enlarged distal articular surface angle (> 10 degrees). Correction of a hallux valgus interphalangeus deformity as an additional procedure in the case of hallux valgus surgery. Incongruent first metatarsophalangeal joint with lateral subluxation of the proximal phalanx. Isolated procedure to correct hallux valgus deformity. Lack of patient compliance. Neurovascular disturbance of the forefoot. Medially based closing wedge osteotomy of the proximal phalanx to reduce the distal articular surface angle. Fixation with a lag screw, cannulated Herbert screw, memory cramp, threaded Kirschner wire, or interosseous suture. Wound dressing to assure the position of the great toe. Radiographic documentation of the forefoot in two planes. Strict elevation of the operated foot to prevent postoperative swelling. Mobilization of the patient with a forefoot relief orthosis, until consolidation of the osteotomy is verified radiologically (4-5 weeks). Low-molecular-weight heparin for at least 1 week. Hallux valgus bandage or functional taping for 6 weeks postoperatively in patients with additional metatarsal osteotomy. Clinical and radiologic follow-up based on 32 patients showed good results. The postoperative Hallux Score of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society improved to 89 points.

Hip dysplasia, pelvic obliquity, and scoliosis in cerebral palsy: a qualitative analysis using 3D CT reconstruction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Russ, Mark D.; Abel, Mark F.

1998-06-01

Five patients with cerebral palsy, hip dysplasia, pelvic obliquity, and scoliosis were evaluated retrospectively using three dimensional computed tomography (3DCT) scans of the proximal femur, pelvis, and lumbar spine to qualitatively evaluate their individual deformities by measuring a number of anatomical landmarks. Three dimensional reconstructions of the data were visualized, analyzed, and then manipulated interactively to perform simulated osteotomies of the proximal femur and pelvis to achieve surgical correction of the hip dysplasia. Severe deformity can occur in spastic cerebral palsy, with serious consequences for the quality of life of the affected individuals and their families. Controversy exists regarding the type, timing and efficacy of surgical intervention for correction of hip dysplasia in this population. Other authors have suggested 3DCT studies are required to accurately analyze acetabular deficiency, and that this data allows for more accurate planning of reconstructive surgery. It is suggested here that interactive manipulation of the data to simulate the proposed surgery is a clinically useful extension of the analysis process and should also be considered as an essential part of the pre-operative planning to assure that the appropriate procedure is chosen. The surgical simulation may reduce operative time and improve surgical correction of the deformity.

Influence and Correction from the Human Body on the Measurement of a Power-Frequency Electric Field Sensor

PubMed Central

Xiao, Dongping; Liu, Huaitong; Zhou, Qiang; Xie, Yutong; Ma, Qichao

2016-01-01

According to the operating specifications of existing electric field measuring instruments, measuring technicians must be located far from the instruments to eliminate the influence of the human body occupancy on a spatial electric field. Nevertheless, in order to develop a portable safety protection instrument with an effective electric field warning function for working staff in a high-voltage environment, it is necessary to study the influence of an approaching human body on the measurement of an electric field and to correct the measurement results. A single-shaft electric field measuring instrument called the Type LP-2000, which was developed by our research team, is used as the research object in this study. First, we explain the principle of electric field measurement and describe the capacitance effect produced by the human body. Through a theoretical analysis, we show that the measured electric field value decreases as a human body approaches. Their relationship is linearly proportional. Then, the ratio is identified as a correction coefficient to correct for the influence of human body proximity. The conclusion drawn from the theoretical analysis is proved via simulation. The correction coefficient kb = 1.8010 is obtained on the basis of the linear fitting of simulated data. Finally, a physical experiment is performed. When no human is present, we compare the results from the Type LP-2000 measured with Narda EFA-300 and the simulated value to verify the accuracy of the Type LP-2000. For the case of an approaching human body, the correction coefficient kb* = 1.9094 is obtained by comparing the data measured with the Type LP-2000 to the simulated value. The correction coefficient obtained from the experiment (i.e., kb*) is highly consistent with that obtained from the simulation (i.e., kb). Two experimental programs are set; under these programs, the excitation voltages and distance measuring points are regulated to produce different electric field intensities. Using kb = 1.9094, the corrected measurement of electric field intensity can accurately reflect the original environmental electric field intensity, and the maximal error is less than 6% in all the data comparisons. These results verify the effectiveness of our proposed method. PMID:27294936

Influence and Correction from the Human Body on the Measurement of a Power-Frequency Electric Field Sensor.

PubMed

Xiao, Dongping; Liu, Huaitong; Zhou, Qiang; Xie, Yutong; Ma, Qichao

2016-06-10

According to the operating specifications of existing electric field measuring instruments, measuring technicians must be located far from the instruments to eliminate the influence of the human body occupancy on a spatial electric field. Nevertheless, in order to develop a portable safety protection instrument with an effective electric field warning function for working staff in a high-voltage environment, it is necessary to study the influence of an approaching human body on the measurement of an electric field and to correct the measurement results. A single-shaft electric field measuring instrument called the Type LP-2000, which was developed by our research team, is used as the research object in this study. First, we explain the principle of electric field measurement and describe the capacitance effect produced by the human body. Through a theoretical analysis, we show that the measured electric field value decreases as a human body approaches. Their relationship is linearly proportional. Then, the ratio is identified as a correction coefficient to correct for the influence of human body proximity. The conclusion drawn from the theoretical analysis is proved via simulation. The correction coefficient kb = 1.8010 is obtained on the basis of the linear fitting of simulated data. Finally, a physical experiment is performed. When no human is present, we compare the results from the Type LP-2000 measured with Narda EFA-300 and the simulated value to verify the accuracy of the Type LP-2000. For the case of an approaching human body, the correction coefficient kb* = 1.9094 is obtained by comparing the data measured with the Type LP-2000 to the simulated value. The correction coefficient obtained from the experiment (i.e., kb*) is highly consistent with that obtained from the simulation (i.e., kb). Two experimental programs are set; under these programs, the excitation voltages and distance measuring points are regulated to produce different electric field intensities. Using kb = 1.9094, the corrected measurement of electric field intensity can accurately reflect the original environmental electric field intensity, and the maximal error is less than 6% in all the data comparisons. These results verify the effectiveness of our proposed method.

Using Multidimensional Scaling To Assess the Dimensionality of Dichotomous Item Data.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Meara, Kevin; Robin, Frederic; Sireci, Stephen G.

2000-01-01

Investigated the usefulness of multidimensional scaling (MDS) for assessing the dimensionality of dichotomous test data. Focused on two MDS proximity measures, one based on the PC statistic (T. Chen and M. Davidson, 1996) and other, on interitem Euclidean distances. Simulation results show that both MDS procedures correctly identify…

Representational constraints on children's suggestibility.

PubMed

Ceci, Stephen J; Papierno, Paul B; Kulkofsky, Sarah

2007-06-01

In a multistage experiment, twelve 4- and 9-year-old children participated in a triad rating task. Their ratings were mapped with multidimensional scaling, from which euclidean distances were computed to operationalize semantic distance between items in target pairs. These children and age-mates then participated in an experiment that employed these target pairs in a story, which was followed by a misinformation manipulation. Analyses linked individual and developmental differences in suggestibility to children's representations of the target items. Semantic proximity was a strong predictor of differences in suggestibility: The closer a suggested distractor was to the original item's representation, the greater was the distractor's suggestive influence. The triad participants' semantic proximity subsequently served as the basis for correctly predicting memory performance in the larger group. Semantic proximity enabled a priori counterintuitive predictions of reverse age-related trends to be confirmed whenever the distance between representations of items in a target pair was greater for younger than for older children.

Five major controversial issues about fusion level selection in corrective surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a narrative review.

PubMed

Lee, Choon Sung; Hwang, Chang Ju; Lee, Dong-Ho; Cho, Jae Hwan

2017-07-01

Shoulder imbalance, coronal decompensation, and adding-on phenomenon following corrective surgery in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis are known to be related to the fusion level selected. Although many studies have assessed the appropriate selection of the proximal and distal fusion level, no definite conclusions have been drawn thus far. We aimed to assess the problems with fusion level selection for corrective surgery in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, and to enhance understanding about these problems. This study is a narrative review. We conducted a literature search of fusion level selection in corrective surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Accordingly, we selected and reviewed five debatable topics related to fusion level selection: (1) selective thoracic fusion; (2) selective thoracolumbar-lumbar (TL-L) fusion; (3) adding-on phenomenon; (4) distal fusion level selection for major TL-L curves; and (5) proximal fusion level selection and shoulder imbalance. Selective fusion can be chosen in specific curve types, although there is a risk of coronal decompensation or adding-on phenomenon. Generally, wider indications for selective fusions are usually associated with more frequent complications. Despite the determination of several indications for selective fusion to avoid such complications, no clear guidelines have been established. Although authors have suggested various criteria to prevent the adding-on phenomenon, no consensus has been reached on the appropriate selection of lower instrumented vertebra. The fusion level selection for major TL-L curves primarily focuses on whether distal fusion can terminate at L3, a topic that remains unclear. Furthermore, because of the presence of several related factors and complications, proximal level selection and shoulder imbalance has been constantly debated and remains controversial from its etiology to its prevention. Although several difficult problems in the diagnosis and treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis have been resolved by understanding its mechanism and via technical advancement, no definite guideline for fusion level selection has been established. A review of five major controversial issues about fusion level selection could provide better understanding of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. We believe that a thorough validation study of the abovementioned controversial issues can help address them. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Correction of axial deformity during lengthening in fibular hypoplasia: Hexapodal versus monorail external fixation.

PubMed

Chalopin, A; Geffroy, L; Pesenti, S; Hamel, A; Launay, F

2017-09-01

Childhood fibular hypoplasia is a rare pathology which may or may not involve limb-length discrepancy and axial deformity in one or more dimensions. The objective of the present study was to compare the quality of the axial correction achieved in lengthening procedures by hexapodal versus monorail external fixators. The hypothesis was that the hexapodal fixator provides more precise correction. A retrospective multicenter study included 52 children with fibular hypoplasia. Seventy-two tibias were analyzed, in 2 groups: 52 using a hexapodal fixator, and 20 using a monorail fixator. Mean age was 10.2 years. Mean lengthening was 5.7cm. Deformities were analyzed and measured in 3 dimensions and classified in 4 preoperative types and 4 post-lengthening types according to residual deformity. Complete correction was achieved in 26 tibias in the hexapodal group (50%) and 2 tibias in the monorail group (10%). Mean post-correction mechanical axis deviation was smaller in the hexapodal group: 12.83mm, versus 14.29mm in the monorail group. Mean post-correction mechanical lateral distal femoral angle was 87.5° in the hexapodal group, versus 84.3° in the monorail group (P=0.002), and mean mechanical medial proximal tibial angle 86.9° versus 89.5°, respectively (P=0.015). No previous studies focused on this congenital pathology in lengthening and axial correction programs for childhood lower-limb deformity. The present study found the hexapodal fixator to be more effective in conserving or restoring mechanical axes during progressive bone lengthening for fibular hypoplasia. The hexapodal fixator met the requirements of limb-length equalization in childhood congenital lower-limb hypoplasia, providing better axial correction than the monorail fixator. IV. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Performance of Proximity Loggers in Recording Intra- and Inter-Species Interactions: A Laboratory and Field-Based Validation Study

PubMed Central

Carter, Stephen P.; Bearhop, Stuart; Harrison, Xavier A.; Dall, Sasha R. X.; McDonald, Robbie A.; Delahay, Richard J.

2012-01-01

Knowledge of the way in which animals interact through social networks can help to address questions surrounding the ecological and evolutionary consequences of social organisation, and to understand and manage the spread of infectious diseases. Automated proximity loggers are increasingly being used to record interactions between animals, but the accuracy and reliability of the collected data remain largely un-assessed. Here we use laboratory and observational field data to assess the performance of these devices fitted to a herd of 32 beef cattle (Bos taurus) and nine groups of badgers (Meles meles, n  = 77) living in the surrounding woods. The distances at which loggers detected each other were found to decrease over time, potentially related to diminishing battery power that may be a function of temperature. Loggers were highly accurate in recording the identification of contacted conspecifics, but less reliable at determining contact duration. There was a tendency for extended interactions to be recorded as a series of shorter contacts. We show how data can be manipulated to correct this discrepancy and accurately reflect observed interaction patterns by combining records between any two loggers that occur within a 1 to 2 minute amalgamation window, and then removing any remaining 1 second records. We make universally applicable recommendations for the effective use of proximity loggers, to improve the validity of data arising from future studies. PMID:22745704

Nonoperative treatment for proximal avulsion of the rectus femoris in professional American football.

PubMed

Gamradt, Seth C; Brophy, Robert H; Barnes, Ronnie; Warren, Russell F; Thomas Byrd, J W; Kelly, Bryan T

2009-07-01

Avulsion of the rectus femoris origin is a rare injury. The only previous report of this injury in professional American football has been limited to the kicking athlete. To describe the incidence and treatment of proximal rectus femoris avulsion in the National Football League (NFL). Case series; Level of evidence, 4. The NFL Injury Surveillance System (NFLISS) was reviewed for any proximal rectus femoris avulsion injuries from 1986 to 2006, including the type and mechanism of injury, player demographics, method of treatment, and time to return to play. The NFL team physicians and trainers were surveyed as to their experience with these injuries as well. A total of 11 cases of proximal rectus femoris avulsion were identified starting in 1997. These injuries occurred in athletes in a variety of positions. All of these were treated nonoperatively, and the mean return to play was 69.2 days. Rectus femoris avulsions are uncommon injuries in the NFL, occurring about once a year in the entire league (once magnetic resonance imaging facilitated correct diagnosis of these injuries). Conservative treatment of these injuries usually results in return to play after 6 to 12 weeks. Proximal avulsions of the rectus femoris can be treated nonoperatively with a high degree of predictability for return to full, unrestricted participation in professional American football.

Biomechanical analysis of two fixation methods for proximal chevron osteotomy of the first metatarsal.

PubMed

Schuh, Reinhard; Hofstaetter, Jochen Gerhard; Benca, Emir; Willegger, Madeleine; von Skrbensky, Gobert; Zandieh, Shahin; Wanivenhaus, Axel; Holinka, Johannes; Windhager, Reinhard

2014-05-01

The proximal chevron osteotomy provides high correctional power. However, relatively high rates of dorsiflexion malunion of up to 17 % are reported for this procedure. This leads to insufficient weight bearing of the first ray and therefore to metatarsalgia. Recent biomechanical and clinical studies pointed out the importance of rigid fixation of proximal metatarsal osteotomies. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to compare biomechanical properties of fixation of proximal chevron osteotomies with variable locking plate and cancellous screw respectively. Ten matched pairs of human fresh frozen cadaveric first metatarsals underwent proximal chevron osteotomy with either variable locking plate or cancellous screw fixation after obtaining bone mineral density. Biomechanical testing included repetitive plantar to dorsal loading from 0 to 31 N with the 858 Mini Bionix(®) (MTS(®) Systems Corporation, Eden Prairie, MN, USA). Dorsal angulation of the distal fragment was recorded. The variable locking plate construct reveals statistically superior results in terms of bending stiffness and dorsal angulation compared to the cancellous screw construct. There was a statistically significant correlation between bone mineral density and maximum tolerated load until construct failure occurred for the screw construct (r = 0.640, p = 0.406). The results of the present study indicate that variable locking plate fixation shows superior biomechanical results to cancellous screw fixation for proximal chevron osteotomy. Additionally, screw construct failure was related to levels of low bone mineral density. Based on the results of the present study we recommend variable locking plate fixation for proximal chevron osteotomy, especially in osteoporotic bone.

Social distance, perceived drinking by peers, and alcohol use by college students.

PubMed

Yanovitzky, Itzhak; Stewart, Lea P; Lederman, Linda C

2006-01-01

Many colleges in the United States are employing social norms marketing campaigns with the goal of reducing college students' alcohol use by correcting misperceptions about their peers' alcohol use. Although the typical message used in these campaigns describes the quantity and frequency of alcohol use by the average student on campus, many students may find such a vague comparison to others to be socially irrelevant. This study compares the relative weight of perceptions about alcohol use by distant versus proximate peers in the prediction of college students' personal drinking behavior. The results of analyzing data collected from a sample of college students at a large public northeastern university (N=276) show that, as hypothesized, perceived alcohol use by proximate peers (best friends and friends) was a stronger predictor of students' personal alcohol use than perceived alcohol use by more distant peers (such as students in general), controlling for other strong predictors of alcohol use by college students (age, gender, race, off-campus residency, and sensation-seeking tendencies). The implications of these findings for the design of more effective social norms messages are discussed.

Coronal deformity correction in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients using the fulcrum-bending radiograph: a prospective comparative analysis of the proximal thoracic, main thoracic, and thoracolumbar/lumbar curves.

PubMed

Li, Jingfeng; Dumonski, Mark L; Samartzis, Dino; Hong, Joseph; He, Shisheng; Zhu, Xiaodong; Wang, Chuanfeng; Vaccaro, Alexander R; Albert, Todd J; Li, Ming

2011-01-01

The aim of the prospective, comparative radiographic analysis was to determine the role of the fulcrum-bending radiograph (FBR) for the assessment of the proximal thoracic (PT), main thoracic (MT), and the thoracolumbar/lumbar (TL/L) curves in patients undergoing posterior spinal pedicle screw fixation and fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). The FBR demonstrated statistically better correction than other preoperative methods for the assessment of frontal plane correction of the MT curves. The fulcrum-bending correction index (FBCI) has been considered a superior method than the correction rate for comparing curve correction undergoing posterior spinal fusion because it accounts for the curve flexibility. However, their applicability to assess the PT and TL/L curves in AIS patients remains speculative. The relation between FBR and correction obtained by pedicle screws fixation is still unknown. Thirty-eight consecutive AIS patients who underwent pedicle screw fixation and posterior fusion were included in this study. The assessment of preoperative radiographs included standing posterior-anterior (PA), FBR, supine side-bending, and postoperative standing PA and lateral plain radiographs. The flexibility of the curve, as well as the FBCI, was calculated for all patients. Postoperatively, radiographs were assessed at immediate (i.e. 1 week), 3-month, 6-month, 12-month, and 2-year follow-up. Cobb angles were obtained from the PT, MT, and TL/L curves. The study consisted of 9 PT, 37 MT, and 12 TL/L curves, with a mean age of 15.1 years. The mean FBR flexibility of the PT, MT, and the TL/L curves was 42.6, 61.1, and 66.2%, respectively. The mean operative correction rates in the PT, MT, and TL/L curves were 43.4, 69.3, and 73.9%, respectively, and the mean FBCI was 103.8, 117.0, and 114.8%, respectively. Fulcrum-bending flexibility was positively correlated with the operative correction rate in PT, MT, and TL/L curves. Although the correction rate in MT and TL/L curves was higher than PT curves, the FBCI in PT, MT, and TL/L curves was not significantly different (p < 0.05). The FBR can be used to assist in the assessment of PT, MT, and TL/L curve corrections in AIS patients. When curve flexibility is taken into account by FBR, the ability of pedicle screws to correct PT, MT, and TL/L curves is the same.

Video photographic considerations for measuring the proximity of a probe aircraft with a smoke seeded trailing vortex

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Childers, Brooks A.; Snow, Walter L.

1990-01-01

Considerations for acquiring and analyzing 30 Hz video frames from charge coupled device (CCD) cameras mounted in the wing tips of a Beech T-34 aircraft are described. Particular attention is given to the characterization and correction of optical distortions inherent in the data.

Strategic Flexibility in Computational Estimation for Chinese- and Canadian-Educated Adults

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Xu, Chang; Wells, Emma; LeFevre, Jo-Anne; Imbo, Ineke

2014-01-01

The purpose of the present study was to examine factors that influence strategic flexibility in computational estimation for Chinese- and Canadian-educated adults. Strategic flexibility was operationalized as the percentage of trials on which participants chose the problem-based procedure that best balanced proximity to the correct answer with…

Modeling tunneling for the unconventional superconducting proximity effect

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zareapour, Parisa; Xu, Jianwei; Zhao, Shu Yang F.

Recently there has been reinvigorated interest in the superconducting proximity effect, driven by predictions of the emergence of Majorana fermions. To help guide this search, we have developed a phenomenological model for the tunneling spectra in anisotropic superconductor-normal metal proximity devices. We combine successful approaches used in s-wave proximity and standard d-wave tunneling to reproduce tunneling spectra in d-wave proximity devices, and clarify the origin of various features. Different variations of the pair potential are considered, resulting from the proximity-induced superconductivity. Furthermore, the effective pair potential felt by the quasiparticles is momentum-dependent in contrast to s-wave superconductors. The probabilities ofmore » reflection and transmission are calculated by solving the Bogoliubov equations. Our results are consistent with experimental observations of the unconventional proximity effect and provide important experimental parameters such as the size and length scale of the proximity induced gap, as well as the conditions needed to observe the reduced and full superconducting gaps.« less

Modeling tunneling for the unconventional superconducting proximity effect

DOE PAGES

Zareapour, Parisa; Xu, Jianwei; Zhao, Shu Yang F.; ...

2016-10-12

Recently there has been reinvigorated interest in the superconducting proximity effect, driven by predictions of the emergence of Majorana fermions. To help guide this search, we have developed a phenomenological model for the tunneling spectra in anisotropic superconductor-normal metal proximity devices. We combine successful approaches used in s-wave proximity and standard d-wave tunneling to reproduce tunneling spectra in d-wave proximity devices, and clarify the origin of various features. Different variations of the pair potential are considered, resulting from the proximity-induced superconductivity. Furthermore, the effective pair potential felt by the quasiparticles is momentum-dependent in contrast to s-wave superconductors. The probabilities ofmore » reflection and transmission are calculated by solving the Bogoliubov equations. Our results are consistent with experimental observations of the unconventional proximity effect and provide important experimental parameters such as the size and length scale of the proximity induced gap, as well as the conditions needed to observe the reduced and full superconducting gaps.« less

Time delay of critical images in the vicinity of cusp point of gravitational-lens systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alexandrov, A.; Zhdanov, V.

2016-12-01

We consider approximate analytical formulas for time-delays of critical images of a point source in the neighborhood of a cusp-caustic. We discuss zero, first and second approximations in powers of a parameter that defines the proximity of the source to the cusp. These formulas link the time delay with characteristics of the lens potential. The formula of zero approximation was obtained by Congdon, Keeton & Nordgren (MNRAS, 2008). In case of a general lens potential we derived first order correction thereto. If the potential is symmetric with respect to the cusp axis, then this correction is identically equal to zero. For this case, we obtained second order correction. The relations found are illustrated by a simple model example.

Double Tryptophan Exciton Probe to Gauge Proximal Side Chains in Proteins- Augmentation at Low Temperature

PubMed Central

Gasymov, Oktay K.; Abduragimov, Adil R.; Glasgow, Ben J.

2015-01-01

The circular dichroic (CD) exciton couplet between tryptophans and/or tyrosines offers the potential to probe distances within 10Å in proteins. The exciton effect has been used with native chromophores in critical positions in a few proteins. Here, site-directed mutagenesis created double tryptophan probes for key sites of a protein (tear lipocalin). For tear lipocalin the crystal and solution structures are concordant in both apo- and holo-forms. Double tryptophan substitutions were performed at sites that could probe conformation and were likely within 10 Å. Far-UV CD spectra of double Trp mutants were performed with controls that had non-interacting substituted tryptophans. Low temperature (77K) was tested for augmentation of the exciton signal. Exciton coupling appeared with tryptophan substitutions at positions within loop A-B (28 and 31, 33), between loop A-B (28) and strand G (103 and 105), as well as between the strands B (35) and C (56). The CD exciton couplet signals were amplified 3–5 fold at 77K. The results were concordant with close distances in crystal and solution structures. The exciton couplets had functional significance and correctly assigned the holo-conformation. The methodology creates an effective probe to identify proximal amino acids in a variety of motifs. PMID:25693116

Electronic transfer studies of fullerene/polymer hybrids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Farrell, Garrett F.; Chambers, Gordon; Dalton, Alan B.; Byrne, Hugh J.

2003-03-01

In this study we examine the interaction of both cis and trans poly(m-phenylenevinylene-co-2,5-dioctyloxy-p-phenylenevinylene (PmPV-co-DOctOPV) with C60 in solution From the presented data it is clear that there is an interaction between the HE PmPV and C60. Just what this interaction is however is not as clear. A possible explanation that fits the available data involves the HE PmPV wrapping around the C60 molecules, similar to the effect observed by Dalton et al with Carbon Nanotubes. In theory the close proximately of the coils to the C60 molecules may allow for charge transfer or energy transfer between to the two molecules. If this theory is correct it would explain the why the absorption spectra of HE-PmPV at the different loaded fraction displays a negative deviation for the expected values. It may be speculated that due to the coiling the C60 molecules are prevented from absorbing photons of light, consequently resulting in a reduction in it's contribution to the overall intensity. This theory would also explain the increased quenching effect observed in the luminescence spectra at the same percentage weights, since the close proximity of the coils to the C60 molecules allows for charge or energy transfer between the two.

Efficient three-dimensional resist profile-driven source mask optimization optical proximity correction based on Abbe-principal component analysis and Sylvester equation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Pei-Chun; Yu, Chun-Chang; Chen, Charlie Chung-Ping

2015-01-01

As one of the critical stages of a very large scale integration fabrication process, postexposure bake (PEB) plays a crucial role in determining the final three-dimensional (3-D) profiles and lessening the standing wave effects. However, the full 3-D chemically amplified resist simulation is not widely adopted during the postlayout optimization due to the long run-time and huge memory usage. An efficient simulation method is proposed to simulate the PEB while considering standing wave effects and resolution enhancement techniques, such as source mask optimization and subresolution assist features based on the Sylvester equation and Abbe-principal component analysis method. Simulation results show that our algorithm is 20× faster than the conventional Gaussian convolution method.

DfM requirements and ROI analysis for system-on-chip

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Balasinski, Artur

2005-11-01

DfM (Design-for-Manufacturability) has become staple requirement beyond 100 nm technology node for efficient generation of mask data, cost reduction, and optimal circuit performance. Layout pattern has to comply to many requirements pertaining to database structure and complexity, suitability for image enhancement by the optical proximity correction, and mask data pattern density and distribution over the image field. These requirements are of particular complexity for Systems-on-Chip (SoC). A number of macro-, meso-, and microscopic effects such as reticle macroloading, planarization dishing, and pattern bridging or breaking would compromise fab yield, device performance, or both. In order to determine the optimal set of DfM rules applicable to the particular designs, Return-on-Investment and Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) are proposed.

Hypospadias: Are we as good as we think when we correct proximal hypospadias?

PubMed

Long, C J; Canning, D A

2016-08-01

Hypospadias surgery is a humbling art form. Although outcomes with distal hypospadias are favorable, recent publications have suggested that the complication rates are much higher than previously anticipated for proximal hypospadias. The present review examined the literature concerning proximal hypospadias, to explore some of the inadequacies and identify some of the reasons behind these shortfalls in the reported data. A systematic review of the published literature was conducted using keywords relevant to proximal hypospadias and long-term outcomes. The literature for hypospadias was reviewed, and outcomes for distal vs proximal variants were compared. The quality of the literature for proximal hypospadias was examined, and the shortcomings that led to underreporting of the surgical outcomes were identified. Special focus was on the lack of standardized documentation, the subsequent inability to objectify the severity of the phenotype, and the underestimation of complications due to lack of long-term follow-up. There was also a great deal of variability in the utilized techniques, and the literature was filled with small case series from single institutions. To enable scientific assessment of outcomes, it is proposed that the following be implemented: acceptance and incorporation of standardized phenotype assessment scores in the pre-operative period, objective intraoperative hypospadias characterization, and postoperative score assessment. Treatment of proximal hypospadias is much less successful than the distal variant. A specialty wide commitment to standardize the hypospadias language is required to make advancement in surgical outcomes. Boys need to be followed through puberty into adulthood, and honest reporting of outcomes must be discussed so that surgical techniques for this complicated disease process can be advanced. Copyright © 2016 Journal of Pediatric Urology Company. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Proximal femoral osteosarcoma: Diagnostic challenges translate into delayed and inappropriate management.

PubMed

Dahan, M; Anract, P; Babinet, A; Larousserie, F; Biau, D

2017-11-01

The proximal femuris is an uncommon site of osteosarcoma. The unusual manifestations at this site may lead to diagnostic and therapeutic mistakes. We therefore performed a retrospective study to estimate the proportions of patients with imaging study findings and/or clinical manifestations typical for osteosarcoma and/or inappropriate treatment decisions. Proximal femoral osteosarcoma often produces atypical clinical and radiological presentations. Consecutive patients who underwent surgery at our center to treat proximal femoral osteosarcoma were included. For each patient, we collected the epidemiological characteristics, clinical symptoms, imaging study findings, treatment, and tumor outcome. Proportions were computed with their confidence intervals. Twelve patients had surgery for proximal femoral osteosarcoma between 1986 and 2015. Imaging findings were typical in 1 (8%) patient; they consisted of ill-defined osteolysis in 11/12 (92%) patients, a periosteal reaction in 1/12 (8%) patient, soft tissue involvement in 7/12 (58%) patients, and immature osteoid matrix in 11/12 (92%) patients. No patient had the typical combination of pain with a soft tissue swelling. Management was inappropriate in 2/12 (17%) patients, who did not undergo all the recommended imaging studies before surgery and were treated in another center before the correct diagnosis was established. At last follow-up, 4 patients had died (after a mean of 7 years) and 8 were alive (after a mean of 4 years). Proximal femoral osteosarcoma is uncommon and rarely produces the typical clinical and imaging study findings. The atypical presentation often results in diagnostic errors and inappropriate treatments. Ill-defined osteolysis on standard radiographs should prompt computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging of the proximal femur. Treatment in a specialized center is imperative. IV, retrospective study. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Remodeling of angulation deformities in diaphyseal femoral fracture in children.

PubMed

Kamegaya, Makoto; Saisu, Takashi; Segawa, Yuko; Kakizaki, Jun; Sakamoto, Yuko; Hagiwara, Shigeo

2012-11-01

The purpose of this study was to reconsider the factors influencing the remodeling effects in diaphyseal femoral fractures in children based on radiological results. We reviewed 39 patients with more than a 5° residual angulation deformity at the fracture site on anteroposterior and/or lateral views at the primary healing stage. The average follow-up period was 30.4 months. Angulation deformity was measured on plain radiographs both at the primary healing stage and the final follow-up. The correction rate (A - B/A × 100, A angulation deformities at the primary healing, B the angulation at the final follow-up) between at the primary healing stage and final follow-up was analyzed in terms of age at injury (0-5, 6-9, and ≥10 years), fracture site (proximal one third, middle one third, and distal one third) and direction of the deformities (coronal and sagittal planes). The remodeling effect significantly appeared on the coronal plane (correction rate 66.7 %) rather than on the sagittal plane (correction rate 31.6 %) in the 0- to 5-year age group (P < 0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the correction rate between the 0- to 5-year age group (66.7 %) and the 6- to 9-year group (30.6 %) on the coronal plane (P < 0.05), with no significance between any other two groups on both planes. No statistical difference of remodeling effect appeared among the three fracture sites. The average leg-length discrepancy was 4.7 mm longer. We suggest that a patient ≤5 years at injury could expect more sufficient remodeling on the coronal plane compared with the other age groups on both planes. However, a patient >5 years at injury should be encouraged to undergo the maximum possible correction of the angulation deformity at the initial treatment. Surgical intervention might be considered for that purpose.

A Custom-Made Treovance® Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Endograft to Correct Late Failure of Trombone Technique with a Tube Endograft.

PubMed

Georgiadis, George S; Argyriou, Christos; Valsamidou, Christina D; Nikova, Alexandrina S; Lazarides, Miltos K

2018-05-01

Unfavorable anatomy is one of the major limitations of endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) with specifically adverse proximal neck morphology excluding many patients from receiving the standard endograft devices. Thoracic tube endografts have been used to overcome the issue of wide infrarenal necks, either as a sole device (single tubes or double tubes using the trombone technique) or as the proximal part of a bifurcated device fixed to the aortic bifurcation or infrarenally oriented. However, custom-made large proximal diameter bifurcated endograft designs have never been used. We present the case of a 56-year-old man with Marfan syndrome, suffering abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) enlargement from a type Ib endoleak after previous EVAR with 2 Endofit tube endografts (trombone technique). He was considered unfit for open surgery while possible alternatives such as fenestrated endovascular AAA repair and chimney technique were excluded. The patient was treated with a custom-made 44-mm proximal diameter, bifurcated Bolton Medical Treovance device with technical and clinical success. No immediate or perioperative complications were noted. Follow-up after 6 months showed graft patency and no endoleak of any type. This alternative technique for hostile proximal neck management is promising and needs long-term follow-up; an issue which is discussed within the broader context of custom-made device regulations. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Cosmology, Cosmomicrophysics and Gravitation Properties of the Gravitational Lens Mapping in the Vicinity of a Cusp Caustic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alexandrov, A. N.; Zhdanov, V. I.; Koval, S. M.

We derive approximate formulas for the coordinates and magnification of critical images of a point source in a vicinity of a cusp caustic arising in the gravitational lens mapping. In the lowest (zero-order) approximation, these formulas were obtained in the classical work by Schneider&Weiss (1992) and then studied by a number of authors; first-order corrections in powers of the proximity parameter were treated by Congdon, Keeton and Nordgren. We have shown that the first-order corrections are solely due to the asymmetry of the cusp. We found expressions for the second-order corrections in the case of general lens potential and for an arbitrary position of the source near a symmetric cusp. Applications to a lensing galaxy model represented by a singular isothermal sphere with an external shear y are studied and the role of the second-order corrections is demonstrated.

Evaluation of new Deflux administration techniques: intraureteric HIT and Double HIT for the endoscopic correction of vesicoureteral reflux.

PubMed

Kirsch, Andrew J; Arlen, Angela M

2014-09-01

Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is one of the most common urologic diagnoses affecting children, and optimal treatment requires an individualized approach that considers potential risks. Management options include observation with or without continuous antibiotic prophylaxis and surgical correction via endoscopic, open or laparoscopic/robotic approaches. Endoscopic correction of VUR is an outpatient procedure associated with decreased morbidity compared with ureteral reimplantation. The concept of ureteral hydrodistention and intraluminal submucosal injection (Hydrodistention Implantation Technique [HIT]) has led to improved success rates in eliminating VUR compared with the subureteral transurethral injection technique. Further modifications now include use of proximal and distal intraluminal injections (Double HIT) that result in coaptation of both the ureteral tunnel and orifice. Endoscopic injection of dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer, via the HIT and Double HIT, has emerged as a highly successful, minimally invasive alternative to open surgical correction, with minimal associated morbidity.

The evaluation of correction algorithms of intensity nonuniformity in breast MRI images: a phantom study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Borys, Damian; Serafin, Wojciech; Gorczewski, Kamil; Kijonka, Marek; Frackiewicz, Mariusz; Palus, Henryk

2018-04-01

The aim of this work was to test the most popular and essential algorithms of the intensity nonuniformity correction of the breast MRI imaging. In this type of MRI imaging, especially in the proximity of the coil, the signal is strong but also can produce some inhomogeneities. Evaluated methods of signal correction were: N3, N3FCM, N4, Nonparametric, and SPM. For testing purposes, a uniform phantom object was used to obtain test images using breast imaging MRI coil. To quantify the results, two measures were used: integral uniformity and standard deviation. For each algorithm minimum, average and maximum values of both evaluation factors have been calculated using the binary mask created for the phantom. In the result, two methods obtained the lowest values in these measures: N3FCM and N4, however, for the second method visually phantom was the most uniform after correction.

Peripheral neuropathy: an often-overlooked cause of falls in the elderly.

PubMed

Richardson, J K; Ashton-Miller, J A

1996-06-01

Peripheral neuropathy is common in the elderly and results in impairments in distal proprioception and strength that hinder balance and predispose them to falls. The loss of heel reflexes, decreased vibratory sense that improves proximally, impaired position sense at the great toe, and inability to maintain unipedal stance for 10 seconds in three attempts all suggest functionally significant peripheral neuropathy. Physicians can help their patients with peripheral neuropathy to prevent falls by teaching them and their families about peripheral nerve dysfunction and its effects on balance and by advising patients to substitute vision for the lost somatosensory function, correctly use a cane, wear proper shoes and orthotics, and perform balance and upper extremity strengthening exercises.

Oxygen transmittance correction for solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence measured on proximal sensing: application to the NASA-GSFC fusion tower

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Since oxygen (O2) absorption of light becomes more pronounced at higher pressure levels, even a few meters distance between the target and the sensor can strongly affect canopy leaving Solar-Induced chlorophyll Fluorescence (SIF) retrievals. This study was conducted to quantify the consequent error ...

Customizing Extensor Reconstruction in Vascularized Toe Joint Transfers to Finger Proximal Interphalangeal Joints: A Strategic Approach for Correcting Extensor Lag.

PubMed

Loh, Charles Yuen Yung; Hsu, Chung-Chen; Lin, Cheng-Hung; Chen, Shih-Heng; Lien, Shwu-Huei; Lin, Chih-Hung; Wei, Fu-Chan; Lin, Yu-Te

2017-04-01

Vascularized toe proximal interphalangeal joint transfer allows the restoration of damaged joints. However, extensor lag and poor arc of motion have been reported. The authors present their outcomes of treatment according to a novel reconstructive algorithm that addresses extensor lag and allows for consistent results postoperatively. Vascularized toe joint transfers were performed in a consecutive series of 26 digits in 25 patients. The average age was 30.5 years, with 14 right and 12 left hands. Reconstructed digits included eight index, 10 middle, and eight ring fingers. Simultaneous extensor reconstructions were performed and eight were centralization of lateral bands, five were direct extensor digitorum longus-to-extensor digitorum communis repairs, and 13 were central slip reconstructions. The average length of follow-up was 16.7 months. The average extension lag was 17.9 degrees. The arc of motion was 57.7 degrees (81.7 percent functional use of pretransfer toe proximal interphalangeal joint arc of motion). There was no significant difference in the reconstructed proximal interphalangeal joint arc of motion for the handedness (p = 0.23), recipient digits (p = 0.37), or surgical experience in vascularized toe joint transfer (p = 0.25). The outcomes of different techniques of extensor mechanism reconstruction were similar in terms of extensor lag, arc of motion, and reconstructed finger arc of motion compared with the pretransfer toe proximal interphalangeal joint arc of motion. With this treatment algorithm, consistent outcomes can be produced with minimal extensor lag and maximum use of potential toe proximal interphalangeal joint arc of motion. Therapeutic, IV.

Postoperative shoulder imbalance in Lenke Type 1A adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and related factors.

PubMed

Matsumoto, Morio; Watanabe, Kota; Kawakami, Noriaki; Tsuji, Taichi; Uno, Koki; Suzuki, Teppei; Ito, Manabu; Yanagida, Haruhisa; Minami, Shohei; Akazawa, Tsutomu

2014-11-05

The purpose of this study was to investigate the occurrence and factors associated with postoperative shoulder imbalance (PSI) in Lenke type 1A curve. This study included 106 patients with Lenke Type 1A curve who were followed up more than two years after posterior correction surgery. Pedicle screw (PS) constructs were used in 84 patients, and hybrid constructs in 22. The upper instrumented vertebra was rostral to the upper-end vertebra (UEV) in 70 patients, at UEV in 26, and below UEV in 10. The clavicle angle and T1 tilt angle were measured as PSI indicators, and correlations between radiographic parameters of shoulder balance and other radiographic parameters and associations between PSI and clinical parameters were investigated. For statistical analyses, paired and unpaired t-tests were used. The mean Cobb angles of the main and proximal thoracic curves were 54.6 ± 9.5 and 26.7 ± 7.9 degrees before surgery, 14.5 ± 7.5, and 14.9 ± 7.1 at follow-up. Clavicle angle and T1 tilt angle were -2.9 ± 2.8 and -2.6 ± 6.3 before surgery, 2.4 ± 2.8 and 4.4 ± 4.3 immediately after surgery, and 1.8 ± 2.1 and 3.4 ± 5.5 at follow-up. Twenty patients developed distal adding-on. Clavicle angle at follow-up correlated weakly but significantly with preoperative clavicle angle (r = 0.34, p = 0.001) and with the correction rates of the main thoracic curve (r = 0.34, p = 0.001); it correlated negatively with the proximal curve spontaneous correction rate (r=-0.21, p = 0.034). The clavicle angle at follow-up was significantly larger in patients with PS-only constructs (PS 2.1 degrees vs. hybrid 0.9, p = 0.02), and tended to be smaller in patients with distal adding-on (adding-on 1.1 vs. non adding-on 2.0, p = 0.09). PSI was more common with better correction of the main curve (using PS constructs), in patients with a larger preoperative clavicle angle, and with a larger and more rigid proximal curve. Distal adding-on may compensate for PSI.

High-Frequency X-ray Variability Detection in A Black Hole Transient with USA.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shabad, Gayane

2000-10-16

Studies of high-frequency variability (above {approx}100 Hz) in X-ray binaries provide a unique opportunity to explore the fundamental physics of spacetime and matter, since the orbital timescale on the order of several milliseconds is a timescale of the motion of matter through the region located in close proximity to a compact stellar object. The detection of weak high-frequency signals in X-ray binaries depends on how well we understand the level of Poisson noise due to the photon counting statistics, i.e. how well we can understand and model the detector deadtime and other instrumental systematic effects. We describe the preflight timingmore » calibration work performed on the Unconventional Stellar Aspect (USA) X-ray detector to study deadtime and timing issues. We developed a Monte Carlo deadtime model and deadtime correction methods for the USA experiment. The instrumental noise power spectrum can be estimated within {approx}0.1% accuracy in the case when no energy-dependent instrumental effect is present. We also developed correction techniques to account for an energy-dependent instrumental effect. The developed methods were successfully tested on USA Cas A and Cygnus X-1 data. This work allowed us to make a detection of a weak signal in a black hole candidate (BHC) transient.« less

Gorham's disease of the proximal tibia successfully treated with local administration of OK-432, followed by reconstruction with distraction osteogenesis: a case report.

PubMed

Yamagishi, Eiki; Takeda, Akira; Konno, Shinichi; Takeda, Koichiro; Hagino, Seita; Hakozaki, Michiyuki

2016-01-01

Gorham's disease (GD) is a rare and intractable disease characterized by marked progression of osteolysis associated with lymphangioma and/or hemangioma. Here, we describe a case of GD of the proximal tibia occurring in a 10-year-old boy. Although we could not correctly diagnose it at first, we finally diagnosed him as having GD. Progression of osteolysis of the tibia stopped 3 months after the local administration of OK-432. Thereafter, the huge bone defect with varus and extension deformity was reconstructed successfully by distraction osteogenesis using the Ilizarov method. The present case suggests that local administration of OK-432, followed by distraction osteogenesis is a treatment option for GD.

Anchor enhanced capsulorraphy in bunionectomies using an L-shaped capsulotomy.

PubMed

Gould, John S; Ali, Sheriff; Fowler, Rachel; Fleisig, Glenn S

2003-01-01

The objective of this study was to investigate potential benefit of a suture anchor-enhanced capsulorraphy in the early maintenance of correction in bunionectomies. We compared, retrospectively, in successive series, the loss of correction of the Hallux Valgus (HV) and intermetatarsal (IM) angle, in those repaired with an L-shaped capsulorraphy enhanced with anchors to those without. Intraoperative and second week postoperative simulated weightbearing anterior posterior (AP) X-rays were used to evaluate results. By using only intraoperative and early postoperative X-rays, we should have effectively eliminated extraneous factors that might have influenced our results. A Total of 106 cases were investigated, 65 of which were repaired using anchors, the remaining 41 without. In the anchor group, 38 underwent a proximal metatarsal concentric shelf osteotomy (CSO)/modified McBride procedure, while the remaining 27 had a distal Chevron correction. In the without-anchor group, 21 had a CSO/modified McBride procedure while 20 underwent the Chevron procedure. In the without-anchor group, the average HV and IM loss of correction was 4.60 degrees (range, -2 to 21 degrees) and 0.6 degrees (range, -1 to 9 degrees) respectively. In the anchor group, the corresponding loss was 2.8 degrees (range, -3 to 17 degrees) and 0.6 degrees (range, -2 to 14 degrees) respectively. These results, when statistically analyzed, demonstrated that while the IM angle change was not statistically significant, the HV angle change was statistically significant, implying that the anchor plays a significant role in maintaining the surgical correction in both the distal Chevron and CSO/ modified McBride bunionectomies.

Extraction of the Wichita Fusion Nail after Knee Arthrodesis.

PubMed

Neuts, Ann-Sophie; Lammens, Johan; Stuyck, Jose

2016-01-01

To avoid a new exposition and partial damage of a knee arthrodesis site due to the removal of the Wichita fusion nail (WFN), a new extraction technique was developed, using a femoral osteotomy at the proximal end of the nail. Fixing the osteotomy with an Ilizarov frame offered the possibility to perform an additional correction of length and/or alignment if necessary.

Morel-Lavallée lesion: review with emphasis on MR imaging.

PubMed

Mellado, José M; Bencardino, Jenny T

2005-11-01

MR imaging is the diagnostic imaging modality of choice in the assessment of ML lesions in the hip region. Given their typical location, morphology, signal behavior, and enhancement pattern,ML lesions can be identified readily on MR examinations of the hip and proximal thigh.Correct preoperative MR diagnosis of ML lesions can be useful for treatment planning.

Kalman/Map filtering-aided fast normalized cross correlation-based Wi-Fi fingerprinting location sensing.

PubMed

Sun, Yongliang; Xu, Yubin; Li, Cheng; Ma, Lin

2013-11-13

A Kalman/map filtering (KMF)-aided fast normalized cross correlation (FNCC)-based Wi-Fi fingerprinting location sensing system is proposed in this paper. Compared with conventional neighbor selection algorithms that calculate localization results with received signal strength (RSS) mean samples, the proposed FNCC algorithm makes use of all the on-line RSS samples and reference point RSS variations to achieve higher fingerprinting accuracy. The FNCC computes efficiently while maintaining the same accuracy as the basic normalized cross correlation. Additionally, a KMF is also proposed to process fingerprinting localization results. It employs a new map matching algorithm to nonlinearize the linear location prediction process of Kalman filtering (KF) that takes advantage of spatial proximities of consecutive localization results. With a calibration model integrated into an indoor map, the map matching algorithm corrects unreasonable prediction locations of the KF according to the building interior structure. Thus, more accurate prediction locations are obtained. Using these locations, the KMF considerably improves fingerprinting algorithm performance. Experimental results demonstrate that the FNCC algorithm with reduced computational complexity outperforms other neighbor selection algorithms and the KMF effectively improves location sensing accuracy by using indoor map information and spatial proximities of consecutive localization results.

Kalman/Map Filtering-Aided Fast Normalized Cross Correlation-Based Wi-Fi Fingerprinting Location Sensing

PubMed Central

Sun, Yongliang; Xu, Yubin; Li, Cheng; Ma, Lin

2013-01-01

A Kalman/map filtering (KMF)-aided fast normalized cross correlation (FNCC)-based Wi-Fi fingerprinting location sensing system is proposed in this paper. Compared with conventional neighbor selection algorithms that calculate localization results with received signal strength (RSS) mean samples, the proposed FNCC algorithm makes use of all the on-line RSS samples and reference point RSS variations to achieve higher fingerprinting accuracy. The FNCC computes efficiently while maintaining the same accuracy as the basic normalized cross correlation. Additionally, a KMF is also proposed to process fingerprinting localization results. It employs a new map matching algorithm to nonlinearize the linear location prediction process of Kalman filtering (KF) that takes advantage of spatial proximities of consecutive localization results. With a calibration model integrated into an indoor map, the map matching algorithm corrects unreasonable prediction locations of the KF according to the building interior structure. Thus, more accurate prediction locations are obtained. Using these locations, the KMF considerably improves fingerprinting algorithm performance. Experimental results demonstrate that the FNCC algorithm with reduced computational complexity outperforms other neighbor selection algorithms and the KMF effectively improves location sensing accuracy by using indoor map information and spatial proximities of consecutive localization results. PMID:24233027

Increased Incidence and Severity of Postoperative Radiographic Hallux Valgus Interphalangeus With Surgical Correction of Hallux Valgus.

PubMed

Dixon, Alexis E; Lee, Lydia C; Charlton, Timothy P; Thordarson, David B

2015-08-01

A previous study has shown an increased radiographic prevalence and severity of hallux valgus interphalangeus (HVIP) after surgical correction of hallux valgus (HV) due to correction of pronation deformity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the change in pre- and postoperative HVIP deformity with correction of HV with multiple radiographic parameters. A retrospective chart review identified all bunion surgeries performed at a single center from July 1, 2009, to September 30, 2012. Exclusion criteria included prior bony surgery to the first ray, inadequate films, nonadult bunion, Akin osteotomy, or surgical treatment other than bunion correction. Pre- and postoperative films were reviewed for 2 HV angular measurements and 5 HVIP measurements, which were compared. The angles measured were hallux valgus angle (HVA), first intermetatarsal angle (IMA), hallux interphalangeus angle (HIA), distal metatarsal articular angle (DMAA), proximal phalangeal articular angle (PPAA), proximal to distal phalangeal articular angle (PDPAA), and total distal deformity (TDD). Prevalence of HVIP was analyzed in pre- and postoperative radiographs. A 1-sided Student t test was used to compare continuous data, and a chi-square test was used to compare categorical data. Ninety-two feet in 82 patients were eligible. The average preoperative HV improved with surgery. Preoperative HVA improved from 27 to 11 degrees (P < .001). Preoperative IMA improved from 13.6 to 6.1 degrees (P < .001). HVIP worsened after surgery. Preoperative HIA increased from 7.2 to 13.2 degrees (P < .001). DMAA worsened from 7.3 to 9.2 degrees (P = .001). PPAA worsened from 3.2 to 6.2 degrees. PDPAA worsened from 6.7 to 8.2 degrees (P < .001). The TDD increased from 14.6 to 17.9 degrees (P < .001). The prevalence of HVIP pre- and postoperatively as defined by HIA increased from 26% to 79% (P < .001) and by PPAA from 12% to 46% (P < .001). Initial assessment of preoperative radiographs underestimated HVIP. Postoperative correction of the deformity revealed HVIP that was not obvious preoperatively. Level III, retrospective comparative series. © The Author(s) 2015.

Psychological responses to the proximity of climate change

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brügger, Adrian; Dessai, Suraje; Devine-Wright, Patrick; Morton, Thomas A.; Pidgeon, Nicholas F.

2015-12-01

A frequent suggestion to increase individuals' willingness to take action on climate change and to support relevant policies is to highlight its proximal consequences, that is, those that are close in space and time. But previous studies that have tested this proximizing approach have not revealed the expected positive effects on individual action and support for addressing climate change. We present three lines of psychological reasoning that provide compelling arguments as to why highlighting proximal impacts of climate change might not be as effective a way to increase individual mitigation and adaptation efforts as is often assumed. Our contextualization of the proximizing approach within established psychological research suggests that, depending on the particular theoretical perspective one takes on this issue, and on specific individual characteristics suggested by these perspectives, proximizing can bring about the intended positive effects, can have no (visible) effect or can even backfire. Thus, the effects of proximizing are much more complex than is commonly assumed. Revealing this complexity contributes to a refined theoretical understanding of the role that psychological distance plays in the context of climate change and opens up further avenues for future research and for interventions.

Quantification of mitral and tricuspid regurgitation by the proximal flow convergence method using two-dimensional colour Doppler and colour Doppler M-mode: influence of the mechanism of regurgitation.

PubMed

Grossmann, G; Giesler, M; Stein, M; Kochs, M; Höher, M; Hombach, V

1998-10-30

In patients with mitral (n=77: organic=49, functional=28) and tricuspid regurgitation (n=55: functional=54) quantified by angiography, the temporal variation of the proximal flow convergence region throughout systole was assessed by colour Doppler M-Mode, and peak and mean radius of the proximal isovelocity surface area for 28 cm/s blood flow velocity were measured. Additionally, the peak radius derived from two-dimensional colour Doppler was obtained. About 50% of the patients with mitral and tricuspid regurgitation showed a typical temporal variation of the flow convergence region related to the mechanism of regurgitation. The different proximal isovelocity surface area radii were similarly correlated to the angiographic grade in mitral and tricuspid regurgitation (rank correlation coefficients 0.55-0.89) and they differentiated mild to moderate (grade < or =II) from severe (grade > or =III) mitral and tricuspid regurgitation with comparable accuracy (82-96%). However, moderate mitral regurgitation due to leaflet prolapse in two patients was correctly classified by the mean M-mode radius and overestimated by both peak radii. Only half of the patients showed a typical variation of the flow convergence region related to the mechanism of regurgitation. The different proximal isovelocity surface area radii were suitable to quantify mitral and tricuspid regurgitation in most patients. However, in mitral regurgitation due to leaflet prolapse the use of the mean M-mode radius may avoid overestimation.

Regional Seismic Amplitude Modeling and Tomography for Earthquake-Explosion Discrimination

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Walter, W. R.; Pasyanos, M. E.; Matzel, E.; Gok, R.; Sweeney, J.; Ford, S. R.; Rodgers, A. J.

2008-12-01

Empirically explosions have been discriminated from natural earthquakes using regional amplitude ratio techniques such as P/S in a variety of frequency bands. We demonstrate that such ratios discriminate nuclear tests from earthquakes using closely located pairs of earthquakes and explosions recorded on common, publicly available stations at test sites around the world (e.g. Nevada, Novaya Zemlya, Semipalatinsk, Lop Nor, India, Pakistan, and North Korea). We are examining if there is any relationship between the observed P/S and the point source variability revealed by longer period full waveform modeling. For example, regional waveform modeling shows strong tectonic release from the May 1998 India test, in contrast with very little tectonic release in the October 2006 North Korea test, but the P/S discrimination behavior appears similar in both events using the limited regional data available. While regional amplitude ratios such as P/S can separate events in close proximity, it is also empirically well known that path effects can greatly distort observed amplitudes and make earthquakes appear very explosion-like. Previously we have shown that the MDAC (Magnitude Distance Amplitude Correction, Walter and Taylor, 2001) technique can account for simple 1-D attenuation and geometrical spreading corrections, as well as magnitude and site effects. However in some regions 1-D path corrections are a poor approximation and we need to develop 2-D path corrections. Here we demonstrate a new 2-D attenuation tomography technique using the MDAC earthquake source model applied to a set of events and stations in both the Middle East and the Yellow Sea Korean Peninsula regions. We believe this new 2-D MDAC tomography has the potential to greatly improve earthquake-explosion discrimination, particularly in tectonically complex regions such as the Middle East.

Do Indo-Asians have smaller coronary arteries?

PubMed

Lip, G Y; Rathore, V S; Katira, R; Watson, R D; Singh, S P

1999-08-01

There is a widespread belief that coronary arteries are smaller in Indo-Asians. The aim of the present study was to compare the size of atheroma-free proximal and distal epicardial coronary arteries of Indo-Asians and Caucasians. We analysed normal coronary angiograms from 77 Caucasians and 39 Indo-Asians. The two groups were comparable for dominance of the coronary arteries. Indo-Asian patients had generally smaller coronary arteries, with a statistically significant difference in the mean diameters of the left main coronary artery, proximal, mid and left anterior descending, and proximal and distal right coronary artery segments. There was a non-significant trend towards smaller coronary artery segment diameters for the distal left anterior descending, proximal and distal circumflex, and obtuse marginal artery segments. However, after correction for body surface area, none of these differences in size were statistically significant. Thus, the smaller coronary arteries in Indo-Asian patients were explained by body size alone and were not due to ethnic origin per se. This finding nevertheless has important therapeutic implications, since smaller coronary arteries may give rise to technical difficulties during bypass graft and intervention procedures such as percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, stents and atherectomy. On smaller arteries, atheroma may also give an impression of more severe disease than on larger diameter arteries.

A novel method of forceps biopsy improves the diagnosis of proximal biliary malignancies.

PubMed

Kulaksiz, Hasan; Strnad, Pavel; Römpp, Achim; von Figura, Guido; Barth, Thomas; Esposito, Irene; Schirmacher, Peter; Henne-Bruns, Doris; Adler, Guido; Stiehl, Adolf

2011-02-01

Tissue specimen collection represents a cornerstone in diagnosis of proximal biliary tract malignancies offering great specificity, but only limited sensitivity. To improve the tumor detection rate, we developed a new method of forceps biopsy and compared it prospectively with endoscopic transpapillary brush cytology. 43 patients with proximal biliary stenoses, which were suspect for malignancy, undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiography were prospectively recruited and subjected to both biopsy [using a double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) forceps under a guidance of a pusher and guiding catheter with guidewire] and transpapillary brush cytology. The cytological/histological findings were compared with the final clinical diagnosis. 35 out of 43 patients had a malignant disease (33 cholangiocarcinomas, 1 hepatocellular carcinoma, 1 gallbladder carcinoma). The sensitivity of cytology and biopsy in these patients was 49 and 69%, respectively. The method with DBE forceps allowed a pinpoint biopsy of the biliary stenoses. Both methods had 100% specificity, and, when combined, 80% of malignant processes were detected. All patients with non-malignant conditions were correctly assigned by both methods. No clinically relevant complications were observed. The combination of forceps biopsy and transpapillary brush cytology is safe and offers superior detection rates compared to both methods alone, and therefore represents a promising approach in evaluation of proximal biliary tract processes.

Inter-regional comparison of land-use effects on stream metabolism

USGS Publications Warehouse

Bernot, M.J.; Sobota, D.J.; Hall, R.O.; Mulholland, P.J.; Dodds, W.K.; Webster, J.R.; Tank, J.L.; Ashkenas, L.R.; Cooper, L.W.; Dahm, Clifford N.; Gregory, S.V.; Grimm, N. B.; Hamilton, S.K.; Johnson, S.L.; McDowell, W.H.; Meyer, J.L.; Peterson, B.; Poole, G.C.; Maurice, Valett H.M.; Arango, C.; Beaulieu, J.J.; Burgin, A.J.; Crenshaw, C.; Helton, A.M.; Johnson, L.; Merriam, J.; Niederlehner, B.R.; O'Brien, J. M.; Potter, J.D.; Sheibley, R.W.; Thomas, S.M.; Wilson, K.

2010-01-01

1. Rates of whole-system metabolism (production and respiration) are fundamental indicators of ecosystem structure and function. Although first-order, proximal controls are well understood, assessments of the interactions between proximal controls and distal controls, such as land use and geographic region, are lacking. Thus, the influence of land use on stream metabolism across geographic regions is unknown. Further, there is limited understanding of how land use may alter variability in ecosystem metabolism across regions.2. Stream metabolism was measured in nine streams in each of eight regions (n = 72) across the United States and Puerto Rico. In each region, three streams were selected from a range of three land uses: agriculturally influenced, urban-influenced, and reference streams. Stream metabolism was estimated from diel changes in dissolved oxygen concentrations in each stream reach with correction for reaeration and groundwater input.3. Gross primary production (GPP) was highest in regions with little riparian vegetation (sagebrush steppe in Wyoming, desert shrub in Arizona/New Mexico) and lowest in forested regions (North Carolina, Oregon). In contrast, ecosystem respiration (ER) varied both within and among regions. Reference streams had significantly lower rates of GPP than urban or agriculturally influenced streams.4. GPP was positively correlated with photosynthetically active radiation and autotrophic biomass. Multiple regression models compared using Akaike's information criterion (AIC) indicated GPP increased with water column ammonium and the fraction of the catchment in urban and reference land-use categories. Multiple regression models also identified velocity, temperature, nitrate, ammonium, dissolved organic carbon, GPP, coarse benthic organic matter, fine benthic organic matter and the fraction of all land-use categories in the catchment as regulators of ER.5. Structural equation modelling indicated significant distal as well as proximal control pathways including a direct effect of land-use on GPP as well as SRP, DIN, and PAR effects on GPP; GPP effects on autotrophic biomass, organic matter, and ER; and organic matter effects on ER.6. Overall, consideration of the data separated by land-use categories showed reduced inter-regional variability in rates of metabolism, indicating that the influence of agricultural and urban land use can obscure regional differences in stream metabolism. ?? 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Distinct degree of radiculopathy at different levels of peripheral nerve injury

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Lumbar radiculopathy is a common clinical problem, characterized by dorsal root ganglion (DRG) injury and neural hyperactivity causing intense pain. However, the mechanisms involved in DRG injury have not been fully elucidated. Furthermore, little is known about the degree of radiculopathy at the various levels of nerve injury. The purpose of this study is to compare the degree of radiculopathy injury at the DRG and radiculopathy injury proximal or distal to the DRG. Results The lumbar radiculopathy rat model was created by ligating the L5 nerve root 2 mm proximal to the DRG or 2 mm distal to the DRG with 6.0 silk. We examined the degree of the radiculopathy using different points of mechanical sensitivity, immunohistochemistry and in vivo patch-clamp recordings, 7 days after surgery. The rats injured distal to the DRG were more sensitive than those rats injured proximal to the DRG in the behavioral study. The number of activated microglia in laminas I–II of the L5 segmental level was significantly increased in rats injured distal to the DRG when compared with rats injured proximal to the DRG. The amplitudes and frequencies of EPSC in the rats injured distal to the DRG were higher than those injured proximal to the DRG. The results indicated that there is a different degree of radiculopathy at the distal level of nerve injury. Conclusions Our study examined the degree of radiculopathy at different levels of nerve injury. Severe radiculopathy occurred in rats injured distal to the DRG when compared with rats injured proximal to the DRG. This finding helps to correctly diagnose a radiculopathy. PMID:22537715

Proximal Opening Wedge Osteotomy Provides Satisfactory Midterm Results With a Low Complication Rate.

PubMed

Oravakangas, Rami; Leppilahti, Juhana; Laine, Vesa; Niinimäki, Tuukka

2016-01-01

Hallux valgus is one of the most common foot deformities. Proximal opening wedge osteotomy is used for the treatment of moderate and severe hallux valgus with metatarsus primus varus. However, hypermobility of the first tarsometatarsal joint can compromise the results of the operation, and a paucity of midterm results are available regarding proximal open wedge osteotomy surgery. The aim of the present study was to assess the midterm results of proximal open wedge osteotomy in a consecutive series of patients with severe hallux valgus. Thirty-one consecutive adult patients (35 feet) with severe hallux valgus underwent proximal open wedge osteotomy. Twenty patients (35.5%) and 23 feet (34.3%) were available for the final follow-up examination. The mean follow-up duration was 5.8 (range 4.6 to 7.0) years. The radiologic measurements and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society hallux-metatarsophalangeal-interphalangeal scores were recorded pre- and postoperatively, and subjective questionnaires were completed and foot scan analyses performed at the end of the follow-up period. The mean hallux valgus angle decreased from 38° to 23°, and the mean intermetatarsal angle correction decreased from 17° to 10°. The mean improvement in the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society hallux metatarsophalangeal-interphalangeal score increased from 52 to 84. Two feet (5.7%) required repeat surgery because of recurrent hallux valgus. No nonunions were identified. Proximal open wedge osteotomy provided satisfactory midterm results in the treatment of severe hallux valgus, with a low complication rate. The potential instability of the first tarsometatarsal joint does not seem to jeopardize the midterm results of the operation. Copyright © 2016 American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The Mediating Roles of Rejection Sensitivity and Proximal Stress in the Association Between Discrimination and Internalizing Symptoms Among Sexual Minority Women.

PubMed

Dyar, Christina; Feinstein, Brian A; Eaton, Nicholas R; London, Bonita

2018-01-01

The negative impact of discrimination on mental health among lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations has been well documented. However, the possible mediating roles of sexual orientation rejection sensitivity and rejection-based proximal stress in the association between discrimination and internalizing symptoms remain unclear. Rejection-based proximal stress is a subset of proximal stressors that are theorized to arise from concerns about and expectations of sexual orientation-based rejection and discrimination. Drawing on minority stress theory, we tested potential mediating effects using indirect effects structural equation modeling in a sample of 300 sexual minority women. Results indicated that the indirect effect of discrimination on internalizing symptoms (a latent variable indicated by depression and anxiety symptoms) through sexual orientation rejection sensitivity and rejection-based proximal stress (a latent variable indicated by preoccupation with stigma, concealment motivation, and difficulty developing a positive sexual identity) was significant. Additionally, the indirect effects of discrimination on rejection-based proximal stress through sexual orientation rejection sensitivity and of sexual orientation rejection sensitivity on internalizing symptoms through rejection-based proximal stress were also significant. These findings indicate that sexual orientation rejection sensitivity plays an important role in contributing to rejection-based proximal stress and internalizing symptoms among sexual minority women.

Analysis of proximal contact loss between implant-supported fixed dental prostheses and adjacent teeth in relation to influential factors and effects. A cross-sectional study.

PubMed

Byun, Soo-Jung; Heo, Seok-Mo; Ahn, Seung-Geun; Chang, Moontaek

2015-06-01

The aim was to analyze influential factors and effects of proximal contact loss between implant-supported fixed dental prostheses (FDP) and adjacent teeth. Ninety-four subjects treated with 135 FDPs supported by 188 implants were included. Degree of proximal contact tightness, food impaction, and periodontal/peri-implant tissue conditions were assessed in 191 proximal embrasures between implant-supported FDPs and adjacent teeth. Potential factors influencing proximal contact loss were estimated with the generalized estimation equation (GEE) procedure. Thirty-four percent of the proximal embrasures between implant-supported FDPs and teeth lost a proximal contact. The proximal contact loss rate continuously increased over the follow-up periods. A longer follow-up period, splinted implants, and mesial aspect of proximal contact were significant factors influencing the proximal contact loss in the univariate GEE analysis, whereas a longer follow-up period was the only significant factor in the multivariate GEE analysis. Food impaction was more frequently reported in the proximal contact loss group than the proximal contact group (odds ratio: 2.2). However, the proximal contact loss did not appear to affect the periodontal/peri-implant tissue conditions. Proximal contact loss between implant-supported FDPs and teeth occurred frequently and increased continuously over the follow-up period. The proximal contact loss significantly affected food impaction, but not the periodontal/peri-implant tissue conditions. Proximal contact loss should be carefully monitored during follow-up examinations in relation to food impaction. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Social Brain Hypothesis: Vocal and Gesture Networks of Wild Chimpanzees

PubMed Central

Roberts, Sam G. B.; Roberts, Anna I.

2016-01-01

A key driver of brain evolution in primates and humans is the cognitive demands arising from managing social relationships. In primates, grooming plays a key role in maintaining these relationships, but the time that can be devoted to grooming is inherently limited. Communication may act as an additional, more time-efficient bonding mechanism to grooming, but how patterns of communication are related to patterns of sociality is still poorly understood. We used social network analysis to examine the associations between close proximity (duration of time spent within 10 m per hour spent in the same party), grooming, vocal communication, and gestural communication (duration of time and frequency of behavior per hour spent within 10 m) in wild chimpanzees. This study examined hypotheses formulated a priori and the results were not corrected for multiple testing. Chimpanzees had differentiated social relationships, with focal chimpanzees maintaining some level of proximity to almost all group members, but directing gestures at and grooming with a smaller number of preferred social partners. Pairs of chimpanzees that had high levels of close proximity had higher rates of grooming. Importantly, higher rates of gestural communication were also positively associated with levels of proximity, and specifically gestures associated with affiliation (greeting, gesture to mutually groom) were related to proximity. Synchronized low-intensity pant-hoots were also positively related to proximity in pairs of chimpanzees. Further, there were differences in the size of individual chimpanzees' proximity networks—the number of social relationships they maintained with others. Focal chimpanzees with larger proximity networks had a higher rate of both synchronized low- intensity pant-hoots and synchronized high-intensity pant-hoots. These results suggest that in addition to grooming, both gestures and synchronized vocalizations may play key roles in allowing chimpanzees to manage a large and differentiated set of social relationships. Gestures may be important in reducing the aggression arising from being in close proximity to others, allowing for proximity to be maintained for longer and facilitating grooming. Vocalizations may allow chimpanzees to communicate with a larger number of recipients than gestures and the synchronized nature of the pant-hoot calls may facilitate social bonding of more numerous social relationships. As group sizes increased through human evolution, both gestures and synchronized vocalizations may have played important roles in bonding social relationships in a more time-efficient manner than grooming. PMID:27933005

Application of resist-profile-aware source optimization in 28 nm full chip optical proximity correction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Jun; Zhang, David Wei; Kuo, Chinte; Wang, Qing; Wei, Fang; Zhang, Chenming; Chen, Han; He, Daquan; Hsu, Stephen D.

2017-07-01

As technology node shrinks, aggressive design rules for contact and other back end of line (BEOL) layers continue to drive the need for more effective full chip patterning optimization. Resist top loss is one of the major challenges for 28 nm and below technology nodes, which can lead to post-etch hotspots that are difficult to predict and eventually degrade the process window significantly. To tackle this problem, we used an advanced programmable illuminator (FlexRay) and Tachyon SMO (Source Mask Optimization) platform to make resistaware source optimization possible, and it is proved to greatly improve the imaging contrast, enhance focus and exposure latitude, and minimize resist top loss thus improving the yield.

Ground reaction vector re-adjustment-the secret of success in treatment of medial compartment knee osteoarthritis by novel high fibular osteotomy.

PubMed

Xie, Wenjun; Zhang, Yu; Qin, Xiaodong; Song, Lijun; Chen, Qun

2018-03-01

High fibular osteotomy has been preliminarily proved to be an effective treatment of knee osteoarthritis by excising a segment of bone at the proximal part of fibula. This imaginative procedure is clinical validated by its instant and explicit knee pain resorption and eventually deformity correction. The rationale of this treatment is named non-uniform settlement of the tibial plateau and used to elucidate the cause of knee joint degeneration, but cannot illuminate the reason of prompt postoperative pain resorption faithfully. To assist in better understanding of this therapeutic method and raising alert to possible unexpected complications, we proposed a new theory to elucidate the pain relief mechanism.

Neuropathic pain resulting from implant placement: case report and diagnostic conclusions.

PubMed

Leckel, M; Kress, B; Schmitter, M

2009-07-01

Temporary or persisting dysesthesia of the nervus alveolaris inferior has often been described as a complication of implant surgery of the lower mandible. In most cases, lesion of the nerve results in anaesthesia of the innervated region, a symptom clearly indicative of correct diagnosis. In our case report, however, a minor perforation of the roof of the mandibular canal during implant placement apparently provoked discrete irritation of the nerve, resulting in persistent neuropathic pain without concomitant hypesthesia or dysesthesia. Because the canal could not be detected in conventional dental radiographs, this uncharacteristic situation made correct diagnosis difficult and led to unnecessary surgical procedures including extraction of adjacent teeth. Medical imaging [computed tomography (CT)] finally revealed the close proximity of the apex of the implant and the bony structure of the mandibular canal. The effect on the nervus alveolaris inferior was also demonstrated using an innovative high-resolution dental magnetic-resonance-imaging technique reflecting vascular reactions of the neurovascular bundle after potentially damaging surgical intervention. After removal of the causative implant, the pain gradually faded over a period of a year.

Localization Performance of Multiple Vibrotactile Cues on Both Arms.

PubMed

Wang, Dangxiao; Peng, Cong; Afzal, Naqash; Li, Weiang; Wu, Dong; Zhang, Yuru

2018-01-01

To present information using vibrotactile stimuli in wearable devices, it is fundamental to understand human performance of localizing vibrotactile cues across the skin surface. In this paper, we studied human ability to identify locations of multiple vibrotactile cues activated simultaneously on both arms. Two haptic bands were mounted in proximity to the elbow and shoulder joints on each arm, and two vibrotactile motors were mounted on each band to provide vibration cues to the dorsal and palmar side of the arm. The localization performance under four conditions were compared, with the number of the simultaneously activated cues varying from one to four in each condition. Experimental results illustrate that the rate of correct localization decreases linearly with the increase in the number of activated cues. It was 27.8 percent for three activated cues, and became even lower for four activated cues. An analysis of the correct rate and error patterns show that the layout of vibrotactile cues can have significant effects on the localization performance of multiple vibrotactile cues. These findings might provide guidelines for using vibrotactile cues to guide the simultaneous motion of multiple joints on both arms.

[Successful correction with stent-graft of coronary artery rupture after angioplasty].

PubMed

Demin, V V

2003-01-01

Rupture and perforation of coronary arteries complicate in average 0.5% of radiosurgical coronary interventions and often are accompanied by serious consequences and high mortality. According to-type of coronary perforation different methods of correction are used, ranging from conservative measures to urgent cardiosurgical interventions. Coronary stent-grafts with 'sandwich' type of construction ore composed from two metal stents and PTFE layer between them. Development of such stents enabled effective radioguided endovascular repair of coronary ruptures. The paper presents the first Russian experience of stout-graft implantation for coronary artery rupture occurred during direct stenting of proximal anterior descending artery and balloon angioplasty in distal segment. The rupture occurred probably because of wall fragility between affected segment and muscular bridge. Stent-graft JoStent 16 mm in length connected with 3-mm balloon was implanted with subsequent complete restitution of blood flow, resolution of pain syndrome and ECG normalization. Echocardiography in operative theatre and one day after surgery showed no intrapericardial fluid. Stent-graft devices for urgent implantation in cases of coronary rupture must be included into obligatory equipment of radiosurgical facilities.

Hazard proximity and risk perception of tsunamis in coastal cities: Are people able to identify their risk?

PubMed

Arias, Juan Pablo; Bronfman, Nicolás C; Cisternas, Pamela C; Repetto, Paula B

2017-01-01

Researchers have previously reported that hazard proximity can influence risk perception among individuals exposed to potential hazards. Understanding this relationship among coastline communities at risk of flood events caused by storms and/or tsunamis, is important because hazard proximity, should be recognized when planning and implementing preparation and mitigation actions against these events. Yet, we are not aware of studies that have examined this relationship among coastline inhabitants facing the risk of a tsunami. Consequently, the aim of this study was to examine the relationship between hazard proximity and perceived risk from tsunamis among coastline inhabitants. Participants were 487 residents of the coastal city of Iquique, Chile. They completed a survey during the spring of 2013 that assessed their perceived risk from several natural and non-natural hazards. We found that hazard proximity maintains a negative relationship with the perception of tsunami risk among coastline inhabitants. While this result confirms the general trend obtained in previous studies, this one is conclusive and significant. In contradiction with previous findings, we found that participants from the highest socioeconomic status reported the highest levels of risk perception. This finding can be explained by the fact that most participants from the highest socioeconomic status live closer to the coastline areas, so their risk perception reflects the place where they live, that is in a tsunami inundation zone. Once again, hazard proximity proved to be a determinant factor of risk perception. Our findings have important implications for the development of plans and programs for tsunami preparedness and mitigation. These indicate that individuals do use environmental cues to evaluate their own risk and can potentially make correct choices when having or not to evacuate. Also suggest that preparedness should incorporate how hazard proximity is recognized by individuals and communities at risk.

Hazard proximity and risk perception of tsunamis in coastal cities: Are people able to identify their risk?

PubMed Central

Arias, Juan Pablo; Bronfman, Nicolás C.; Cisternas, Pamela C.; Repetto, Paula B.

2017-01-01

Researchers have previously reported that hazard proximity can influence risk perception among individuals exposed to potential hazards. Understanding this relationship among coastline communities at risk of flood events caused by storms and/or tsunamis, is important because hazard proximity, should be recognized when planning and implementing preparation and mitigation actions against these events. Yet, we are not aware of studies that have examined this relationship among coastline inhabitants facing the risk of a tsunami. Consequently, the aim of this study was to examine the relationship between hazard proximity and perceived risk from tsunamis among coastline inhabitants. Participants were 487 residents of the coastal city of Iquique, Chile. They completed a survey during the spring of 2013 that assessed their perceived risk from several natural and non-natural hazards. We found that hazard proximity maintains a negative relationship with the perception of tsunami risk among coastline inhabitants. While this result confirms the general trend obtained in previous studies, this one is conclusive and significant. In contradiction with previous findings, we found that participants from the highest socioeconomic status reported the highest levels of risk perception. This finding can be explained by the fact that most participants from the highest socioeconomic status live closer to the coastline areas, so their risk perception reflects the place where they live, that is in a tsunami inundation zone. Once again, hazard proximity proved to be a determinant factor of risk perception. Our findings have important implications for the development of plans and programs for tsunami preparedness and mitigation. These indicate that individuals do use environmental cues to evaluate their own risk and can potentially make correct choices when having or not to evacuate. Also suggest that preparedness should incorporate how hazard proximity is recognized by individuals and communities at risk. PMID:29088230

The anterior tilt angle of the proximal tibia epiphyseal plate: a significant radiological finding in young children with trampoline fractures.

PubMed

Stranzinger, Enno; Leidolt, Lars; Eich, Georg; Klimek, Peter Michael

2014-08-01

Evaluation of the anterior tilt angle of the proximal tibia epiphyseal plate in young children, which suffered a trampoline fracture in comparison with a normal population. 62 children (31 females, 31 males) between 2 and 5 years of age (average 2 years 11 months, standard deviation 11 months) with radiographs in two views of the tibia were included in this retrospective study. 25 children with proximal tibia fractures were injured with a history of jumping on a trampoline. All other causes for tibia fractures were excluded. A normal age-mapped control cohort of 37 children was compared. These children had neither evidence of a trampoline related injury nor a fracture of the tibia. The anterior tilt angle of the epiphyseal plate of the tibia was defined as an angle between the proximal tibia physis and the distal tibia physis on a lateral view. Two radiologists evaluated all radiographs for fractures and measured the anterior tilt angle in consensus. An unpaired Student's t-test was used for statistical analysis (SPSS). Original reports were reviewed and compared with the radiological findings and follow-up radiographs. In the normal control group, the average anterior tilt angle measured -3.2°, SD ± 2.8°. The children with trampoline fractures showed an anterior tilt of +4.4°, SD ± 2.9°. The difference was statistically significant, P<0.0001. In 6 patients (24% of all patients with confirmed fractures) the original report missed to diagnose the proximal tibial fracture. Young children between 2 and 5 years of age are at risk for proximal tibia fractures while jumping on a trampoline. These fractures may be very subtle and difficult to detect on initial radiographs. Measurement of the anterior tilt angle of the proximal tibia epiphyseal plate on lateral radiographs is supportive for interpreting correctly trampoline fractures. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Dirac-electron-mediated magnetic proximity effect in topological insulator/magnetic insulator heterostructures

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Li, Mingda; Song, Qichen; Zhao, Weiwei

The possible realization of dissipationless chiral edge current in a topological insulator/magnetic insulator heterostructure is based on the condition that the magnetic proximity exchange coupling at the interface is dominated by the Dirac surface states of the topological insulator. We report a polarized neutron reflectometry observation of Dirac-electron-mediated magnetic proximity effect in a bulk-insulating topological insulator (Bi 0.2Sb 0.8) 2Te 3/magnetic insulator EuS heterostructure. We are able to maximize the proximity-induced magnetism by applying an electrical back gate to tune the Fermi level of topological insulator to be close to the Dirac point. A phenomenological model based on diamagnetic screeningmore » is developed to explain the suppressed proximity-induced magnetism at high carrier density. Our work paves the way to utilize the magnetic proximity effect at the topological insulator/magnetic insulator heterointerface for low-power spintronic applications.« less

Dirac-electron-mediated magnetic proximity effect in topological insulator/magnetic insulator heterostructures

DOE PAGES

Li, Mingda; Song, Qichen; Zhao, Weiwei; ...

2017-11-01

The possible realization of dissipationless chiral edge current in a topological insulator/magnetic insulator heterostructure is based on the condition that the magnetic proximity exchange coupling at the interface is dominated by the Dirac surface states of the topological insulator. We report a polarized neutron reflectometry observation of Dirac-electron-mediated magnetic proximity effect in a bulk-insulating topological insulator (Bi 0.2Sb 0.8) 2Te 3/magnetic insulator EuS heterostructure. We are able to maximize the proximity-induced magnetism by applying an electrical back gate to tune the Fermi level of topological insulator to be close to the Dirac point. A phenomenological model based on diamagnetic screeningmore » is developed to explain the suppressed proximity-induced magnetism at high carrier density. Our work paves the way to utilize the magnetic proximity effect at the topological insulator/magnetic insulator heterointerface for low-power spintronic applications.« less

Off-target model based OPC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Mark; Liang, Curtis; King, Dion; Melvin, Lawrence S., III

2005-11-01

Model-based Optical Proximity correction has become an indispensable tool for achieving wafer pattern to design fidelity at current manufacturing process nodes. Most model-based OPC is performed considering the nominal process condition, with limited consideration of through process manufacturing robustness. This study examines the use of off-target process models - models that represent non-nominal process states such as would occur with a dose or focus variation - to understands and manipulate the final pattern correction to a more process robust configuration. The study will first examine and validate the process of generating an off-target model, then examine the quality of the off-target model. Once the off-target model is proven, it will be used to demonstrate methods of generating process robust corrections. The concepts are demonstrated using a 0.13 μm logic gate process. Preliminary indications show success in both off-target model production and process robust corrections. With these off-target models as tools, mask production cycle times can be reduced.

Extraction of the Wichita Fusion Nail after Knee Arthrodesis

PubMed Central

Neuts, Ann-Sophie; Lammens, Johan; Stuyck, Jose

2016-01-01

To avoid a new exposition and partial damage of a knee arthrodesis site due to the removal of the Wichita fusion nail (WFN), a new extraction technique was developed, using a femoral osteotomy at the proximal end of the nail. Fixing the osteotomy with an Ilizarov frame offered the possibility to perform an additional correction of length and/or alignment if necessary. PMID:28529847

To the Greatest Lengths: Al Qaeda, Proximity and Recruitment Risk

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-12-01

activity (Boba, 2005, pp. 218–219). On the complex end of this spectrum, density mapping uses mathematical formulas to determine degrees of criminal...area. These calculations "combines actuarial risk prediction with environmental criminology to assign risk values to places according to their...translated records, and the compilation of distance variables are correct. 46 2. Model Mathematically , the formula for this test is

The tridimensional geometry of the proximal femur should determine the design of cementless femoral stem in total hip arthroplasty.

PubMed

Wegrzyn, Julien; Roux, Jean-Paul; Loriau, Charlotte; Bonin, Nicolas; Pibarot, Vincent

2018-02-22

Using a cementless femoral stem in total hip arthroplasty (THA), optimal filling of the proximal femoral metaphyseal volume (PFMV) and restoration of the extramedullary proximal femoral (PF) parameters (i.e., femoral offset (FO), neck length (FNL), and head height (FHH)) constitute key goals for optimal hip biomechanics, functional outcome, and THA survivorship. However, almost 30% of mismatch between the PF anatomy and implant geometry of the most widely implanted non-modular cementless femoral stem has been demonstrated in a computed tomography scan (CT scan) study. Therefore, this anatomic study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the intra- and extramedullary PF parameters using tridimensional CT scan reconstructions. One hundred fifty-one CT scans of adult healthy hips were obtained from 151 male Caucasian patients (mean age = 66 ± 11 years) undergoing lower limb CT scan arteriography. Tridimensional PF reconstructions and parameter measurements were performed using a corrected PF coronal plane-defined by the femoral neck and diaphyseal canal longitudinal axes-to avoid influence of PF helitorsion and femoral neck version on extramedullary PF parameters. Independently of the femoral neck-shaft angle, the PFMV was significantly and positively correlated with the FO, FNL, and FHH (r = 0.407 to 0.420; p < 0.0001). This study emphasized that the tridimensional PF geometry measurement in the corrected coronal plane of the femoral neck can be useful to determine and optimize the design of a non-modular cementless femoral stem. Particularly, continuous homothetic size progression of the intra- and extramedullary PF parameters should be achieved to assure stem fixation and restore anatomic hip biomechanics.

Field theoretic approach to roughness corrections

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Hua Yao; Schaden, Martin

2012-02-01

We develop a systematic field theoretic description of roughness corrections to the Casimir free energy of a massless scalar field in the presence of parallel plates with mean separation a. Roughness is modeled by specifying a generating functional for correlation functions of the height profile. The two-point correlation function being characterized by its variance, σ2, and correlation length, ℓ. We obtain the partition function of a massless scalar quantum field interacting with the height profile of the surface via a δ-function potential. The partition function is given by a holographic reduction of this model to three coupled scalar fields on a two-dimensional plane. The original three-dimensional space with a flat parallel plate at a distance a from the rough plate is encoded in the nonlocal propagators of the surface fields on its boundary. Feynman rules for this equivalent 2+1-dimensional model are derived and its counterterms constructed. The two-loop contribution to the free energy of this model gives the leading roughness correction. The effective separation, aeff, to a rough plate is measured to a plane that is displaced a distance ρ∝σ2/ℓ from the mean of its profile. This definition of the separation eliminates corrections to the free energy of order 1/a4 and results in unitary scattering matrices. We obtain an effective low-energy model in the limit ℓ≪a. It determines the scattering matrix and equivalent planar scattering surface of a very rough plate in terms of the single length scale ρ. The Casimir force on a rough plate is found to always weaken with decreasing correlation length ℓ. The two-loop approximation to the free energy interpolates between the free energy of the effective low-energy model and that of the proximity force approximation - the force on a very rough plate with σ≳0.5ℓ being weaker than on a planar Dirichlet surface at any separation.

Appraisal of adult genitalia after hypospadias repair: Do laypersons mind the difference?

PubMed

Ruppen-Greeff, Norma K; Landolt, Markus A; Gobet, Rita; Weber, Daniel M

2016-02-01

Men with corrected hypospadias often suffer from sexual inhibition and fear of being ridiculed by others because of their penile appearance. However, no investigation has thus far been made of the perception of hypospadias-affected surgically repaired genitals by laypersons unacquainted with hypospadias. Therefore, the aim of this study was to find out whether laypersons notice a difference between genitals of men with corrected hypospadias in comparison with circumcised genitals. Furthermore, the most relevant predictors of laypersons' perception of hypospadias-affected genitals were examined. A cross-sectional study was performed in which a questionnaire with 10 standardized photographs of non-erect hypospadias-affected genitals and 10 circumcised genitals was presented to laypersons unacquainted with hypospadias to measure how they rated these genitals. Laypersons were 105 women and 70 men of three different age groups (age ranges 16-20, 25-30, and 40-45 years). Furthermore, laypersons were asked about demographic characteristics, their sexuality and their genital self-perception. The results showed that genitals with distal forms of hypospadias were rated similarly to circumcised genitals. In contrast, genitals with more proximal types were perceived as significantly less positive than circumcised genitals. However, the effect size was small. Higher age, being in an intimate relationship, higher socio-economic status, and a higher sexual interest predicted a better layperson's perception of hypospadias-affected genitals. These findings do not support the fear of some men with corrected hypospadias of being ridiculed by others because of their penile appearance. The results indicate that laypersons do not notice a difference between corrected distal types of hypospadias (which represent the majority of hypospadias) and circumcised genitals. Although the findings showed that laypersons perceive more proximal forms of hypospadias less positively than circumcised genitals, the difference does not appear to be clinically relevant as the effect size was small. A major strength of this study is its comprehensive study design. However, the low response rate of hypospadias patients and control individuals for photo documentation and of laypersons who rated these photosets is a limitation of the study. Therefore, generalization from the results must be made carefully. The results are relevant for patient counseling. Knowing that the penile appearance would not trouble laypersons may prevent the development of a negative genital self-perception and feelings of shame. The findings also suggest that hypospadias-affected genitals seem to be rated more positively when laypersons know more about the "normal" variation of penile appearance (e.g. with increasing sexual experience at a higher age). Copyright © 2015 Journal of Pediatric Urology Company. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Intelligent elevator management system using image processing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Narayanan, H. Sai; Karunamurthy, Vignesh; Kumar, R. Barath

2015-03-01

In the modern era, the increase in the number of shopping malls and industrial building has led to an exponential increase in the usage of elevator systems. Thus there is an increased need for an effective control system to manage the elevator system. This paper is aimed at introducing an effective method to control the movement of the elevators by considering various cases where in the location of the person is found and the elevators are controlled based on various conditions like Load, proximity etc... This method continuously monitors the weight limit of each elevator while also making use of image processing to determine the number of persons waiting for an elevator in respective floors. Canny edge detection technique is used to find out the number of persons waiting for an elevator. Hence the algorithm takes a lot of cases into account and locates the correct elevator to service the respective persons waiting in different floors.

Lithographic performance comparison with various RET for 45-nm node with hyper NA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adachi, Takashi; Inazuki, Yuichi; Sutou, Takanori; Kitahata, Yasuhisa; Morikawa, Yasutaka; Toyama, Nobuhito; Mohri, Hiroshi; Hayashi, Naoya

2006-05-01

In order to realize 45 nm node lithography, strong resolution enhancement technology (RET) and water immersion will be needed. In this research, we discussed about various RET performance comparison for 45 nm node using 3D rigorous simulation. As a candidate, we chose binary mask (BIN), several kinds of attenuated phase-shifting mask (att-PSM) and chrome-less phase-shifting lithography mask (CPL). The printing performance was evaluated and compared for each RET options, after the optimizing illumination conditions, mask structure and optical proximity correction (OPC). The evaluation items of printing performance were CD-DOF, contrast-DOF, conventional ED-window and MEEF, etc. It's expected that effect of mask 3D topography becomes important at 45 nm node, so we argued about not only the case of ideal structures, but also the mask topography error effects. Several kinds of mask topography error were evaluated and we confirmed how these errors affect to printing performance.

Embedded System Implementation of Sound Localization in Proximal Region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Iwanaga, Nobuyuki; Matsumura, Tomoya; Yoshida, Akihiro; Kobayashi, Wataru; Onoye, Takao

A sound localization method in the proximal region is proposed, which is based on a low-cost 3D sound localization algorithm with the use of head-related transfer functions (HRTFs). The auditory parallax model is applied to the current algorithm so that more accurate HRTFs can be used for sound localization in the proximal region. In addition, head-shadowing effects based on rigid-sphere model are reproduced in the proximal region by means of a second-order IIR filter. A subjective listening test demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed method. Embedded system implementation of the proposed method is also described claiming that the proposed method improves sound effects in the proximal region only with 5.1% increase of memory capacity and 8.3% of computational costs.

Coronary artery dimensions: Iranian population versus Indo-Asians and Caucasians.

PubMed

Ghaffari, Samad; Mehdizadeh-Lame, Mohammad-Bagher; Sepehrvand, Nariman; Aslanabadi, Naser; Sohrabi, Bahram; Separham, Ahmad; Jamshidi, Peiman

2015-10-01

The dimensions of the coronary arteries have been shown to vary among ethnic groups. There are no data available regarding the normal size of coronary arteries in Iranians. This study aimed to investigate normal coronary artery dimensions in a Northwestern Iranian population and to compare it with pooled data of Indo-Asians and Caucasians in previous studies. The study included 200 adults with suspected coronary disease who were referred for elective coronary angiography between June 2012 and March 2013 and were found to have normal epicardial flow in the coronary arteries. Quantitative coronary angiography was carried out on the longest atheroma-free part of the proximal segment of each coronary artery in all patients. Two Indo-Asian and Caucasian groups were selected and pooled for comparison with the available reports on individuals without coronary artery disease. The mean diameters of the left main coronary artery, proximal left anterior descending artery, proximal left circumflex, and proximal right coronary artery were 4.58 ± 0.80, 3.69 ± 0.64, 3.37 ± 0.73, and 3.47 ± 0.68 mm, respectively. The dimensions of the proximal part of the left main coronary artery and right coronary artery were significantly greater in the Northwestern Iranian population compared to the pooled Caucasian group. This difference was maintained even after correction for body surface area. Our data indicate larger coronary diameters in the Iranian population compared to Caucasians or South-Asians. Hence the high prevalence of coronary artery disease in Iran cannot be explained by coronary dimensions. © The Author(s) 2015.

Duodenum inclusion in alimentary transit for preventing or correcting nutritional deficiencies resulting from Roux-en-y gastric bypass in obesity treatment.

PubMed

Ceneviva, Reginaldo

2016-01-01

Nutritional and metabolic complications can develop after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) when there is an exaggerated response to the anatomical and functional changes or when there is inadequate nutritional supplementation. Severe malnutrition is rare, but deficiencies of vitamin B12, iron, calcium and thiamin, metabolic bone disease and gallstones are common after RYGB. Shortage of vitamin B12, iron, calcium and also cholelithiasis are caused at least partially by excluding the duodenum and proximal jejunum from food transit. We designed a new procedure, with the maintenance of the duodenum and proximal jejunum in the gastrointestinal transit through interposition of jejunal loop, as a primary operation to prevent such deficiencies or as corrective surgery for severe malnutrition after RYGB with failure in responding to conservative treatment. Complicações nutricionais e metabólicas podem se desenvolver após a derivação gástrica em Y de Roux (DGYR) quando há uma resposta exagerada às mudanças anatômicas e funcionais ou quando há suplementação nutricional inadequada. A desnutrição grave é rara, mas deficiências de vitamina B12, ferro, cálcio e tiamina, doença óssea metabólica e cálculos biliares são comuns após a DGYR. Dessas deficiências mencionadas, a de vitamina B12, de ferro, de cálcio e também a colelitíase, são causadas, ao menos parcialmente, pela exclusão do duodeno e jejuno proximal. Um novo procedimento com a manutenção do duodeno e do jejuno proximal no trânsito gastrointestinal, mediante interposição de alça jejunal, foi idealizado como operação primária para prevenir essas deficiências ou como cirurgia corretiva de desnutrição grave após DGYR com falha na resposta a exaustivas tentativas de tratamento conservador.

Histone deacetylase inhibitors protect against cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury by activating autophagy in proximal tubular cells.

PubMed

Liu, Jing; Livingston, Man J; Dong, Guie; Tang, Chengyuan; Su, Yunchao; Wu, Guangyu; Yin, Xiao-Ming; Dong, Zheng

2018-02-23

Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) have therapeutic effects in models of various renal diseases including acute kidney injury (AKI); however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here we demonstrate that two widely tested HDACi (suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) and trichostatin A (TSA)) protect the kidneys in cisplatin-induced AKI by enhancing autophagy. In cultured renal proximal tubular cells, SAHA and TSA enhanced autophagy during cisplatin treatment. We further verified the protective effect of TSA against cisplatin-induced apoptosis in these cells. Notably, inhibition of autophagy by chloroquine or by autophagy gene 7 (Atg7) ablation diminished the protective effect of TSA. In mice, TSA increased autophagy in renal proximal tubules and protected against cisplatin-induced AKI. The in vivo effect of TSA was also abolished by chloroquine and by Atg7 knockout specifically from renal proximal tubules. Mechanistically, TSA stimulated AMPK and inactivated mTOR during cisplatin treatment of proximal tubule cells and kidneys in mice. Together, these results suggest that HDACi may protect kidneys by activating autophagy in proximal tubular cells.

Rigorous diffraction analysis using geometrical theory of diffraction for future mask technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chua, Gek S.; Tay, Cho J.; Quan, Chenggen; Lin, Qunying

2004-05-01

Advanced lithographic techniques such as phase shift masks (PSM) and optical proximity correction (OPC) result in a more complex mask design and technology. In contrast to the binary masks, which have only transparent and nontransparent regions, phase shift masks also take into consideration transparent features with a different optical thickness and a modified phase of the transmitted light. PSM are well-known to show prominent diffraction effects, which cannot be described by the assumption of an infinitely thin mask (Kirchhoff approach) that is used in many commercial photolithography simulators. A correct prediction of sidelobe printability, process windows and linearity of OPC masks require the application of rigorous diffraction theory. The problem of aerial image intensity imbalance through focus with alternating Phase Shift Masks (altPSMs) is performed and compared between a time-domain finite-difference (TDFD) algorithm (TEMPEST) and Geometrical theory of diffraction (GTD). Using GTD, with the solution to the canonical problems, we obtained a relationship between the edge on the mask and the disturbance in image space. The main interest is to develop useful formulations that can be readily applied to solve rigorous diffraction for future mask technology. Analysis of rigorous diffraction effects for altPSMs using GTD approach will be discussed.

Mask patterning process using the negative tone chemically amplified resist TOK OEBR-CAN024

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Irmscher, Mathias; Beyer, Dirk; Butschke, Joerg; Hudek, Peter; Koepernik, Corinna; Plumhoff, Jason; Rausa, Emmanuel; Sato, Mitsuru; Voehringer, Peter

2004-08-01

Optimized process parameters using the TOK OEBR-CAN024 resist for high chrome load patterning have been determined. A tight linearity tolerance for opaque and clear features, independent on the local pattern density, was the goal of our process integration work. For this purpose we evaluated a new correction method taking into account electron scattering and process influences. The method is based on matching of measured pattern geometry by iterative back-simulation using multiple Gauss and/or exponential functions. The obtained control function acts as input for the proximity correction software PROXECCO. Approaches with different pattern oversize and two Cr thicknesses were accomplished and the results have been reported. Isolated opaque and clear lines could be realized in a very tight linearity range. The increasing line width of small dense lines, induced by the etching process, could be corrected only partially.

Reduced Spin Hall Effects from Magnetic Proximity.

DOE PAGES

Zhang, Wei; Jungfleisch, Matthias B.; Jiang, Wanjun; ...

2015-03-26

We investigate temperature-dependent spin pumping and inverse spin Hall effects in thin Pt and Pd in contact with Permalloy. Our experiments show a decrease of the spin Hall effect with decreasing temperature, which is attributed to a temperature-dependent proximity effect. The spin Hall angle decreases from 0.086 at room temperature to 0.042 at 10 K for Pt and is nearly negligible at 10 K for Pd. By first-principle calculations, we show that the spin Hall conductivity indeed reduces by increasing the proximity-induced spin magnetic moments for both Pt and Pd. This work highlights the important role of proximity-induced magnetic orderingmore » to spin Hall phenomena in Pt and Pd.« less

Proximity-induced superconductivity in crystalline Cu and Co nanowires and nanogranular Co structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kompaniiets, M.; Dobrovolskiy, O. V.; Neetzel, C.; Begun, E.; Porrati, F.; Ensinger, W.; Huth, M.

2014-08-01

We report an experimental study of proximity effect-induced superconductivity in crystalline Cu and Co nanowires and a nanogranular Co nanowire structure in contact with a superconducting W-based floating electrode (inducer). For electrical resistance measurements up to three pairs of Pt-based voltage leads were attached at different distances beside the inner inducer electrode, thus allowing us to probe the proximity effect over a length of 2-12 μm. Up to 30% resistance drops with respect to the normal-state value have been observed for the crystalline Co and Cu nanowires when sweeping the temperature below Tc of the inducer (5.2 K). By contrast, relative R(T) drops were found to be an order of magnitude smaller for the nanogranular Co nanowire structure. Our analysis of the resistance data shows that the superconducting proximity length in crystalline Cu and Co is about 1 μm at 2.4 K, attesting to a long-range proximity effect in the Co nanowire. Moreover, this long-range proximity effect is insusceptible to magnetic fields up to 11 T, which is indicative of spin-triplet pairing. At the same time, proximity-induced superconductivity in the nanogranular Co nanowire is strongly suppressed due to the dominating Cooper pair scattering caused by its intrinsic microstructure.

Chevron closing base wedge bunionectomy.

PubMed

Bruyn, J M

1993-01-01

The Chevron-base wedge Association for Osteosynthesis fixated bunionectomy provides a stable, aggressive correction of the severe hallux abducto valgus deformity. It is intended for the bunion requiring a double osteotomy in order to adequately reduce both intermetatarsal and proximal articular facet angle with minimal shortening and elevation. This article presents the rationale for the procedure, technique, and a 4-year follow-up of six patients with eight Chevron-base wedge bunionectomies.

[External progressive ophthalmoplegia secondary to mitochondrial myopathy. Report of a case and review of the literature].

PubMed

Calderón-Garcidueñas, A L; Pérez-Loria, O; Alberto-Sagástegui, J; Farías-García, R

2000-01-01

Progressive limitation of occular motility, accompanied by ptosis but usually without diplopia, occurs in many pathologic states, including mitochondrial diseases. A case with chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia with onset during childhood, associated with proximal myopathy and dysphasia is presented. The muscle biopsy showed a myopathic pattern and abnormal subsarcolemmal mitochondrial deposits. Muscle biopsy for important in the correct diagnosis of this entity.

Electron-beam lithography data preparation based on multithreading MGS/PROXECCO

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eichhorn, Hans; Lemke, Melchior; Gramss, Juergen; Buerger, B.; Baetz, Uwe; Belic, Nikola; Eisenmann, Hans

2001-04-01

This paper will highlight an enhanced MGS layout data post processor and the results of its industrial application. Besides the preparation of hierarchical GDS layout data, the processing of flat data has been drastically accelerated. The application of the Proximity Correction in conjunction with the OEM version of the PROXECCO was crowned with success for data preparation of mask sets featuring 0.25 micrometers /0.18 micrometers integration levels.

Theory of electronic and spin-orbit proximity effects in graphene on Cu(111)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Frank, Tobias; Gmitra, Martin; Fabian, Jaroslav

2016-04-01

We study orbital and spin-orbit proximity effects in graphene adsorbed to the Cu(111) surface by means of density functional theory (DFT). The proximity effects are caused mainly by the hybridization of graphene π and copper d orbitals. Our electronic structure calculations agree well with the experimentally observed features. We carry out a graphene-Cu(111) distance dependent study to obtain proximity orbital and spin-orbit coupling parameters, by fitting the DFT results to a robust low energy model Hamiltonian. We find a strong distance dependence of the Rashba and intrinsic proximity induced spin-orbit coupling parameters, which are in the meV and hundreds of μ eV range, respectively, for experimentally relevant distances. The Dirac spectrum of graphene also exhibits a proximity orbital gap, of about 20 meV. Furthermore, we find a band inversion within the graphene states accompanied by a reordering of spin and pseudospin states, when graphene is pressed towards copper.

Surgical treatment of double thoracic adolescent idiopathic scoliosis with a rigid proximal thoracic curve.

PubMed

Sudo, Hideki; Abe, Yuichiro; Abumi, Kuniyoshi; Iwasaki, Norimasa; Ito, Manabu

2016-02-01

There is limited consensus on the optimal surgical strategy for double thoracic adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Recent studies have reported that pedicle screw constructs to maximize scoliosis correction cause further thoracic spine lordosis. The objective of this study was to apply a new surgical technique for double thoracic AIS with rigid proximal thoracic (PT) curves and assess its clinical outcomes. Twenty one consecutive patients with Lenke 2 AIS and a rigid PT curve (Cobb angle ≥30º on side-bending radiographs, flexibility ≤30 %) treated with the simultaneous double-rod rotation technique (SDRRT) were included. In this technique, a temporary rod is placed at the concave side of the PT curve. Then, distraction force is applied to correct the PT curve, which reforms a sigmoid double thoracic curve into an approximate single thoracic curve. As a result, the PT curve is typically converted from an apex left to an apex right curve before applying the correction rod for PT and main thoracic curve. All patients were followed for at least 2 years (average 2.7 years). The average main thoracic and PT Cobb angle correction rate at the final follow-up was 74.7 and 58.0 %, respectively. The average preoperative T5-T12 thoracic kyphosis was 9.3°, which improved significantly to 19.0° (p < 0.0001) at the final follow-up. Although 71 % patients had preoperative level shoulders or a positive radiographic shoulder height, all patients had mildly imbalanced or balanced shoulders at the final follow-up. The average preoperative main thoracic apical vertebral rotation angle of 20.7° improved significantly after surgery to 16.4° (p = 0.0046), while the average preoperative total SRS questionnaire score of 3.7 improved significantly to 4.4 (p = 0.0012) at the final follow-up. Radiographic findings and patient outcomes were satisfactory. Thoracic kyphosis can be maintained or improved, while coronal and axial deformities can be corrected using SDRRT for Lenke 2 AIS with a rigid PT curve.

The Effect of Ethnolinguistic Differences on Proximity between Cantonese and Mandarin Speaking Children.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Leung, Lanna Oi-Ling; Lewis, George F.

1999-01-01

Examined effects of ethnolinguistic differences on social proximity between Cantonese- and Mandarin-speaking Chinese children in a day care center. Found that each group of children was more likely to be in closer proximity to children speaking their own language than to children speaking the other language during free choice floor- and group-time…

What Contributes to the Split-Attention Effect? The Role of Text Segmentation, Picture Labelling, and Spatial Proximity

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Florax, Mareike; Ploetzner, Rolf

2010-01-01

In the split-attention effect spatial proximity is frequently considered to be pivotal. The transition from a spatially separated to a spatially integrated format not only involves changes in spatial proximity, but commonly necessitates text segmentation and picture labelling as well. In an experimental study, we investigated the influence of…

Does Seat Location Matter? A Review of the Proximity Effect in Large and Small Classrooms

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

LaCroix, Kim; LaCroix, Sean

2017-01-01

The proximity effect--whether distance from an instructor correlates with grades--has been the topic of many articles dating back nearly 100 years. Despite this attention, a cleavage in the literature remains. Some authors argue that increased proximity to the instructor negatively relates with academic performance while others maintain no…

A retrospective study to reveal factors associated with postoperative shoulder imbalance in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis with double thoracic curve.

PubMed

Lee, Choon Sung; Hwang, Chang Ju; Lim, Eic Ju; Lee, Dong-Ho; Cho, Jae Hwan

2016-12-01

OBJECTIVE Postoperative shoulder imbalance (PSI) is a critical consideration after corrective surgery for a double thoracic curve (Lenke Type 2); however, the radiographic factors related to PSI remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to identify the radiographic factors related to PSI after corrective surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) in patients with a double thoracic curve. METHODS This study included 80 patients with Lenke Type 2 AIS who underwent corrective surgery. Patients were grouped according to the presence [PSI(+)] or absence [PSI(-)] of shoulder imbalance at the final follow-up examination (differences of 20, 15, and 10 mm were used). Various radiographic parameters, including the Cobb angle of the proximal and middle thoracic curves (PTC and MTC), radiographic shoulder height (RSH), clavicle angle, T-1 tilt, trunk shift, and proximal and distal wedge angles (PWA and DWA), were assessed before and after surgery and compared between groups. RESULTS Overall, postoperative RSH decreased with time in the PSI(-) group but not in the PSI(+) group. Statistical analyses revealed that the preoperative Risser grade (p = 0.048), postoperative PWA (p = 0.028), and postoperative PTC/MTC ratio (p = 0.011) correlated with PSI. Presence of the adding-on phenomenon was also correlated with PSI, although this result was not statistically significant (p = 0.089). CONCLUSIONS Postoperative shoulder imbalance is common after corrective surgery for Lenke Type 2 AIS and correlates with a higher Risser grade, a larger postoperative PWA, and a higher postoperative PTC/MTC ratio. Presence of the distal adding-on phenomenon is associated with an increased PSI trend, although this result was not statistically significant. However, preoperative factors other than the Risser grade that affect the development of PSI were not identified by the study. Additional studies are required to reveal the risk factors for the development of PSI.

Repair of postirradiation damage to colorectum: a progress report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bricker, E.M.; Johnston, W.D.; Patwardhan, R.V.

1981-05-01

The results of 21 operations for repair of rectovaginal fistula and/or stricture secondary to irradiation for pelvic cancer are presented. The operations rely on the use of proximal nonirradiated colon with normal blood supply for effecting the repair. In patients having had a previous colostomy, it is possible to use the proximal end of the bypassed colon for this purpose. There is minimal dissection of the rectal ampulla and the presacral space is never entered. Continuity is established by anastomosis to the anterior rectal wall via an abdominal approach alone, or by a combined abdominovaginal or abdominoperineal approach. It hasmore » been found that nonirradiated colon of normal vascularity can be expected to heal to irradiated colon or rectum, thus making the extensive resections associated with correction of these abnormalities unnecessary. The functional result in 18 of 19 patients who underwent this procedure was satisfactory to excellent. One patient had a poor result because of partial rectal incontinence. Two operations out of the 21 were total failures and one of these patients died of complications secondary to irradiation damage to the small intestine. One patient has not yet had final colostomy closure. The results are considered promising enough to warrant continued trial.« less

Summary of workshop on the application of VLSI for robotic sensing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brooks, T.; Wilcox, B.

1984-01-01

It was one of the objectives of the considered workshop to identify near, mid, and far-term applications of VLSI for robotic sensing and sensor data preprocessing. The workshop was also to indicate areas in which VLSI technology can provide immediate and future payoffs. A third objective is related to the promotion of dialog and collaborative efforts between research communities, industry, and government. The workshop was held on March 24-25, 1983. Conclusions and recommendations are discussed. Attention is given to the need for a pixel correction chip, an image sensor with 10,000 dynamic range, VLSI enhanced architectures, the need for a high-density serpentine memory, an LSI-tactile sensing program, an analog-signal preprocessor chip, a smart strain gage, a protective proximity envelope, a VLSI-proximity sensor program, a robot-net chip, and aspects of silicon micromechanics.

Wind tunnel investigation of rotor lift and propulsive force at high speed: Data analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mchugh, F.; Clark, R.; Soloman, M.

1977-01-01

The basic test data obtained during the lift-propulsive force limit wind tunnel test conducted on a scale model CH-47b rotor are analyzed. Included are the rotor control positions, blade loads and six components of rotor force and moment, corrected for hub tares. Performance and blade loads are presented as the rotor lift limit is approached at fixed levels of rotor propulsive force coefficients and rotor tip speeds. Performance and blade load trends are documented for fixed levels of rotor lift coefficient as propulsive force is increased to the maximum obtainable by the model rotor. Test data is also included that defines the effect of stall proximity on rotor control power. The basic test data plots are presented in volumes 2 and 3.

Radiofrequency artefacts in echoplanar imaging induced by two 1.5 T MR scanners in close proximity.

PubMed

Li, X; Cui, J; Christopasak, S P; Kumar, A; Peng, Z-G

2014-06-01

The purpose of this study was to assess radio frequency (RF) artefacts in echoplanar imaging (EPI) induced by two 1.5 T MR scanners in close proximity and to find an effective method to correct them. Based on the intact shielding of rooms, experiments were performed by two MR scanners with similar centre frequencies. Phantom A (PA) was scanned in one scanner by EPI at different bandwidths (BWs). Simultaneously, phantom B was scanned in a fixed sequence for scanning with the other scanner. RF artefact gaps of PA, scanning time and the image signal-noise ratio (SNR) were measured and recorded. Statistical analysis was performed with the repeated-measures analysis of variance test. Based on findings obtained from PA, three healthy volunteers were studied at a conventional BW and a lower BW to observe the artefact variance. EPI RF artefacts were symmetrically situated in both sides of the image following the phase-encoding direction. The gap size of the artefact became larger and the SNR was significantly improved with a narrower BW. RF artefacts with a lower BW in volunteers presented the same characteristic as PA. For EPI RF artefacts produced by two 1.5 T MR scanners with approximately similar centre frequencies, we can reduce BWs in a suitable range to minimize the effect on MRI. MR scanners with the same field strength installed in the same vicinity might produce RF artefacts in the sequence at larger BWs. Reducing BWs properly is effective to control the position of artefacts and improve the image quality.

The effect of plate position and size on tibial slope in high tibial osteotomy: a cadaveric study.

PubMed

Rubino, L Joseph; Schoderbek, Robert J; Golish, S Raymond; Baumfeld, Joshua; Miller, Mark D

2008-01-01

Opening wedge high tibial osteotomies are performed for degenerative changes and varus. Opening wedge osteotomies can change proximal tibial slope in the sagittal plane, possibly imparting stability in the ACL-deficient knee. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of plate position and size on change in tibial slope. Eight cadaveric knees underwent opening wedge high tibial osteotomy with Puddu plates of each different size. Plates were placed anterior, central, and posterior for each size used. Lateral radiographs were obtained. Tibial slope was measured and compared with baseline slope. Tibial slope was affected by plate position (P < 0.05) and size (P < 0.001). Smaller, posterior plates had less effect on tibial slope. However, anterior and central plates increased tibial slope over all plate sizes (P < 0.05). This study found that tibial slope increases with opening wedge high tibial osteotomy. Larger corrections and anterior placement of the plate are associated with larger increases in slope.

Far infrared radiation promotes rabbit renal proximal tubule cell proliferation and functional characteristics, and protects against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity.

PubMed

Chiang, I-Ni; Pu, Yeong-Shiau; Huang, Chao-Yuan; Young, Tai-Horng

2017-01-01

Far infrared radiation, a subdivision of the electromagnetic spectrum, is beneficial for long-term tissue healing, anti-inflammatory effects, growth promotion, sleep modulation, acceleration of microcirculation, and pain relief. We investigated if far infrared radiation is beneficial for renal proximal tubule cell cultivation and renal tissue engineering. We observed the effects of far infrared radiation on renal proximal tubules cells, including its effects on cell proliferation, gene and protein expression, and viability. We also examined the protective effects of far infrared radiation against cisplatin, a nephrotoxic agent, using the human proximal tubule cell line HK-2. We found that daily exposure to far infrared radiation for 30 min significantly increased rabbit renal proximal tubule cell proliferation in vitro, as assessed by MTT assay. Far infrared radiation was not only beneficial to renal proximal tubule cell proliferation, it also increased the expression of ATPase Na+/K+ subunit alpha 1 and glucose transporter 1, as determined by western blotting. Using quantitative polymerase chain reaction, we found that far infrared radiation enhanced CDK5R1, GNAS, NPPB, and TEK expression. In the proximal tubule cell line HK-2, far infrared radiation protected against cisplatin-mediated nephrotoxicity by reducing apoptosis. Renal proximal tubule cell cultivation with far infrared radiation exposure resulted in better cell proliferation, significantly higher ATPase Na+/K+ subunit alpha 1 and glucose transporter 1 expression, and significantly enhanced expression of CDK5R1, GNAS, NPPB, and TEK. These results suggest that far infrared radiation improves cell proliferation and differentiation. In HK-2 cells, far infrared radiation mediated protective effects against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity by reducing apoptosis, as indicated by flow cytometry and caspase-3 assay.

Layout optimization of DRAM cells using rigorous simulation model for NTD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jeon, Jinhyuck; Kim, Shinyoung; Park, Chanha; Yang, Hyunjo; Yim, Donggyu; Kuechler, Bernd; Zimmermann, Rainer; Muelders, Thomas; Klostermann, Ulrich; Schmoeller, Thomas; Do, Mun-hoe; Choi, Jung-Hoe

2014-03-01

DRAM chip space is mainly determined by the size of the memory cell array patterns which consist of periodic memory cell features and edges of the periodic array. Resolution Enhancement Techniques (RET) are used to optimize the periodic pattern process performance. Computational Lithography such as source mask optimization (SMO) to find the optimal off axis illumination and optical proximity correction (OPC) combined with model based SRAF placement are applied to print patterns on target. For 20nm Memory Cell optimization we see challenges that demand additional tool competence for layout optimization. The first challenge is a memory core pattern of brick-wall type with a k1 of 0.28, so it allows only two spectral beams to interfere. We will show how to analytically derive the only valid geometrically limited source. Another consequence of two-beam interference limitation is a "super stable" core pattern, with the advantage of high depth of focus (DoF) but also low sensitivity to proximity corrections or changes of contact aspect ratio. This makes an array edge correction very difficult. The edge can be the most critical pattern since it forms the transition from the very stable regime of periodic patterns to non-periodic periphery, so it combines the most critical pitch and highest susceptibility to defocus. Above challenge makes the layout correction to a complex optimization task demanding a layout optimization that finds a solution with optimal process stability taking into account DoF, exposure dose latitude (EL), mask error enhancement factor (MEEF) and mask manufacturability constraints. This can only be achieved by simultaneously considering all criteria while placing and sizing SRAFs and main mask features. The second challenge is the use of a negative tone development (NTD) type resist, which has a strong resist effect and is difficult to characterize experimentally due to negative resist profile taper angles that perturb CD at bottom characterization by scanning electron microscope (SEM) measurements. High resist impact and difficult model data acquisition demand for a simulation model that hat is capable of extrapolating reliably beyond its calibration dataset. We use rigorous simulation models to provide that predictive performance. We have discussed the need of a rigorous mask optimization process for DRAM contact cell layout yielding mask layouts that are optimal in process performance, mask manufacturability and accuracy. In this paper, we have shown the step by step process from analytical illumination source derivation, a NTD and application tailored model calibration to layout optimization such as OPC and SRAF placement. Finally the work has been verified with simulation and experimental results on wafer.

Improved detection of genetic markers of antimicrobial resistance by hybridization probe-based melting curve analysis using primers to mask proximal mutations: examples include the influenza H275Y substitution.

PubMed

Whiley, David M; Jacob, Kevin; Nakos, Jennifer; Bletchly, Cheryl; Nimmo, Graeme R; Nissen, Michael D; Sloots, Theo P

2012-06-01

Numerous real-time PCR assays have been described for detection of the influenza A H275Y alteration. However, the performance of these methods can be undermined by sequence variation in the regions flanking the codon of interest. This is a problem encountered more broadly in microbial diagnostics. In this study, we developed a modification of hybridization probe-based melting curve analysis, whereby primers are used to mask proximal mutations in the sequence targets of hybridization probes, so as to limit the potential for sequence variation to interfere with typing. The approach was applied to the H275Y alteration of the influenza A (H1N1) 2009 strain, as well as a Neisseria gonorrhoeae mutation associated with antimicrobial resistance. Assay performances were assessed using influenza A and N. gonorrhoeae strains characterized by DNA sequencing. The modified hybridization probe-based approach proved successful in limiting the effects of proximal mutations, with the results of melting curve analyses being 100% consistent with the results of DNA sequencing for all influenza A and N. gonorrhoeae strains tested. Notably, these included influenza A and N. gonorrhoeae strains exhibiting additional mutations in hybridization probe targets. Of particular interest was that the H275Y assay correctly typed influenza A strains harbouring a T822C nucleotide substitution, previously shown to interfere with H275Y typing methods. Overall our modified hybridization probe-based approach provides a simple means of circumventing problems caused by sequence variation, and offers improved detection of the influenza A H275Y alteration and potentially other resistance mechanisms.

Initial Misdiagnosis of Proximal Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Is Associated with Delay in Diagnosis and Advanced Stage at Presentation.

PubMed

Swords, Douglas S; Mone, Mary C; Zhang, Chong; Presson, Angela P; Mulvihill, Sean J; Scaife, Courtney L

2015-10-01

Delay in diagnosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is associated with decreased survival. The effect of an initial misdiagnosis on delay in diagnosis and stage of PDAC is unknown. This study is a retrospective review (2000-2010) from a University-based cancer center of new diagnoses of proximal PDAC. Of 313 patients, 98 (31.3 %) had an initial misdiagnosis. Misdiagnosed patients were younger, 62.8 ± 12.6 vs. 68.0 ± 10.1 (p < 0.001). The most common initial misdiagnoses were: gallbladder disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and peptic ulcer disease. After excluding patients with prior cholecystectomy, 14.2 % were misdiagnosed with gallbladder disease and underwent cholecystectomy before PDAC diagnosis. Misdiagnosed patients had higher rates of abdominal pain (p < 0.001), weight loss (p = 0.04), and acute pancreatitis (p < 0.001) and lower rate of jaundice (p < 0.001). Median time between symptoms to PDAC diagnosis was longer in misdiagnosed: 4.2 months vs. 1.4 (p < 0.001). Median time from contact with medical provider to axial imaging was longer in misdiagnosed (p < 0.001). Rate of stages III-IV disease at diagnosis was higher in misdiagnosed: 61.2 vs. 43.7 % (p = 0.004), with a 1.4 (95 % confidence interval (CI), 1.12-1.74) higher risk of stages III-IV disease at diagnosis; however, there was no difference in median overall survival in misdiagnosed patients (9.6 months in misdiagnosed vs. 10.3 months in correctly diagnosed, p = 0.69). Initial misdiagnosis of patients with proximal PDAC is associated with delay in diagnosis and higher risk of locally advanced or advanced disease at time of PDAC diagnosis.

ANALYSIS OF METHODS FOR DETECTING THE PROXIMITY EFFECT IN QUASAR SPECTRA

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dall'Aglio, Aldo; Gnedin, Nickolay Y., E-mail: adaglio@aip.d

Using numerical simulations of structure formation, we investigate several methods for determining the strength of the proximity effect in the H I Ly{alpha} forest. We analyze three high-resolution ({approx}10 kpc) redshift snapshots (z-bar=4,3, and 2.25) of a Hydro-Particle-Mesh simulation to obtain realistic absorption spectra of the H I Ly{alpha} forest. We model the proximity effect along the simulated sight lines with a simple analytical prescription based on the assumed quasar luminosity and the intensity of the cosmic UV background (UVB). We begin our analysis investigating the intrinsic biases thought to arise in the widely adopted standard technique of combining multiplemore » lines of sight when searching for the proximity effect. We confirm the existence of these biases, albeit smaller than previously predicted with simple Monte Carlo simulations. We then concentrate on the analysis of the proximity effect along individual lines of sight. After determining its strength with a fiducial value of the UVB intensity, we construct the proximity effect strength distribution (PESD). We confirm that the PESD inferred from the simple averaging technique accurately recovers the input strength of the proximity effect at all redshifts. Moreover, the PESD closely follows the behaviors found in observed samples of quasar spectra. However, the PESD obtained from our new simulated sight lines presents some differences to that of simple Monte Carlo simulations. At all redshifts, we find a smaller dispersion of the strength parameters, the source of the corresponding smaller biases found when combining multiple lines of sight. After developing three new theoretical methods for recovering the strength of the proximity effect on individual lines of sight, we compare their accuracy to the PESD from the simple averaging technique. All our new approaches are based on the maximization of the likelihood function, albeit invoking some modifications. The new techniques presented here, in spite of their complexity, fail to recover the input proximity effect in an unbiased way, presumably due to some (unknown) higher order correlations in the spectrum. Thus, employing complex three-dimensional simulations, we provide strong evidence in favor of the PESD obtained from the simple averaging technique, as a method of estimating the UVB intensity, free of any intrinsic biases.« less

Technique for temperature compensation of eddy-current proximity probes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Masters, Robert M.

1989-01-01

Eddy-current proximity probes are used in turbomachinery evaluation testing and operation to measure distances, primarily vibration, deflection, or displacment of shafts, bearings and seals. Measurements of steady-state conditions made with standard eddy-current proximity probes are susceptible to error caused by temperature variations during normal operation of the component under investigation. Errors resulting from temperature effects for the specific probes used in this study were approximately 1.016 x 10 to the -3 mm/deg C over the temperature range of -252 to 100 C. This report examines temperature caused changes on the eddy-current proximity probe measurement system, establishes their origin, and discusses what may be done to minimize their effect on the output signal. In addition, recommendations are made for the installation and operation of the electronic components associated with an eddy-current proximity probe. Several techniques are described that provide active on-line error compensation for over 95 percent of the temperature effects.

Eat Me If You Can: Cognitive Mechanisms Underlying the Distance Effect

PubMed Central

Junghans, Astrid F.; Evers, Catharine; De Ridder, Denise T. D.

2013-01-01

Proximal objects provide affordances that activate the motor information involved in interacting with the objects. This effect has previously been shown for artifacts but not for natural objects, such as food. This study examined whether the sight of proximal food, compared to distant food activates eating-related information. In two experiments reaction times to verbal labels following the sight of proximal and distant objects (food and toys) were measured. Verbal labels included function words that were compatible with one object category (eating and playing) and observation words compatible with both object categories. The sight of food was expected to activate eating-related information when presented at proximity but not at distance, as reflected by faster reaction times to proximal than distant compatible eating words and no difference between reaction times to proximal and distant food for observation words (Experiment 1). Experiment 2 additionally compared the reaction times to wrapped and unwrapped food. The distance effect was expected to occur only for unwrapped food because only unwrapped food is readily edible. As expected, Experiment 1 and 2 revealed faster responses to compatible eating words at proximity than at distance. In Experiment 2 this distance effect occurred only for readily edible, unwrapped food but not for wrapped food. For observation words no difference in response times between the distances was found. These findings suggest that the sight of proximal food activates eating-related information, which could explain people’s differential behavioral responses to reachable versus distant food. The activation of eating-related information upon sight of accessible food could provide a cognition-based explanation for mindless eating. PMID:24367684

Proximity-driven enhanced magnetic order at ferromagnetic-insulator-magnetic-topological-insulator interface

DOE PAGES

Li, Mingda; Zhu, Yimei; Chang, Cui -Zu; ...

2015-08-17

Magnetic exchange driven proximity effect at a magnetic-insulator–topological-insulator (MI-TI) interface provides a rich playground for novel phenomena as well as a way to realize low energy dissipation quantum devices. In this study, we report a dramatic enhancement of proximity exchange coupling in the MI/magnetic-TI EuS/Sb 2–xV xTe 3 hybrid heterostructure, where V doping is used to drive the TI (Sb 2Te 3) magnetic. We observe an artificial antiferromagneticlike structure near the MI-TI interface, which may account for the enhanced proximity coupling. The interplay between the proximity effect and doping in a hybrid heterostructure provides insights into the engineering of magneticmore » ordering.« less

Role of the Na+/H+ antiporter in rat proximal tubule bicarbonate absorption.

PubMed Central

Preisig, P A; Ives, H E; Cragoe, E J; Alpern, R J; Rector, F C

1987-01-01

Amiloride and the more potent amiloride analog, 5-(N-t-butyl) amiloride (t-butylamiloride), were used to examine the role of the Na+/H+ antiporter in bicarbonate absorption in the in vivo microperfused rat proximal convoluted tubule. Bicarbonate absorption was inhibited 29, 46, and 47% by 0.9 mM or 4.3 mM amiloride, or 1 mM t-butylamiloride, respectively. Sensitivity of the Na+/H+ antiporter to these compounds in vivo was examined using fluorescent measurements of intracellular pH with (2', 7')-bis(carboxyethyl)-(5,6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF). Amiloride and t-butylamiloride were shown to be as potent against the antiporter in vivo as in brush border membrane vesicles. A model of proximal tubule bicarbonate absorption was used to correct for changes in the luminal profiles for pH and inhibitor concentration, and for changes in luminal flow rate in the various series. We conclude that the majority of apical membrane proton secretion involved in transepithelial bicarbonate absorption is mediated by the Na+-dependent, amiloride-sensitive Na+H+ antiporter. However, a second mechanism of proton secretion contributes significantly to bicarbonate absorption. This mechanism is Na+-independent and amiloride-insensitive. PMID:2888788

Lateral X-ray for proximal femoral fractures - Is it really necessary?

PubMed

Riaz, Osman; Nisar, Sohail; Arshad, Rizwan; Vanker, Raees

2016-10-01

Historically routine work up of a patient with a proximal femoral fracture always included anterior-posterior (AP) and a lateral film of the hip. The aim was to define the role of the lateral X-ray in the assessment and surgical planning of proximal femur fractures. Radiographs of 320 consecutive patients with proximal femoral fractures who were admitted over a 12 months period were divided into lateral and AP views. Two blinded reviewers independently assessed the AP view alone and then the AP plus the lateral view. Fracture classification was noted for each X-ray and then compared with intraoperative diagnosis which was our study's gold standard. A 2 × 2 contingency square table and Pearson's x(2) test were used for statistical analysis. The rate of correct classification by the reviewers enhanced by the assessment of the lateral X-ray in addition to the AP view for intracapsular fractures (p = 0.018) but not for extracapsular fractures (p = 0.29). Operative management did not change for intracapsular fractures which appeared displaced on initial AP view after reviewing the lateral X-ray. The only advantage of obtaining a lateral view in intracapsular fracture was the detection of displacement were the fracture appeared to be undisplaced on initial AP view. This study provides statistical evidence that one view is adequate and safe for majority of proximal femoral fractures. The lateral radiograph should not be performed on a routine basis thus making considerable saving in time and money, and avoiding unnecessary radiation exposure and discomfort to the patient. Copyright © 2015 Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (Scottish charity number SC005317) and Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The neck shaft angle: CT reference values of 800 adult hips.

PubMed

Boese, Christoph Kolja; Jostmeier, Janine; Oppermann, Johannes; Dargel, Jens; Chang, De-Hua; Eysel, Peer; Lechler, Philipp

2016-04-01

A precise understanding of the radiological anatomy and biomechanics as well as reliable reference values of the hip are essential. The primary goal of this study was to provide reference values of the neck-shaft angle (NSA) for adult patients based on the analysis of rotation corrected computed tomography (CT) scans of 800 hips. The secondary aim was to compare these measurements with simulated anteroposterior roentgenograms of the pelvis. Pelvic CT scans of 400 patients (54.3 years, range 18-100 years; 200 female) were reconstructed in the derotated coronal plane of the proximal femur and as CT-based simulated anteroposterior roentgenograms of the pelvis in the anterior pelvic plane. Femora were categorized as coxa vara (<120°), physiologic (≥120° to <135°), and coxa valga (≥135°). Intra- and inter-rater reliability were analyzed. Primary research question: Mean NSA for male adults was 129.6° (range 113.2°-148.2°; SD 5.9°) and 131.9° (range 107.1°-151.9°; SD 6.8°) for females in derotated coronal reconstructions. Age (p < 0.001 in both views) and sex influenced the NSA significantly (p = 0.002 and p < 0.001); no significant differences were found between sides (p = 0.722 and p = 0.955). Overall, an excellent reliability of repeated measurements of one or two observers was found (ICC 0.891-0.995). Secondary research question: NSA values measured in the simulated anteroposterior roentgenogram and the rotation corrected coronal reconstruction differed significantly (p < 0.001). While anteroposterior pelvis radiographs are susceptible to rotational errors, the coronal reconstruction of the proximal femur in the femoral neck plane allows the correct measurement of the NSA.

[Ankle arthrodesis for congenital absence of the fibula].

PubMed

Exner, G Ulrich

2005-10-01

Bilateral congenital absence of the fibula in a 10-year-old boy. A marked valgus malalignment at the left ankle and a foot with three rays caused pain during standing and walking. Ortheses did not help. Therefore, various treatment options were considered such as amputation of the foot, a supramalleolar correction osteotomy, and a tibiotalar arthrodesis. Correction of malalignment and ankle arthrodesis stabilized with an external mini-fixator while sparing the distal tibial physis. Two skin incisions: one on the medial side visualizing the flexor tendons and the neurovascular bundle while sparing the sural nerve and the small saphenous vein. Exposure of the medial malleolus after division of its ligamentous and capsular attachments. Localization of the ankle joint. The second incision on the lateral side. Z-lengthening of the sole peroneal tendon. Opening of the ankle joint at the lateral and anterior aspect. Resection of the articular surfaces of tibia and talus based on a preoperatively made drawing that showed an alignment of the hindfoot with the longitudinal axis of the tibia and the foot in 90 degrees in relation to the leg. Temporary insertion of a Kirschner wire from the sole of the foot into the tibia to maintain the obtained correction. Placement of a mini-fixator: one threaded Kirschner wire crosses the talocalcaneal synostosis, the second the distal tibial epiphysis, and the third one the proximal third of the tibia. Once the frame is mounted, compression of the resection surfaces and slight distraction between the proximal and middle Kirschner wires. At the age of 16 years the boy is able to use a regular shoe with an orthotic insert; he is pain-free and can participate in all daily activities. The growth of the tibia has not been affected.

Corrective Action Investigation Plan for Corrective Action Unit 528: Polychlorinated Biphenyls Contamination, Nevada Test Site, Nevada, Rev. 0

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Site Office

This Corrective Action Investigation Plan contains the U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Site Office's approach to collect the data necessary to evaluate corrective action alternatives appropriate for the closure of Corrective Action Unit (CAU) 528, Polychlorinated Biphenyls Contamination (PCBs), Nevada Test Site (NTS), Nevada, under the Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order. Located in the southwestern portion of Area 25 on the NTS in Jackass Flats (adjacent to Test Cell C [TCC]), CAU 528 consists of Corrective Action Site 25-27-03, Polychlorinated Biphenyls Surface Contamination. Test Cell C was built to support the Nuclear Rocket Development Stationmore » (operational between 1959 and 1973) activities including conducting ground tests and static firings of nuclear engine reactors. Although CAU 528 was not considered as a direct potential source of PCBs and petroleum contamination, two potential sources of contamination have nevertheless been identified from an unknown source in concentrations that could potentially pose an unacceptable risk to human health and/or the environment. This CAU's close proximity to TCC prompted Shaw to collect surface soil samples, which have indicated the presence of PCBs extending throughout the area to the north, east, south, and even to the edge of the western boundary. Based on this information, more extensive field investigation activities are being planned, the results of which are to be used to support a defensible evaluation of corrective action alternatives in the corrective action decision document.« less

The office candy dish: proximity's influence on estimated and actual consumption.

PubMed

Wansink, B; Painter, J E; Lee, Y-K

2006-05-01

Although there is increasing interest in how environmental factors influence food intake, there are mixed results and misunderstandings of how proximity and visibility influence consumption volume and contribute to obesity. The objective of this paper is to examine two questions: first, how does the proximity and salience of a food influence consumption volume? Second, are proximate foods consumed more frequently because they are proximate, or are they consumed more frequently because people lose track of how much they eat? The 4-week study involved the chocolate candy consumption of 40 adult secretaries. The study utilized a 2 x 2 within-subject design where candy proximity was crossed with visibility. Proximity was manipulated by placing the chocolates on the desk of the participant or 2 m from the desk. Visibility was manipulated by placing the chocolates in covered bowls that were either clear or opaque. Chocolates were replenished each evening, and placement conditions were rotated every Monday. Daily consumption was noted and follow-up questionnaires were distributed and analyzed. There were main effects for both proximity and visibility. People ate an average of 2.2 more candies each day when they were visible, and 1.8 candies more when they were proximately placed on their desk vs 2 m away. It is important to note, however, that there was a significant tendency for participants to consistently underestimate their daily consumption of proximately placed candies (-0.9) and overestimate their daily consumption of less proximately placed candies (+0.5). These results show that the proximity and visibility of a food can consistently increase an adult's consumption of it. In addition, these results suggest that people may be biased to overestimate the consumption of foods that are less proximate, and to underestimate those that are more proximate. Knowing about these deviation tendencies is important for those attempting effectively monitor their consumption of fat and sugar.

[The minimally invasive Chevron and Akin osteotomy (MICA)].

PubMed

Altenberger, Sebastian; Kriegelstein, Stefanie; Gottschalk, Oliver; Dreyer, Florian; Mehlhorn, Alexander; Röser, Anke; Walther, Markus

2018-04-18

Percutaneous correction of a hallux valgus deformity with or without transfer metatarsalgia. Hallux valgus deformity up to 20° intermetatarsal angle, without instability of the first tarsometatarsal joint. Symptomatic arthritis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint, as well as instability of the first tarsometatarsal joint. Percutaneous performed osteotomy of the distal metatarsal 1 in combination with a medial closing wedge osteotomy of the proximal phalanx of the first toe. The use of a postoperative shoe with a rigid sole allows adapted weight bearing in the first 6 weeks. Active and passive mobilization can start immediately after surgery. The method is very effective to treat even severe deformities with or without metatarsalgia. The amount of correction is similar to open procedures. We recommend cadaver training to become familiar with this technique. Thus, complications such as nerve, vessel or tendon injuries can be avoided. The intraoperative radiation exposure remains significantly elevated even for experienced surgeons. In addition to the aesthetic benefits, there is less soft tissue traumatization compared to conventional open procedures. There is no need of bloodlessness. The minimally invasive Chevron and Akin osteotomy is a safe and powerful technique for the treatment of hallux valgus deformity.

[10 congenital trigger fingers. Apropos of a case report].

PubMed

Moutet, F; Lebrun, C; Sartorius, C

1987-01-01

Ten congenital triggers fingers have been treated on a 3 years old girl after correction of congenital bilateral club feet. Such a case, without any other congenital malformation seems to be unique in the French literature and only found twice in the English one. This child in spite of a normal growth and good psychomotor development, presents an unusual face, with a mouth a little bit too small, but her karyotype is normal. No trismus and no microstomia were found to enable this case to be classified in a specific syndrome. The right diagnosis may be a non evolutive arthrogryposis of the extremities. Dividing the ten proximal pulleys (A1) let 10 voluminous nodules pass through and allowed full range of motion in nine out of ten fingers. A remaining flexion deformity of the proximal interphalangeal joint needed an anterior arthrolysis, the final result was good.

Two-stage repair for severe proximal hypospadias using oral mucosal grafts: combination of a modified Bracka method and a modified Byars flap method.

PubMed

Mitsukawa, Nobuyuki; Saiga, Atsuomi; Akita, Shinsuke; Kubota, Yoshitaka; Kuriyama, Motone; Satoh, Kaneshige

2015-02-01

One-stage repair is a conventional treatment of hypospadias. If hypospadias is severe as in the scrotal type and perineal type, penile curvature sometimes cannot be corrected by dorsal midline plication alone. In addition to resection of the urethral plate, ventral grafting becomes necessary for insufficient skin and subcutaneous tissue. In recent years, there has been renewed interest in 2-stage repair for such severe cases and salvage of failed cases with scarring. In the present study, novel 2-stage urethroplasty was performed in 6 cases to repair severe proximal hypospadias which required resection of the urethral plate. This novel method consisted of a combination of a modified Bracka method using oral mucosal grafts and a modified Byars flap of the dorsal foreskin. Good results were obtained using this novel method.

Neck osteotomy for malunion of neglected radial neck fractures in children: a report of 2 cases.

PubMed

Ceroni, Dimitri; Campos, José; Dahl-Farhoumand, Agnes; Holveck, Jérôme; Kaelin, André

2010-01-01

Radial neck fractures are a common injury in children as a result of a fall on an extended and supinated outstretched hand. We present 2 cases of osteotomy of the neck of the radius performed in 2 children with neglected radial neck fractures. Preoperatively, both patients complained of pain and severely reduced mobility of the elbow. Surgery was performed at 6 weeks and 3 months, respectively, after the initial injury and the 2 children were reviewed at 6 and 16 months follow-up. Osteotomies healed within the usual time and no avascular necrosis of the radial head, proximal radioulnar synostosis, or myositis ossificans were observed. The Mayo Elbow Performance Index Score improved significantly after the operation with the 2 patients rated as excellent. In this small series, we present a novel technique of proximal osteotomy of the radius to correct this deformity in children. Case series, level IV evidence.

Surgical Approaches to the Proximal Interphalangeal Joint.

PubMed

Cheah, Andre Eu-Jin; Yao, Jeffrey

2016-02-01

The proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint may be affected by many conditions such as arthropathy, fractures, dislocations, and malunions. Whereas some of these conditions may be treated nonsurgically, many require open surgical intervention. Open interventions include implant arthroplasty or arthrodesis for arthropathy, open reduction internal fixation, or hemi-hamate arthroplasty for dorsal fracture-dislocations. Volar plate arthroplasty and corrective osteotomy for malunion about the PIP joint are also surgeries that may be required. The traditional approach to the PIP joint has been dorsal, which damages the delicate extensor apparatus with subsequent development of an extensor lag. This has led surgeons to explore volar and lateral approaches to the PIP joint. In this article, we describe each of these surgical approaches, discuss their advantages and disadvantages, and provide some guidance on which approach to choose based on the surgery that is to be performed. Copyright © 2016 American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Pathologic Femoral Neck Fracture Due to Fanconi Syndrome Induced by Adefovir Dipivoxil Therapy for Hepatitis B

PubMed Central

Lee, Yoon-Suk; Kim, Byung-Kook; Lee, Ho-Jae

2016-01-01

In Fanconi syndrome, hypophosphatemic osteomalacia is caused by proximal renal tubule dysfunction which leads to impaired reabsorption of amino acids, glucose, urate, and phosphate. We present a rare case of a 43-year-old Korean male who was found to have insufficiency stress fracture of the femoral neck secondary to osteomalacia due to Fanconi syndrome. He had been receiving low-dose adefovir dipivoxil (ADV, 10 mg/day) for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus infection for 7 years and he subsequently developed severe hypophosphatemia and proximal renal tubule dysfunction. The incomplete femoral neck fracture was fixed with multiple cannulated screws to prevent further displacement of the initial fracture. After cessation of ADV and correction of hypophosphatemia with oral phosphorus supplementation, the patient's clinical symptoms, such as bone pain, muscle weakness, and laboratory findings improved. PMID:27247753

Proximal Junctional Failure After Long-Segment Instrumentation for Degenerative Lumbar Kyphosis With Ankylosing Spinal Disorder.

PubMed

Ikegami, Daisuke; Matsuoka, Takashi; Miyoshi, Yuji; Murata, Yoichi; Aoki, Yasuaki

2015-06-15

Case report. We report a case of proximal junctional failure at the ankylosed, but not the mobile, junction after segmental instrumented fusion for degenerative lumbar kyphosis with ankylosing spinal disorder. Proximal junctional failure (PJF) and proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) are important complications that occur subsequent to long-segment instrumentation for correction of adult spinal deformity. Thus far, most studies have focused on the mobile junction as a site at which PJK/PJF can occur, and little is known about the relationship between PJK/PJF and ankylosing spinal disorders such as diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis. The patient was an 82-year-old female with degenerative lumbar kyphosis. She had abnormal confluent hyperostosis in the anterior longitudinal ligaments from Th5 to Th10. The patient was treated operatively with spinal instrumented fusion from Th10 to the sacrum. Four weeks subsequent to initial surgery, the patient developed progressive lower extremity paresis caused by the uppermost instrumented vertebrae fracture (Th10) and adjacent subluxation (Th9). Extension of fusion to Th5 with decompression at Th9-Th10 was performed. However, the patient showed no improvement in neurological function. PJF can occur at the ankylosing site above the uppermost instrumented vertebrae after long-segment instrumentation for adult spinal deformity. PJF in the ankylosed spine may cause severe fracture instability and cord deficit. The ankylosed spine should be integrated into the objective determination of materials contributing to the appropriate selection of fusion levels. 3.

Proximal Tibia Medial Biplanar Retrotubercle Open Wedge Osteotomy for Varus Knees with Medial Gonarthrosis

PubMed Central

Türkmen, İsmail; Esenkaya, İrfan; Ünay, Koray; Türkmensoy, Fatih; Özkut, Afşar Timuçin

2014-01-01

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the early results of proximal tibia medial biplanar retrotubercle open wedge osteotomy for varus gonarthrosis and compare the results with the literatüre. Methods: The results of proximal tibia medial biplanar retrotubercle open wedge osteotomy for 23 knees of 22 patients with medial gonarthrosis were evaluated clinically and radiologically. Results: Twenty of the patients were female and two were male. Mean age of the patients was 56.24; mean boy mass index was 31.95 and preoperative HSS (Hospital for Special Surgery) score was 68.7. Mean tibiofemoral axis was 186.39° and mean Insall-Salvatti index value was 1.04 preoperatively. Mean follow up period was 30.19 months. Mean HSS score was 86.48, femorotibial anatomic axis angle was 175° and Insall-Salvati index value 1.06 during the last follow-up. The improvement of the HSS score and the femorotibial anatomic axis angle was statistically significant. However, the change in Insall Salvati index values was statistically insignificant. Nonfatal pulmonary embolus in 1 patient, and deep vein thrombosis that occured one year after the procedure in 1 patient, rhabdomyolysis in 1 patient and loss of correction (relapse) in 1 patient were encountered as complications. Conclusion: Our results show that proximal tibia medial biplanar retrotubercle open wedge osteotomy improves the frontal and sagittal plane deformities without changing the patellar tendon length. Hence, possible patellofemoral problems are prevented and the clinical results are improved.

Proximal hamstring strains of stretching type in different sports: injury situations, clinical and magnetic resonance imaging characteristics, and return to sport.

PubMed

Askling, Carl M; Tengvar, Magnus; Saartok, Tönu; Thorstensson, Alf

2008-09-01

Hamstring strains can be of at least 2 types, 1 occurring during high-speed running and the other during motions in which the hamstring muscles reach extreme lengths, as documented for sprinters and dancers. Hamstring strains in different sports, with similar injury situations to dancers, also show similarities in symptoms, injury location, and recovery time. Case series (prognosis); Level of evidence, 4. Thirty subjects from 21 different sports were prospectively included. All subjects were examined clinically and with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The follow-up period lasted until the subjects returned to or finished their sport activity. All injuries occurred during movements reaching a position with combined extensive hip flexion and knee extension. They were located proximally in the posterior thigh, close to the ischial tuberosity. The injuries were often complex, but 83% involved the semimembranosus and its proximal free tendon. Fourteen subjects (47%) decided to end their sports activity. For the remaining 16 subjects, the median time for return to sport was 31 weeks (range, 9-104). There were no significant correlations between specific clinical or MRI parameters and time to return to sport. In different sports, an injury situation in which the hamstring muscles reach extensive length causes a specific injury to the proximal posterior thigh, earlier described in dancers. Because of the prolonged recovery time associated with this type of injury, correct diagnosis, based on history and palpation, and adequate information to the subject are essential.

The visual properties of proximal and remote distractors differentially influence reaching planning times: evidence from pro- and antipointing tasks.

PubMed

Heath, Matthew; DeSimone, Jesse C

2016-11-01

The saccade literature has consistently reported that the presentation of a distractor remote to a target increases reaction time (i.e., the remote distractor effect: RDE). As well, some studies have shown that a proximal distractor facilitates saccade reaction time. The lateral inhibition hypothesis attributes the aforementioned findings to the inhibition/facilitation of target selection mechanisms operating in the intermediate layers of the superior colliculus (SC). Although the impact of remote and proximal distractors has been extensively examined in the saccade literature, a paucity of work has examined whether such findings generalize to reaching responses, and to our knowledge, no work has directly contrasted reaching RTs for remote and proximal distractors. To that end, the present investigation had participants complete reaches in target only trials (i.e., TO) and when distractors were presented at "remote" (i.e., the opposite visual field) and "proximal" (i.e., the same visual field) locations along the same horizontal meridian as the target. As well, participants reached to the target's veridical (i.e., propointing) and mirror-symmetrical (i.e., antipointing) location. The basis for contrasting pro- and antipointing was to determine whether the distractor's visual- or motor-related activity influence reaching RTs. Results demonstrated that remote and proximal distractors, respectively, increased and decreased reaching RTs and the effect was consistent for pro- and antipointing. Accordingly, results evince that the RDE and the facilitatory effects of a proximal distractor are effector independent and provide behavioral support for the contention that the SC serves as a general target selection mechanism. As well, the comparable distractor-related effects for pro- and antipointing trials indicate that the visual properties of remote and proximal distractors respectively inhibit and facilitate target selection.

The early effect of dextran sodium sulfate administration on carbachol-induced short-circuit current in distal and proximal colon during colitis development.

PubMed

Hock, M; Soták, M; Kment, M; Pácha, J

2011-01-01

Increased colonic Cl(-) secretion was supposed to be a causative factor of diarrhea in inflammatory bowel diseases. Surprisingly, hyporesponsiveness to Cl(-) secretagogues was later described in inflamed colon. Our aim was to evaluate changes in secretory responses to cholinergic agonist carbachol in distal and proximal colon during colitis development, regarding secretory activity of enteric nervous system (ENS) and prostaglandins. Increased responsiveness to carbachol was observed in both distal and proximal colon after 3 days of 2 % dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) administration. It was measured in the presence of mucosal Ba(2+) to emphasize Cl(-) secretion. The described increase was abolished by combined inhibitory effect of tetrodotoxin (TTX) and indomethacin. Indomethacin also significantly reduced TTX-sensitive current. On the 7th day of colitis development responsiveness to carbachol decreased in distal colon (compared to untreated mice), but did not change in proximal colon. TTX-sensitive current did not change during colitis development, but indomethacin-sensitive current was significantly increased the 7th day. Decreased and deformed current responses to serosal Ba(2+) were observed during colitis induction, but only in proximal colon. We conclude that besides inhibitory effect of DSS on distal colon responsiveness, there is an early stimulatory effect that manifests in both distal and proximal colon.

Proximal and distal muscle fatigue differentially affect movement coordination

PubMed Central

Cowley, Jeffrey C.

2017-01-01

Muscle fatigue can cause people to change their movement patterns and these changes could contribute to acute or overuse injuries. However, these effects depend on which muscles are fatigued. The purpose of this study was to determine the differential effects of proximal and distal upper extremity muscle fatigue on repetitive movements. Fourteen subjects completed a repetitive ratcheting task before and after a fatigue protocol on separate days. The fatigue protocol either fatigued the proximal (shoulder flexor) or distal (finger flexor) muscles. Pre/Post changes in trunk, shoulder, elbow, and wrist kinematics were compared to determine how proximal and distal fatigue affected multi-joint movement patterns and variability. Proximal fatigue caused a significant increase (7°, p < 0.005) in trunk lean and velocity, reduced humeral elevation (11°, p < 0.005), and increased elbow flexion (4°, p < 0.01). In contrast, distal fatigue caused small but significant changes in trunk angles (2°, p < 0.05), increased velocity of wrench movement relative to the hand (17°/s, p < 0.001), and earlier wrist extension (4%, p < 0.005). Movement variability increased at proximal joints but not distal joints after both fatigue protocols (p < 0.05). Varying movements at proximal joints may help people adapt to fatigue at either proximal or distal joints. The identified differences between proximal and distal muscle fatigue adaptations could facilitate risk assessment of occupational tasks. PMID:28235005

The Science Behind Surgical Innovations of the Forefoot.

PubMed

Baumhauer, Judith F; Marcolongo, Michele

2016-12-01

One of the areas of foot and ankle surgery that has had particular attention over the last 5 years has been forefoot surgery. Common procedures include correction of the lessor metatarsophalangeal joints and hammertoe deformities, specifically metatarsal shortening osteotomies and proximal interphalangeal joint fusions. The goals of these surgeries are to improve patient function and allow patients to fit into shoes more comfortably in metatarsal shortening and hammertoe. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Proximal Gut Mucosal Epithelial Homeostasis in Aged IL-1 Type I Receptor Knockout Mice After Starvation

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-08-01

increases whole-body lean mass and insulin sensitivity in elderly subjects with sarcopenia . Am J Cardiol. 2008; 101:69E. [PubMed: 18157968] 11. Iwakiri R...nutritional deficiencies in the elderly can be corrected by nutritional supplementation [5-7], especially among patients who are fed enterally [8-10...mechanistic approach regarding intestinal cell dysfunction in the elderly . Starvation causes mucosal atrophy and loss of mucosal height [32], and glutamine

Extent of Aortic Replacement in Type A Dissection: Current Answers for an Endless Debate.

PubMed

Waterford, Stephen D; Gardner, Rita L; Moon, Marc R

2018-05-17

The proximal and distal extent of surgery for type A dissection is the subject of this review article. In this report, we summarize select series that illumine the issue at hand and provide insight into the surgical approach at our institution to DeBakey type I aortic dissections. For proximal extent, we discuss preservation of the aortic valve in the presence of aortic insufficiency, as well as management of the aortic root in the setting of root dilation. Distal extent of surgery for type A dissection has been a much more controversial topic. At our institution, we subscribe to the philosophy of ascending or hemiarch replacement alone for dissection under most circumstances. We describe when we believe a more aggressive arch replacement for type A dissection may be considered and detail the reports of other groups that have performed this operation more routinely. We also touch upon the frozen elephant trunk operation and its role in type A dissection, although we believe it should be reserved for high-volume dedicated aortic centers. Finally, we conclude by discussing the role of experience in choosing aortic operations for type A dissection. In our opinion, there is no single correct operation for a patient with type A dissection, but there is a correct operation for each surgeon and clinical scenario. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Cost comparison of open fasciectomy versus percutaneous needle aponeurotomy for treatment of Dupuytren contracture.

PubMed

Herrera, Fernando Antonio; Benhaim, Prosper; Suliman, Ahmed; Roostaeian, Jason; Azari, Kodi; Mitchell, Scott

2013-04-01

Many surgical options exist for the treatment of Dupuytren contracture. Little has been written regarding their financial implications. The purpose of this study was to compare the immediate direct costs of open fasciectomy to percutaneous needle aponeurotomy (NA) for the surgical treatment of Dupuytren contracture. A retrospective review was performed comparing patients treated with open fasciectomy (group 1) to patients treated with percutaneous NA (group 2) for the treatment of Dupuytren disease from 2008 to 2010. Financial and medical records were reviewed. Direct cost of treatment was calculated from hospital billing records, including surgical, anesthesia, and facility fees. Statistical analysis was performed using unpaired t test. Twenty-four patients received open segmental palmar and/or digital fasciectomy (group 1). Average preoperative metacarpophalangeal joint flexion contracture was 30 degrees, and proximal interphalangeal joint flexion contracture was 42 degrees. Group 2 consisted of 24 patients. Average preoperative metacarpophalangeal flexion contracture was 31 degrees, and proximal interphalangeal flexion contracture was 27 degrees. Mean cost for group 1 was $11,240 and mean cost for group 2 was $4657 (P < 0.0001). Immediate postoperative contracture correction was similar between both. Two complications occurred in group 1 (wound dehiscence and nerve injury); no complications in group 2. Percutaneous NA is associated with decreased direct costs in the short-term compared to traditional open fasciectomy with comparable deformity correction.

Optimization of optical proximity correction to reduce mask write time using genetic algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dick, Gregory J.; Cao, Liang; Asthana, Abhishek; Cheng, Jing; Power, David N.

2018-03-01

The ever increasing pattern densities and design complexities make the tuning of optical proximity correction (OPC) recipes very challenging. One known method for tuning is genetic algorithm (GA). Previously GA has been demonstrated to fine tune OPC recipes in order to achieve better results for possible 1D and 2D geometric concerns like bridging and pinching. This method, however, did not take into account the impact of excess segmentation on downstream operations like fracturing and mask writing. This paper introduces a general methodology to significantly reduce the number of excess edges in the OPC output, thus reducing the number of flashes generated at fracture and subsequently the write time at mask build. GA is used to reduce the degree of unwarranted segmentation while ensuring good OPC quality. An Objective Function (OF) is utilized to ensure quality convergence and process-variation (PV) plus an additional weighed factor to reduce clustered edge count. The technique is applied to 14nm metal layer OPC recipes in order to identify excess segmentation and to produce a modified recipe that significantly reduces these segments. OPC output file sizes is shown to be reduced by 15% or more and overall edge count is shown to be reduced by 10% or more. At the same time overall quality of the OPC recipe is shown to be maintained via OPC Verification (OPCV) results.

Avoiding Pitfalls of Tibiotalocalcaneal Nail Malposition With Internal Rotation Axial Heel View.

PubMed

Callahan, Ryan; Juliano, Paul; Aydogan, Umur; Clayton, Justin

2018-04-01

Tibiotalocalcaneal (TTC) nails are often used for complex hind foot arthrodesis and deformity correction. The natural valgus alignment of the hindfoot creates a challenge to optimum placement of the guidewire and eventual nail with a straight or valgus-curved nail. Five fresh frozen cadavers were used for placement of a TTC guidewire with standard anterior-posterior (AP), lateral, and Harris axial heel views as a reference for proper placement. The limb was then rotated 15°, 30°, and 45° both internally and externally to evaluate the perceived amount of osseous purchase within the calcaneus. The TTC nail was then inserted and dissection was performed to demonstrate proximity of the nail to the sustentaculum tali and neurovascular structures. A 30° internal rotation Harris axial heel view demonstrated the most accurate representation of osseous purchase within the calcaneus with the guidewire and nail placement. When the guidewire was placed with standard imaging the nail was often ultimately placed in close proximity to the sustentaculum tali and neurovascular structures. Careful placement of the guidewire prior to reaming and nail placement should be undertaken to avoid neurovascular injury and to increase osseous purchase. For optimal guidewire placement, the authors suggest using appropriate anatomic landmarks and using a 30° internally rotated Harris axial heel view to verify correct placement. Level V: Expert opinion.

Efficacy and safety of posteromedial translation for correction of thoracic curves in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis using a new connection to the spine: the Universal Clamp

PubMed Central

Mazda, Keyvan; Even, Julien; Lefevre, Yan; Fitoussi, Franck; Penneçot, Georges-François

2008-01-01

Correction of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) has been reported with various systems. All-screw constructs are currently the most popular, but they have been associated with a significant decrease in thoracic kyphosis, with a potential risk of junctional kyphosis, not observed with hybrid constructs in the literature. In addition, it is important to weigh potential advantages of pedicle screw fixation against risks specific to its use. Because hybrid constructs are associated with a lower risk of complications and better sagittal correction than all-screw constructs, at present we use lumbar pedicle screws combined with a new sublaminar connection to the spine (Universal Clamps) at thoracic levels. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of the Universal Clamp (UC) posteromedial translation technique for correction of AIS. Seventy-five consecutive patients underwent posterior spinal fusion and hybrid instrumentation for progressive AIS. Correction was performed at the thoracic level using posteromedial translation. At the lumbar level, correction was performed using in situ contouring and compression/distractions maneuvers. A minimum 2-year follow-up was required. Medical data and radiographs were prospectively analyzed and compared using a paired t test. The average age at surgery was 15 years and 4 months (±19 months). The average number of levels fused was 12 ± 1.6. The mean follow-up was 30 ± 5 months. The average preoperative Cobb angle of the major curve was 60° ± 20°. The immediate postoperative major curve correction averaged 66 ± 13%. The average loss of correction of the major curve between the early postoperative assessment and latest follow-up was 3.5° ± 1.4°. The mean Cincinnati correction index was 1.7 ± 0.8 postoperatively, and 1.57 ± 1 at last follow up. The mean rotation of the apical vertebra was corrected from 23.3° ± 9° preoperatively to 7.3° ± 5° at last follow up (69% improvement, P < 0.0001). In the sagittal plane, the mean thoracic kyphosis improved from 23.8° ± 14.2° preoperatively to 32.3° ± 7.3° at last follow up. For the 68 patients who had a normokyphotic or a hypokyphotic sagittal modifier, thoracic kyphosis increased from 20.5° ± 9.9° to 31.8° ± 7.4°, corresponding to a mean kyphosis correction of 55% at last follow up. No intraoperative complication occurred and none of the patients developed proximal junctional kyphosis during the follow up. The principal limitation of the UC technique was the rate of proximal posterior prominence (14.6%), leading us to recommend the use of conventional claws at the upper extremity of the construct. The technique was safe, and reduced operative time, radiation exposure, and blood loss. While achieving correction of deformity in the coronal and axial planes equivalent to the best reported results of all-screw or previous hybrid constructs, the UC hybrid technique appears to provide superior correction in the sagittal plane. The excellent outcome in all three planes was maintained at 2 year follow up. PMID:19089466

Long-range magnetic interactions and proximity effects in an amorphous exchange-spring magnet

DOE PAGES

Magnus, F.; Brooks-Bartlett, M. E.; Moubah, R.; ...

2016-06-13

Low-dimensional magnetic heterostructures are a key element of spintronics, where magnetic interactions between different materials often define the functionality of devices. Although some interlayer exchange coupling mechanisms are by now well established, the possibility of direct exchange coupling via proximity-induced magnetization through non-magnetic layers is typically ignored due to the presumed short range of such proximity effects. Here we show that magnetic order can be induced throughout a 40-nm-thick amorphous paramagnetic layer through proximity to ferromagnets, mediating both exchange-spring magnet behaviour and exchange bias. Furthermore, Monte Carlo simulations show that nearest-neighbour magnetic interactions fall short in describing the observed effectsmore » and long-range magnetic interactions are needed to capture the extent of the induced magnetization. Lastly, the results highlight the importance of considering the range of interactions in low-dimensional heterostructures and how magnetic proximity effects can be used to obtain new functionality.« less

Challenges and requirements of mask data processing for multi-beam mask writer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choi, Jin; Lee, Dong Hyun; Park, Sinjeung; Lee, SookHyun; Tamamushi, Shuichi; Shin, In Kyun; Jeon, Chan Uk

2015-07-01

To overcome the resolution and throughput of current mask writer for advanced lithography technologies, the platform of e-beam writer have been evolved by the developments of hardware and software in writer. Especially, aggressive optical proximity correction (OPC) for unprecedented extension of optical lithography and the needs of low sensitivity resist for high resolution result in the limit of variable shaped beam writer which is widely used for mass production. The multi-beam mask writer is attractive candidate for photomask writing of sub-10nm device because of its high speed and the large degree of freedom which enable high dose and dose modulation for each pixel. However, the higher dose and almost unlimited appetite for dose modulation challenge the mask data processing (MDP) in aspects of extreme data volume and correction method. Here, we discuss the requirements of mask data processing for multi-beam mask writer and presents new challenges of the data format, data flow, and correction method for user and supplier MDP tool.

Adaptive correction procedure for TVL1 image deblurring under impulse noise

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bai, Minru; Zhang, Xiongjun; Shao, Qianqian

2016-08-01

For the problem of image restoration of observed images corrupted by blur and impulse noise, the widely used TVL1 model may deviate from both the data-acquisition model and the prior model, especially for high noise levels. In order to seek a solution of high recovery quality beyond the reach of the TVL1 model, we propose an adaptive correction procedure for TVL1 image deblurring under impulse noise. Then, a proximal alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) is presented to solve the corrected TVL1 model and its convergence is also established under very mild conditions. It is verified by numerical experiments that our proposed approach outperforms the TVL1 model in terms of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) values and visual quality, especially for high noise levels: it can handle salt-and-pepper noise as high as 90% and random-valued noise as high as 70%. In addition, a comparison with a state-of-the-art method, the two-phase method, demonstrates the superiority of the proposed approach.

Variation of superconducting transition temperature by proximity effect in NbN/FeN bilayers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hwang, Tae-Jong; Kim, Dong-Ho

2017-09-01

We report on the proximity effect in superconductor/ferromagnet bilayers made of a new combination of NbN for the superconductor and FeN for the ferromagnet. The bilayers were prepared by reactive magnetron sputtering on a thermally oxidized Si substrate. For a constant NbN layer thickness, the superconducting transition temperatures of the bilayers exhibited a nonmonotonic dependence on the thickness of the FeN layer. The results were interpreted in terms of the proximity effect between the superconductor and ferromagnetic materials.

Time to development, clinical and radiographic characteristics, and management of proximal junctional kyphosis following adult thoracolumbar instrumented fusion for spinal deformity.

PubMed

Reames, Davis L; Kasliwal, Manish K; Smith, Justin S; Hamilton, D Kojo; Arlet, Vincent; Shaffrey, Christopher I

2015-03-01

A retrospective review. To study time to development, clinical and radiographic characteristics, and management of proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) following thoracolumbar instrumented fusion for adult spinal deformity (ASD). PJK continues to be a common mode of failure following ASD surgery. Although literature exists on possible risk factors, data on management remain limited. A retrospective review of medical records of 289 consecutive ASD patients who underwent posterior segmental instrumentation incorporating at least 5 segments was conducted. PJK was defined as proximal kyphotic angle >10 degrees. PJK occurred in 32 patients (11%) at a mean follow-up of 34 months (range, 1.3-61.9±19 mo). Sixteen (50%) patients were revised (mean, 1.7 revisions; range, 1-3) at a mean follow-up of 9.6 months (range, 0.7-40 mo); primary indications for revision were pain (n=16), myelopathy (n=6), instability (n=4), and instrumentation protrusion (n=2). Comparison of preindex and postindex surgery radiographic parameters demonstrated significant improvement in mean lumbar lordosis (24 vs. 42 degrees, P<0.001), pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis mismatch (30 vs. 11 degrees, P<0.001), and pelvic tilt (29 vs. 23 degrees, P<0.011). The mean T5-T12 kyphosis worsened (30 vs. 53 degrees, P<0.001) and the mean global sagittal spinal alignment failed to improve (9.6 vs. 8.0 cm, P=0.76). There was no apparent relationship between the absolute PJK angle and revision surgery (P>0.05). The patients in this series who developed PJK had substantial preoperative positive sagittal malalignment that remained inadequately corrected following surgery, likely resulting from a combination of inadequate surgical correction and a significant compensatory increase in thoracic kyphosis. In the absence of direct relationship between a greater PJK angle and worse clinical outcome, clinical symptoms and neurological status rather than absolute reliance on radiographic parameters should drive the decision to pursue revision surgery.

Influence of hydrostatic pressure on intracoronary indices of stenosis severity in vivo.

PubMed

Härle, Tobias; Luz, Mareike; Meyer, Sven; Vahldiek, Felix; van der Harst, Pim; van Dijk, Randy; Ties, Daan; Escaned, Javier; Davies, Justin; Elsässer, Albrecht

2018-03-01

An influence of hydrostatic pressure on intracoronary indices of stenosis severity in vitro was recently reported. We sought to analyze the influence of hydrostatic pressure, caused by the height difference between the distal and proximal pressure sensor after guidewire positioning in the interrogated vessel, on intracoronary pressure measurements in vivo. In 30 coronary stenoses, intracoronary pressure measurements were performed in supine, left, and right lateral patient position. Height differences between the distal and proximal pressure sensor were measured by blinded observers. Measurement results of the position with the highest ("high") and lowest height difference ("low") were compared. In group "high", all measured indices were higher: mean difference of fractional flow reserve (FFR) 0.045 (SD 0.033, 95% CI 0.033-0.057, p < 0.0001), of instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR) 0.043 (SD 0.04, 95% CI 0.029-0.057, p < 0.0001), and of resting Pd/Pa 0.037 (SD 0.034, 95% CI 0.025-0.049, p < 0.0001). Addition of the physically expectable hydrostatic pressure to the distal coronary pressures of the control group abolished the differences: corrected ∆FFR - 0.006 (SD 0.027, 95% CI - 0.015 to 0.004, p = 0.26), corrected ∆Pd/Pa - 0.008 (SD 0.03, 95% CI - 0.019 to 0.003, p = 0.18). Adjustment for hydrostatic pressure of FFR values in a standard supine position increased all values in anterior vessels and decreased all values in posterior vessels. The mean changes of FFR due to adjustment were: LAD - 0.048 (SD 0.016), CX 0.02 (SD 0.009), RCA 0.02 (SD 0.021). Dichotomous severity classification changed in 12.9% of stenoses. The study demonstrates a relevant influence of hydrostatic pressure on intracoronary indices of stenosis severity in vivo, caused by the height differences between distal and proximal pressure sensor.

Reactive correction of a maxillary incisor in single-tooth crossbite following periodontal therapy.

PubMed

Huang, Chih-Hao; Brunsvold, Michael A

2005-05-01

The reactive correction of a single tooth anterior crossbite following periodontal therapy is described. This case report provides new information regarding correction of a crossbite relationship and con- firms existing reports of tooth movement following periodontal therapy. A 39-year-old woman in good general health presented with a history of recurrent periodontal abscesses of a maxillary incisor. Probing depths of the abscessed tooth ranged from 5 to 12 mm, and class 1 mobility was noted. Radiographs revealed that the tooth had previously been treated endodontically. The patient's periodontal diagnosis was generalized chronic moderate to severe periodontitis. Treatment considerations were complicated by a single-tooth crossbite relationship of the involved incisor and clinical evidence that the periodontal abscess communicated with an apical infection. Treatment of the abscess consisted of cause-related therapy, bone grafting, and occlusal adjustment. Five months after surgical treatment, an edge-to-edge incisal relationship was observed, the first indicator of tooth movement. Further correction to a normal incisal relationship resulted 1 year after modification of the proximal contact. At this time, there was normal probing depth with only slight recession and mobility. Bone fill was radiographically noted. It appears that some cases of maxillary incisor crossbite that are complicated by periodontal disease may be corrected, without orthodontic appliances, following periodontal treatment.

Radiology of adolescent slipped capital femoral epiphysis: measurement of epiphyseal angles and diagnosis.

PubMed

Gekeler, Jörg

2007-10-01

AIMS OF DIAGNOSTIC RADIOGRAPHY: Visualization of the proximal femur in two clearly defined projections. Radiologic and morphological diagnosis of slipped capital femoral epiphysis. Evaluation of the stability of the femoral epiphysis: chronic slippage or acute interruption of continuity between the femoral epiphysis and the femoral neck metaphysis. Radiometric measurement of the spatial deformity of the femoral epiphysis. Measurement of the projected epiphyseal angle on the radiograph as the basis for possible conversion into anatomically correct angles at the proximal femur. Preoperative planning of therapeutic surgical procedures. Idiopathic hip pain in the growing child or adolescent. Referred pain to the knee or thigh. Unusual gait pattern with external rotation deformity of the leg, limping that favors one leg or limping due to leg length discrepancy. Abnormal sonography, CT or MRI findings. Eventful history including minor injury or genuine trauma. Symptoms and uncommon physical constitution: obesity, exceptional longitudinal growth of the extremities, and absence of secondary sex characteristics. Indications for Radiographic Imaging of the Hip Joint in Two Planes None. Standard positioning of the patient or the affected extremity. First standard radiograph: proximal femur in anteroposterior projection. Position of the leg with the patella directed anteriorly. Contraction of the external rotators at the hip joint is compensated by elevation of the hip until the leg is in the neutral position. Second standard radiograph: axial view of the proximal femur in anteroposterior projection. Leg flexed to 90 degrees at the hip and in 45 degrees abduction. Thigh position parallel to the longitudinal axis of the table (zero rotation). Early signs of incipient or imminent femoral epiphyseolysis: --Disintegration, widening and blurred margins of the epiphyseal plate. --Increasing loss of height of the femoral epiphysis due to incipient dislocation. --The tangent to the lateral femoral neck intersects only slightly with the femoral head or runs tangential to the epiphysis. --Important second radiograph in axial projection: incipient slippage is seen early here. Comparison with the contralateral side. Chronic slipped capital femoral epiphysis in adolescents: --Advanced epiphyseal dislocation visible in both planes. The tangent to the lateral femoral neck no longer intersects with the dislocated femoral epiphysis. In some cases, varus deformity of the femoral neck and periosteal elevation at the borders of the medial femoral neck. --Epiphyseal dislocation even more apparent in the axial view. Acute slipped capital femoral epiphysis in adolescents: --Complete interruption of continuity between epiphysis and metaphysis. --Widened gap between epiphysis and metaphysis. --Cystic irregularities of the metaphysis. --In most cases, substantial dislocation between epiphysis and metaphysis. --"Acute on chronic slip": specific type of acute epiphyseal dislocation subsequent to chronic epiphyseolysis. In addition to signs of acute separation, secondary symptoms of chronic epiphyseolysis such as femoral neck arcuation and spur formation at the head-neck junction. --Dynamic fluoroscopy may be indicated to confirm acute dislocation. Defined axes are marked on the radiograph: anatomic axis of the femur, femoral neck axis, and so-called epiphyseal axis (perpendicular to the base of the epiphysis). Measurement of the projected epiphysis-diaphysis angle (ED' angle) on the anteroposterior radiograph and the projected epiphyseal torsion angle (ET' angle) on the axial radiograph. For slight to moderate slippage, the difference between the epiphyseal dislocation angle obtained from the radiographs (as projected in two planes) compared with the anatomic, i.e., real dislocation angle at the proximal femur is generally relatively minor. Conversion of the projected angle to the real angle is not essential in these cases (if in doubt, see Table 1). For more severe dislocations, the differences between the projected and real angles are far more apparent. Table 1 facilitates conversion of the epiphyseal dislocation angles taken from the radiograph into anatomically correct dislocation angles at the proximal femur. Conversion to real angles, especially for preoperative planning of complex corrective surgery, is indicated for more severe deformities of the femoral epiphysis. Conversion into real (anatomic) angles is indicated for exact prognostic evaluation of prearthrotic deformities.

Crucial Physical Dependencies of the Core-Collapse Supernova Mechanism

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Burrows, A.; Vartanyan, D.; Dolence, J. C.; Skinner, M. A.; Radice, D.

2018-02-01

We explore with self-consistent 2D F ornax simulations the dependence of the outcome of collapse on many-body corrections to neutrino-nucleon cross sections, the nucleon-nucleon bremsstrahlung rate, electron capture on heavy nuclei, pre-collapse seed perturbations, and inelastic neutrino-electron and neutrino-nucleon scattering. Importantly, proximity to criticality amplifies the role of even small changes in the neutrino-matter couplings, and such changes can together add to produce outsized effects. When close to the critical condition the cumulative result of a few small effects (including seeds) that individually have only modest consequence can convert an anemic into a robust explosion, or even a dud into a blast. Such sensitivity is not seen in one dimension and may explain the apparent heterogeneity in the outcomes of detailed simulations performed internationally. A natural conclusion is that the different groups collectively are closer to a realistic understanding of the mechanism of core-collapse supernovae than might have seemed apparent.

Alternative stitching method for massively parallel e-beam lithography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brandt, Pieter; Tranquillin, Céline; Wieland, Marco; Bayle, Sébastien; Milléquant, Matthieu; Renault, Guillaume

2015-03-01

In this study a novel stitching method other than Soft Edge (SE) and Smart Boundary (SB) is introduced and benchmarked against SE. The method is based on locally enhanced Exposure Latitude without cost of throughput, making use of the fact that the two beams that pass through the stitching region can deposit up to 2x the nominal dose. The method requires a complex Proximity Effect Correction that takes a preset stitching dose profile into account. On a Metal clip at minimum half-pitch of 32 nm for MAPPER FLX 1200 tool specifications, the novel stitching method effectively mitigates Beam to Beam (B2B) position errors such that they do not induce increase in CD Uniformity (CDU). In other words, the same CDU can be realized inside the stitching region as outside the stitching region. For the SE method, the CDU inside is 0.3 nm higher than outside the stitching region. 5 nm direct overlay impact from B2B position errors cannot be reduced by a stitching strategy.

Binocular disparities, motion parallax, and geometric perspective in Patrick Hughes's 'reverspectives': theoretical analysis and empirical findings.

PubMed

Rogers, Brian; Gyani, Alex

2010-01-01

Abstract. Patrick Hughes's 'reverspective' artworks provide a novel way of investigating the effectiveness of different sources of 3-D information for the human visual system. Our empirical findings show that the converging lines of simple linear perspective can be as effective as the rich array of 3-D cues present in natural scenes in determining what we see, even when these cues are in conflict with binocular disparities. Theoretical considerations reveal that, once the information provided by motion parallax transformations is correctly understood, there is no need to invoke higher-level processes or an interpretation based on familiarity or past experience in order to explain either the 'reversed' depth or the apparent, concomitant rotation of a reverspective artwork as the observer moves from side to side. What we see in reverspectives is the most likely real-world scenario (distal stimulus) that could have created the perspective and parallax transformations (proximal stimulus) that stimulate our visual systems.

Design optimization of highly asymmetrical layouts by 2D contour metrology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, C. M.; Lo, Fred; Yang, Elvis; Yang, T. H.; Chen, K. C.

2018-03-01

As design pitch shrinks to the resolution limit of up-to-date optical lithography technology, the Critical Dimension (CD) variation tolerance has been dramatically decreased for ensuring the functionality of device. One of critical challenges associates with the narrower CD tolerance for whole chip area is the proximity effect control on asymmetrical layout environments. To fulfill the tight CD control of complex features, the Critical Dimension Scanning Electron Microscope (CD-SEM) based measurement results for qualifying process window and establishing the Optical Proximity Correction (OPC) model become insufficient, thus 2D contour extraction technique [1-5] has been an increasingly important approach for complementing the insufficiencies of traditional CD measurement algorithm. To alleviate the long cycle time and high cost penalties for product verification, manufacturing requirements are better to be well handled at design stage to improve the quality and yield of ICs. In this work, in-house 2D contour extraction platform was established for layout design optimization of 39nm half-pitch Self-Aligned Double Patterning (SADP) process layer. Combining with the adoption of Process Variation Band Index (PVBI), the contour extraction platform enables layout optimization speedup as comparing to traditional methods. The capabilities of identifying and handling lithography hotspots in complex layout environments of 2D contour extraction platform allow process window aware layout optimization to meet the manufacturing requirements.

Improving 130nm node patterning using inverse lithography techniques for an analog process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Duan, Can; Jessen, Scott; Ziger, David; Watanabe, Mizuki; Prins, Steve; Ho, Chi-Chien; Shu, Jing

2018-03-01

Developing a new lithographic process routinely involves usage of lithographic toolsets and much engineering time to perform data analysis. Process transfers between fabs occur quite often. One of the key assumptions made is that lithographic settings are equivalent from one fab to another and that the transfer is fluid. In some cases, that is far from the truth. Differences in tools can change the proximity effect seen in low k1 imaging processes. If you use model based optical proximity correction (MBOPC), then a model built in one fab will not work under the same conditions at another fab. This results in many wafers being patterned to try and match a baseline response. Even if matching is achieved, there is no guarantee that optimal lithographic responses are met. In this paper, we discuss the approach used to transfer and develop new lithographic processes and define MBOPC builds for the new lithographic process in Fab B which was transferred from a similar lithographic process in Fab A. By using PROLITHTM simulations to match OPC models for each level, minimal downtime in wafer processing was observed. Source Mask Optimization (SMO) was also used to optimize lithographic processes using novel inverse lithography techniques (ILT) to simultaneously optimize mask bias, depth of focus (DOF), exposure latitude (EL) and mask error enhancement factor (MEEF) for critical designs for each level.

Correlation between preoperative spinopelvic alignment and risk of proximal junctional kyphosis after posterior-only surgical correction of Scheuermann kyphosis.

PubMed

Nasto, Luigi A; Perez-Romera, Ana Belen; Shalabi, Saggah Tarek; Quraishi, Nasir A; Mehdian, Hossein

2016-04-01

Surgical correction of Scheuermann kyphosis (SK) is challenging and plagued by relatively high rates of proximal junctional kyphosis and failure (PJK and PJF). Normal sagittal alignment of the spine is determined by pelvic geometric parameters. How these parameters correlate with the risk of developing PJK in SK is not known. The study aimed to investigate the relationship between preoperative and postoperative spinopelvic alignment and occurrence of PJK and PJF. This is a retrospective observational cohort study. The sample included 37 patients who underwent posterior correction of SK from January 2006 to December 2012. The outcome measure was correlation analysis between preoperative and postoperative spinopelvic alignment parameters and the development of PJK over the course of the study period. Whole spine x-rays obtained before surgery, 3 months after surgery, and at the latest follow-up were analyzed. The following parameters were measured: thoracic kyphosis (TK), lumbar lordosis (LL), sagittal vertical axis (SVA), pelvic incidence (PI), pelvic tilt (PT), and sacral slope (SS). The development of PJK was considered the primary end point of the study. Patient population was split into a control and a PJK group; repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to assess group and time differences. Seven patients developed PJK over the study period. Although the severity of the preoperative deformity (TK) did not differ significantly between the two groups, preoperative PI was significantly higher in the PJK group (51.9°C±8.6°C vs. 42.7°C±8.8°C, p=.018). Postoperative correction of TK was similar between the two groups (39.3% and 41.2%, p=.678) and final LL did not differ as well (53.6°C±9.2°C vs. 51.3°C±11.5°C). However, because PJK patients had larger preoperative PI values, a significant deficit of LL was observed at final follow-up in this group compared with the control group (ΔLL -10.5°C±9.8°C vs. 0.6°C±10.5°C, p=.013). Scheuermann kyphosis patients who developed PJK appeared to have a significant postoperative deficit of LL (lumbopelvic mismatch). Lumbar lordosis decreases after surgery following correction of TK; therefore, TK correction should be planned according to preoperative PI values to avoid excessive reduction of LL in patients with higher PI values. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Migrated Essure permanent birth control device: sonographic findings.

PubMed

Khati, Nadia Juliet; Gorodenker, Joseph; Brindle, Kathleen Ann

2014-05-01

We report a case of a migrated Essure permanent birth control device. The correct diagnosis was made on conventional two-dimensional and three-dimensional pelvic sonography 7 years after placement of the device when the patient presented with persistent right-sided pain. The 3-month post placement hysterosalpingogram had shown an appropriately occluded right fallopian tube but had overlooked the abnormal position of the right Essure device, which was too proximal and extending slightly in the uterine cavity. Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Large right ventricular sinusoids in an infant with aorta-left ventricular tunnel and proximal right coronary artery atresia.

PubMed

Chen, Peter C; Spinner, Joseph A; Heinle, Jeffrey S

2018-07-01

We report a 1-month-old infant diagnosed with an aorta-left ventricular tunnel, ventricular septal defect, and right coronary atresia with right ventricular sinusoids. The patient's anatomy and physiology did not indicate right-ventricular-dependent coronary circulation, and therefore right ventricular decompression could be performed without compromising coronary perfusion during surgical correction. A detailed understanding of the coronary anatomy is critical in managing this defect when coronary anomalies are present.

Origins of DNA Replication and Amplification in the Breast Cancer Genome

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-09-01

three peaks from the uncorrected data set remain in the corrected set. As shown in Figure 6, the peak on the left disappears as it was caused by Lexo...distribution (p. 14) Shuffled Inter‐peak distance distribution (p. 15) Peak length distribution (p. 16) Number of features per chromosome (p. 17) Correlation...with G4 ( Chromosomes 1, 3, 6, 7, 11, 19 and genome‐wide)(pp. 18-24 Proximity distribution of peaks near Delino ORC sites (p. 25) GC content of

Environmental Impact Analysis Process. Environmental Impact Statement for the Closure of Pease Air Force Base. Volume 1

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-05-01

initially known as Portsmouth AFB. In 1957, it was rededicated as Pease AFB in honor of Captain Harl Pease, Jr., a native of Plymouth , Now Hampshire. During... barren soil, up-gradient from storm drains, or in close proximity of floor drains. Corrective action currently being taken is the prompt disposal of...Plant communities on base are indicative of the pine / northern hardwood ecosystem.. The forest resources of. Pease AFB are substantial. More than one

SEMICONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGY: Reduction of proximity effect in fabricating nanometer-spaced nanopillars by two-step exposure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Zhang; Renping, Zhang; Weihua, Han; Jian, Liu; Xiang, Yang; Ying, Wang; Chian Chiu, Li; Fuhua, Yang

2009-11-01

A two-step exposure method to effectively reduce the proximity effect in fabricating nanometer-spaced nanopillars is presented. In this method, nanopillar patterns on poly-methylmethacrylate (PMMA) were partly cross-linked in the first-step exposure. After development, PMMA between nanopillar patterns was removed, and hence the proximity effect would not take place there in the subsequent exposure. In the second-step exposure, PMMA masks were completely cross-linked to achieve good resistance in inductively coupled plasma etching. Accurate pattern transfer of rows of nanopillars with spacing down to 40 nm was realized on a silicon-on-insulator substrate.

Longitudinal Proximity Effect, Lateral Inverse Proximity Effect, and Nonequilibrium Superconductivity in Transition-edge Sensors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sadleir, John E.

2010-01-01

We have recently shown that normal-metal/superconductor (N/S) bilayer TESs (superconducting Transition-Edge Sensors) exhibit weak-link behavior. Our measurements were explained in terms of a longitudinal proximity effect model in which superconducting order from the higher transition temperature leads is induced into the TES bilayer plane over remarkably long distances (up to 290 micron). Here we extend our understanding to include TESs with added noise-mitigating normal-metal structures (N structures). We explain our results of an effect converse to the longitudinal proximity effect (LoPE), the lateral inverse proximity effect (LaiPE), for which the order parameter in the N/S bilayer is reduced due to the neighboring N structures. We present resistance and critical current measurements as a function of temperature and magnetic field taken on square Mo/Au bilayer TESs with lengths ranging from 8 to 130 micron with and without added N structures. We observe the inverse proximity effect on the bilayer over in-plane distances many tens of microns and find the transition shifts to lower temperature scale approximately as the inverse square of the in-plane N-structure separation distance, without appreciable broadening of the transition width. We find TESs with added Au structures exhibit weak-link behavior as evidenced by exponential temperature dependence of the critical current and Josephson-like oscillations of the critical current with applied magnetic field. We also present evidence for nonequilbrium superconductivity and estimate a quasiparticle lifetime of 1.8 x 10(exp -10) s for the bilayer. The LoPE model is also used to explain the increased conductivity at temperatures above the bilayer's steep resistive transition

Longitudinal Proximity Effect, Lateral Inverse Proximity Effect, and Nonequilibrium Superconductivity in Transition-Edge Sensors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sadleir, John E.

2010-01-01

We have recently shown that normal-metal/superconductor (N /S) bilayer TESs (superconducting Transition-Edge Sensors) exhibit weak-link behavior. Our measurements were explained in terms of a longitudinal proximity effect model in which superconducting order from the higher transition temperature leads is induced into the TES bilayer plane over remarkably long distances (up to 290 micron). Here we extend our understanding to include TESs with added noise-mitigating normal-metal structures (N structures). We explain our results in terms of an effect converse to the longitudinal proximity effect (LoPE), the lateral inverse proximity effect (LaiPE), for which the order parameter in the N /S bilayer is reduced due to the neighboring N structures. We present resistance and critical current measurements as a function of temperature and magnetic field taken on square Mo/Au bilayer TESs with lengths ranging from 8 to 130 micron with and without added N structures. We observe the inverse proximity effect on the bilayer over in-plane distances many tens of microns and find the transition shifts to lower temperatures scale approximately as the inverse square of the in-plane N-structure separation distance, without appreciable broadening of the transition width. We find TESs with added Au structures exhibit weak-link behavior as evidenced by exponential temperature dependence of the critical current and Josephson-like oscillations of the critical current with applied magnetic field. We also present evidence for nonequilbrium superconductivity and estimate a quasiparticle lifetime of 1.8 x 10(exp -10) s for the bilayer. The LoPE model is also used to explain the increased conductivity at temperatures above the bilayer's steep resistive transition.

Associations between perceived proximity to neighborhood resources, disability, and social participation among community-dwelling older adults: Results from the VoisiNuAge Study

PubMed Central

Levasseur, Mélanie; Gauvin, Lise; Richard, Lucie; Kestens, Yan; Daniel, Mark; Payette, Hélène

2012-01-01

Objective To examine the associations between perceived proximity to neighborhood resources, disability and social participation, and the potential moderating effect of perceived proximity to neighborhood resources on the association between disability and social participation among community-dwelling older women and men. Design Cross-sectional. Setting Community. Participants Older adults (296 women; 258 men). Interventions Not applicable. Main outcome measures Data on age, education, depressive symptoms, frequency of participation in community activities, perceived proximity to neighborhood resources (services and amenities), and functional autonomy in daily activities (disability) were collected by interviewer-administered questionnaire. Results Greater perceived proximity to resources and lower level of disability were associated with greater social participation for both women (R2=0.10; p<0.001) and men (R2=0.05; p<0.01). The association between disability and social participation did not vary as a function of perceived proximity to neighborhood resources among women (no moderating effect; p=0.15). Among men, however, greater perceived proximity to neighborhood resources enhanced social participation (p=0.01), but only among those with minor or no disability. Conclusions Future studies should investigate why perceived proximity to services and amenities is associated with social participation among older men with minor or no disabilities and with women overall but has no association among men with moderate disabilities. PMID:22133245

Proximity to coast is linked to climate change belief.

PubMed

Milfont, Taciano L; Evans, Laurel; Sibley, Chris G; Ries, Jan; Cunningham, Andrew

2014-01-01

Psychologists have examined the many psychological barriers to both climate change belief and concern. One barrier is the belief that climate change is too uncertain, and likely to happen in distant places and times, to people unlike oneself. Related to this perceived psychological distance of climate change, studies have shown that direct experience of the effects of climate change increases climate change concern. The present study examined the relationship between physical proximity to the coastline and climate change belief, as proximity may be related to experiencing or anticipating the effects of climate change such as sea-level rise. We show, in a national probability sample of 5,815 New Zealanders, that people living in closer proximity to the shoreline expressed greater belief that climate change is real and greater support for government regulation of carbon emissions. This proximity effect held when adjusting for height above sea level and regional poverty. The model also included individual differences in respondents' sex, age, education, political orientation, and wealth. The results indicate that physical place plays a role in the psychological acceptance of climate change, perhaps because the effects of climate change become more concrete and local.

OPC care-area feedforwarding to MPC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dillon, Brian; Peng, Yi-Hsing; Hamaji, Masakazu; Tsunoda, Dai; Muramatsu, Tomoyuki; Ohara, Shuichiro; Zou, Yi; Arnoux, Vincent; Baron, Stanislas; Zhang, Xiaolong

2016-10-01

Demand for mask process correction (MPC) is growing for leading-edge process nodes. MPC was originally intended to correct CD linearity for narrow assist features difficult to resolve on a photomask without any correction, but it has been extended to main features as process nodes have been shrinking. As past papers have observed, MPC shows improvements in photomask fidelity. Using advanced shape and dose corrections could give more improvements, especially at line-ends and corners. However, there is a dilemma on using such advanced corrections on full mask level because it increases data volume and run time. In addition, write time on variable shaped beam (VSB) writers also increases as the number of shots increases. Optical proximity correction (OPC) care-area defines circuit design locations that require high mask fidelity under mask writing process variations such as energy fluctuation. It is useful for MPC to switch its correction strategy and permit the use of advanced mask correction techniques in those local care-areas where they provide maximum wafer benefits. The use of mask correction techniques tailored to localized post-OPC design can result in similar desired level of data volume, run time, and write time. ASML Brion and NCS have jointly developed a method to feedforward the care-area information from Tachyon LMC to NDE-MPC to provide real benefit for improving both mask writing and wafer printing quality. This paper explains the detail of OPC care-area feedforwarding to MPC between ASML Brion and NCS, and shows the results. In addition, improvements on mask and wafer simulations are also shown. The results indicate that the worst process variation (PV) bands are reduced up to 37% for a 10nm tech node metal case.

A comparison of proximal and distal chevron osteotomy for the correction of moderate hallux valgus deformity.

PubMed

Park, C-H; Jang, J-H; Lee, S-H; Lee, W-C

2013-05-01

The purpose of this study was to compare the results of proximal and distal chevron osteotomy in patients with moderate hallux valgus. We retrospectively reviewed 34 proximal chevron osteotomies without lateral release (PCO group) and 33 distal chevron osteotomies (DCO group) performed sequentially by a single surgeon. There were no differences between the groups with regard to age, length of follow-up, demographic or radiological parameters. The clinical results were assessed using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scoring system and the radiological results were compared between the groups. At a mean follow-up of 14.6 months (14 to 32) there were no significant differences in the mean AOFAS scores between the DCO and PCO groups (93.9 (82 to 100) and 91.8 (77 to 100), respectively; p = 0.176). The mean hallux valgus angle, intermetatarsal angle and sesamoid position were the same in both groups. The metatarsal declination angle decreased significantly in the PCO group (p = 0.005) and the mean shortening of the first metatarsal was significantly greater in the DCO group (p < 0.001). We conclude that the clinical and radiological outcome after a DCO is comparable with that after a PCO; longer follow-up would be needed to assess the risk of avascular necrosis.

Proximity morality in medical school – medical students forming physician morality "on the job": Grounded theory analysis of a student survey

PubMed Central

Thulesius, Hans O; Sallin, Karl; Lynoe, Niels; Löfmark, Rurik

2007-01-01

Background The value of ethics education have been questioned. Therefore we did a student survey on attitudes about the teaching of ethics in Swedish medical schools. Methods Questionnaire survey on attitudes to ethics education with 409 Swedish medical students participating. We analyzed > 8000 words of open-ended responses and multiple-choice questions using classic grounded theory procedures. Results In this paper we suggest that medical students take a proximity morality stance towards their ethics education meaning that they want to form physician morality "on the job". This involves comprehensive ethics courses in which quality lectures provide "ethics grammar" and together with attitude exercises and vignette reflections nurture tutored group discussions. Goals of forming physician morality are to develop a professional identity, handling diversity of religious and existential worldviews, training students described as ethically naive, processing difficult clinical experiences, and desisting negative role modeling from physicians in clinical or teaching situations, some engaging in "ethics suppression" by controlling sensitive topic discussions and serving students politically correct attitudes. Conclusion We found that medical students have a proximity morality attitude towards ethics education. Rather than being taught ethics they want to form their own physician morality through tutored group discussions in comprehensive ethics courses. PMID:17683618

Effects of gamma irradiation on tropomyosin allergen, proximate composition and mineral elements in giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii).

PubMed

Muanghorn, Wipawan; Konsue, Nattaya; Sham, Hasan; Othman, Zainon; Mohamed, Faizal; Mohd Noor, Noramaliza; Othman, Norsyafiqah; Mohd Noor Akmal, Nur Shamin Shyamimi; Ahmad Fauzi, Nurulhuda; Packiamuthu Dewaprigam Solomen, Mary Margaret; Abdull Razis, Ahmad Faizal

2018-05-01

Effects of food irradiation on allergen and nutritional composition of giant freshwater prawn are not well documented. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effects of gamma irradiation on tropomyosin allergen, proximate composition, and mineral elements in Macrobrachium rosenbergii . In this study, prawn was peeled, cut into small pieces, vacuum packaged and gamma irradiated at 0, 5, 7, 10 and 15 kGy with a dose rate of 0.5 kGy/h using cobalt-60 as the source, subsequently determined the level of tropomyosin, proximate composition and mineral elements respectively. The results showed that band density of tropomyosin irradiated at 10 and 15 kGy is markedly decreased. Proximate analysis revealed that moisture, protein, and carbohydrate content were significantly different as compared with non-irradiated prawn. Meanwhile, gamma irradiated M. rosenbergii at 15 kGy was observed to be significantly higher in nickel and zinc than the non-irradiated prawn. The findings provide a new information that food irradiation may affect the tropomyosin allergen, proximate composition and mineral elements of the prawn.

Novel TPLO Alignment Jig/Saw Guide Reproduces Freehand and Ideal Osteotomy Positions

PubMed Central

2016-01-01

Objectives To evaluate the ability of an alignment jig/saw guide to reproduce appropriate osteotomy positions in the tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) in the dog. Methods Lateral radiographs of 65 clinical TPLO procedures using an alignment jig and freehand osteotomy performed by experienced TPLO surgeons using a 24 mm radial saw blade between Dec 2005–Dec 2007 and Nov 2013–Nov 2015 were reviewed. The freehand osteotomy position was compared to potential osteotomy positions using the alignment jig/saw guide. The proximal and distal jig pin holes on postoperative radiographs were used to align the jig to the bone; saw guide position was selected to most closely match the osteotomy performed. The guide-to-osteotomy fit was categorized by the distance between the actual osteotomy and proposed saw guide osteotomy at its greatest offset (≤1 mm = excellent; ≤2 mm = good; ≤3 mm = satisfactory; >3 mm = poor). Results Sixty-four of 65 TPLO osteotomies could be matched satisfactorily by the saw guide. Proximal jig pin placement 3–4 mm from the joint surface and pin location in a craniocaudal plane on the proximal tibia were significantly associated with the guide-to-osteotomy fit (P = 0.021 and P = 0.047, respectively). Clinical Significance The alignment jig/saw guide can be used to reproduce appropriate freehand osteotomy position for TPLO. Furthermore, an ideal osteotomy position centered on the tibial intercondylar tubercles also is possible. Accurate placement of the proximal jig pin is a crucial step for correct positioning of the saw guide in either instance. PMID:27556230

Novel TPLO Alignment Jig/Saw Guide Reproduces Freehand and Ideal Osteotomy Positions.

PubMed

Mariano, Abigail D; Kowaleski, Michael P; Boudrieau, Randy J

2016-01-01

To evaluate the ability of an alignment jig/saw guide to reproduce appropriate osteotomy positions in the tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) in the dog. Lateral radiographs of 65 clinical TPLO procedures using an alignment jig and freehand osteotomy performed by experienced TPLO surgeons using a 24 mm radial saw blade between Dec 2005-Dec 2007 and Nov 2013-Nov 2015 were reviewed. The freehand osteotomy position was compared to potential osteotomy positions using the alignment jig/saw guide. The proximal and distal jig pin holes on postoperative radiographs were used to align the jig to the bone; saw guide position was selected to most closely match the osteotomy performed. The guide-to-osteotomy fit was categorized by the distance between the actual osteotomy and proposed saw guide osteotomy at its greatest offset (≤1 mm = excellent; ≤2 mm = good; ≤3 mm = satisfactory; >3 mm = poor). Sixty-four of 65 TPLO osteotomies could be matched satisfactorily by the saw guide. Proximal jig pin placement 3-4 mm from the joint surface and pin location in a craniocaudal plane on the proximal tibia were significantly associated with the guide-to-osteotomy fit (P = 0.021 and P = 0.047, respectively). The alignment jig/saw guide can be used to reproduce appropriate freehand osteotomy position for TPLO. Furthermore, an ideal osteotomy position centered on the tibial intercondylar tubercles also is possible. Accurate placement of the proximal jig pin is a crucial step for correct positioning of the saw guide in either instance.

Evaluation of oesophageal transit velocity using the improved Demons technique.

PubMed

De Souza, Michele N; Xavier, Fernando E B; Secaf, Marie; Troncon, Luiz E A; de Oliveira, Ricardo B; Moraes, Eder R

2016-01-01

This paper presents a novel method to compute oesophageal transit velocity in a direct and automatized manner by the registration of scintigraphy images. A total of 36 images from nine healthy volunteers were processed. Four dynamic image series per volunteer were acquired after a minimum 8 h fast. Each acquisition was made following the ingestion of 5 ml saline labelled with about 26 MBq (700 µCi) technetium-99m phytate in a single swallow. Between the acquisitions, another two swallows of 5 ml saline were performed to clear the oesophagus. The composite acquired files were made of 240 frames of anterior and posterior views. Each frame is the accumulate count for 250 ms.At the end of acquisitions, the images were corrected for radioactive decay, the geometric mean was computed between the anterior and posterior views and the registration of a set of subsequent images was performed. Utilizing the improved Demons technique, we obtained from the deformation field the regional resultant velocity, which is directly related to the oesophagus transit velocity. The mean regional resulting velocities decreases progressively from the proximal to the distal oesophageal portions and, at the proximal portion, is virtually identical to the primary peristaltic pump typical velocity. Comparison between this parameter and 'time-activity' curves reveals consistency in velocities obtained using both methods, for the proximal portion. Application of the improved Demons technique, as an easy and automated method to evaluate velocities of oesophageal bolus transit, is feasible and seems to yield consistent data, particularly for the proximal oesophagus.

Preliminary soft-tissue distraction versus checkrein ligament release after fasciectomy in the treatment of dupuytren proximal interphalangeal joint contractures.

PubMed

Craft, Randall O; Smith, Anthony A; Coakley, Brandon; Casey, William J; Rebecca, Alanna M; Duncan, Scott F M

2011-11-01

Checkrein ligament release for treatment of proximal interphalangeal joint Dupuytren contractures does not address the shortened arteries or deficient skin. The Digit Widget uses soft-tissue distraction to overcome these issues. This study compares checkrein ligament release after fasciectomy versus preliminary soft-tissue distraction, followed by operative release, for treatment of proximal interphalangeal joint Dupuytren contractures. The authors compared operative and postoperative characteristics of patients treated with either fasciectomy plus checkrein ligament release or Digit Widget distraction between 2001 and 2008. Seventeen patients (20 digits) underwent ligament release (mean contracture, 55.9 degrees); six of these 20 were reoperations. Thirteen patients (17 digits) underwent distraction (mean contracture, 67.6 degrees); 10 of 17 were reoperations. The 20 digits treated with fasciectomy plus ligament release had an average extension improvement of 31.4 degrees (range, -4 to 70 degrees). Digits treated with distraction had an average extension improvement of 53.4 degrees (range, 30 to 75 degrees) (p<0.001 versus ligament release). Three digits treated with distraction improved to full proximal interphalangeal extension. Initial contractures of 60 degrees or less treated by ligament release (n=12) or distraction (n=7) improved by means of 28.8 degrees and 47.7 degrees, respectively (p=0.048). Contractures greater than 60 degrees treated by ligament release (n=8) or distraction (n=10) improved by means of 35.3 degrees and 57.3 degrees, respectively (p=0.02). Soft-tissue distraction followed by operative release showed greater correction than Dupuytren fasciectomy plus checkrein ligament release. Therapeutic, III.

Correcting speleothem oxygen isotopic variations for growth-rate controlled kinetic fractionation effects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stoll, Heather; Moreno, Ana; Cacho, Isabel; Mendez Vicence, Ana; Gonzalez Lemos, Saul; Pirla Casasayas, Gemma; Cheng, Hai; Wang, Xianfeng; Edwards, R. Lawrence

2015-04-01

The oxygen isotopic signature may be the most widely used climate indicator in stalagmites, but recent experimental and theoretical studies indicate the potential for kinetic fractionation effects which may be significant, especially in situations where the primary signal from rainfall isotopic composition and cave temperature is limited to a few permil. Here we use a natural set of stalagmites to illustrate the magnitude of such effects and the potential for deconvolving kinetic signals from the primary temperature and rainfall signals. We compare isotopic records from 6 coeval stalagmites covering the interval 140 to 70 ka, from two proximal caves in NW Spain which experienced the same primary variations in temperature and rainfall d18O, but exhibit a large range in growth rates and temporal trends in growth rate. Stalagmites growing at faster rates near 50 microns/year have oxygen isotopic ratios more than 1 permil more negative than coeval stalagmites with very slow (5 micron/year) growth rates. Because growth rate variations also occur over time within any given stalagmite, the measured oxygen isotopic time series for a given stalagmite includes both climatic and kinetic components. Removal of the kinetic component of variation in each stalagmite, based on the dependence of the kinetic component on growth rate, is effective at distilling a common temporal evolution among the oxygen isotopic records of the multiple stalagmites. However, this approach is limited by the quality of the age model. For time periods characterized by very slow growth and long durations between dates, the presence of crypto-hiatus may result in average growth rates which underestimate the instantaneous speleothem deposition rates and which therefore underestimate the magnitude of kinetic effects. We compare the composite corrected oxygen isotopic record with other records of the timing of glacial inception in the North Atlantic realm.

Effect of Changes in Hydrostatic Pressure in Peritubular Capillaries on the Permeability of the Proximal Tubule

PubMed Central

Hayslett, John P.

1973-01-01

The effect of increased hydrostatic pressure in the peritubular vessels on net sodium reabsorption from the proximal tubule was examined in the Necturus. An increase in the pressure gradient of 2.0 cm H2O across the wall of the proximal tubule, produced by ligation of the postcaval vein was associated with a marked reduction in net reabsorption and an increased back flux of water and electrolytes. This change was accompanied by a slight, but significant drop in the transepithelial electrical potential but not by an alteration in the steady-state chemical gradient. These studies highlight the importance of changes in the permeability characteristics of the proximal tubule on net sodium transport. Images PMID:4703221

Influence of population size, density, and proximity to talent clubs on the likelihood of becoming elite youth athlete.

PubMed

Rossing, N N; Stentoft, D; Flattum, A; Côté, J; Karbing, D S

2018-03-01

Previous studies have found significant differences in the likelihood of becoming an elite athlete depending on community population sizes and densities, an effect known as the place of early development, or birthplace effect. However, the results have not been consistent between sports or European countries. As both professional and voluntary clubs are vital to the talent development systems in Europe, the proximity of an athlete's place of early development to the location of talent clubs may be an important predictor of the likelihood of becoming an elite athlete. Therefore, the primary purpose of this study was to investigate the place of early development effect and the effect of proximity to talent clubs. The samples included elite youth league athletes (579 football and 311 handball) and national youth athletes (85 football and 80 handball) and a comparison group of 147 221 football and 26 290 handball youth athletes. Odds ratios showed variations in the optimal community size and density across sports. Geospatial analyses of proximity to talent clubs highlighted a trend indicating that most national and elite youth league athletes in both sports had their place of early development in their sport near a talent club. The results suggest that proximity is an important predictor in the development of expertise across sports, but future studies need to clarify if proximity is important in other countries and sports. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Pros and Cons of the Acceleration Scheme (NF-IDS)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bogacz, Alex; Bogacz, Slawomir

The overall goal of the acceleration systems: large acceptance acceleration to 25 GeV and beam shaping can be accomplished by various fixed field accelerators at different stages. They involve three superconducting linacs: a single pass linear Pre-accelerator followed by a pair of multi-pass Recirculating Linear Accelerators (RLA) and finally a nonâ scaling FFAG ring. The present baseline acceleration scenario has been optimized to take maximum advantage of appropriate acceleration scheme at a given stage. Pros and cons of various stages are discussed here in detail. The solenoid based Pre-accelerator offers very large acceptance and facilitates correction of energy gain acrossmore » the bunch and significant longitudinal compression trough induced synchrotron motion. However, far off-crest acceleration reduces the effective acceleration gradient and adds complexity through the requirement of individual RF phase control for each cavity. Close proximity of strong solenoids and superc« less

"Who should survive?: one of the choices on our conscience": mental retardation and the history of contemporary bioethics.

PubMed

Antommaria, Armand Matheny

2006-09-01

The film "Who Should Survive?: One of the Choices on Our Conscience" contains a dramatization of the death of an infant with Down syndrome as the result of the parents' decision not to have a congenital intestinal obstruction surgically corrected. The dramatization was based on two similar cases at The Johns Hopkins Hospital and was financed by the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr., Foundation. When "Who Should Survive?" was exhibited in 1971, the public reaction was generally critical of the parents' decision and the physicians' inaction. Although technological developments in medicine were a necessary condition for the production of this film and its unanticipated reception, they were not a sufficient condition. The proximate cause was a changed understanding of the capabilities of individuals with Down syndrome. Part of the impetus for this change was data showing the adverse effects of institutionalization on normal children.

Magnetic-proximity-induced magnetoresistance on topological insulators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chiba, Takahiro; Takahashi, Saburo; Bauer, Gerrit E. W.

2017-03-01

We theoretically study the magnetoresistance (MR) of two-dimensional massless Dirac electrons as found on the surface of three-dimensional topological insulators (TIs) that are capped by a ferromagnetic insulator (FI). We calculate charge and spin transport by Kubo and Boltzmann theories, taking into account the ladder-vertex correction and the in-scattering due to normal and magnetic disorder. The induced exchange splitting is found to generate an electric conductivity that depends on the magnetization orientation, but its form is very different from both the anisotropic and the spin Hall MR. The in-plane MR vanishes identically for nonmagnetic disorder, while out-of-plane magnetizations cause a large MR ratio. On the other hand, we do find an in-plane MR and planar Hall effect in the presence of magnetic disorder aligned with the FI magnetization. Our results may help us understand recent transport measurements on TI |FI systems.

Effects of the Proximal Home Environment on Language and Behavioral Outcomes in Children Prenatally Exposed to Cocaine

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bono, Katherine E.; Dinehart, Laura H. Bolzani; Dobbins, Dionne R.; Claussen, Angelika H.

2008-01-01

Proximal environmental variables illustrate aspects of the environment that are experienced directly and specifically by the child. The current study examined the associations between three proximal environmental variables: (1) quality of the home environment, (2) regularity of family routines and (3) frequency of parenting daily hassles and…

Proximity does not contribute to activity enhancement in the glucose oxidase-horseradish peroxidase cascade

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Yifei; Tsitkov, Stanislav; Hess, Henry

2016-12-01

A proximity effect has been invoked to explain the enhanced activity of enzyme cascades on DNA scaffolds. Using the cascade reaction carried out by glucose oxidase and horseradish peroxidase as a model system, here we study the kinetics of the cascade reaction when the enzymes are free in solution, when they are conjugated to each other and when a competing enzyme is present. No proximity effect is found, which is in agreement with models predicting that the rapidly diffusing hydrogen peroxide intermediate is well mixed. We suggest that the reason for the activity enhancement of enzymes localized by DNA scaffolds is that the pH near the surface of the negatively charged DNA nanostructures is lower than that in the bulk solution, creating a more optimal pH environment for the anchored enzymes. Our findings challenge the notion of a proximity effect and provide new insights into the role of DNA scaffolds.

Contagion via Magical Thinking and via Mere Proximity.

PubMed

Bower, Lennea R; Peynircioǧlu, Zehra F; Rabinovitz, Brian E

2018-01-01

People show an irrational dislike for objects that were once contaminated or had come into contact with an undesirable person, even if they are currently indistinguishable from other similar objects. To date, such negative contagion within the magical thinking literature has been shown only with inanimate objects. We addressed a boundary condition to see if it also extended to animate targets (dogs and children) while teasing out mere-proximity effects that would predict a similar contagion in the case of children. We used two different types of contagion, one based on proximity and one based on self-information. We found that magical thinking did extend to dogs but not to children when not confounded by mere-proximity effects. Also, contagion was less strong in the case of animate targets, but pity was not related to either this reduction or to the disappearance of the effect with children.

Modulation of protein function by exogenous ligands in protein cavities: CO binding to a myoglobin cavity mutant containing unnatural proximal ligands.

PubMed

Decatur, S M; DePillis, G D; Boxer, S G

1996-04-02

A variety of heterocyclic ligands can be exchanged into the proximal cavity of sperm whale myoglobin mutant H93G, providing a simple method for introduction of the equivalent of unnatural amino acid side chains into a functionally critical location in this protein. These modified proteins bind CO on the distal side. 1H NMR data on H93G(Im)CO, where Im is imidazole, demonstrate that the structure of the distal heme pocket in H93G(Im)CO is very similar to that of wild type; thus, the effects of the proximal ligand's properties on CO binding can be studied with minimal perturbation of distal pocket structure. The exogenous proximal ligands used in this study include imidazole (Im), 4-methylimidazole (4-MeIm), 4-bromoimidazole (4-BrIm), N-methylimidazole (N-MeIm), pyridine (Pyr), and 3-fluoropyridine (3-FPyr). Substitution of the proximal ligand is found to produce substantial changes in the CO on and off rates, the equilibrium binding constant, and the vibrational stretch frequency of CO. Many of the changes are as large as those reported for distal pocket mutants prepared by site-directed mutagenesis. The ability to systematically vary the nature of the proximal ligand is exploited to test the effects of particular properties of the proximal ligand on CO binding. For example, 4-MeIm and 4-BrIm are similar in size and shape but differ significantly in pKa. The same relationship is true for Pyr and 3-FPyr. By comparison of the IR spectra and CO recombination kinetics of these complexes, the effects of proximal ligand pKa on the CO binding are assessed. Likewise, N-MeIm and 4-MeIm are similar in size and pKa but differ in their ability to hydrogen bond to amino acid residues in the proximal cavity. Comparisons of IR spectra and CO binding kinetics in these complexes reveal that proximal ligand conformation and hydrogen bonding affect the kinetics of CO binding. The mechanism of proximal ligand exchange between solution and the proximal cavity in CO complexes was investigated by obtaining the 19F NMR spectrum of H93G(3-FPyr)CO, whose 19F signal can be observed without interference from resonances of the protein. The proximal ligand is found to exchange within a few seconds by saturation transfer. This exchange rate is about 2 orders of magniture faster than what is observed for the isoelectronic metcyano complex [Decatur, S. M., & Boxer, S. G. (1995) Biochemistry 34, 2122-2129]; in both the ferrous CO and ferric cyano complexes, the proximal ligand exchange rate is independent of ligand concentration. These results suggest that the rate-limiting step in proximal ligand exchange is breakage of the iron-ligand bond, followed by rapid diffusion of the ligand through the protein to bulk solution.

Disorders of the lower cranial nerves

PubMed Central

Finsterer, Josef; Grisold, Wolfgang

2015-01-01

Lesions of the lower cranial nerves (LCN) are due to numerous causes, which need to be differentiated to optimize management and outcome. This review aims at summarizing and discussing diseases affecting LCN. Review of publications dealing with disorders of the LCN in humans. Affection of multiple LCN is much more frequent than the affection of a single LCN. LCN may be affected solely or together with more proximal cranial nerves, with central nervous system disease, or with nonneurological disorders. LCN lesions have to be suspected if there are typical symptoms or signs attributable to a LCN. Causes of LCN lesions can be classified as genetic, vascular, traumatic, iatrogenic, infectious, immunologic, metabolic, nutritional, degenerative, or neoplastic. Treatment of LCN lesions depends on the underlying cause. An effective treatment is available in the majority of the cases, but a prerequisite for complete recovery is the prompt and correct diagnosis. LCN lesions need to be considered in case of disturbed speech, swallowing, coughing, deglutition, sensory functions, taste, or autonomic functions, neuralgic pain, dysphagia, head, pharyngeal, or neck pain, cardiac or gastrointestinal compromise, or weakness of the trapezius, sternocleidomastoid, or the tongue muscles. To correctly assess manifestations of LCN lesions, precise knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the area is required. PMID:26167022

Dynamic diagnostics of the error fields in tokamaks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pustovitov, V. D.

2007-07-01

The error field diagnostics based on magnetic measurements outside the plasma is discussed. The analysed methods rely on measuring the plasma dynamic response to the finite-amplitude external magnetic perturbations, which are the error fields and the pre-programmed probing pulses. Such pulses can be created by the coils designed for static error field correction and for stabilization of the resistive wall modes, the technique developed and applied in several tokamaks, including DIII-D and JET. Here analysis is based on the theory predictions for the resonant field amplification (RFA). To achieve the desired level of the error field correction in tokamaks, the diagnostics must be sensitive to signals of several Gauss. Therefore, part of the measurements should be performed near the plasma stability boundary, where the RFA effect is stronger. While the proximity to the marginal stability is important, the absolute values of plasma parameters are not. This means that the necessary measurements can be done in the diagnostic discharges with parameters below the nominal operating regimes, with the stability boundary intentionally lowered. The estimates for ITER are presented. The discussed diagnostics can be tested in dedicated experiments in existing tokamaks. The diagnostics can be considered as an extension of the 'active MHD spectroscopy' used recently in the DIII-D tokamak and the EXTRAP T2R reversed field pinch.

CORRECTIVE ACTION DECISION DOCUMENT FOR CORRECTIVE ACTION UNIT 383: AREA 12 E-TUNNEL SITES, NEVADA TEST SITE, REV. NO. 0

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mark McLane

2005-03-01

This Corrective Action Decision Document (CADD) was prepared by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) and the U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Site Office (NNSA/NSO). The recommendations and corrective actions described within this document apply to the future closure of Corrective Action Unit (CAU) 383, Area 12 E-Tunnel Sites, which is a joint DTRA and NNSA/NSO site. The CAU consists of three (3) Corrective Action Sites (CASs): CAS 12-06-06 (Muckpile); CAS 12-25-02 (Oil Spill); and CAS 12-28-02 (Radioactive Material). In addition to these CASs, E-Tunnel Ponds One, Two, and Three, and the Drainage Area above themore » ponds were included since closure of the Muckpile will impact these areas. This CADD is consistent with the requirements of the ''Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order'' agreed to by the State of Nevada, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the U.S. Department of Defense. The DTRA point of contact is the Nevada Operations Office, Environmental Project Manager; currently Ms. Tiffany A. Lantow. The NNSA/NSO point of contact is the Environmental Restoration, Industrial Sites Project Manager; currently Ms. Janet Appenzeller-Wing. The purpose of this CADD is to identify and provide the rationale for the selection of a recommended corrective action alternative for CAU 383. This document presents the recommended corrective action for CAU 383 (E-Tunnel Sites); however, implementation may be affected by the corrective action (to be determined) for CAU 551 (Area 12 Muckpiles) due to the close proximity of B, C, D, and F-Tunnels. The scope of this CADD consists of the following tasks: (1) Develop corrective action objectives; (2) Identify corrective action alternative screening criteria; (3) Develop corrective action alternatives; (4) Perform detailed and comparative evaluations of the corrective action alternatives in relation to the corrective action objectives and screening criteria; and (5) Recommend and justify a preferred corrective action alternative for CAU 383.« less

An improved determination of the lithium depletion boundary age of Blanco 1 and a first look on the effects of magnetic activity

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Juarez, Aaron J.; Stassun, Keivan G.; Cargile, Phillip A.

2014-11-10

The lithium depletion boundary (LDB) is a robust method for accurately determining the ages of young clusters, but most pre-main-sequence models used to derive LDB ages do not include the effects of magnetic activity on stellar properties. In light of this, we present results from our spectroscopic study of the very-low-mass members of the southern open cluster Blanco 1 using the Gemini-North Telescope, program IDs: GN-2009B-Q-53 and GN-2010B-Q-96. We obtained Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph spectra at intermediate resolution for cluster candidate members with I ≈ 13-20 mag. From our sample of 43 spectra, we find 14 probable cluster members by consideringmore » proximity to the cluster sequence in an I/I – K {sub s} color-magnitude diagram, agreement with the cluster's systemic radial velocity, and magnetic activity as a youth indicator. We systematically analyze the Hα and Li features and update the LDB age of Blanco 1 to be 126{sub −14}{sup +13} Myr. Our new LDB age for Blanco 1 shows remarkable coevality with the benchmark Pleiades open cluster. Using available empirical activity corrections, we investigate the effects of magnetic activity on the LDB age of Blanco 1. Accounting for activity, we infer a corrected LDB age of 114{sub −10}{sup +9} Myr. This work demonstrates the importance of accounting for magnetic activity on LDB inferred stellar ages, suggesting the need to reinvestigate previous LDB age determinations.« less

Titanium vs cobalt chromium: what is the best rod material to enhance adolescent idiopathic scoliosis correction with sublaminar bands?

PubMed

Angelliaume, Audrey; Ferrero, E; Mazda, K; Le Hanneur, M; Accabled, F; de Gauzy, J Sales; Ilharreborde, B

2017-06-01

Cobalt chromium (CoCr) rods have recently gained popularity in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) surgical treatment, replacing titanium (Ti) rods, with promising frontal correction rates in all-screw constructs. Posteromedial translation has been shown to emphasize thoracic sagittal correction, but the influence of rod material in this correction technique has never been investigated. The aim of this study was to compare the postoperative correction between Ti and CoCr rods for the treatment of thoracic AIS using posteromedial translation technique. 70 patients operated for thoracic (Lenke 1 or 2) AIS, in 2 institutions, between 2010 and 2013, were included. All patients underwent posterior fusion with hybrid constructs using posteromedial translation technique. The only difference between groups in the surgical procedure was the rod material (Ti or CoCr rods). Radiological measurements were compared preoperatively, postoperatively and at last follow-up (minimum 2 years). Preoperatively, groups were similar in terms of coronal and sagittal parameters. Postoperatively, no significant difference was observed between Ti and CoCr regarding frontal corrections, even when the preoperative flexibility of the curves was taken into account (p = 0.13). CoCr rods allowed greater restoration of T4T12 thoracic kyphosis, which remained stable over time (p = 0.01). Most common postoperative complication was proximal junctional kyphosis (n = 4). However, no significant difference was found between groups regarding postoperative complications rate. CoCr and Ti rods both provide significant and stable frontal correction in AIS treated with posteromedial translation technique using hybrid constructs. However, CoCr might be considered to emphasize sagittal correction in hypokyphotic patients.

Effects of urbanization on carnivore species distribution and richness

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ordenana, Miguel A.; Crooks, Kevin R.; Boydston, Erin E.; Fisher, Robert N.; Lyren, Lisa M.; Siudyla, Shalene; Haas, Christopher D.; Harris, Sierra; Hathaway, Stacie A.; Turschak, Greta M.; Miles, A. Keith; Van Vuren, Dirk H.

2010-01-01

Urban development can have multiple effects on mammalian carnivore communities. We conducted a meta-analysis of 7,929 photographs from 217 localities in 11 camera-trap studies across coastal southern California to describe habitat use and determine the effects of urban proximity (distance to urban edge) and intensity (percentage of area urbanized) on carnivore occurrence and species richness in natural habitats close to the urban boundary. Coyotes (Canis latrans) and bobcats (Lynx rufus) were distributed widely across the region. Domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris), striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis), raccoons (Procyon lotor), gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), mountain lions (Puma concolor), and Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana) were detected less frequently, and long-tailed weasels (Mustela frenata), American badgers (Taxidea taxus), western spotted skunks (Spilogale gracilis), and domestic cats (Felis catus) were detected rarely. Habitat use generally reflected availability for most species. Coyote and raccoon occurrence increased with both proximity to and intensity of urbanization, whereas bobcat, gray fox, and mountain lion occurrence decreased with urban proximity and intensity. Domestic dogs and Virginia opossums exhibited positive and weak negative relationships, respectively, with urban intensity but were unaffected by urban proximity. Striped skunk occurrence increased with urban proximity but decreased with urban intensity. Native species richness was negatively associated with urban intensity but not urban proximity, probably because of the stronger negative response of individual species to urban intensity.

On blockage effects for a marine hydrokinetic turbine in free surface proximity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Banerjee, A.; Kolekar, N.

2016-12-01

Experimental investigation was carried out with a three-bladed, constant chord marine hydrokinetic turbine to understand the influence of free surface proximity on blockage effects and near wake flow field. The turbine was placed at various depths of immersion as rotational speeds and flow speeds were varied; thrust and torque data was acquired through a submerged thrust torque sensor positioned in-line with the turbine axis. Blockage effects were quantified in terms of changes in power coefficient and were found to be dependent on flow velocity, rotational speed and blade-tip clearence (from free-surface). Flow acceleration near turbine rotation plane was attributed to blockage offered by the rotor, wake, and free surface deformation; the resulting performance improvements were calculated based on the measured thrust values. In addition, stereoscopic particle imaging velocimetry was carried out in the near-wake region using time-averaged and phase-averaged techniques to understand the mechanism responsible for variation of torque (and power coefficient) with rotational speed and free-surface proximity. Flow vizualisation revealed slower wake propagation for higher rotational velocities and increased assymetry in the wake with increasing free surface proximity. Improved performance at high rotational speed was attributed to enhanced wake blockage; performance enhancements with free-surface proximity was attributed to additional blockage effects caused by free surface deformation.

Many-body localization proximity effects in platforms of coupled spins and bosons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marino, J.; Nandkishore, R. M.

2018-02-01

We discuss the onset of many-body localization in a one-dimensional system composed of a XXZ quantum spin chain and a Bose-Hubbard model linearly coupled together. We consider two complementary setups, depending whether spatial disorder is initially imprinted on spins or on bosons; in both cases, we explore the conditions for the disordered portion of the system to localize by proximity of the other clean half. Assuming that the dynamics of one of the two parts develops on shorter time scales than the other, we can adiabatically eliminate the fast degrees of freedom, and derive an effective Hamiltonian for the system's remainder using projection operator techniques. Performing a locator expansion on the strength of the many-body interaction term or on the hopping amplitude of the effective Hamiltonian thus derived, we present results on the stability of the many-body localized phases induced by proximity effect. We also briefly comment on the feasibility of the proposed model through modern quantum optics architectures, with the long-term perspective to realize experimentally, in composite open systems, Anderson or many-body localization proximity effects.

Retinol Promotes In Vitro Growth of Proximal Colon Organoids through a Retinoic Acid-Independent Mechanism

PubMed Central

Nibe, Yoichi; Akiyama, Shintaro; Matsumoto, Yuka; Nozaki, Kengo; Fukuda, Masayoshi; Hayashi, Ayumi; Mizutani, Tomohiro; Oshima, Shigeru; Watanabe, Mamoru; Nakamura, Tetsuya

2016-01-01

Retinol (ROL), the alcohol form of vitamin A, is known to control cell fate decision of various types of stem cells in the form of its active metabolite, retinoic acid (RA). However, little is known about whether ROL has regulatory effects on colonic stem cells. We examined in this study the effect of ROL on the growth of murine normal colonic cells cultured as organoids. As genes involved in RA synthesis from ROL were differentially expressed along the length of the colon, we tested the effect of ROL on proximal and distal colon organoids separately. We found that organoid forming efficiency and the expression level of Lgr5, a marker gene for colonic stem cells were significantly enhanced by ROL in the proximal colon organoids, but not in the distal ones. Interestingly, neither retinaldehyde (RAL), an intermediate product of the ROL-RA pathway, nor RA exhibited growth promoting effects on the proximal colon organoids, suggesting that ROL-dependent growth enhancement in organoids involves an RA-independent mechanism. This was confirmed by the observation that an inhibitor for RA-mediated gene transcription did not abrogate the effect of ROL on organoids. This novel role of ROL in stem cell maintenance in the proximal colon provides insights into the mechanism of region-specific regulation for colonic stem cell maintenance. PMID:27564706

Active membrane masks for improved overlay performance in proximity lithography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huston, Dryver R.; Plumpton, James; Esser, Brian; Sullivan, Gerald A.

2004-07-01

Membrane masks are thin (2 micron x 35 mm x 35 mm) structures that carry the master exposure patterns in proximity (X-ray) lithography. With the continuous drive to the printing of ever-finer features in microelectronics, the reduction of mask-wafer overlay positioning errors by passive rigid body positioning and passive stress control in the mask becomes impractical due to nano and sub-micron scale elastic deformations in the membrane mask. This paper describes the design, mechanics and performance of a system for actively stretching a membrane mask in-plane to control overlay distortion. The method uses thermoelectric heating/cooling elements placed on the mask perimeter. The thermoelectric elements cause controlled thermoelastic deformations in the supporting wafer, which in turn corrects distortions in the membrane mask. Silicon carbide masks are the focus of this study, but the method is believed to be applicable to other mask materials, such as diamond. Experimental and numerical results will be presented, as well as a discussion of the design issues and related design decisions.

Infusion of noradrenaline through the proximal line of a migrated central venous catheter.

PubMed

Freer, M; Noble, S

2012-08-01

A 41-year-old, obese, patient was admitted to Accident and Emergency with a history of leg cellulitis. A central line was inserted. Documented aspiration of blood from all lines, central venous pressure trace obtained and correct position noted on the chest X-ray (CXR). The patient became increasingly septic despite antibiotic therapy. He was subsequently commenced on a noradrenaline infusion; however, the blood pressure was unresponsive. On admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), it was noted he had an area of white skin over the right clavicle. The infusions were stopped and a CXR confirmed proximal migration of the line. The central line was re-sited and his noradrenaline recommenced with an improvement in his blood pressure. Acute renal failure developed which required haemofiltration for 24 hours. The condition improved and the patient was discharged from ICU. It took several weeks for his renal function to return to normal, but he was discharged home with no permanent damage.

Automated solid-phase subcloning based on beads brought into proximity by magnetic force.

PubMed

Hudson, Elton P; Nikoshkov, Andrej; Uhlen, Mathias; Rockberg, Johan

2012-01-01

In the fields of proteomics, metabolic engineering and synthetic biology there is a need for high-throughput and reliable cloning methods to facilitate construction of expression vectors and genetic pathways. Here, we describe a new approach for solid-phase cloning in which both the vector and the gene are immobilized to separate paramagnetic beads and brought into proximity by magnetic force. Ligation events were directly evaluated using fluorescent-based microscopy and flow cytometry. The highest ligation efficiencies were obtained when gene- and vector-coated beads were brought into close contact by application of a magnet during the ligation step. An automated procedure was developed using a laboratory workstation to transfer genes into various expression vectors and more than 95% correct clones were obtained in a number of various applications. The method presented here is suitable for efficient subcloning in an automated manner to rapidly generate a large number of gene constructs in various vectors intended for high throughput applications.

Automated Solid-Phase Subcloning Based on Beads Brought into Proximity by Magnetic Force

PubMed Central

Hudson, Elton P.; Nikoshkov, Andrej; Uhlen, Mathias; Rockberg, Johan

2012-01-01

In the fields of proteomics, metabolic engineering and synthetic biology there is a need for high-throughput and reliable cloning methods to facilitate construction of expression vectors and genetic pathways. Here, we describe a new approach for solid-phase cloning in which both the vector and the gene are immobilized to separate paramagnetic beads and brought into proximity by magnetic force. Ligation events were directly evaluated using fluorescent-based microscopy and flow cytometry. The highest ligation efficiencies were obtained when gene- and vector-coated beads were brought into close contact by application of a magnet during the ligation step. An automated procedure was developed using a laboratory workstation to transfer genes into various expression vectors and more than 95% correct clones were obtained in a number of various applications. The method presented here is suitable for efficient subcloning in an automated manner to rapidly generate a large number of gene constructs in various vectors intended for high throughput applications. PMID:22624028

Cdon acts as a Hedgehog decoy receptor during proximal-distal patterning of the optic vesicle

PubMed Central

Cardozo, Marcos Julián; Sánchez-Arrones, Luisa; Sandonis, África; Sánchez-Camacho, Cristina; Gestri, Gaia; Wilson, Stephen W.; Guerrero, Isabel; Bovolenta, Paola

2014-01-01

Patterning of the vertebrate optic vesicle into proximal/optic stalk and distal/neural retina involves midline-derived Hedgehog (Hh) signalling, which promotes stalk specification. In the absence of Hh signalling, the stalks are not specified, causing cyclopia. Recent studies showed that the cell adhesion molecule Cdon forms a heteromeric complex with the Hh receptor Patched 1 (Ptc1). This receptor complex binds Hh and enhances signalling activation, indicating that Cdon positively regulates the pathway. Here we show that in the developing zebrafish and chick optic vesicle, in which cdon and ptc1 are expressed with a complementary pattern, Cdon acts as a negative Hh signalling regulator. Cdon predominantly localizes to the basolateral side of neuroepithelial cells, promotes the enlargement of the neuroepithelial basal end-foot and traps Hh protein, thereby limiting its dispersion. This Ptc-independent function protects the retinal primordium from Hh activity, defines the stalk/retina boundary and thus the correct proximo-distal patterning of the eye. PMID:25001599

The Applications of Finite Element Analysis in Proximal Humeral Fractures.

PubMed

Ye, Yongyu; You, Wei; Zhu, Weimin; Cui, Jiaming; Chen, Kang; Wang, Daping

2017-01-01

Proximal humeral fractures are common and most challenging, due to the complexity of the glenohumeral joint, especially in the geriatric population with impacted fractures, that the development of implants continues because currently the problems with their fixation are not solved. Pre-, intra-, and postoperative assessments are crucial in management of those patients. Finite element analysis, as one of the valuable tools, has been implemented as an effective and noninvasive method to analyze proximal humeral fractures, providing solid evidence for management of troublesome patients. However, no review article about the applications and effects of finite element analysis in assessing proximal humeral fractures has been reported yet. This review article summarized the applications, contribution, and clinical significance of finite element analysis in assessing proximal humeral fractures. Furthermore, the limitations of finite element analysis, the difficulties of more realistic simulation, and the validation and also the creation of validated FE models were discussed. We concluded that although some advancements in proximal humeral fractures researches have been made by using finite element analysis, utility of this powerful tool for routine clinical management and adequate simulation requires more state-of-the-art studies to provide evidence and bases.

Effect of Proximity of Features on the Damage Threshold During Submicron Additive Manufacturing Via Two-Photon Polymerization

DOE PAGES

Saha, Sourabh K.; Divin, Chuck; Cuadra, Jefferson A.; ...

2017-05-12

Two-photon polymerization (TPP) is a laser writing process that enables fabrication of millimeter scale three-dimensional (3D) structures with submicron features. In TPP, writing is achieved via nonlinear two-photon absorption that occurs at high laser intensities. Thus, it is essential to carefully select the incident power to prevent laser damage during polymerization. Currently, the feasible range of laser power is identified by writing small test patterns at varying power levels. Here in this paper, we demonstrate that the results of these tests cannot be generalized, because the damage threshold power depends on the proximity of features and reduces by as muchmore » as 47% for overlapping features. We have identified that this reduction occurs primarily due to an increase in the single-photon absorptivity of the resin after curing. We have captured the damage from proximity effects via X-ray 3D computed tomography (CT) images of a non-homogenous part that has varying feature density. Part damage manifests as internal spherical voids that arise due to boiling of the resist. We have empirically quantified this proximity effect by identifying the damage threshold power at different writing speeds and feature overlap spacings. In addition, we present a first-order analytical model that captures the scaling of this proximity effect. Based on this model and the experiments, we have identified that the proximity effect is more significant at high writing speeds; therefore, it adversely affects the scalability of manufacturing. The scaling laws and the empirical data generated here can be used to select the appropriate TPP writing parameters.« less

Effect of Proximity of Features on the Damage Threshold During Submicron Additive Manufacturing Via Two-Photon Polymerization

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Saha, Sourabh K.; Divin, Chuck; Cuadra, Jefferson A.

Two-photon polymerization (TPP) is a laser writing process that enables fabrication of millimeter scale three-dimensional (3D) structures with submicron features. In TPP, writing is achieved via nonlinear two-photon absorption that occurs at high laser intensities. Thus, it is essential to carefully select the incident power to prevent laser damage during polymerization. Currently, the feasible range of laser power is identified by writing small test patterns at varying power levels. Here in this paper, we demonstrate that the results of these tests cannot be generalized, because the damage threshold power depends on the proximity of features and reduces by as muchmore » as 47% for overlapping features. We have identified that this reduction occurs primarily due to an increase in the single-photon absorptivity of the resin after curing. We have captured the damage from proximity effects via X-ray 3D computed tomography (CT) images of a non-homogenous part that has varying feature density. Part damage manifests as internal spherical voids that arise due to boiling of the resist. We have empirically quantified this proximity effect by identifying the damage threshold power at different writing speeds and feature overlap spacings. In addition, we present a first-order analytical model that captures the scaling of this proximity effect. Based on this model and the experiments, we have identified that the proximity effect is more significant at high writing speeds; therefore, it adversely affects the scalability of manufacturing. The scaling laws and the empirical data generated here can be used to select the appropriate TPP writing parameters.« less

Hot spot variability and lithography process window investigation by CDU improvement using CDC technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thamm, Thomas; Geh, Bernd; Djordjevic Kaufmann, Marija; Seltmann, Rolf; Bitensky, Alla; Sczyrba, Martin; Samy, Aravind Narayana

2018-03-01

Within the current paper, we will concentrate on the well-known CDC technique from Carl Zeiss to improve the CD distribution of the wafer by improving the reticle CDU and its impact on hotspots and Litho process window. The CDC technique uses an ultra-short pulse laser technology, which generates a micro-level Shade-In-Element (also known as "Pixels") into the mask quartz bulk material. These scatter centers are able to selectively attenuate certain areas of the reticle in higher resolution compared to other methods and thus improve the CD uniformity. In a first section, we compare the CDC technique with scanner dose correction schemes. It becomes obvious, that the CDC technique has unique advantages with respect to spatial resolution and intra-field flexibility over scanner correction schemes, however, due to the scanner flexibility across wafer both methods are rather complementary than competing. In a second section we show that a reference feature based correction scheme can be used to improve the CDU of a full chip with multiple different features that have different MEEF and dose sensitivities. In detail we will discuss the impact of forward scattering light originated by the CDC pixels on the illumination source and the related proximity signature. We will show that the impact on proximity is small compared to the CDU benefit of the CDC technique. Finally we show to which extend the reduced variability across reticle will result in a better common electrical process window of a whole chip design on the whole reticle field on wafer. Finally we will discuss electrical verification results between masks with purposely made bad CDU that got repaired by the CDC technique versus inherently good "golden" masks on a complex logic device. No yield difference is observed between the repaired bad masks and the masks with good CDU.

Polishing and parboiling effect on the nutritional and technological properties of pigmented rice

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

This study aims to evaluate the effects of polishing and parboiling on proximate composition, structure, phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity, cooking time and hardness of IAC-600 black rice cultivar and MPB-10 red rice lineage. Proximate analysis and light micrographs revealed higher migration ...

Can three-dimensional patient-specific cutting guides be used to achieve optimal correction for high tibial osteotomy? Pilot study.

PubMed

Munier, M; Donnez, M; Ollivier, M; Flecher, X; Chabrand, P; Argenson, J-N; Parratte, S

2017-04-01

Treatment of medial tibiofemoral osteoarthritis with a high-tibial osteotomy (HTO) is most effective when the optimal angular correction is achieved. However, conventional instrumentation is limited when multiplanar correction is needed. Use of patient-specific cutting guides (PSCGs) for HTO provides an accurate correction (difference<2°) relative to the preoperative planning. Between February 2014 and February 2015, 10 patients (mean age: 46 years [range: 31-59]; grade 1 or 2 osteoarthritis in Ahlbäck's classification) were included prospectively in this reliability and safety study. All patients were operated using the same medial opening-wedge osteotomy technique. Preoperative planning was based on long-leg radiographs and CT scans with 3D reconstruction. The PSGCs were used to align the osteotomy cut and position the screw holes for the plate. The desired correction was achieved in the three planes when the holes on the plate were aligned with the holes drilled based on the PSCG. Preoperatively, the mean HKA angle was 171.9° (range: 166-179°), the mean proximal tibial angle was 87° (86-88°) and the mean tibial slope was 7.8° (1-22°). The postoperative correction was compared to the planned correction using 3D CT scan transformations. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were assessed at a minimum follow-up of 1 year. The procedure was successfully carried out in all patients with the PSCGs. On postoperative long-leg radiographs, the mean HKA was 182.3° (180-185°); on the CT scan, the mean tibial mechanical angle was 94° (90-98°) and the mean tibial slope was 7.1° (4-11°). In 19 out of 20 postoperative HKA and slope measurements, the difference between the planned and achieved correction was <2° based on the 3D analysis of the three planes in space; in the other case, the slope was 13° instead of the planned 10°. The intra-class correlation coefficients between the postoperative and planned parameters were 0.98 [0.92-0.99] for the HKA and 0.96 [0.79-0.99] for the tibial slope. There were no surgical site infections; one patient had a postoperative hematoma that resolved spontaneously. The results of this study showed that use of PSCGs in HTO procedures helps to achieve optimal correction in a safe and reliable manner. IV - Prospective cohort study. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Effects of ankle-foot orthoses on mediolateral foot-placement ability during post-stroke gait.

PubMed

Zissimopoulos, Angelika; Fatone, Stefania; Gard, Steven

2015-10-01

Accurate and precise mediolateral foot placement is important for balance during gait, but is impaired post stroke. Mediolateral foot placement may be improved with ankle-foot orthosis use. The purpose of this study was to determine whether an ankle-foot orthosis improves mediolateral foot-placement ability during post-stroke ambulation. Crossover trial with randomized order of conditions tested. The accuracy and precision of mediolateral foot placement was quantified while subjects targeted four different randomized step widths. Subjects were tested with and without their regular non-rigid ankle-foot orthosis in two separate visits (order randomized). While ankle-foot orthosis use corrected foot and ankle alignment (i.e. significantly decreased mid-swing plantar flexion, p = 0.000), effects of ankle-foot orthosis use on hip hiking (p = 0.545), circumduction (p = 0.179), coronal plane hip range of motion (p = 0.06), and mediolateral foot-placement ability (p = 0.537) were not significant. While ankle-foot orthosis-mediated equinovarus correction of the affected foot and ankle was not associated with improved biomechanics of walking (i.e. proximal ipsilateral hip kinematics or mediolateral foot-placement ability), it may affect other aspects of balance that were not tested in this study (e.g. proprioception, cerebellar, vestibular, and cognitive mechanisms). Studies that investigate the effect of ankle-foot orthosis on gait can help advance stroke rehabilitation by documenting the specific gait benefits of ankle-foot orthosis use. In this study, we investigated the effect of ankle-foot orthosis use on mediolateral foot-placement ability, an aspect of gait important for maintaining balance. © The International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics 2014.

Experiential benefits, place meanings, and environmental setting preferences between proximate and distant visitors to a national scenic trail.

PubMed

Kil, Namyun; Holland, Stephen M; Stein, Taylor V

2015-05-01

Effective management of conserved natural areas often requires a good understanding of recreation visitors who possess various values for those areas. This study examined differences in experiential benefits sought, place meanings, and environmental setting preferences between proximate and distant visitors to a publicly managed national scenic trail, which transects a variety of conserved public lands. Data were collected using on-site post-hike interviews with visitors at low, moderate, and high use trailheads. Proximate visitors sought mental and physical health more strongly than distant visitors, while distant visitors sought environmental exploration more strongly than proximate visitors. No significant difference in family bonding and achievement benefits existed between the two groups. Meanings related to place dependence, family identity, community identity, and place identity were more strongly ascribed by proximate visitors, and both groups rated ecological integrity meanings highly. Distant visitors showed stronger tendencies toward preferring a lesser level of trail development, lower level of encounters with other groups, and higher level of natural landscapes, which indicated an inclination toward natural settings. These findings indicate a managerially relevant role of the degree of proximity to environmental resources on individuals' recreation behaviors, meanings ascribed to the resources and setting conditions. Understanding differences and similarities between groups dichotomized by proximity to natural resources should advance more effective management of recreation and benefit opportunities for diverse visitor groups.

Experiential Benefits, Place Meanings, and Environmental Setting Preferences Between Proximate and Distant Visitors to a National Scenic Trail

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kil, Namyun; Holland, Stephen M.; Stein, Taylor V.

2015-05-01

Effective management of conserved natural areas often requires a good understanding of recreation visitors who possess various values for those areas. This study examined differences in experiential benefits sought, place meanings, and environmental setting preferences between proximate and distant visitors to a publicly managed national scenic trail, which transects a variety of conserved public lands. Data were collected using on-site post-hike interviews with visitors at low, moderate, and high use trailheads. Proximate visitors sought mental and physical health more strongly than distant visitors, while distant visitors sought environmental exploration more strongly than proximate visitors. No significant difference in family bonding and achievement benefits existed between the two groups. Meanings related to place dependence, family identity, community identity, and place identity were more strongly ascribed by proximate visitors, and both groups rated ecological integrity meanings highly. Distant visitors showed stronger tendencies toward preferring a lesser level of trail development, lower level of encounters with other groups, and higher level of natural landscapes, which indicated an inclination toward natural settings. These findings indicate a managerially relevant role of the degree of proximity to environmental resources on individuals' recreation behaviors, meanings ascribed to the resources and setting conditions. Understanding differences and similarities between groups dichotomized by proximity to natural resources should advance more effective management of recreation and benefit opportunities for diverse visitor groups.

Fundamental edge broadening effects during focused electron beam induced nanosynthesis

DOE PAGES

Schmied, Roland; Fowlkes, Jason Davidson; Winkler, Robert; ...

2015-02-16

In this study, we explore lateral broadening effects of 3D structures fabricated through focused electron beam induced deposition using MeCpPt(IV)Me 3 precursor. In particular, the scaling behavior of proximity effects as a function of the primary electron energy and the deposit height is investigated through experiments and validated through simulations. Correlated Kelvin force microscopy and conductive atomic force microscopy measurements identified conductive and non-conductive proximity regions. It was determined that the highest primary electron energies enable the highest edge sharpness while lower energies contain a complex convolution of broadening effects. In addition, it is demonstrated that intermediate energies lead tomore » even more complex proximity effects that significantly reduce lateral edge sharpness and thus should be avoided if desiring high lateral resolution.« less

Longitudinal Proximity Effects in Superconducting Transition-Edge Sensors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sadleir, John E.; Smith, Stephen J.; Bandler, SImon R.; Chervenak, James A.; Clem, John R.

2009-01-01

We have found experimentally that the critical current of a square superconducting transition-edge sensor (TES) depends exponentially upon the side length L and the square root of the temperature T. As a consequence, the effective transition temperature T(sub c) of the TES is current-dependent and at fixed current scales as 1/L(sup 2). We also have found that the critical current can show clear Fraunhofer-like oscillations in an applied magnetic field, similar to those found in Josephson junctions. The observed behavior has a natural theoretical explanation in terms of longitudinal proximity effects if the TES is regarded as a weak link between superconducting leads. We have observed the proximity effect in these devices over extraordinarily long lengths exceeding 100 microns.

Fast synthesis of topographic mask effects based on rigorous solutions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yan, Qiliang; Deng, Zhijie; Shiely, James

2007-10-01

Topographic mask effects can no longer be ignored at technology nodes of 45 nm, 32 nm and beyond. As feature sizes become comparable to the mask topographic dimensions and the exposure wavelength, the popular thin mask model breaks down, because the mask transmission no longer follows the layout. A reliable mask transmission function has to be derived from Maxwell equations. Unfortunately, rigorous solutions of Maxwell equations are only manageable for limited field sizes, but impractical for full-chip optical proximity corrections (OPC) due to the prohibitive runtime. Approximation algorithms are in demand to achieve a balance between acceptable computation time and tolerable errors. In this paper, a fast algorithm is proposed and demonstrated to model topographic mask effects for OPC applications. The ProGen Topographic Mask (POTOMAC) model synthesizes the mask transmission functions out of small-sized Maxwell solutions from a finite-difference-in-time-domain (FDTD) engine, an industry leading rigorous simulator of topographic mask effect from SOLID-E. The integral framework presents a seamless solution to the end user. Preliminary results indicate the overhead introduced by POTOMAC is contained within the same order of magnitude in comparison to the thin mask approach.

Objective quantification of the food proximity effect on grapes, chocolate and cracker consumption in a Swedish high school. A temporal analysis.

PubMed

Langlet, Billy; Fagerberg, Petter; Glossner, Andrew; Ioakimidis, Ioannis

2017-01-01

Close food proximity leads to increased short-term energy intake, potentially contributing to the long-term development of obesity. However, its precise effects on eating behaviour are still unclear, especially with food available for extended periods of time. This study involved two similar high school student groups (15-17 years old), which had ad libitum access to grapes, chocolates and crackers during an hour-long experimental session. In the distal condition the foods were placed 6 meters away from the students (n = 24), in contrast to the proximal condition (n = 17) were the food was placed near the students. The identification of the type and the quantification of the amount of each food selected, for each individual serving, was facilitated through use of food scales and video recording. In the proximal condition individuals served themselves grapes and crackers more often and consumed more chocolate than in the distal condition. In total, participants in the proximal condition ingested significantly more energy (726 kcal vs. 504 kcal; p = 0.029), without reporting higher fullness. Food proximity also affected the temporal distribution of servings, with the first five minutes of the sessions corresponding to 53.1% and 45.6% of the total energy intake for the distal and proximal conditions, respectively. After the first five minutes, the servings in the distal condition were strongly clustered in time, with many students getting food together. In the proximal condition however, students displayed an unstructured pattern of servings over time. In conclusion, this study strengthens past evidence regarding the important role of food proximity on individual energy intake and, for the first time, it associates continuous food proximity to the emergence of unstructured eating over time. These conclusions, expanded upon by future studies, could support the creation of meaningful intervention strategies based on spatially and temporally controlled food availability.

Objective quantification of the food proximity effect on grapes, chocolate and cracker consumption in a Swedish high school. A temporal analysis

PubMed Central

Fagerberg, Petter; Glossner, Andrew; Ioakimidis, Ioannis

2017-01-01

Close food proximity leads to increased short-term energy intake, potentially contributing to the long-term development of obesity. However, its precise effects on eating behaviour are still unclear, especially with food available for extended periods of time. This study involved two similar high school student groups (15–17 years old), which had ad libitum access to grapes, chocolates and crackers during an hour-long experimental session. In the distal condition the foods were placed 6 meters away from the students (n = 24), in contrast to the proximal condition (n = 17) were the food was placed near the students. The identification of the type and the quantification of the amount of each food selected, for each individual serving, was facilitated through use of food scales and video recording. In the proximal condition individuals served themselves grapes and crackers more often and consumed more chocolate than in the distal condition. In total, participants in the proximal condition ingested significantly more energy (726 kcal vs. 504 kcal; p = 0.029), without reporting higher fullness. Food proximity also affected the temporal distribution of servings, with the first five minutes of the sessions corresponding to 53.1% and 45.6% of the total energy intake for the distal and proximal conditions, respectively. After the first five minutes, the servings in the distal condition were strongly clustered in time, with many students getting food together. In the proximal condition however, students displayed an unstructured pattern of servings over time. In conclusion, this study strengthens past evidence regarding the important role of food proximity on individual energy intake and, for the first time, it associates continuous food proximity to the emergence of unstructured eating over time. These conclusions, expanded upon by future studies, could support the creation of meaningful intervention strategies based on spatially and temporally controlled food availability. PMID:28797048

Differentiation of chondrocytes and scleroblasts during dorsal fin skeletogenesis in flounder larvae.

PubMed

Suzuki, Tohru; Haga, Yutaka; Takeuchi, Toshio; Uji, Susumu; Hashimoto, Hisashi; Kurokawa, Tadahide

2003-01-01

In teleosts, the embryonic fin fold consists of a peridermis, an underlying epidermis and a small number of mesenchymal cells. Beginning from such a simple structure, the fin skeletons, including the proximal and distal radials and lepidotrichia (finrays), develop in the dorsal fin fold at the larval stage. Their process of skeletogenesis and embryonic origin are unclear. Using flounder larvae, we report the differentiation process for chondrocytes and scleroblasts prior to fin skeletogenesis and the effects of retinoic acid (RA) on it. In early larvae, the mesenchymal cells grow between the epidermis and spinal cord to form a line of periodical condensations, which are proximal radial primordia, to produce chondrocytes. The prescleroblasts, which ossify the proximal radial cartilages, differentiate in the mesenchymal cells remaining between the cartilages. Then, mesenchymal condensations occur between the distal ends of the proximal radials, forming distal radial primordia, to produce chondrocytes. Simultaneously, condensations occur between the distal radial primordia and peridermis, which are lepidotrichia primordia, to produce prescleroblasts. Exogenous RA specifically inhibits the mesenchymal condensation prior to the proximal radial formation together with the down-regulation of sonic hedgehog (shh) and patched (pta) expression, resulting in the loss of proximal radials. Thus, it was indicated that differentiation of the precursor cells of radials and lepidotrichia begins in the proximal part of the fin fold and that the initial mesenchymal condensation prior to the proximal radial formation is highly susceptible to the effects of RA. Lepidotrichia formation does not occur where proximal radials are absent, indicating that lepidotrichia differentiation requires interaction with the radial cartilages. To examine the suggestion that neural crest cells contribute to the medial fin skeletons, we localized the HNK-1 positive cells in flounder embryos and slug and msxb-positive cells in pufferfish, Fugu rubripes, embryos. That the positive cells commonly arrive at the proximal part of the fin fold does not contradict the suggestion, but their final destiny as radial chondrocytes or lepidotrichia scleroblasts, should be further investigated.

Model based high NA anamorphic EUV RET

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, Fan; Wiaux, Vincent; Fenger, Germain; Clifford, Chris; Liubich, Vlad; Hendrickx, Eric

2018-03-01

With the announcement of the extension of the Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) roadmap to a high NA lithography tool that utilizes anamorphic optics design, an investigation of design tradeoffs unique to the imaging of anamorphic lithography tool is shown. An anamorphic optical proximity correction (OPC) solution has been developed that models fully the EUV near field electromagnetic effects and the anamorphic imaging using the Domain Decomposition Method (DDM). Clips of imec representative for the N3 logic node were used to demonstrate the OPC solutions on critical layers that will benefit from the increased contrast at high NA using anamorphic imaging. However, unlike isomorphic case, from wafer perspective, OPC needs to treat x and y differently. In the paper, we show a design trade-off seen unique to Anamorphic EUV, namely that using a mask rule of 48nm (mask scale), approaching current state of the art, limitations are observed in the available correction that can be applied to the mask. The metal pattern has a pitch of 24nm and CD of 12nm. During OPC, the correction of the metal lines oriented vertically are being limited by the mask rule of 12nm 1X. The horizontally oriented lines do not suffer from this mask rule limitation as the correction is allowed to go to 6nm 1X. For this example, the masks rules will need to be more aggressive to allow complete correction, or design rules and wafer processes (wafer rotation) would need to be created that utilize the orientation that can image more aggressive features. When considering VIA or block level correction, aggressive polygon corner to corner designs can be handled with various solutions, including applying a 45 degree chop. Multiple solutions are discussed with the metrics of edge placement error (EPE) and Process Variation Bands (PVBands), together with all the mask constrains. Noted in anamorphic OPC, the 45 degree chop is maintained at the mask level to meet mask manufacturing constraints, but results in skewed angle edge in wafer level correction. In this paper, we used both contact (Via/block) patterns and metal patterns for OPC practice. By comparing the EPE of horizontal and vertical patterns with a fixed mask rule check (MRC), and the PVBand, we focus on the challenges and the solutions of OPC with anamorphic High-NA lens.

Ulnar metaphyseal osteochondrosis in seven captive bred cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus).

PubMed

Allan, Graeme; Portas, Timothy; Bryant, Benn; Howlett, Rolfe; Blyde, David

2008-01-01

Distal ulna metaphyseal osteochondrosis was identified in seven captive bred cheetahs raised in Australia between 1984 and 2005. The disorder was characterized by bilateral carpal valgus conformation. In the metaphyseal region of the distal ulnae, an osteolucent defect that appeared as a proximal extension of the lucent physis was identified radiographically between 6 and 10 months of age. Ulna ostectomy was done to correct the angular limb deformity. Histologically, changes were identified in the osteolucent lesion that resembled osteochondrosis. We propose that the condition is probably familial and/or dietary in origin.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dalvit, Diego; Messina, Riccardo; Maia Neto, Paulo

We develop the scattering approach for the dispersive force on a ground state atom on top of a corrugated surface. We present explicit results to first order in the corrugation amplitude. A variety of analytical results are derived in different limiting cases, including the van der Waals and Casimir-Polder regimes. We compute numerically the exact first-order dispersive potential for arbitrary separation distances and corrugation wavelengths, for a Rubidium atom on top of a silicon or gold corrugated surface. We consider in detail the correction to the proximity force approximation, and present a very simple approximation algorithm for computing the potential.

Tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis with a retrograde intramedullary nail: a biomechanical analysis of the effect of nail length.

PubMed

Noonan, Timothy; Pinzur, Michael; Paxinos, Odysseas; Havey, Robert; Patwardhin, Avinash

2005-04-01

Fatigue fractures of the tibia have been observed at the level of the proximal end of the nail after successful tibiocalcaneal arthrodesis with a retrograde intramedullary device. To study the effect of nail length, five matched pairs of cadaver tibiae were instrumented with strain gauges and potted in methylmethacrylate from a level 3 cm proximal to the distal medial malleolus to simulate a successful tibiocalcaneal arthrodesis. A standard length (15 cm) ankle arthrodesis nail and an identical longer device terminating in the proximal tibial metaphysis were inserted in each paired tibia using appropriate technique. The strain of the posterior cortex of the tibia was recorded under bending moments of up to 50 Nm for each intact specimen after nail insertion and after proximal locking of the nail. The nails were then exchanged between the specimens of the same pairs and the experiment was repeated to insure uniformity. The standard length locked nail increased the principal strain of the posterior cortex of the tibia at the level of the proximal screw holes 5.3 times more than the locked long nail (353 and 67 microstrains), respectively. This stress concentration was not observed when the proximal extent of the nail terminated within the proximal tibial metaphysis. A successful tibiocalcaneal arthrodesis with a standard length locked intramedullary nail creates stress concentration around the proximal screw holes that may be responsible for the fractures observed clinically. This study supports the use of a "long" retrograde locked intramedullary nail for tibiocalcaneal arthrodesis in patients with systemic or localized osteopenia.

The remodeling of the neck-shaft angle after proximal femoral varus osteotomy for the treatment of Legg-Calve-Perthes syndrome.

PubMed

Chiarapattanakom, Pariyut; Thanacharoenpanich, Songkiat; Pakpianpairoj, Charoenchai; Liupolvanish, Prasert

2012-10-01

To study the corrections of the neck-shaft angle (NSA) and the related clinical symptoms after proximal femoral varus osteotomy (PFVO) for the treatment of Legg-Calve-Perthes syndrome (LCPS). Retrospective cohort study. Consecutive cases of LCPS treated at Lerdsin General Hospital during 1999 to 2010 were reviewed. The patients were excluded if they had less than 3 years of follow-up, there was incomplete data, and bilateral involvement. Demographic data and clinical symptoms were collected. The NSA were measured before and after PFVO. Twenty-two patients were treated by PFVO. The mean pre-operative NSA was 140 degrees. The mean varus angle created by PFVO was 20 degrees. The mean post-operative NSA at 6 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years and 3 years were 119, 119, 118, 120 and 120 degrees respectively. No statistical difference between the mean NSA at 6 weeks and 3 years (p = 0.65). There were 9 patients whose NSA increased more than 5 degrees at 3 years after operation. This group of patients had a more varus angulation at the early post-operative period. No physeal arrest was detected in any cases at 3 years after PFVO. No correlation between the NSA and pain or limitation of the hip abduction were observed. There were 3 patients, who had NSA less than 110 degrees after PFVO, had limping gait. It is difficult to predict the degree of remodeling of an individual hip after proximal femoral varus osteotomy. Special attention should be paid to avoid excessive varus of the proximal femur less than 110 degrees whenever PFVO is performed.

Different Risk Factors of Proximal Junctional Kyphosis and Proximal Junctional Failure Following Long Instrumented Fusion to the Sacrum for Adult Spinal Deformity: Survivorship Analysis of 160 Patients.

PubMed

Park, Se-Jun; Lee, Chong-Suh; Chung, Sung-Soo; Lee, Jun-Young; Kang, Sang-Soo; Park, Se-Hwan

2017-02-01

The failure modes, time to development, and clinical relevance are known to differ between proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) and proximal junctional failure (PJF). However, there are no reports that study the risk factors of PJK and PJF separately. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors for PJK and PJF separately. A retrospective study of 160 consecutive patients who underwent a long instrumented fusion to the sacrum for adult spinal deformity with a minimum follow-up of 2 years was conducted. A separate survivorship analysis of PJK and PJF was performed using the Cox proportional hazards model for the 3 categorical parameters of surgical, radiographic, and patient factors. PJK developed in 27 patients (16.9%) and PJF in 29 patients (18.1%). The median survival time was 17.0 months for PJK and 3.0 months for PJF. Multivariate analyses revealed that a high body mass index was an independent risk factor for PJK (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.179), whereas the significant risk factors for PJF were older age, the presence of osteoporosis, the uppermost instrumented vertebra level at T11-L1, and a greater preoperative sagittal vertical axis (HR = 1.082, 6.465, 5.236, and 1.017, respectively). A large correction of sagittal deformity was shown to be a risk factor for PJF on univariate analyses, but not on multivariate analyses. PJK developed at a median of 17 months and PJF at a median of 3 months. A high body mass index was an independent risk factor for PJK, whereas older age, osteoporosis, uppermost instrumented vertebra level at the thoracolumbar junction, and greater preoperative sagittal vertical axis were risk factors for PJF.

Biomechanical Analysis of the Proximal Adjacent Segment after Multilevel Instrumentation of the Thoracic Spine: Do Hooks Ease the Transition?

PubMed Central

Metzger, Melodie F.; Robinson, Samuel T.; Svet, Mark T.; Liu, John C.; Acosta, Frank L.

2015-01-01

Study Design Biomechanical cadaveric study. Objective Clinical studies indicate that using less-rigid fixation techniques in place of the standard all-pedicle screw construct when correcting for scoliosis may reduce the incidence of proximal junctional kyphosis and improve patient outcomes. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether there is a biomechanical advantage to using supralaminar hooks in place of pedicle screws at the upper-instrumented vertebrae in a multilevel thoracic construct. Methods T7–T12 spines were biomechanically tested: (1) intact; (2) following a two-level pedicles screw fusion from T9 to T11; and after proximal extension of the fusion to T8–T9 with (3) bilateral supra-laminar hooks, (4) a unilateral hook + unilateral screw hybrid, or (5) bilateral pedicle screws. Specimens were nondestructively loaded while three-dimensional kinematics and intradiscal pressure at the supra-adjacent level were recorded. Results Supra-adjacent hypermobility was reduced when bilateral hooks were used in place of pedicle screws at the upper-instrumented level, with statistically significant differences in lateral bending and torsion (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively). Disk pressures in the supra-adjacent segment were not statistically different among top-off techniques. Conclusions The use of supralaminar hooks at the top of a multilevel posterior fusion construct reduces the stress at the proximal uninstrumented motion segment. Although further data is needed to provide a definitive link to the clinical occurrence of PJK, this in vitro study demonstrates the potential benefit of “easing” the transition between the stiff instrumented spine and the flexible native spine and is the first to demonstrate these results with laminar hooks. PMID:27190735

Time Synchronization and Distribution Mechanisms for Space Networks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Woo, Simon S.; Gao, Jay L.; Clare, Loren P.; Mills, David L.

2011-01-01

This work discusses research on the problems of synchronizing and distributing time information between spacecraft based on the Network Time Protocol (NTP), where NTP is a standard time synchronization protocol widely used in the terrestrial network. The Proximity-1 Space Link Interleaved Time Synchronization (PITS) Protocol was designed and developed for synchronizing spacecraft that are in proximity where proximity is less than 100,000 km distant. A particular application is synchronization between a Mars orbiter and rover. Lunar scenarios as well as outer-planet deep space mother-ship-probe missions may also apply. Spacecraft with more accurate time information functions as a time-server, and the other spacecraft functions as a time-client. PITS can be easily integrated and adaptable to the CCSDS Proximity-1 Space Link Protocol with minor modifications. In particular, PITS can take advantage of the timestamping strategy that underlying link layer functionality provides for accurate time offset calculation. The PITS algorithm achieves time synchronization with eight consecutive space network time packet exchanges between two spacecraft. PITS can detect and avoid possible errors from receiving duplicate and out-of-order packets by comparing with the current state variables and timestamps. Further, PITS is able to detect error events and autonomously recover from unexpected events that can possibly occur during the time synchronization and distribution process. This capability achieves an additional level of protocol protection on top of CRC or Error Correction Codes. PITS is a lightweight and efficient protocol, eliminating the needs for explicit frame sequence number and long buffer storage. The PITS protocol is capable of providing time synchronization and distribution services for a more general domain where multiple entities need to achieve time synchronization using a single point-to-point link.

Theory of proximity-induced exchange coupling in graphene on hBN/(Co, Ni)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zollner, Klaus; Gmitra, Martin; Frank, Tobias; Fabian, Jaroslav

2016-10-01

Graphene, being essentially a surface, can borrow some properties of an insulating substrate (such as exchange or spin-orbit couplings) while still preserving a great degree of autonomy of its electronic structure. Such derived properties are commonly labeled as proximity. Here we perform systematic first-principles calculations of the proximity exchange coupling, induced by cobalt (Co) and nickel (Ni) in graphene, via a few (up to three) layers of hexagonal boron nitride (hBN). We find that the induced spin splitting of the graphene bands is of the order of 10 meV for a monolayer of hBN, decreasing in magnitude but alternating in sign by adding each new insulating layer. We find that the proximity exchange can be giant if there is a resonant d level of the transition metal close to the Dirac point. Our calculations suggest that this effect could be present in Co heterostructures, in which a d level strongly hybridizes with the valence-band orbitals of graphene. Since this hybridization is spin dependent, the proximity spin splitting is unusually large, about 10 meV even for two layers of hBN. An external electric field can change the offset of the graphene and transition-metal orbitals and can lead to a reversal of the sign of the exchange parameter. This we predict to happen for the case of two monolayers of hBN, enabling electrical control of proximity spin polarization (but also spin injection) in graphene/hBN/Co structures. Nickel-based heterostructures show weaker proximity effects than cobalt heterostructures. We introduce two phenomenological models to describe the first-principles data. The minimal model comprises the graphene (effective) pz orbitals and can be used to study transport in graphene with proximity exchange, while the pz-d model also includes hybridization with d orbitals, which is important to capture the giant proximity exchange. Crucial to both models is the pseudospin-dependent exchange coupling, needed to describe the different spin splittings of the valence and conduction bands.

Prostaglandin D2 effects and DP1 /DP2 receptor distribution in guinea pig urinary bladder out-flow region.

PubMed

Guan, Na N; Svennersten, Karl; de Verdier, Petra J; Wiklund, N Peter; Gustafsson, Lars E

2017-02-01

The proximal urethra and urinary bladder trigone play important roles in continence. We have previously shown that PGD 2 is released from guinea pig bladder urothelium/suburothelium and can inhibit detrusor contractile responses. We presently wished to investigate PGD 2 actions in guinea pig out-flow region and the distribution of DP 1 /DP 2 receptors. The effects of PGD 2 on urothelium-intact trigone and proximal urethra contractility were studied in organ bath experiments. Expression of DP 1 /DP 2 receptor proteins was analysed by western blot. Immunohistochemistry was used to identify distribution of DP 1 /DP 2 receptors. PGD 2 in a dose-dependent manner inhibited trigone contractions induced by electrical field stimulation (EFS) and inhibited spontaneous contractions of the proximal urethra. PGD 2 was equally (trigone) or slightly less potent (urethra) compared with PGE 2 . Expression of DP 1 and DP 2 receptors was found in male guinea pig bladder trigone, neck and proximal urethra. In the trigone and proximal urethra, DP 1 receptors were found on the membrane of smooth muscle cells and weak immunoreactivty was observed in the urothelium. DP 2 receptors were distributed more widespread, weakly and evenly in the urothelium and smooth muscles. Inhibitory effects by PGD 2 on motor activity of guinea pig trigone and proximal urethra are consistent with finding DP 1 and DP 2 receptors located in the urothelium and smooth muscle cells of the trigone and proximal urethra, and PGD 2 may therefore be a modulator of the bladder out-flow region, possibly having a function in regulation of micturition and a role in overactive bladder syndrome. © 2016 The Authors. Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd and Foundation for Cellular and Molecular Medicine.

Effect of a feed/fast protocol on pH in the proximal equine stomach.

PubMed

Husted, L; Sanchez, L C; Baptiste, K E; Olsen, S N

2009-09-01

Risk factors for the development of gastric squamous ulcers include various management procedures, such as intermittent feed deprivation that can occur during weight management regimens or stall and dry lot confinement. To investigate the effect of intermittent feed deprivation relative to continuous feed intake on proximal intragastric pH, specifically in the region of the squamous mucosa of the lesser curvature. In 6 horses, pH electrodes were placed just inside of the oesophageal sphincter in the stomach for each of two 72 h protocols (A and B) in a randomised, cross-over design. Protocol A consisted of 12 h fed, 12 h fasted, 24 h fed and 24 h fasted, in sequence. Protocol B consisted of 72 h fed. During the fed periods of each protocol, horses had ad libitum access to coastal Bermuda hay and were fed sweet feed (1 kg, b.i.d.). Horses had ad libitum access to water at all times. Proximal intragastric pH was significantly lower during protocol A, than during protocol B. However, hourly mean pH was significantly different only during the day and evening hours between protocols. During protocol B, mean proximal pH decreased significantly from 03.00 to 09.00 compared to 19.00 to 23.00 h. A moderate positive correlation of hay intake vs. proximal gastric pH could be established. Intermittent feed deprivation decreased proximal gastric pH in horses relative to those horses for which feed was not restricted. However, the effect was only significant when fasting occurred during the day and evening hours, as a nocturnal decrease in pH occurred simultaneously in the fed horses. Episodes of daytime feed deprivation should be avoided if possible, as proximal gastric acid exposure rapidly increases during such events.

A novel angiotensin II type 1 receptor-associated protein induces cellular hypertrophy in rat vascular smooth muscle and renal proximal tubular cells.

PubMed

Guo, Deng-Fu; Tardif, Valerie; Ghelima, Karin; Chan, John S D; Ingelfinger, Julie R; Chen, XiangMei; Chenier, Isabelle

2004-05-14

Angiotensin II stimulates cellular hypertrophy in cultured vascular smooth muscle and renal proximal tubular cells. This effect is believed to be one of earliest morphological changes of heart and renal failure. However, the precise molecular mechanism involved in angiotensin II-induced hypertrophy is poorly understood. In the present study we report the isolation of a novel angiotensin II type 1 receptor-associated protein. It encodes a 531-amino acid protein. Its mRNA is detected in all human tissues examined but highly expressed in the human kidney, pancreas, heart, and human embryonic kidney cells as well as rat vascular smooth muscle and renal proximal tubular cells. Protein synthesis and relative cell size analyzed by flow cytometry studies indicate that overexpression of the novel angiotensin II type 1 receptor-associated protein induces cellular hypertrophy in cultured rat vascular smooth muscle and renal proximal tubular cells. In contrast, the hypertrophic effects was reversed in renal proximal tubular cell lines expressing the novel gene in the antisense orientation and its dominant negative mutant, which lacks the last 101 amino acids in its carboxyl-terminal tail. The hypertrophic effects are at least in part mediated via protein kinase B activation or cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, p27(kip1) protein expression level in vascular smooth muscle, and renal proximal tubular cells. Moreover, angiotensin II could not stimulate cellular hypertrophy in renal proximal tubular cells expressing the novel gene in the antisense orientation and its mutant. These findings may provide new molecular mechanisms to understand hypertrophic agents such as angiotensin II-induced cellular hypertrophy.

Characteristics of lentiviral vectors harboring the proximal promoter of the vav proto-oncogene: a weak and efficient promoter for gene therapy.

PubMed

Almarza, Elena; Río, Paula; Meza, Nestor W; Aldea, Montserrat; Agirre, Xabier; Guenechea, Guillermo; Segovia, José C; Bueren, Juan A

2007-08-01

Recent published data have shown the efficacy of gene therapy treatments of certain monogenic diseases. Risks of insertional oncogenesis, however, indicate the necessity of developing new vectors with weaker or cell-restricted promoters to minimize the trans-activation activity of integrated proviruses. We have inserted the proximal promoter of the vav proto-oncogene into self-inactivating lentiviral vectors (vav-LVs) and investigated the expression pattern and therapeutic efficacy of these vectors. Compared with other LVs frequently used in gene therapy, vav-LVs mediated a weak, though homogeneous and stable, expression in in vitro-cultured cells. Transplantation experiments using transduced mouse bone marrow and human CD34(+) cells confirmed the stable activity of the promoter in vivo. To investigate whether the weak activity of this promoter was compatible with a therapeutic effect, a LV expressing the Fanconi anemia A (FANCA) gene was constructed (vav-FANCA LV). Although this vector induced a low expression of FANCA, compared to the expression induced by a LV harboring the spleen focus-forming virus (SFFV) promoter, the two vectors corrected the phenotype of cells from a patient with FA-A with the same efficacy. We propose that self-inactivating vectors harboring weak promoters, such as the vav promoter, will improve the safety of gene therapy and will be of particular interest for the treatment of diseases where a high expression of the transgene is not required.

Trans-proximal tubular steady-state concentration differences studied by micro-puncture and tissue content of sodium and chloride at varying intraluminal sodium concentrations in vitro in rat kidney cortex slices: evidence for a multisite sodium transport system.

PubMed Central

Györy, A Z; Roby, H

1977-01-01

1. With the aid of micropuncture techniques, proximal tubular transepithelial concentration differences for Na (deltaC Na) and chloride (deltaC Cl) were measured in kidney cortex slices at bathing fluid Na concentrations from 10 to 400 m-mole. kg-1. Tissue content of water, Na and K was also measured in such slices. Under steady-state conditions of zero net flux of NaCl and water, deltaC Na represents the sum of active Na transport, factored by the tubular permeability coefficient added to a component of flux due to electrical forces. 2. The relation between bathing fluid Na concentraton and deltaC Na appeared sigmoid in form suggesting an allosteric mechanism for the transport step. 3. Transtubular potential difference, calculated from transepithelial Cl distribution ratios, did not appear constant at the various bathing fluid Na concentrations. Correcting for the effect of these potential differences on the value of each deltaC Na did not convert the sigmoid transport curve to a hyperbolic one, confirming the suggested allosteric nature of the active Na transport step. 4. Intracellular Na content varied linearly with bathing fluid Na concentrations implying free entry of this cation into the cell. This also suggests that the sigmoid transport curve is related to the properties of the active Na transport pump. PMID:856986

Teaching enthesis ultrasound: experience of an ultrasound training workshop.

PubMed

Miguel, Cláudia; De Miguel, Eugenio; Batlle-Gualda, Enrique; Rejón, Eduardo; Lojo, Leticia

2012-12-01

To evaluate a standardised enthesis ultrasound training method, a workshop was conducted to train rheumatologists on enthesis ultrasound. After a theoretical session about ultrasound elementary enthesis lesions (changes in tendon architecture/thickness, bone proliferation/erosion, bursitis or Doppler signal), a reading exercise of 28 entheses' ultrasonographic images (plantar fasciae, Achilles, origin and insertion of patellar tendon) was completed. Participants scored through an electronic multiple-choice device with six possible lesions in each enthesis. To assess the adequacy and efficacy of the workshop, we explored the following: (1) subjective outcomes: a 12-item structured satisfaction questionnaire (graded 1-5 using Likert scale) and (2) objective outcomes of reliability: sensitivity (Se), specificity (Sp) and percentage of correctly classified cases (CC). Forty-nine participants attended the workshop. The satisfaction questionnaire demonstrated a 4.7 mean global value. The inter-reader Kappa reliability coefficient was moderate for the plantar fascia (0.47), Achilles tendon (0.47), and distal patellar tendons (0.50) and good for the proximal patellar tendon (0.63). The whole group means comparing to teachers' consensus were as follows: (a) plantar fascia: Se, 73.2%; Sp, 87.7%; CC, 83.3%; (b) Achilles: Se, 66.9%; Sp, 85.0%; CC, 79.5%; (c) distal patellar tendon: Se, 74.6%; Sp, 85.3%; CC, 82.1%; and (d) proximal patellar tendon: Se, 82.2%; Sp, 90.6%; CC, 88%. The proposed learning method seemed to be simple, easily performed, effective and well accepted by the target audience.

Is the corticomedullary index valid to distinguish human from nonhuman bones: a multislice computed tomography study.

PubMed

Rérolle, Camille; Saint-Martin, Pauline; Dedouit, Fabrice; Rousseau, Hervé; Telmon, Norbert

2013-09-10

The first step in the identification process of bone remains is to determine whether they are of human or nonhuman origin. This issue may arise when only a fragment of bone is available, as the species of origin is usually easily determined on a complete bone. The present study aims to assess the validity of a morphometric method used by French forensic anthropologists to determine the species of origin: the corticomedullary index (CMI), defined by the ratio of the diameter of the medullary cavity to the total diameter of the bone. We studied the constancy of the CMI from measurements made on computed tomography images (CT scans) of different human bones, and compared our measurements with reference values selected in the literature. The measurements obtained on CT scans at three different sites of 30 human femurs, 24 tibias, and 24 fibulas were compared between themselves and with the CMI reference values for humans, pigs, dogs and sheep. Our results differed significantly from these reference values, with three exceptions: the proximal quarter of the femur and mid-fibular measurements for the human CMI, and the proximal quarter of the tibia for the sheep CMI. Mid-tibial, mid-femoral, and mid-fibular measurements also differed significantly between themselves. Only 22.6% of CT scans of human bones were correctly identified as human. We concluded that the CMI is not an effective method for determining the human origin of bone remains. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Voxel-based modeling and quantification of the proximal femur using inter-subject registration of quantitative CT images.

PubMed

Li, Wenjun; Kezele, Irina; Collins, D Louis; Zijdenbos, Alex; Keyak, Joyce; Kornak, John; Koyama, Alain; Saeed, Isra; Leblanc, Adrian; Harris, Tamara; Lu, Ying; Lang, Thomas

2007-11-01

We have developed a general framework which employs quantitative computed tomography (QCT) imaging and inter-subject image registration to model the three-dimensional structure of the hip, with the goal of quantifying changes in the spatial distribution of bone as it is affected by aging, drug treatment or mechanical unloading. We have adapted rigid and non-rigid inter-subject registration techniques to transform groups of hip QCT scans into a common reference space and to construct composite proximal femoral models. We have applied this technique to a longitudinal study of 16 astronauts who on average, incurred high losses of hip bone density during spaceflights of 4-6 months on the International Space Station (ISS). We compared the pre-flight and post-flight composite hip models, and observed the gradients of the bone loss distribution. We performed paired t-tests, on a voxel by voxel basis, corrected for multiple comparisons using false discovery rate (FDR), and observed regions inside the proximal femur that showed the most significant bone loss. To validate our registration algorithm, we selected the 16 pre-flight scans and manually marked 4 landmarks for each scan. After registration, the average distance between the mapped landmarks and the corresponding landmarks in the target scan was 2.56 mm. The average error due to manual landmark identification was 1.70 mm.

Efficient Proximity Computation Techniques Using ZIP Code Data for Smart Cities †

PubMed Central

Murdani, Muhammad Harist; Hong, Bonghee

2018-01-01

In this paper, we are interested in computing ZIP code proximity from two perspectives, proximity between two ZIP codes (Ad-Hoc) and neighborhood proximity (Top-K). Such a computation can be used for ZIP code-based target marketing as one of the smart city applications. A naïve approach to this computation is the usage of the distance between ZIP codes. We redefine a distance metric combining the centroid distance with the intersecting road network between ZIP codes by using a weighted sum method. Furthermore, we prove that the results of our combined approach conform to the characteristics of distance measurement. We have proposed a general and heuristic approach for computing Ad-Hoc proximity, while for computing Top-K proximity, we have proposed a general approach only. Our experimental results indicate that our approaches are verifiable and effective in reducing the execution time and search space. PMID:29587366

Efficient Proximity Computation Techniques Using ZIP Code Data for Smart Cities †.

PubMed

Murdani, Muhammad Harist; Kwon, Joonho; Choi, Yoon-Ho; Hong, Bonghee

2018-03-24

In this paper, we are interested in computing ZIP code proximity from two perspectives, proximity between two ZIP codes ( Ad-Hoc ) and neighborhood proximity ( Top-K ). Such a computation can be used for ZIP code-based target marketing as one of the smart city applications. A naïve approach to this computation is the usage of the distance between ZIP codes. We redefine a distance metric combining the centroid distance with the intersecting road network between ZIP codes by using a weighted sum method. Furthermore, we prove that the results of our combined approach conform to the characteristics of distance measurement. We have proposed a general and heuristic approach for computing Ad-Hoc proximity, while for computing Top-K proximity, we have proposed a general approach only. Our experimental results indicate that our approaches are verifiable and effective in reducing the execution time and search space.

Race, Gender and Reciprocity Effects on Friendship Similarity during Early Adolescence.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Clark, M. L.; Ayers, Marla

One hundred and thirty-six 7th and 8th graders were studied in order to investigate the effects of race, gender, and reciprocity on friendship similarity and proximity in early adolescence. Six measures were administered to participants to obtain data on their friendship choices, friendship proximity, degree of friendship satisfaction and…

REGIONAL SEISMIC AMPLITUDE MODELING AND TOMOGRAPHY FOR EARTHQUAKE-EXPLOSION DISCRIMINATION

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Walter, W R; Pasyanos, M E; Matzel, E

2008-07-08

We continue exploring methodologies to improve earthquake-explosion discrimination using regional amplitude ratios such as P/S in a variety of frequency bands. Empirically we demonstrate that such ratios separate explosions from earthquakes using closely located pairs of earthquakes and explosions recorded on common, publicly available stations at test sites around the world (e.g. Nevada, Novaya Zemlya, Semipalatinsk, Lop Nor, India, Pakistan, and North Korea). We are also examining if there is any relationship between the observed P/S and the point source variability revealed by longer period full waveform modeling (e. g. Ford et al 2008). For example, regional waveform modeling showsmore » strong tectonic release from the May 1998 India test, in contrast with very little tectonic release in the October 2006 North Korea test, but the P/S discrimination behavior appears similar in both events using the limited regional data available. While regional amplitude ratios such as P/S can separate events in close proximity, it is also empirically well known that path effects can greatly distort observed amplitudes and make earthquakes appear very explosion-like. Previously we have shown that the MDAC (Magnitude Distance Amplitude Correction, Walter and Taylor, 2001) technique can account for simple 1-D attenuation and geometrical spreading corrections, as well as magnitude and site effects. However in some regions 1-D path corrections are a poor approximation and we need to develop 2-D path corrections. Here we demonstrate a new 2-D attenuation tomography technique using the MDAC earthquake source model applied to a set of events and stations in both the Middle East and the Yellow Sea Korean Peninsula regions. We believe this new 2-D MDAC tomography has the potential to greatly improve earthquake-explosion discrimination, particularly in tectonically complex regions such as the Middle East. Monitoring the world for potential nuclear explosions requires characterizing seismic events and discriminating between natural and man-made seismic events, such as earthquakes and mining activities, and nuclear weapons testing. We continue developing, testing, and refining size-, distance-, and location-based regional seismic amplitude corrections to facilitate the comparison of all events that are recorded at a particular seismic station. These corrections, calibrated for each station, reduce amplitude measurement scatter and improve discrimination performance. We test the methods on well-known (ground truth) datasets in the U.S. and then apply them to the uncalibrated stations in Eurasia, Africa, and other regions of interest to improve underground nuclear test monitoring capability.« less

Magnetic field influence on the proximity effect at YB a2C u3O7/L a2 /3C a1 /3Mn O3 superconductor/half-metal interfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Visani, C.; Cuellar, F.; Pérez-Muñoz, A.; Sefrioui, Z.; León, C.; Santamaría, J.; Villegas, Javier E.

2015-07-01

We experimentally study the superconducting proximity effect in high-temperature superconductor/half-metallic ferromagnet YB a2C u3O7/L a2 /3C a1 /3Mn O3 junctions, using conductance measurements. In particular, we investigate the magnetic-field dependence of the spectroscopic signatures that evidence the long-range penetration of superconducting correlations into the half-metal. Those signatures are insensitive to the applied field when this is below the ferromagnet's saturation fields, which demonstrates that they are uncorrelated with its macroscopic magnetization. However, the application of more intense fields progressively washes away the fingerprint of long-range proximity effects. This is consistent with the fact that the well-known magnetic inhomogeneities at the c -axis YB a2C u3O7/L a2 /3C a1 /3Mn O3 interface play a role in the proximity behavior.

A micropuncture study of the effect of parathyroid hormone on renal bicarbonate reabsorption.

PubMed Central

Bank, N; Aynediian, H S

1976-01-01

Renal micropuncture and clearance experiments were carried out in rats to study the effect of parathyroid hormone (PTH) on renal tubular HCO-/3 reabsorption. The rats were studied during an initial period of parathyroid deficiency (acute thyroidparathyroidectomy, TPTX) and during infusion of large amounts of bovine PTH. Under normal acid-base conditions, PTH administration to TPTX rats caused a significant rise in proximal tubular fluid HCO-/3 concentration (TFHCO-/3), a decrease in fluid reabsorption, and a fall in proximal HCO-/3 reabsorption from 94.0 to 88.2% (P less than 0.01). In control experiments with mannitol infusion, a comparable reduction in proximal fluid reabsorption occurred without any significant effect on intraluminal HCO-/3 concentration. During acute intravenous HCO-/3 loading, PTH inhibited proximal HCO-/3 reabsorption. However, no change in whole kidney HCO-/3 reabsorption was observed in these experiments or in the animals studied under normal acid-base conditions. The findings are consistent with the view that PTH inhibits proximal tubular HCO-/3 reabsorption with normal or high filtered loads of HCO-/3, but distal segments of the nephron are able to reabsorb the excess delivered from the proximal tubule. Measurements of urinary ammonium and titratable acid indicate that net acid excretion (NH+/4 + TA -- HCO-/3) increases significantly after PTH administration. These results do not provide support for the view that PTH excess causes metabolic acidosis by reducing renal acid excretion. PMID:956369

Surgical approach to posterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysms.

PubMed

La Pira, Biagia; Sturiale, Carmelo Lucio; Della Pepa, Giuseppe Maria; Albanese, Alessio

2018-02-01

The far-lateral is a standardised approach to clip aneurysms of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA). Different variants can be adopted to manage aneurysms that differ in morphology, topography, ruptured status, cerebellar swelling and surgeon preference. We distinguished five paradigmatic approaches aimed to manage aneurysms that are: proximal unruptured; proximal ruptured requiring posterior fossa decompression (PFD); proximal ruptured not requiring PFD; distal unruptured; distal ruptured. Preoperative planning in the setting of PICA aneurysm surgery is of paramount importance to perform an effective and safe procedure, to ensure an adequate PFD and optimal proximal control before aneurysm manipulation.

The effect of proximity on open-loop accommodation responses measured with pinholes.

PubMed

Morrison, K A; Seidel, D; Strang, N C; Gray, L S

2010-07-01

Open-loop accommodation levels were measured in 41 healthy, young subjects using a Shin-Nippon SRW-5000 autorefractor in the three viewing conditions: a small physical pinhole pupil (SP), an optically projected pinhole in Maxwellian view (MV) and in the dark (DF). The target viewed through the pinholes was a high-contrast letter presented at 0 D vergence in a +5 D Badal lens system. Overall, results showed that SP open-loop accommodation levels were significantly higher than MV and DF levels. Subjects could be divided into two distinct subgroups according to their response behaviour: responders to the proximal effect of the small physical pinhole (SP accommodation > MV accommodation) and non-responders to the proximal effect of the small physical pinhole (SP accommodation approximately MV accommodation). Correlation analysis demonstrated that open-loop accommodation for both pinhole conditions was correlated with DF for the responders, while for the non-responders SP and MV accommodation were correlated, but were not related to DF accommodation. This suggests that under open-loop conditions some individuals' accommodation levels are mainly affected by proximal and cognitive factors (responders) while others are guided primarily by the presence of the more distal target (non-responders). In conclusion, MV reduces the proximal effect of the physical pinhole and produces open-loop accommodation responses which are more consistent than SP and DF responses.

0.25-μm lithography using a 50-kV shaped electron-beam vector scan system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gesley, Mark A.; Mulera, Terry; Nurmi, C.; Radley, J.; Sagle, Allan L.; Standiford, Keith P.; Tan, Zoilo C. H.; Thomas, John R.; Veneklasen, Lee

1995-05-01

Performance data from a prototype 50 kV shaped electron-beam (e-beam) pattern generator is presented. This technology development is targeted towards 180-130 nm device design rules. It will be able to handle 1X NIST X-ray membranes, glass reduction reticles, and 4- to 8-inch wafers. The prototype system uses a planar stage adapted from the IBM EL-4 design. The electron optics is an 50 kV extension of the AEBLE%+TM) design. Lines and spaces of 0.12 micrometers with < 40 nm corner radius are resolved in 0.4 micrometers thick resist at 50 kV. This evolutionary platform will evolve further to include a new 100 kV column with telecentric deflection and a 21-bit (0.5 mm) major field for improved placement accuracy. A unique immersion shaper, faster data path electronics, and 15-bit (32 micrometers ) minor field deflection electronics will substantially increase the flash rate. To match its much finer address structure, the pattern generator figure word size will increase from 80 to 96 bits. The data path electronics uses field programmable gate array (FPGA) logic allowing writing strategy optimization via software reconfiguration. An advanced stage position control (ASPC) includes three-axis, (lambda) /1024 interferometry and a high bandwidth dynamic corrections processor (DCP). Along with its normal role of coordinate transformation and dynamic correction of deflection distortion, astigmatism, and defocus; the DCP improves accuracy by modifying deflection conditions and focus according to measured substrate height variations. It also enables yaw calibration and correction for Write-on-the FlyTM motion. The electronics incorporates JTAG components for built-in self- test (BIST), as well as syndrome checking to ensure data integrity. The design includes diagnostic capabilities from offsite as well as from the operator console. A combination of third-party software and an internal job preparation software system is used to fracture patterns. It handles tone reversal, overlap removal, sizing, and proximity correction. Processing of large files in a commercial mask shop environment is made more efficient by retaining hierarchy and using parallel processing and data compression techniques. Large GDSIITM and MEBES data files can be processed. Data includes timing benchmarks for a 1 Gbit DRAM on both proximity and reduction reticles. The paper presents 50 kV results on silicon and quartz substrates along with examples of overlay to an external grid, field butting, and critical dimension (CD) control data. Selective experiments testing system stability, calibration accuracy, and local correction software implementation on a VAX control computer are also given.

Effects of marine reserves versus nursery habitat availability on structure of reef fish communities.

PubMed

Nagelkerken, Ivan; Grol, Monique G G; Mumby, Peter J

2012-01-01

No-take marine fishery reserves sustain commercial stocks by acting as buffers against overexploitation and enhancing fishery catches in adjacent areas through spillover. Likewise, nursery habitats such as mangroves enhance populations of some species in adjacent habitats. However, there is lack of understanding of the magnitude of stock enhancement and the effects on community structure when both protection from fishing and access to nurseries concurrently act as drivers of fish population dynamics. In this study we test the separate as well as interactive effects of marine reserves and nursery habitat proximity on structure and abundance of coral reef fish communities. Reserves had no effect on fish community composition, while proximity to nursery habitat only had a significant effect on community structure of species that use mangroves or seagrass beds as nurseries. In terms of reef fish biomass, proximity to nursery habitat by far outweighed (biomass 249% higher than that in areas with no nursery access) the effects of protection from fishing in reserves (biomass 21% lower than non-reserve areas) for small nursery fish (≤ 25 cm total length). For large-bodied individuals of nursery species (>25 cm total length), an additive effect was present for these two factors, although fish benefited more from fishing protection (203% higher biomass) than from proximity to nurseries (139% higher). The magnitude of elevated biomass for small fish on coral reefs due to proximity to nurseries was such that nursery habitats seem able to overrule the usually positive effects on fish biomass by reef reserves. As a result, conservation of nursery habitats gains importance and more consideration should be given to the ecological processes that occur along nursery-reef boundaries that connect neighboring ecosystems.

Effects of Marine Reserves versus Nursery Habitat Availability on Structure of Reef Fish Communities

PubMed Central

Nagelkerken, Ivan; Grol, Monique G. G.; Mumby, Peter J.

2012-01-01

No-take marine fishery reserves sustain commercial stocks by acting as buffers against overexploitation and enhancing fishery catches in adjacent areas through spillover. Likewise, nursery habitats such as mangroves enhance populations of some species in adjacent habitats. However, there is lack of understanding of the magnitude of stock enhancement and the effects on community structure when both protection from fishing and access to nurseries concurrently act as drivers of fish population dynamics. In this study we test the separate as well as interactive effects of marine reserves and nursery habitat proximity on structure and abundance of coral reef fish communities. Reserves had no effect on fish community composition, while proximity to nursery habitat only had a significant effect on community structure of species that use mangroves or seagrass beds as nurseries. In terms of reef fish biomass, proximity to nursery habitat by far outweighed (biomass 249% higher than that in areas with no nursery access) the effects of protection from fishing in reserves (biomass 21% lower than non-reserve areas) for small nursery fish (≤25 cm total length). For large-bodied individuals of nursery species (>25 cm total length), an additive effect was present for these two factors, although fish benefited more from fishing protection (203% higher biomass) than from proximity to nurseries (139% higher). The magnitude of elevated biomass for small fish on coral reefs due to proximity to nurseries was such that nursery habitats seem able to overrule the usually positive effects on fish biomass by reef reserves. As a result, conservation of nursery habitats gains importance and more consideration should be given to the ecological processes that occur along nursery-reef boundaries that connect neighboring ecosystems. PMID:22675474

Longitudinal Proximity Effects in Superconducting Transition-Edge Sensors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sadlier, John E.; Smith, Stephen J.; Bandler, Simon R.; Chervenak, James A.; Clem, John R.

2009-01-01

We have found experimentally that the critical current of a square thin-film superconducting transition-edge sensor (TES) depends exponentially upon the side length L and the square root of the temperature T, a behavior that has a natural theoretical explanation in terms of longitudinal proximity effects if the TES is regarded as a weak link between superconducting leads. As a consequence, the effective transition temperature T(sub c) of the TES is current-dependent and at fixed current scales as 1/L(sup 2). We also have found that the critical current can show clear Fraunhofer-like oscillations in an applied magnetic field, similar to those found in Josephson junctions. We have observed the longitudinal proximity effect in these devices over extraordinarily long lengths up to 290 micrometers, 1450 times the mean-free path.

Longitudinal Proximity Effects in Superconducting Transition-Edge Sensors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sadleir, John E.; Smith, Stephen J.; Bandler, Simon R.; Chervenak, James A.; Clem, John R.

2010-01-01

We have found experimentally that the critical current of a square thin-film superconducting transition-edge sensor (TES) depends exponentially upon the side length L and the square root of the temperature T, a behavior that has a natural theoretical explanation in terms of longitudinal proximity effects if the TES is regarded as a weak link between superconducting leads. As a consequence, the effective transition temperature T(sub c) of the TES is current-dependent and at fixed current scales as 1/L(sup 2). We also have found that the critical current can show clear Fraunhofer-like oscillations in an applied magnetic field, similar to those found in Josephson junctions. We have observed the longitudinal proximity effect in these devices over extraordinarily long lengths up to 290 micrometers, 1450 times the mean-free path.

Modeling of the Human Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma Pax3-Foxo1 Chromosome Translocation in Mouse Myoblasts Using CRISPR-Cas9 Nuclease

PubMed Central

Lagutina, Irina V.; Valentine, Virginia; Picchione, Fabrizio; Harwood, Frank; Valentine, Marcus B.; Villarejo-Balcells, Barbara; Carvajal, Jaime J.; Grosveld, Gerard C.

2015-01-01

Many recurrent chromosome translocations in cancer result in the generation of fusion genes that are directly implicated in the tumorigenic process. Precise modeling of the effects of cancer fusion genes in mice has been inaccurate, as constructs of fusion genes often completely or partially lack the correct regulatory sequences. The reciprocal t(2;13)(q36.1;q14.1) in human alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (A-RMS) creates a pathognomonic PAX3-FOXO1 fusion gene. In vivo mimicking of this translocation in mice is complicated by the fact that Pax3 and Foxo1 are in opposite orientation on their respective chromosomes, precluding formation of a functional Pax3-Foxo1 fusion via a simple translocation. To circumvent this problem, we irreversibly inverted the orientation of a 4.9 Mb syntenic fragment on chromosome 3, encompassing Foxo1, by using Cre-mediated recombination of two pairs of unrelated oppositely oriented LoxP sites situated at the borders of the syntenic region. We tested if spatial proximity of the Pax3 and Foxo1 loci in myoblasts of mice homozygous for the inversion facilitated Pax3-Foxo1 fusion gene formation upon induction of targeted CRISPR-Cas9 nuclease-induced DNA double strand breaks in Pax3 and Foxo1. Fluorescent in situ hybridization indicated that fore limb myoblasts show a higher frequency of Pax3/Foxo1 co-localization than hind limb myoblasts. Indeed, more fusion genes were generated in fore limb myoblasts via a reciprocal t(1;3), which expressed correctly spliced Pax3-Foxo1 mRNA encoding Pax3-Foxo1 fusion protein. We conclude that locus proximity facilitates chromosome translocation upon induction of DNA double strand breaks. Given that the Pax3-Foxo1 fusion gene will contain all the regulatory sequences necessary for precise regulation of its expression, we propose that CRISPR-Cas9 provides a novel means to faithfully model human diseases caused by chromosome translocation in mice. PMID:25659124

Proximity effects across oxide-interfaces of superconductor-insulator-ferromagnet hybrid heterostructure.

PubMed

Prajapat, C L; Singh, Surendra; Bhattacharya, D; Ravikumar, G; Basu, S; Mattauch, S; Zheng, Jian-Guo; Aoki, T; Paul, Amitesh

2018-02-27

A case study of electron tunneling or charge-transfer-driven orbital ordering in superconductor (SC)-ferromagnet (FM) interfaces has been conducted in heteroepitaxial YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7 (YBCO)/La 0.67 Sr 0.33 MnO 3 (LSMO) multilayers interleaved with and without an insulating SrTiO 3 (STO) layer between YBCO and LSMO. X-ray magnetic circular dichroism experiments revealed anti-parallel alignment of Mn magnetic moments and induced Cu magnetic moments in a YBCO/LSMO multilayer. As compared to an isolated LSMO layer, the YBCO/LSMO multilayer displayed a (50%) weaker Mn magnetic signal, which is related to the usual proximity effect. It was a surprise that a similar proximity effect was also observed in a YBCO/STO/LSMO multilayer, however, the Mn signal was reduced by 20%. This reduced magnetic moment of Mn was further verified by depth sensitive polarized neutron reflectivity. Electron energy loss spectroscopy experiment showed the evidence of Ti magnetic polarization at the interfaces of the YBCO/STO/LSMO multilayer. This crossover magnetization is due to a transfer of interface electrons that migrate from Ti (4+)-δ to Mn at the STO/LSMO interface and to Cu 2+ at the STO/YBCO interface, with hybridization via O 2p orbitals. So charge-transfer driven orbital ordering is the mechanism responsible for the observed proximity effect and Mn-Cu anti-parallel coupling in YBCO/STO/LSMO. This work provides an effective pathway in understanding the aspect of long range proximity effect and consequent orbital degeneracy parameter in magnetic coupling.

Transient resonances in the inspirals of point particles into black holes.

PubMed

Flanagan, Eanna E; Hinderer, Tanja

2012-08-17

We show that transient resonances occur in the two-body problem in general relativity for spinning black holes in close proximity to one another when one black hole is much more massive than the other. These resonances occur when the ratio of polar and radial orbital frequencies, which is slowly evolving under the influence of gravitational radiation reaction, passes through a low order rational number. At such points, the adiabatic approximation to the orbital evolution breaks down, and there is a brief but order unity correction to the inspiral rate. The resonances cause a perturbation to orbital phase of order a few tens of cycles for mass ratios ∼10(-6), make orbits more sensitive to changes in initial data (though not quite chaotic), and are genuine nonperturbative effects that are not seen at any order in a standard post-Newtonian expansion. Our results apply to an important potential source of gravitational waves, the gradual inspiral of white dwarfs, neutron stars, or black holes into much more massive black holes. Resonances' effects will increase the computational challenge of accurately modeling these sources.

Spatiotemporal Proximity Effects in Visual Short-Term Memory Examined by Target-Nontarget Analysis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sapkota, Raju P.; Pardhan, Shahina; van der Linde, Ian

2016-01-01

Visual short-term memory (VSTM) is a limited-capacity system that holds a small number of objects online simultaneously, implying that competition for limited storage resources occurs (Phillips, 1974). How the spatial and temporal proximity of stimuli affects this competition is unclear. In this 2-experiment study, we examined the effect of the…

Mechanism of duplex DNA destabilization by RNA-guided Cas9 nuclease during target interrogation

PubMed Central

Mekler, Vladimir; Minakhin, Leonid; Severinov, Konstantin

2017-01-01

The prokaryotic clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated 9 (Cas9) endonuclease cleaves double-stranded DNA sequences specified by guide RNA molecules and flanked by a protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) and is widely used for genome editing in various organisms. The RNA-programmed Cas9 locates the target site by scanning genomic DNA. We sought to elucidate the mechanism of initial DNA interrogation steps that precede the pairing of target DNA with guide RNA. Using fluorometric and biochemical assays, we studied Cas9/guide RNA complexes with model DNA substrates that mimicked early intermediates on the pathway to the final Cas9/guide RNA–DNA complex. The results show that Cas9/guide RNA binding to PAM favors separation of a few PAM-proximal protospacer base pairs allowing initial target interrogation by guide RNA. The duplex destabilization is mediated, in part, by Cas9/guide RNA affinity for unpaired segments of nontarget strand DNA close to PAM. Furthermore, our data indicate that the entry of double-stranded DNA beyond a short threshold distance from PAM into the Cas9/single-guide RNA (sgRNA) interior is hindered. We suggest that the interactions unfavorable for duplex DNA binding promote DNA bending in the PAM-proximal region during early steps of Cas9/guide RNA–DNA complex formation, thus additionally destabilizing the protospacer duplex. The mechanism that emerges from our analysis explains how the Cas9/sgRNA complex is able to locate the correct target sequence efficiently while interrogating numerous nontarget sequences associated with correct PAMs. PMID:28484024

Mechanism of duplex DNA destabilization by RNA-guided Cas9 nuclease during target interrogation.

PubMed

Mekler, Vladimir; Minakhin, Leonid; Severinov, Konstantin

2017-05-23

The prokaryotic clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated 9 (Cas9) endonuclease cleaves double-stranded DNA sequences specified by guide RNA molecules and flanked by a protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) and is widely used for genome editing in various organisms. The RNA-programmed Cas9 locates the target site by scanning genomic DNA. We sought to elucidate the mechanism of initial DNA interrogation steps that precede the pairing of target DNA with guide RNA. Using fluorometric and biochemical assays, we studied Cas9/guide RNA complexes with model DNA substrates that mimicked early intermediates on the pathway to the final Cas9/guide RNA-DNA complex. The results show that Cas9/guide RNA binding to PAM favors separation of a few PAM-proximal protospacer base pairs allowing initial target interrogation by guide RNA. The duplex destabilization is mediated, in part, by Cas9/guide RNA affinity for unpaired segments of nontarget strand DNA close to PAM. Furthermore, our data indicate that the entry of double-stranded DNA beyond a short threshold distance from PAM into the Cas9/single-guide RNA (sgRNA) interior is hindered. We suggest that the interactions unfavorable for duplex DNA binding promote DNA bending in the PAM-proximal region during early steps of Cas9/guide RNA-DNA complex formation, thus additionally destabilizing the protospacer duplex. The mechanism that emerges from our analysis explains how the Cas9/sgRNA complex is able to locate the correct target sequence efficiently while interrogating numerous nontarget sequences associated with correct PAMs.

Mechanism of Hyperkalemia-Induced Metabolic Acidosis.

PubMed

Harris, Autumn N; Grimm, P Richard; Lee, Hyun-Wook; Delpire, Eric; Fang, Lijuan; Verlander, Jill W; Welling, Paul A; Weiner, I David

2018-05-01

Background Hyperkalemia in association with metabolic acidosis that are out of proportion to changes in glomerular filtration rate defines type 4 renal tubular acidosis (RTA), the most common RTA observed, but the molecular mechanisms underlying the associated metabolic acidosis are incompletely understood. We sought to determine whether hyperkalemia directly causes metabolic acidosis and, if so, the mechanisms through which this occurs. Methods We studied a genetic model of hyperkalemia that results from early distal convoluted tubule (DCT)-specific overexpression of constitutively active Ste20/SPS1-related proline-alanine-rich kinase (DCT-CA-SPAK). Results DCT-CA-SPAK mice developed hyperkalemia in association with metabolic acidosis and suppressed ammonia excretion; however, titratable acid excretion and urine pH were unchanged compared with those in wild-type mice. Abnormal ammonia excretion in DCT-CA-SPAK mice associated with decreased proximal tubule expression of the ammonia-generating enzymes phosphate-dependent glutaminase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and overexpression of the ammonia-recycling enzyme glutamine synthetase. These mice also had decreased expression of the ammonia transporter family member Rhcg and decreased apical polarization of H + -ATPase in the inner stripe of the outer medullary collecting duct. Correcting the hyperkalemia by treatment with hydrochlorothiazide corrected the metabolic acidosis, increased ammonia excretion, and normalized ammoniagenic enzyme and Rhcg expression in DCT-CA-SPAK mice. In wild-type mice, induction of hyperkalemia by administration of the epithelial sodium channel blocker benzamil caused hyperkalemia and suppressed ammonia excretion. Conclusions Hyperkalemia decreases proximal tubule ammonia generation and collecting duct ammonia transport, leading to impaired ammonia excretion that causes metabolic acidosis. Copyright © 2018 by the American Society of Nephrology.

Design and Clinical Application of Proximal Humerus Memory Connector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Shuo-Gui; Zhang, Chun-Cai

2011-02-01

Treatment for comminuted proximal humerus fractures and nonunions are a substantial challenge for orthopedic surgeons. Plate and screw fixation does not provide enough stability to allow patients to begin functional exercises early after surgery. Using shape memory material nickel titanium alloy, we designed a new device for treating severe comminuted proximal humerus fractures that accommodates for the anatomical features of the proximal humerus. Twenty-two cases of comminuted fracture, malunion, and nonunion of the proximal humerus were treated with the proximal humeral memory connector (PHMC). No external fixation was needed after the operation and patients began active shoulder exercises an average of 8 days after the operation. Follow-up evaluation (mean 18.5 months) revealed that bone healing with lamellar bone formation occurred an average of 3.6 months after surgery for the fracture cases and 4.5 months after surgery for the nonunion cases. Average shoulder function was 88.5 according to the criteria of Michael Reese. PHMC is an effective new device to treat comminuted proximal humerus fractures and nonunions. The use of this device may reduce the need for shoulder joint arthroplasty.

Costs and Effectiveness of Treatment Alternatives for Proximal Caries Lesions

PubMed Central

Schwendicke, Falk; Meyer-Lueckel, Hendrik; Stolpe, Michael; Dörfer, Christof Edmund; Paris, Sebastian

2014-01-01

Objectives Invasive therapy of proximal caries lesions initiates a cascade of re-treatment cycles with increasing loss of dental hard tissue. Non- and micro-invasive treatment aim at delaying this cascade and may thus reduce both the health and economic burden of such lesions. This study compared the costs and effectiveness of alternative treatments of proximal caries lesions. Methods A Markov-process model was used to simulate the events following the treatment of a proximal posterior lesion (E2/D1) in a 20-year-old patient in Germany. We compared three interventions (non-invasive; micro-invasive using resin infiltration; invasive using composite restoration). We calculated the risk of complications of initial and possible follow-up treatments and modelled time-dependent non-linear transition probabilities. Costs were calculated based on item-fee catalogues in Germany. Monte-Carlo-microsimulations were performed to compare cost-effectiveness of non- versus micro-invasive treatment and to analyse lifetime costs of all three treatments. Results Micro-invasive treatment was both more costly and more effective than non-invasive therapy, with ceiling-value-thresholds for willingness-to-pay between 16.73 € for E2 and 1.57 € for D1 lesions. Invasive treatment was the most costly strategy. Calculated costs and effectiveness were sensitive to lesion stage, patient’s age, discounting rate and assumed initial treatment costs. Conclusions Non- and micro-invasive treatments have lower long-term costs than invasive therapy of proximal lesions. Micro-invasive therapy had the highest cost-effectiveness for treating D1 lesions in young patients. Decision makers with a willingness-to-pay over 16.73 € and 1.57 € for E2 and D1 lesions, respectively, will find micro-invasive treatment more cost-effective than non-invasive therapy. PMID:24475208

Enhanced proximity warning system (EPWS) for locomotives

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1997-10-01

The primary focus of the Enhanced Proximity Warning System (EPWS) is to provide a cost effective means to improve safety of railroad operations, with the ability to implement on an incremental, building block approach. The main safety objective...

A Synthetic Comparator Approach to Local Evaluation of School-Based Substance Use Prevention Programming.

PubMed

Hansen, William B; Derzon, James H; Reese, Eric L

2014-06-01

We propose a method for creating groups against which outcomes of local pretest-posttest evaluations of evidence-based programs can be judged. This involves assessing pretest markers for new and previously conducted evaluations to identify groups that have high pretest similarity. A database of 802 prior local evaluations provided six summary measures for analysis. The proximity of all groups using these variables is calculated as standardized proximities having values between 0 and 1. Five methods for creating standardized proximities are demonstrated. The approach allows proximity limits to be adjusted to find sufficient numbers of synthetic comparators. Several index cases are examined to assess the numbers of groups available to serve as comparators. Results show that most local evaluations would have sufficient numbers of comparators available for estimating program effects. This method holds promise as a tool for local evaluations to estimate relative effectiveness. © The Author(s) 2012.

Evolution of the postoperative sagittal spinal profile in early-onset scoliosis: is there a difference between rib-based and spine-based growth-friendly instrumentation?

PubMed

Chen, Zhonghui; Li, Song; Qiu, Yong; Zhu, Zezhang; Chen, Xi; Xu, Liang; Sun, Xu

2017-12-01

OBJECTIVE Although the vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib (VEPTR) and growing rod instrumentation (GRI) encourage spinal growth via regular lengthening, they can create different results because of their different fixation patterns and mechanisms in correcting scoliosis. Previous studies have focused comparisons on coronal plane deformity with minimal attention to the sagittal profile. In this retrospective study, the authors aimed to compare the evolution of the sagittal spinal profile in early-onset scoliosis (EOS) treated with VEPTR versus GRI. METHODS The data for 11 patients with VEPTR and 22 with GRI were reviewed. All patients had more than 2 years' follow-up with more than 2 lengthening procedures. Radiographic measurements were performed before and after the index surgery and at the latest follow-up. The complications in both groups were recorded. RESULTS Patients in both groups had similar diagnoses, age at the index surgery, and number of lengthening procedures. The changes in the major coronal Cobb angle and T1-S1 spinal height were not significantly different between the 2 groups. Compared with the GRI group, the VEPTR group had less correction in thoracic kyphosis (23% ± 12% vs 44% ± 16%, p < 0.001) after the index surgery and experienced a greater correction loss in thoracic kyphosis (46% ± 18% vs 11% ± 8%, p < 0.001) at the latest follow-up. Although the increase in the proximal junctional angle was not significantly different (VEPTR: 7° ± 4° vs GRI: 8° ± 5°, p = 0.569), the incidence of proximal junctional kyphosis was relatively lower in the VEPTR group (VEPTR: 18.2% vs GRI: 22.7%). No significant changes in the spinopelvic parameters were observed, while the sagittal vertical axis showed a tendency toward a neutral position in both groups. The overall complication rate was higher in the VEPTR group than in the GRI group (72.7% vs 54.5%). CONCLUSIONS The VEPTR had coronal correction and spinal growth results similar to those with GRI. In the sagittal plane, however, the VEPTR was not comparable to the GRI in controlling thoracic kyphosis. Thus, for hyperkyphotic EOS patients, GRI is recommended over VEPTR.

A comparison of acoustic and observed sediment classifications as predictor variables for modelling biotope distributions in Galway Bay, Ireland

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

O'Carroll, Jack P. J.; Kennedy, Robert; Ren, Lei; Nash, Stephen; Hartnett, Michael; Brown, Colin

2017-10-01

The INFOMAR (Integrated Mapping For the Sustainable Development of Ireland's Marine Resource) initiative has acoustically mapped and classified a significant proportion of Ireland's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and is likely to be an important tool in Ireland's efforts to meet the criteria of the MSFD. In this study, open source and relic data were used in combination with new grab survey data to model EUNIS level 4 biotope distributions in Galway Bay, Ireland. The correct prediction rates of two artificial neural networks (ANNs) were compared to assess the effectiveness of acoustic sediment classifications versus sediments that were visually classified by an expert in the field as predictor variables. To test for autocorrelation between predictor variables the RELATE routine with Spearman rank correlation method was used. Optimal models were derived by iteratively removing predictor variables and comparing the correct prediction rates of each model. The models with the highest correct prediction rates were chosen as optimal. The optimal models each used a combination of salinity (binary; 0 = polyhaline and 1 = euhaline), proximity to reef (binary; 0 = within 50 m and 1 = outside 50 m), depth (continuous; metres) and a sediment descriptor (acoustic or observed) as predictor variables. As the status of benthic habitats is required to be assessed under the MSFD the Ecological Status (ES) of the subtidal sediments of Galway Bay was also assessed using the Infaunal Quality Index. The ANN that used observed sediment classes as predictor variables could correctly predict the distribution of biotopes 67% of the time, compared to 63% for the ANN using acoustic sediment classes. Acoustic sediment ANN predictions were affected by local sediment heterogeneity, and the lack of a mixed sediment class. The all-round poor performance of ANNs is likely to be a result of the temporally variable and sparsely distributed data within the study area.

Role of shell corrections in the phenomenon of cluster radioactivity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaur, Mandeep; Singh, Bir Bikram; Sharma, Manoj K.

2018-05-01

The detailed investigation has been carried out to explore the role of shell corrections in the decay of various radioactive parent nuclei in trans-lead region, specifically, which lead to doubly magic 208Pb daughter nucleus through emission of clusters such as 14C, 18,20O, 22,24,26Ne, 28,30 Mg and 34S i. The fragmentation potential comprises of binding energies (BE), Coulomb potential (Vc) and nuclear or proximity potential (VP) of the decaying fragments (or clusters). It is relevant to mention here that the contributions of VLDM (T=0) and δU (T=0) in the BE have been analysed within the Strutinsky renormanlization procedure. In the framework of quantum mechanical fragmentation theory (QMFT), we have investigated the above mentioned cluster decays with and without inclusion of shell corrections in the fragmentation potential for spherical as well as non-compact oriented nuclei. We find that the experimentally observed clusters 14C, 18,20O, 22,24,26 Ne, 28,30 Mg and 34Si having doubly magic 208 Pb daughter nucleus are not strongly minimized, they do so only after the inclusion of shell corrections in the fragmentation potential. The nuclear structure information carried by the shell corrections have been explored via these calculations, within the collective clusterisation process of QMFT, in the study of ground state decay of radioactive nuclei. The role of different parts of fragmentation potentials such as VLDM, δU, Vc and Vp is dually analysed for better understanding of radioactive cluster decay.

Optical pumping of a single hole spin in a p-doped quantum dot coupled to a metallic nanoparticle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Antón, M. A.; Carreño, F.; Melle, Sonia; Calderón, Oscar G.; Cabrera-Granado, E.; Singh, Mahi R.

2013-05-01

The preparation of quantum states with a defined spin is analyzed in a hybrid system consisting of a p-doped semiconductor quantum dot (QD) coupled to a metallic nanoparticle. The quantum dot is described as a four-level atom-like system using the density matrix formalism. The lower levels are Zeeman-split hole spin states and the upper levels correspond to positively charged excitons containing a spin-up, spin-down hole pair and a spin electron. A metallic nanoparticle with spheroidal geometry is placed in close proximity to the quantum dot, and its effects are considered in the quasistatic approximation. A linearly polarized laser field drives two of the optical transitions of the QD and produces localized surface plasmons in the nanoparticle which act back upon the QD. The frequencies of these localized plasmons are very different along the two principal axes of the nanoparticle, thus producing an anisotropic modification of the spontaneous emission rates of the allowed optical transitions which is accompanied by local-field corrections. This effect translates into a preferential acceleration of some of the optical pathways and therefore into a fast initialization of the QD by excitation with a short optical pulse. The population transfer between the lower levels of the QD and the fidelity is analyzed as a function of the nanoparticle's aspect ratio, the external magnetic field, and the Rabi frequency of the driving field. It is also shown that the main effect of the local-field corrections is a lengthening of the time elapsed to reach the steady-state. The hole spin is predicted to be successfully cooled from 5 to 0.04 K at a magnetic field of 4.6 T applied in the Voigt geometry.

The Effect of Clustering on Estimations of the UV Ionizing Background from the Proximity Effect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pascarelle, S. M.; Lanzetta, K. M.; Chen, H. W.

1999-09-01

There have been several determinations of the ionizing background using the proximity effect observed in the distibution of Lyman-alpha absorption lines in the spectra of QSOs at high redshift. It is usually assumed that the distribution of lines should be the same at very small impact parameters to the QSO as it is at large impact parameters, and any decrease in line density at small impact parameters is due to ionizing radiation from the QSO. However, if these Lyman-alpha absorption lines arise in galaxies (Lanzetta et al. 1995, Chen et al. 1998), then the strength of the proximity effect may have been underestimated in previous work, since galaxies are known to cluster around QSOs. Therefore, the UV background estimations have likely been overestimated by the same factor.

Matching OPC and masks on 300-mm lithography tools utilizing variable illumination settings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Palitzsch, Katrin; Kubis, Michael; Schroeder, Uwe P.; Schumacher, Karl; Frangen, Andreas

2004-05-01

CD control is crucial to maximize product yields on 300mm wafers. This is particularly true for DRAM frontend lithography layers, like gate level, and deep trench (capacitor) level. In the DRAM process, large areas of the chip are taken up by array structures, which are difficult to structure due to aggressive pitch requirements. Consequently, the lithography process is centered such that the array structures are printed on target. Optical proximity correction is applied to print gate level structures in the periphery circuitry on target. Only slight differences of the different Zernike terms can cause rather large variations of the proximity curves, resulting in a difference of isolated and semi-isolated lines printed on different tools. If the deviations are too large, tool specific OPC is needed. The same is true for deep trench level, where the length to width ratio of elongated contact-like structures is an important parameter to adjust the electrical properties of the chip. Again, masks with specific biases for tools with different Zernikes are needed to optimize product yield. Additionally, mask making contributes to the CD variation of the process. Theoretically, the CD deviation caused by an off-centered mask process can easily eat up the majority of the CD budget of a lithography process. In practice, masks are very often distributed intelligently among production tools, such that lens and mask effects cancel each other. However, only dose adjusting and mask allocation may still result in a high CD variation with large systematical contributions. By adjusting the illumination settings, we have successfully implemented a method to reduce CD variation on our advanced processes. Especially inner and outer sigma for annular illumination, and the numerical aperture, can be optimized to match mask and stepper properties. This process will be shown to overcome slight lens and mask differences effectively. The effects on lithography process windows have to be considered, nonetheless.

SGLT2 Inhibitors: Glucotoxicity and Tumorigenesis Downstream the Renal Proximal Tubule?

PubMed

Bertinat, Romina; Nualart, Francisco; Yáñez, Alejandro J

2016-08-01

At present, diabetes mellitus is the main cause of end-stage renal disease. Effective glycaemic management is the most powerful tool to delay the establishment of diabetic complications, such as diabetic kidney disease. Together with reducing blood glucose levels, new anti-diabetic agents are expected not only to control the progression but also to restore known defects of the diabetic kidney. Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are promising anti-diabetic agents that reduce hyperglycaemia by impairing glucose reabsorption in proximal tubule of the kidney and increasing glucosuria. SGLT2 inhibitors have shown to reduce glucotoxicity in isolated proximal tubule cells and also to attenuate expression of markers of overall kidney damage in experimental animal models of diabetes, but the actual renoprotective effect for downstream nephron segments is still unknown and deserves further attention. Here, we briefly discuss possible undesired effects of enhanced glucosuria and albuminuria in nephron segments beyond the proximal tubule after SGLT2 inhibitor treatment, offering new lines of research to further understand the renoprotective action of these anti-diabetic agents. Strategies blocking glucose reabsorption by renal proximal tubule epithelial cells (RPTEC) may be protective for RPTEC, but downstream nephron segments will still be exposed to high glucose and albumin levels through the luminal face. The actual effect of constant enhanced glucosuria over distal nephron segments remains to be established. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 1635-1637, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Searching Remote Homology with Spectral Clustering with Symmetry in Neighborhood Cluster Kernels

PubMed Central

Maulik, Ujjwal; Sarkar, Anasua

2013-01-01

Remote homology detection among proteins utilizing only the unlabelled sequences is a central problem in comparative genomics. The existing cluster kernel methods based on neighborhoods and profiles and the Markov clustering algorithms are currently the most popular methods for protein family recognition. The deviation from random walks with inflation or dependency on hard threshold in similarity measure in those methods requires an enhancement for homology detection among multi-domain proteins. We propose to combine spectral clustering with neighborhood kernels in Markov similarity for enhancing sensitivity in detecting homology independent of “recent” paralogs. The spectral clustering approach with new combined local alignment kernels more effectively exploits the unsupervised protein sequences globally reducing inter-cluster walks. When combined with the corrections based on modified symmetry based proximity norm deemphasizing outliers, the technique proposed in this article outperforms other state-of-the-art cluster kernels among all twelve implemented kernels. The comparison with the state-of-the-art string and mismatch kernels also show the superior performance scores provided by the proposed kernels. Similar performance improvement also is found over an existing large dataset. Therefore the proposed spectral clustering framework over combined local alignment kernels with modified symmetry based correction achieves superior performance for unsupervised remote homolog detection even in multi-domain and promiscuous domain proteins from Genolevures database families with better biological relevance. Source code available upon request. Contact: sarkar@labri.fr. PMID:23457439

Searching remote homology with spectral clustering with symmetry in neighborhood cluster kernels.

PubMed

Maulik, Ujjwal; Sarkar, Anasua

2013-01-01

Remote homology detection among proteins utilizing only the unlabelled sequences is a central problem in comparative genomics. The existing cluster kernel methods based on neighborhoods and profiles and the Markov clustering algorithms are currently the most popular methods for protein family recognition. The deviation from random walks with inflation or dependency on hard threshold in similarity measure in those methods requires an enhancement for homology detection among multi-domain proteins. We propose to combine spectral clustering with neighborhood kernels in Markov similarity for enhancing sensitivity in detecting homology independent of "recent" paralogs. The spectral clustering approach with new combined local alignment kernels more effectively exploits the unsupervised protein sequences globally reducing inter-cluster walks. When combined with the corrections based on modified symmetry based proximity norm deemphasizing outliers, the technique proposed in this article outperforms other state-of-the-art cluster kernels among all twelve implemented kernels. The comparison with the state-of-the-art string and mismatch kernels also show the superior performance scores provided by the proposed kernels. Similar performance improvement also is found over an existing large dataset. Therefore the proposed spectral clustering framework over combined local alignment kernels with modified symmetry based correction achieves superior performance for unsupervised remote homolog detection even in multi-domain and promiscuous domain proteins from Genolevures database families with better biological relevance. Source code available upon request. sarkar@labri.fr.

An evaluation of the Iosipescu specimen for composite materials shear property measurement

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Morton, J.; Ho, H.; Tsai, M. Y.; Farley, G. L.

1992-01-01

A detailed evaluation of the suitability of the Iosipescu specimen tested in the modified Wyoming fixture is presented. A linear finite element model of the specimen is used to assess the uniformity of the shear stress field in the vicinity of the notch, and demonstrate the effect of the nonuniform stress field upon strain gage measurements used for the determination of composite shear moduli. Based upon test results from graphite-epoxy laminates, the proximity of the load introduction point to the test section and the material orthotropy greatly influence the individual gage readings, however, shear modulus determination is not significantly affected by the lack of pure shear. Correction factors are needed to allow for the nonuniformity of the strain field and the use of the average shear stress in the shear modulus evaluation. The correction factors are determined for the region occupied by the strain gage rosette. A comparison of the strain gage readings from one surface of a specimen with corresponding data from moire interferometry on the opposite face documented an extreme sensitivity of some fiber orientations to eccentric loading which induced twisting and spurious shear stress-strain curves. The discovery of specimen twisting explains the apparently inconsistent shear property data found in the literature. Recommendations for improving the reliability and accuracy of the shear modulus values are made, and the implications for shear strength measurement discussed.

Demographic, Clinical, and Geographic Predictors of Placement Disruption among Foster Care Youth Receiving Wraparound Services

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Weiner, Dana A.; Leon, Scott C.; Stiehl, Michael J.

2011-01-01

The effective delivery of wraparound depends upon the availability of a wide range of community-based services. This study seeks to determine the impact of proximity to resources on the effectiveness of a wraparound program for stabilizing foster care placements among a sample of youth. We present a methodology for deriving proximity scores for…

Memory retrieval along the proximodistal axis of CA1.

PubMed

Nakazawa, Yuki; Pevzner, Aleksandr; Tanaka, Kazumasa Z; Wiltgen, Brian J

2016-09-01

The proximal and distal segments of CA1 are thought to perform distinct computations. Neurons in proximal CA1 are reciprocally connected with the medial entorhinal cortex (MEC) and exhibit precise spatial firing. In contrast, cells in distal CA1 communicate with the lateral entorhinal cortex (LEC), exhibit more diffuse spatial firing and are affected by the presence of objects in the environment. To determine if these segments make unique contributions to memory retrieval, we examined cellular activity along the proximodistal axis of CA1 using transgenic reporter mice. Neurons tagged during context learning in proximal CA1 were more likely to be reactivated during testing than those in distal CA1. This was true following context fear conditioning and after exposure to a novel environment. Reactivation was also higher in brain regions connected to proximal CA1 (MEC, distal CA3) than those connected to the distal segment (LEC, proximal CA3). To examine contributions to memory retrieval, we performed neurotoxic lesions of proximal or distal CA1 after training. Lesions of the proximal segment significantly impaired memory retrieval while damage to distal CA1 had no effect. These data suggest that context memories are retrieved by a hippocampal microcircuit that involves the proximal but not distal segment of CA1. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Food Environments and Childhood Weight Status: Effects of Neighborhood Median Income

PubMed Central

Sharifi, Mona; Sequist, Thomas; Block, Jason; Duncan, Dustin T.; Melly, Steven J.; Rifas-Shiman, Sheryl L.; Taveras, Elsie M.

2015-01-01

Abstract Background: A key aspect of any intervention to improve obesity is to better understand the environment in which decisions are being made related to health behaviors, including the food environment. Methods: Our aim was to examine the extent to which proximity to six types of food establishments is associated with BMI z-score and explore potential effect modification of this relationship. We used geographical information software to determine proximity from 49,770 pediatric patients' residences to six types of food establishments. BMI z-score obtained from the electronic health record was the primary outcome. Results: In multivariable analyses, living in closest proximity to large (β, −0.09 units; 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.13, −0.05) and small supermarkets (−0.08 units; 95% CI, −0.11, −0.04) was associated with lower BMI z-score; living in closest proximity to fast food (0.09 units; 95% CI, 0.03, 0.15) and full-service restaurants (0.07 units; 95% CI, 0.01, 0.14) was associated with a higher BMI z-score versus those living farthest away. Neighborhood median income was an effect modifier of the relationships of convenience stores and full-service restaurants with BMI z-score. In both cases, closest proximity to these establishments had more of an adverse effect on BMI z-score in lower-income neighborhoods. Conclusions: Living closer to supermarkets and farther from fast food and full-service restaurants was associated with lower BMI z-score. Neighborhood median income was an effect modifier; convenience stores and full-service restaurants had a stronger adverse effect on BMI z-score in lower-income neighborhoods. PMID:25923838

Comparison between Free and Immobilized Ion Effects on Hydrophobic Interactions: A Molecular Dynamics Study.

PubMed

Huang, Kai; Gast, Sebastian; Ma, C Derek; Abbott, Nicholas L; Szlufarska, Izabela

2015-10-15

Fundamental studies of the effect of specific ions on hydrophobic interactions are driven by the need to understand phenomena such as hydrophobically driven self-assembly or protein folding. Using β-peptide-inspired nanorods, we investigate the effects of both free ions (dissolved salts) and proximally immobilized ions on hydrophobic interactions. We find that the free ion effect is correlated with the water density fluctuation near a nonpolar molecular surface, showing that such fluctuation can be an indicator of hydrophobic interactions in the case of solution additives. In the case of immobilized ion, our results demonstrate that hydrophobic interactions can be switched on and off by choosing different spatial arrangements of proximal ions on a nanorod. For globally amphiphilic nanorods, we find that the magnitude of the interaction can be further tuned using proximal ions with varying ionic sizes. In general, univalent proximal anions are found to weaken hydrophobic interactions. This is in contrast to the effect of free ions, which according to our simulations strengthen hydrophobic interactions. In addition, immobilized anions of increasing ionic size do not follow the same ordering (Hofmeister-like ranking) as free ions when it comes to their impact on hydrophobic interactions. The immobilized ion effect is not simply correlated with the water density fluctuation near the nonpolar side of the amphiphilic nanorod. We propose a molecular picture that explains the contrasting effects of immobilized versus free ions.

A non-JKL density matrix functional for intergeminal correlation between closed-shell geminals from analysis of natural orbital configuration interaction expansions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van Meer, R.; Gritsenko, O. V.; Baerends, E. J.

2018-03-01

Almost all functionals that are currently used in density matrix functional theory have been created by some a priori ansatz that generates approximations to the second-order reduced density matrix (2RDM). In this paper, a more consistent approach is used: we analyze the 2RDMs (in the natural orbital basis) of rather accurate multi-reference configuration interaction expansions for several small molecules (CH4, NH3, H2O, FH, and N2) and use the knowledge gained to generate new functionals. The analysis shows that a geminal-like structure is present in the 2RDMs, even though no geminal theory has been applied from the onset. It is also shown that the leading non-geminal dynamical correlation contributions are generated by a specific set of double excitations. The corresponding determinants give rise to non-JKL (non Coulomb/Exchange like) multipole-multipole dispersive attractive terms between geminals. Due to the proximity of the geminals, these dispersion terms are large and cannot be omitted, proving pure JKL functionals to be essentially deficient. A second correction emerges from the observation that the "normal" geminal-like exchange between geminals breaks down when one breaks multiple bonds. This problem can be fixed by doubling the exchange between bond broken geminals, effectively restoring the often physically correct high-spin configurations on the bond broken fragments. Both of these corrections have been added to the commonly used antisymmetrized product of strongly orthogonal geminals functional. The resulting non-JKL functional Extended Löwdin-Shull Dynamical-Multibond is capable of reproducing complete active space self-consistent field curves, in which one active orbital is used for each valence electron.

Impinging laminar jets at moderate Reynolds numbers and separation distances.

PubMed

Bergthorson, Jeffrey M; Sone, Kazuo; Mattner, Trent W; Dimotakis, Paul E; Goodwin, David G; Meiron, Dan I

2005-12-01

An experimental and numerical study of impinging, incompressible, axisymmetric, laminar jets is described, where the jet axis of symmetry is aligned normal to the wall. Particle streak velocimetry (PSV) is used to measure axial velocities along the centerline of the flow field. The jet-nozzle pressure drop is measured simultaneously and determines the Bernoulli velocity. The flow field is simulated numerically by an axisymmetric Navier-Stokes spectral-element code, an axisymmetric potential-flow model, and an axisymmetric one-dimensional stream-function approximation. The axisymmetric viscous and potential-flow simulations include the nozzle in the solution domain, allowing nozzle-wall proximity effects to be investigated. Scaling the centerline axial velocity by the Bernoulli velocity collapses the experimental velocity profiles onto a single curve that is independent of the nozzle-to-plate separation distance. Axisymmetric direct numerical simulations yield good agreement with experiment and confirm the velocity profile scaling. Potential-flow simulations reproduce the collapse of the data; however, viscous effects result in disagreement with experiment. Axisymmetric one-dimensional stream-function simulations can predict the flow in the stagnation region if the boundary conditions are correctly specified. The scaled axial velocity profiles are well characterized by an error function with one Reynolds-number-dependent parameter. Rescaling the wall-normal distance by the boundary-layer displacement-thickness-corrected diameter yields a collapse of the data onto a single curve that is independent of the Reynolds number. These scalings allow the specification of an analytical expression for the velocity profile of an impinging laminar jet over the Reynolds number range investigated of .

The preclinical sheep model of high tibial osteotomy relating basic science to the clinics: standards, techniques and pitfalls.

PubMed

Pape, Dietrich; Madry, Henning

2013-01-01

To develop a preclinical large animal model of high tibial osteotomy to study the effect of axial alignment on the lower extremity on specific issues of the knee joint, such as in articular cartilage repair, development of osteoarthritis and meniscal lesions. Preoperative planning, surgical procedure and postoperative care known from humans were adapted to develop a HTO model in the adult sheep. Thirty-five healthy, skeletally mature, female Merino sheep between 2 and 4 years of age underwent a HTO of their right tibia in a medial open-wedge technique inducing a normal (group 1) and an excessive valgus alignment (group 2) and a closed-wedge technique (group 3) inducing a varus alignment with the aim of elucidating the effect of limb alignment on cartilage repair in vivo. Animals were followed up for 6 months. Solid bone healing and maintenance of correction are most likely if the following surgical principles are respected: (1) medial and longitudinal approach to the proximal tibia; (2) biplanar osteotomy to increase initial rotatory stability regardless of the direction of correction; (3) small, narrow but long implant with locking screws; (4) posterior plate placement to avoid slope changes; (5) use of bicortical screws to account for the brittle bone of the tibial head and to avoid tibial head displacement. Although successful high tibial osteotomy in sheep is complex, the sheep may--because of its similarities with humans--serve as an elegant model to induce axial malalignment in a clinically relevant environment, and osteotomy healing under challenging mechanical conditions.

Superconducting proximity effect in MBE grown Nb-InAs junctions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kan, Carolyn; Xue, Chi; Law, Stephanie; Eckstein, James

2013-03-01

Several proposals for the realization of Majorana fermions rely on excellent quality proximity coupling between a superconductor and a high-mobility semiconductor. We examine the long-range proximity coupling between MBE-grown InAs and in situ grown superconducting overlayers by fabricating transport devices, and investigate the effect of substrate choice and growth conditions on the quality of the MBE InAs. GaAs is commonly available as a high quality insulating substrate. Overcoming its lattice mismatch with InAs using GaSb and AlSb layers results in locally smooth terraced surfaces, but global spiral dislocation structures also appear and have a negative impact on the InAs mobility. Growing InAs on homoepitaxial GaSb results in improved morphology and increases the mean free path. We compare the proximity effect in devices made both ways. This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Division of Materials Sciences under Award No. DE-FG02 07ER46453, through the Frederick Seitz Materials Research Laboratory at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Close proximity electrostatic effect from small clusters of emitters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dall'Agnol, Fernando F.; de Assis, Thiago A.

2017-10-01

Using a numerical simulation based on the finite-element technique, this work investigates the field emission properties from clusters of a few emitters at close proximity, by analyzing the properties of the maximum local field enhancement factor (γm ) and the corresponding emission current. At short distances between the emitters, we show the existence of a nonintuitive behavior, which consists of the increasing of γm as the distance c between the emitters decreases. Here we investigate this phenomenon for clusters with 2, 3, 4 and 7 identical emitters and study the influence of the proximity effect in the emission current, considering the role of the aspect ratio of the individual emitters. Importantly, our results show that peripheral emitters with high aspect-ratios in large clusters can, in principle, significantly increase the emitted current as a consequence only of the close proximity electrostatic effect (CPEE). This phenomenon can be seen as a physical mechanism to produce self-oscillations of individual emitters. We discuss new insights for understanding the nature of self-oscillations in emitters based on the CPEE, including applications to nanometric oscillators.

Posttraumatic stress and depressive symptoms in a college population one year after the September 11 attacks: the effect of proximity.

PubMed

Blanchard, Edward B; Rowell, Dianna; Kuhn, Eric; Rogers, Rebecca; Wittrock, David

2005-01-01

As a follow-up to our earlier report [Behav. Res. Ther., in press] on the level of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), depressive symptoms, and frequency of diagnoses of probable posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among college students at three public universities (Albany, NY, Augusta, GA, and Fargo, ND) resulting from the September 11, 2001. Terrorist attacks, we surveyed comparable groups of students (total, n = 1313) from these three institutions in the weeks following the first anniversary (2002) of the attacks. We found proximity effects (Albany higher than Augusta which was higher than Fargo) for PTSS and depressive symptoms but not for frequency of diagnoses of probable PTSD. Within the Albany site data, proximity of county of residence to New York City (NYC) also showed a proximity effect on PTSS. Although depressive symptoms were significantly different in 2002 versus 2001, the arithmetic differences in PTSS or in frequency of diagnoses of probable PTSD were not significant. The September 11 attacks continued to exert a psychic toll on college students even a year later.

Proximal hypospadias repair with bladder mucosal graft: Our 10 years experience.

PubMed

Lanciotti, Michele; Betti, Marta; Elia, Antonio; Landi, Luca; Taverna, Maria; Cini, Chiara; Masieri, Lorenzo

2017-06-01

A great variety of different surgical techniques has been described for proximal hypospadias repair and an ideal tissue has not been determined yet. We present our 10 years of surgical experience using a bladder mucosal graft for urethroplasty. Bladder mucosal graft urethroplasty was performed between 2005 and 2015 in 50 patients with severe proximal hypospadias. The mean age of patients was 45.1 months (range 24-164 months). Hypospadias were perineal in 18 patients, scrotal in 22, and penoscrotal in 10. In all cases a chordee correction was performed and median time between the first and the second stages was 12 months (mean 17 months, range 4-68 months). Both foley catheter and a suprapubic cystostomy were positioned and maintained for 2-4 weeks. Follow-up was performed at 1-3 and 6-12 months after surgery, and afterwards annually with clinical examination and flowmetry test. Mean follow-up was 5.3 years (median 5, range 1-10 years). Mean graft length was 57.4 mm (median 55 mm, range 35-85 mm). Among all the only early complication registered was a postoperative infection in one patient (2%) at the site of anastomosis. The long-term complications observed were urethrocutaneous fistula in nine patients (18%), urethral stricture in 15 patients (30%), meatal stricture in four patients (8%), and prolapse of meatus in seven patients (14%). The mean time of complication occurrence was 15 months (median 15.5 months, range 1-96 months). The functional and cosmetic appearance after surgery was satisfactory in 42/50 patients (84%) during the follow-up period. There is still an open debate regarding the optimal surgical approach for management of severe proximal hypospadias. Compared with other approaches, our technique showed acceptable results even though encumbered by slightly higher complication rates. Our results show that bladder mucosal graft for primary severe proximal hypospadias in selected patients is a possible alternative to other commonly used techniques, with the aim of restoring recovery of the normal continuity of the distal urinary tract see figure below. Copyright © 2017 Journal of Pediatric Urology Company. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Magnetic Proximity Effect in a Transferred Topological Insulator Thin Film on a Magnetic Insulator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Che, Xiaoyu; Murata, Koichi; Pan, Lei; He, Qinglin; Yin, Gen; Fan, Yabin; Bi, Lei; Wang, Kang Lung

Exotic physical phenomena such as the quantum anomalous Hall effect (QAHE) arise by breaking the time-reversal symmetry (TRS) in topological insulators. However, substantial efforts have been made in improving the temperature for realizing the QAHE via magnetically doping, while the proximity coupling is another approach to develop the magnetic order without the introduction of additional carriers or the presence of local Fermi level fluctuation. Here we demonstrate the experimental signature of magnetic proximity effect in a molecular beam epitaxy-grown TI thin film of Bi2Se3 transferred to a magnetic substrate of yttrium iron garnet using a wet transfer technique. Comparing to the TI/GaAs control sample, the magnetic order is manifested by the anomalous Hall effect in magneto-transport characterization. Furthermore, due to TRS breaking by the proximity effect we observed a constituent weak localization component accompanied with the weak antilocalization behavior. The present work takes a step further toward realizing QAHE at higher temperature and opens up a new path in TI device designs for applications. We acknowledge the support from the ARO program under contract 15-1-10561, the SHINES Center under Award # S000686, NSF DMR-1350122, and the FAME Center, one of six centers of STARnet, sponsored by MARCO and DARPA.

Association of Dietary Quercetin with Reduced Risk of Proximal Colon Cancer

PubMed Central

Djuric, Zora; Severson, Richard K.; Kato, Ikuko

2012-01-01

Quercetin is a flavonol that appears to be protective against several cancers, but its possible role in prevention of colorectal cancer is not yet well studied. We evaluated dietary intakes of quercetin and risk of colorectal cancer in a large case-control study conducted in Metropolitan Detroit, MI (n = 2664). The protective effects of quercetin intake, as assessed by food frequency questionnaire, were confined to risk of proximal colon cancer. Stratified analyses showed that the protective effects of quercetin on risk of proximal colon cancer were significant only when fruit intake or the Healthy Eating Index score were high, or when tea intake was low, with odds ratios (OR) for the highest versus the lowest quartile = 0.49, 0.44, and 0.51, respectively. Increased quercetin intake had no protective effects when tea intake was high. Interestingly, increased intake of quercetin was associated with increased risk of distal colon cancer when total fruit intake was low (OR for the highest versus the lowest quartile = 1.99). These results suggest that quercetin can have disparate effects on colon cancer risk depending on whether dietary intakes of fruit or tea are high, and that quercetin had protective effects only on proximal, not distal, colon cancer. PMID:22429001

Hunger and microbiology: is a low gastric acid-induced bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine a contributor to malnutrition in developing countries?

PubMed

Sarker, Shafiqul A; Ahmed, Tahmeed; Brüssow, Harald

2017-09-01

Underproduction of hydrochloric acid into the stomach is frequently encountered in subjects from developing countries. We explore the hypothesis that hypochlorhydria compromises the gastric barrier and favours bacterial overgrowth in the proximal parts of the small intestine where nutrient absorption takes place. Food calories are thus deviated into bacterial metabolism. In addition to an adequate caloric supply, correcting hypochlorhydria might be needed to decrease childhood malnutrition. © 2017 The Authors. Microbial Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd and Society for Applied Microbiology.

A Hydrostratigraphic Framework Model and Alternatives for the Groundwater Flow and Contaminant Transport Model of Corrective Action Unit 98: Frenchman Flat, Clark, Lincoln and Nye Counties, Nevada

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bechtel Nevada

2005-09-01

A new, revised three-dimensional (3-D) hydrostratigraphic framework model for Frenchman Flat was completed in 2004. The area of interest includes Frenchman Flat, a former nuclear testing area at the Nevada Test Site, and proximal areas. Internal and external reviews of an earlier (Phase I) Frenchman Flat model recommended additional data collection to address uncertainties. Subsequently, additional data were collected for this Phase II initiative, including five new drill holes and a 3-D seismic survey.

Salvage reconstruction of failed interposition arthroplasty at the base of the thumb.

PubMed

Braun, Richard M; Rechnic, Mark; Shah, Kalpit N

2012-12-01

We present an operative procedure designed to revise a failed arthroplasty at the base of the thumb. This report describes a reliable operation that corrects residual instability and malignment which results in thumbs that are weak and painful despite a previous procedure. The operation has also been used as a primary procedure for arthritis of the trapeziometacarpal joint where instability and subluxation was a major component of the problem requiring joint reconstruction. The unique features of this procedure include a reinforced double-thickness tendon graft, a unique tendon anchor, and a fascia lata allograft spacer. Significant functional improvement is anticipated when joint reconstruction provides increased proximal stability. Pinch and grip measurements improve. Pain scores also diminish after the operation. Hand function and patient satisfaction can be substantially improved with revision arthroplasty when the initial operation has failed to provide a thumb that is mobile, stable, and pain free. The technical features of the procedure address reduction of malignment, restoring of anatomic balance, and secure fixation of the proximal apex of the thumb metacarpal which restores thumb reduction position and digital balance.

Evaluating Distal and Proximal Explanations for Withdrawal: A Rejoinder to Varnum and Kwon's "The Ecology of Withdrawal".

PubMed

Norasakkunkit, Vinai; Uchida, Yukiko; Takemura, Kosuke

2017-01-01

In their 2016 commentary on our theorizing about how youth withdrawal from economic and social participation in Japanese society (i.e., NEET and Hikikomori phenomena) stems from generational inequality of economic opportunities, Varnum and Kwon correctly point out that our explanation for withdrawal is yet untested. They then offered an alternative, evolutionary psychological explanation for withdrawal in which they claim that in resource-rich ecologies like Japan, the option to withdraw from participating in society is a possible life strategy, a strategy that would be much more costly in resource-poor ecologies. While we agree with this premise, we argue that this distal explanatory framework, at least in its current form, has limits in reconciling some of the more recent cross-cultural observations, as well as well-established sociological claims about the causes of withdrawal. Thus we argue that much work remains in refining and expanding the explanatory power of more distal explanations on the issue of withdrawal. Until then, the more proximal and culture-specific explanations are probably the useful and meaningful explanations for the withdrawal phenomenon.

Is non-cavitated proximal lesion sealing an effective method for caries control in primary and permanent teeth? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PubMed

Ammari, Michelle Mikhael; Soviero, Vera Mendes; da Silva Fidalgo, Tatiana Kelly; Lenzi, Michele; Ferreira, Daniele Masterson T P; Mattos, Cláudia Trindade; de Souza, Ivete Pomarico Ribeiro; Maia, Lucianne Cople

2014-10-01

The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis on the effectiveness of sealing non-cavitated proximal caries lesions in primary and permanent teeth. Only controlled clinical trials and randomized controlled clinical trials that evaluated the effectiveness of sealing on non-cavitated proximal caries with a minimum follow-up of 12 months were included in the study. The primary outcome should be arrestment/progression of proximal caries evaluated by bitewing radiographs. A risk of bias evaluation based on the Cochrane Collaboration common scheme for bias was carried out for each study. The meta-analysis was performed on the studies considered low risk of bias and with pair-wise visual reading results through RevMan software. A comprehensive search was performed in the Systematic Electronic Databases: Pubmed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, IBI Web of Science, Lilacs, SIGLE, and on website Clinical trials.gov, through until June 2013. From 967 studies identified, 10 articles and 3 studies with partial results were assessed for eligibility. However three articles were excluded and our final sample included 10 studies. According to the risk of bias evaluation, six studies were considered "high" risk of bias, and four "low" risk of bias. The forest plot of the meta-analysis showed low heterogeneity (I(2)=29%) and a favourable outcome for the Infiltrant. The chance of caries progression when this technique was used was significantly lower (p=0.002) compared with Placebo. Our results suggest that the technique of sealing non-cavitated proximal caries seems to be effective in controlling proximal caries in the short and medium term. Further long-term randomized clinical trials are still necessary to increase this evidence. Contemporary dentistry is focused in minimally invasive approaches that prevent the destruction of sound dental tissues next to carious lesions. This paper searches for evidence of the efficacy of sealing/infiltrating non-cavitated proximal caries in arresting caries progression both in permanent and primary teeth. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Modeling oxygen consumption in the proximal tubule: effects of NHE and SGLT2 inhibition

PubMed Central

Vallon, Volker; Edwards, Aurélie

2015-01-01

The objective of this study was to investigate how physiological, pharmacological, and pathological conditions that alter sodium reabsorption (TNa) in the proximal tubule affect oxygen consumption (QO2) and Na+ transport efficiency (TNa/QO2). To do so, we expanded a mathematical model of solute transport in the proximal tubule of the rat kidney. The model represents compliant S1, S2, and S3 segments and accounts for their specific apical and basolateral transporters. Sodium is reabsorbed transcellularly, via apical Na+/H+ exchangers (NHE) and Na+-glucose (SGLT) cotransporters, and paracellularly. Our results suggest that TNa/QO2 is 80% higher in S3 than in S1–S2 segments, due to the greater contribution of the passive paracellular pathway to TNa in the former segment. Inhibition of NHE or Na-K-ATPase reduced TNa and QO2, as well as Na+ transport efficiency. SGLT2 inhibition also reduced proximal tubular TNa but increased QO2; these effects were relatively more pronounced in the S3 vs. the S1–S2 segments. Diabetes increased TNa and QO2 and reduced TNa/QO2, owing mostly to hyperfiltration. Since SGLT2 inhibition lowers diabetic hyperfiltration, the net effect on TNa, QO2, and Na+ transport efficiency in the proximal tubule will largely depend on the individual extent to which glomerular filtration rate is lowered. PMID:25855513

The CCAAT box in the proximal SERCA2 gene promoter regulates basal and stress-induced transcription in cardiomyocytes.

PubMed

Fragoso-Medina, Jorge; Rodriguez, Gabriela; Zarain-Herzberg, Angel

2018-05-01

The cardiac sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca 2+ -ATPase-2a (SERCA2a) is vital for the correct handling of calcium concentration in cardiomyocytes. Recent studies showed that the induction of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress (ERS) with the SERCA2 inhibitor Thapsigargin (Tg) increases the mRNA and protein levels of SERCA2a. The SERCA2 gene promoter contains an ERS response element (ERSE) at position -78 bp that is conserved among species and might transcriptionally regulate SERCA2 gene expression. However, its involvement in SERCA2 basal and calcium-mediated transcriptional activation has not been elucidated. In this work, we show that in cellular cultures of neonatal rat ventricular myocytes, the treatment with Tg or the calcium ionophore A23187 increases the SERCA2a mRNA and protein abundance, as well as the transcriptional activity of two chimeric human SERCA2 gene constructs, containing -254 and -2579 bp of 5'-regulatory region cloned in the pGL3-basic vector and transiently transfected in cultured cardiomyocytes. We found that the ERSE present in the SERCA2 proximal promoter contains a CCAAT box that is involved in basal and ERS-mediated hSERCA2 transcriptional activation. The EMSA results showed that the CCAAT box present in the ERSE recruits the NF-Y transcription factor. Additionally, by ChIP assays, we confirmed in vivo binding of NF-Y and C/EBPβ transcription factors to the SERCA2 gene proximal promoter.

Spin-orbit proximity effect in graphene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Avsar, A.; Tan, J. Y.; Taychatanapat, T.; Balakrishnan, J.; Koon, G. K. W.; Yeo, Y.; Lahiri, J.; Carvalho, A.; Rodin, A. S.; O'Farrell, E. C. T.; Eda, G.; Castro Neto, A. H.; Özyilmaz, B.

2014-09-01

The development of spintronics devices relies on efficient generation of spin-polarized currents and their electric-field-controlled manipulation. While observation of exceptionally long spin relaxation lengths makes graphene an intriguing material for spintronics studies, electric field modulation of spin currents is almost impossible due to negligible intrinsic spin-orbit coupling of graphene. In this work, we create an artificial interface between monolayer graphene and few-layer semiconducting tungsten disulphide. In these devices, we observe that graphene acquires spin-orbit coupling up to 17 meV, three orders of magnitude higher than its intrinsic value, without modifying the structure of the graphene. The proximity spin-orbit coupling leads to the spin Hall effect even at room temperature, and opens the door to spin field effect transistors. We show that intrinsic defects in tungsten disulphide play an important role in this proximity effect and that graphene can act as a probe to detect defects in semiconducting surfaces.

Nutritional improvement of corn pasta-like product with broad bean (Vicia faba) and quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa).

PubMed

Giménez, M A; Drago, S R; Bassett, M N; Lobo, M O; Sammán, N C

2016-05-15

In this study, the nutritional quality of pasta-like product (spaghetti-type), made with corn (Zea mays) flour enriched with 30% broad bean (Vicia faba) flour and 20% of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) flour, was determined. Proximate chemical composition and iron, zinc and dietary fiber were determined. A biological assay was performed to assess the protein value using net protein utilization (NPU), true digestibility (TD) and protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS). Iron and zinc availability were estimated by measuring dialyzable mineral fraction (%Da) resulting from in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. Nutritionally improved, gluten-free spaghetti (NIS) showed significantly increased NPU and decreased TD compared with a non-enriched control sample. One NIS-portion supplied 10-20% of recommended fiber daily intake. Addition of quinoa flour had a positive effect on the FeDa% as did broad bean flour on ZnDa%. EDTA increased Fe- and ZnDa% in all NIS-products, but it also impaired sensorial quality. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

[A Feature Extraction Method for Brain Computer Interface Based on Multivariate Empirical Mode Decomposition].

PubMed

Wang, Jinjia; Liu, Yuan

2015-04-01

This paper presents a feature extraction method based on multivariate empirical mode decomposition (MEMD) combining with the power spectrum feature, and the method aims at the non-stationary electroencephalogram (EEG) or magnetoencephalogram (MEG) signal in brain-computer interface (BCI) system. Firstly, we utilized MEMD algorithm to decompose multichannel brain signals into a series of multiple intrinsic mode function (IMF), which was proximate stationary and with multi-scale. Then we extracted and reduced the power characteristic from each IMF to a lower dimensions using principal component analysis (PCA). Finally, we classified the motor imagery tasks by linear discriminant analysis classifier. The experimental verification showed that the correct recognition rates of the two-class and four-class tasks of the BCI competition III and competition IV reached 92.0% and 46.2%, respectively, which were superior to the winner of the BCI competition. The experimental proved that the proposed method was reasonably effective and stable and it would provide a new way for feature extraction.

Biomechanical in vitro assessment of screw augmentation in locked plating of proximal humerus fractures.

PubMed

Röderer, Götz; Scola, Alexander; Schmölz, Werner; Gebhard, Florian; Windolf, Markus; Hofmann-Fliri, Ladina

2013-10-01

Proximal humerus fracture fixation can be difficult because of osteoporosis making it difficult to achieve stable implant anchorage in the weak bone stock even when using locking plates. This may cause implant failure requiring revision surgery. Cement augmentation has, in principle, been shown to improve stability. The aim of this study was to investigate whether augmentation of particular screws of a locking plate aimed at a region of low bone quality is effective in improving stability in a proximal humerus fracture model. Twelve paired human humerus specimens were included. Quantitative computed tomography was performed to determine bone mineral density (BMD). Local bone quality in the direction of the six proximal screws of a standard locking plate (PHILOS, Synthes) was assessed using mechanical means (DensiProbe™). A three-part fracture model with a metaphyseal defect was simulated and fixed with the plate. Within each pair of humeri the two screws aimed at the region of the lowest bone quality according to the DensiProbe™ were augmented in a randomised manner. For augmentation, 0.5 ml of bone cement was injected in a screw with multiple outlets at its tip under fluoroscopic control. A cyclic varus-bending test with increasing upper load magnitude was performed until failure of the screw-bone fixation. The augmented group withstood significantly more load cycles. The correlation of BMD with load cycles until failure and BMD with paired difference in load cycles to failure showed that augmentation could compensate for a low BMD. The results demonstrate that augmentation of screws in locked plating in a proximal humerus fracture model is effective in improving primary stability in a cyclic varus-bending test. The augmentation of two particular screws aimed at a region of low bone quality within the humeral head was almost as effective as four screws with twice the amount of bone cement. Screw augmentation combined with a knowledge of the local bone quality could be more effective in enhancing the primary stability of a proximal humerus locking plate because the effect of augmentation can be exploited more effectively limiting it to the degree required. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Can the Lateral Proximity Effect Be Used to Create the Superconducting Transition of a Micron-Sized TES?

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barrentine, E. M.; Brandl, D. E.; Brown, A. D.; Denis, K. L.; Fionkbeiner, F. M.; Hsieh, W. T.; Nagler, P. C.; Stevenson, T. R.; Timble, P. T.; U-Yen, K.

2012-01-01

Recent measurements of micron-sized Mo/Au bilayer Transition Edge Sensors (TESs) have demonstrated that the TES can behave like an S-S'-S weak link due to the lateral proximity effect from superconducting leads. In this regime the Tc is a function of bias current, and the effective Tc shifts from the bilayer Tc towards the lead Tc. We explore the idea that a micron-sized S-N-S weak link could provide a new method to engineer the TES Tc. This method would be particularly useful when small size requirements for a bilayer TES (such as for a hot-electron microbolometer) lead to undesirable shifts in the bilayer Te. We present measurements of a variety of micron-sized normal Au 'TES' devices with Nb leads. We find no evidence of a superconducting transition in the Au film of these devices, in dramatic contrast to the strong lateral proximity effect seen in micron-sized Mo/Au bilayer devices. The absence of a transition in these devices is also in disagreement with theoretical predictions for S-N-S weak links. We hypothesize that a finite contact resistance between the Nb and Au may be weakening the effect. We conclude that the use of the lateral proximity effect to create a superconducting transition will be difficult given current fabrication procedures.

Proximate and mineral composition of crab meat consumed in Bahrain.

PubMed

Musaiger, Abdulrahman O; Al-Rumaidh, Mohammed J

2005-06-01

The proximate, mineral and heavy metals of raw and cooked crab meat, Portunus pelagicus, consumed in Bahrain were studied. The crab meat contains a good level of protein (17.5-18.8%), with very low proportion of fat (0.6-1.4%). The levels of sodium, potassium, calcium and phosphorus were found to be higher than other minerals. Traces of heavy metals (lead, mercury, cadmium) were also reported. Traditional cooking had a considerable effect on proximate and mineral contents of crab meat.

The Effect of Geographic Proximity to Unconventional Oil and Gas Development on Public Support for Hydraulic Fracturing.

PubMed

Boudet, Hilary S; Zanocco, Chad M; Howe, Peter D; Clarke, Christopher E

2018-04-10

With the rapid growth of unconventional oil and natural gas development transforming the U.S. economic and physical landscape, social scientists have increasingly explored the spatial dynamics of public support for this issue-that is, whether people closer to unconventional oil and gas development are more supportive or more opposed. While theoretical frameworks like construal-level theory and the "Not in My Backyard" (or NIMBY) moniker provide insight into these spatial dynamics, case studies in specific locations experiencing energy development reveal substantial variation in community responses. Larger-scale studies exploring the link between proximity and support have been hampered by data quality and availability. We draw on a unique data set that includes geo-coded data from national surveys (nine waves; n = 19,098) and high-resolution well location data to explore the relationship between proximity and both familiarity with and support for hydraulic fracturing. We use two different measures of proximity-respondent distance to the nearest well and the density of wells within a certain radius of the respondent's location. We find that both types of proximity to new development are linked to more familiarity with hydraulic fracturing, even after controlling for various individual and contextual factors, but only distance-based proximity is linked to more support for the practice. When significant, these relationships are similar to or exceed the effects of race, income, gender, and age. We discuss the implications of these findings for effective risk communication as well as the importance of incorporating spatial analysis into public opinion research on perceptions of energy development. © 2018 Society for Risk Analysis.

Lipid and moisture content modeling of amphidromous Dolly Varden using bioelectrical impedance analysis

USGS Publications Warehouse

Stolarski, J.T.; Margraf, F.J.; Carlson, J.G.; Sutton, T.M.

2014-01-01

The physiological well-being or condition of fish is most commonly estimated from aspects of individual morphology. However, these metrics may be only weakly correlated with nutritional reserves stored as lipid, the primary form of accumulated energy in fish. We constructed and evaluated bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) models as an alternative method of assessing condition in amphidromous Dolly Varden Salvelinus malma collected from nearshore estuarine and lotic habitats of the Alaskan Arctic. Data on electrical resistance and reactance were collected from the lateral and ventral surfaces of 192 fish, and whole-body percent lipid and moisture content were determined using standard laboratory methods. Significant inverse relationships between temperature and resistance and reactance prompted the standardization of these data to a constant temperature using corrective equations developed herein. No significant differences in resistance or reactance were detected among spawning and nonspawning females after accounting for covariates, suggesting that electrical pathways do not intersect the gonads. Best-fit BIA models incorporating electrical variables calculated from the lateral and ventral surfaces produced the strongest associations between observed and model-predicted estimates of proximate content. These models explained between 6% and 20% more of the variability in laboratory-derived estimates of proximate content than models developed from single-surface BIA data and 32% more than models containing only length and weight data. While additional research is required to address the potential effects of methodological variation, bioelectrical impedance analysis shows promise as a way to provide high-quality, minimally invasive estimates of Dolly Varden lipid or moisture content in the field with only small increases in handling time.

The Amplatz canine duct occluder: a novel device for patent ductus arteriosus occlusion.

PubMed

Nguyenba, Thaibinh P; Tobias, Anthony H

2007-11-01

The Amplatz canine duct occluder (ACDO) is a nitinol mesh device with a short waist that separates a flat distal disc from a cupped proximal disc. The device is designed to conform to the morphology of the canine patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). PDA dimensions are determined by angiography, and a guiding catheter is advanced into the main pulmonary artery via the aorta and PDA. An ACDO with a waist diameter approximately twice the angiographic minimal ductal diameter (MDD) is advanced via the catheter using an attached delivery cable until the flat distal disc deploys within the main pulmonary artery. The partially deployed ACDO, guiding catheter, and delivery cable are retracted until the distal disc engages the pulmonic ostium of the PDA. With the delivery cable stabilized, the catheter is retracted to deploy the waist across the pulmonic ostium and cupped proximal disc within the ductal ampulla. Tension on the delivery cable is released, and correct ACDO positioning and stability are confirmed by observing that the device assumes its native shape, back-and-forth maneuvering of the delivery cable, and a small contrast injection made through the guiding catheter. The delivery cable is detached and removed with the guiding catheter. To assess for any residual ductal flow, an angiogram is performed at the conclusion of the procedure, followed by Doppler echocardiography at 1 day and 3 months post-procedure. PDA occlusion in dogs with the ACDO is straightforward and extremely effective across a wide range of body weights, somatotypes, MDDs, and ductal morphologies.

Effect of Number of Zones on Subjective Vision in Concentric Bifocal Optics.

PubMed

Legras, Richard; Rio, David

2015-11-01

To evaluate the influence of the number of concentric zones of a center-near bifocal optics on the subjective quality of vision. Twenty-two subjects scored with a five-item continuous grading scale the quality of vision of calculated images (i.e., three high-contrast 20/50 letters) viewed through their best sphero-cylindrical correction and a 3-mm pupil to limit the impact of their aberrations. Through-focus images were calculated from -4 to +2 diopters (D), each 0.25 D, in the presence of center-near bifocal optics (Add 2.5 D) varying by their number of concentric zones (from 2 to 20). To compare the results obtained with these profiles, we calculated the area under the (through-focus) curve (AUC) higher than 2 out of 5 (i.e., limit between a poor and a fair image quality, considered as the limit of acceptability). This value was normalized by the naked eye condition and divided into distance, intermediate, and near AUC. The results showed large interindividual variations. Distance AUC remained quite similar whatever the profile, near AUC decreased with the number of concentric zones, and intermediate AUC rose with the number of concentric zones. With 10 and 20 concentric zones, diffraction phenomenon induced constructive interferences at intermediate proximities and destructive interferences at distance and near proximities. To balance distance, intermediate, and near quality of vision, a number of zones between 8 and 10 should be chosen. If the subject does not need intermediate quality of vision, then a profile with two to five zones should be favored.

Discerning direct and mediated effects of ecological structures and processes on adolescents' educational outcomes.

PubMed

Benner, Aprile D; Graham, Sandra; Mistry, Rashmita S

2008-05-01

This short-term longitudinal study examined the relations among family and school characteristics, family-level processes (youth perceptions of parent-adolescent interactions), school-level processes (youth perceptions of school belonging, school climate), adolescents' school engagement, and later academic performance. Participants were an ethnically diverse, urban sample of 1,120 9th-grade students (M age = 14.6 years). The structural characteristics of families and schools influenced the proximal processes that occurred therein, and these proximal processes, in turn, influenced students' proximal (i.e., engagement) and distal educational outcomes (i.e., grades in school). Moreover, the structural characteristics of families and schools influenced proximal and distal outcomes indirectly through their influence on the proximal processes. The multimediated ecological model suggested that intervening at the process level may be a successful means of improving both adolescents' engagement in school and their subsequent school performance. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2008 APA, all rights reserved).

The effect of big endothelin-1 in the proximal tubule of the rat kidney

PubMed Central

Beara-Lasić, Lada; Knotek, Mladen; Čejvan, Kenan; Jakšić, Ozren; Lasić, Zoran; Skorić, Boško; Brkljačić, Vera; Banfić, Hrvoje

1997-01-01

An obligatory step in the biosynthesis of endothelin-1 (ET-1) is the conversion of its inactive precursor, big ET-1, into the mature form by the action of specific, phosphoramidon-sensitive, endothelin converting enzyme(s) (ECE). Disparate effects of big ET-1 and ET-1 on renal tubule function suggest that big ET-1 might directly influence renal tubule function. Therefore, the role of the enzymatic conversion of big ET-1 into ET-1 in eliciting the functional response (generation of 1,2-diacylglycerol) to big ET-1 was studied in the rat proximal tubules.In renal cortical slices incubated with big ET-1, pretreatment with phosphoramidon (an ECE inhibitor) reduced tissue immunoreactive ET-1 to a level similar to that of cortical tissue not exposed to big ET-1. This confirms the presence and effectiveness of ECE inhibition by phosphoramidon.In freshly isolated proximal tubule cells, big ET-1 stimulated the generation of 1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG) in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Neither phosphoramidon nor chymostatin, a chymase inhibitor, influenced the generation of DAG evoked by big ET-1.Big ET-1-dependent synthesis of DAG was found in the brush-border membrane. It was unaffected by BQ123, an ETA receptor antagonist, but was blocked by bosentan, an ETA,B-nonselective endothelin receptor antagonist.These results suggest that the proximal tubule is a site for the direct effect of big ET-1 in the rat kidney. The effect of big ET-1 is confined to the brush-border membrane of the proximal tubule, which may be the site of big ET-1-sensitive receptors. PMID:9051300

Insulin's acute effects on glomerular filtration rate correlate with insulin sensitivity whereas insulin's acute effects on proximal tubular sodium reabsorption correlation with salt sensitivity in normal subjects.

PubMed

ter Maaten, J C; Bakker, S J; Serné, E H; ter Wee, P M; Donker, A J; Gans, R O

1999-10-01

Insulin induces sodium retention by increasing distal tubular sodium reabsorption. Opposite effects of insulin to offset insulin-induced sodium retention are supposedly increases in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and decreases in proximal tubular sodium reabsorption. Defects in these opposing effects could link insulin resistance to blood-pressure elevation and salt sensitivity. We assessed the relationship between the effects of sequential physiological and supraphysiological insulin dosages (50 and 150 mU/kg/h) on renal sodium handling, and insulin sensitivity and salt sensitivity using the euglycaemic clamp technique and clearances of [131I]hippuran, [125I]iothalamate, sodium, and lithium in 20 normal subjects displaying a wide range of insulin sensitivity. Time-control experiments were performed in the same subjects. Salt sensitivity was determined using a diet method. During the successive insulin infusions, GFR increased by 5.9% (P = 0.003) and 10.9% (P<0.001), while fractional sodium excretion decreased by 34 and 50% (both P<0.001). Distal tubular sodium reabsorption increased and proximal tubular sodium reabsorption decreased. Insulin sensitivity correlated with changes in GFR during physiological (r = 0.60, P = 0.005) and supraphysiological (r = 0.58, P = 0.007) hyperinsulinaemia, but not with changes in proximal tubular sodium reabsorption. Salt sensitivity correlated with changes in proximal tubular sodium reabsorption (r = 0.49, P = 0.028), but not in GFR, during physiological hyperinsulinaemia. Neither insulin sensitivity or salt sensitivity correlated with changes in overall fractional sodium excretion. Insulin sensitivity and salt sensitivity correlate with changes in different elements of renal sodium handling, but not with overall sodium excretion, during insulin infusion. The relevance for blood pressure regulation remains to be proved.

School Success, Possible Selves, and Parent School Involvement

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Oyserman, Daphna; Brickman, Daniel; Rhodes, Marjorie

2007-01-01

Increased parent school involvement is associated with better academic outcomes; yet, proximal contributors to this effect remain understudied. We focus on one potential proximal contributor, youth's positive and negative future self-images or "possible selves," reasoning that if parent school involvement fosters possible selves, then…

Bicarbonate absorption by rabbit cortical collecting tubules in vitro.

PubMed

McKinney, T D; Burg, M B

1978-02-01

The rate of transport of bicarbonate was studied in isolated perfused rabbit cortical collecting tubules that were absorbing bicarbonate in vitro. Acetazolamide completely inhibited bicarbonate absorption, as was previously observed with isolated proximal tubules. Therefore, carbonic anhydrase probably is important for bicarbonate absorption in both the proximal tubules and collecting tubules. Inhibition of sodium transport by ouabain or elimination of its transport by completely removing the sodium did not cause a decrease in bicarbonate absorption by the collecting tubules. We previously found that inhibition of sodium transport caused a great decrease in bicarbonate absorption by proximal tubules. Therefore, absorption of bicarbonate is not directly related to sodium transport in collecting tubules, but it probably is related to sodium transport in isolated perfused rabbit proximal tubules. Amiloride inhibited bicarbonate absorption by the collecting tubules consistent with previous observations that the drug inhibits urinary acidification. Although amiloride also inhibits sodium transport and reduces the transepithelial voltage across the collecting tubules, the effect of the drug on bicarbonate transport apparently is independent of the other effects.

Testing a family intervention hypothesis: the contribution of mother-infant skin-to-skin contact (kangaroo care) to family interaction, proximity, and touch.

PubMed

Feldman, Ruth; Weller, Aron; Sirota, Lea; Eidelman, Arthur I

2003-03-01

The provision of maternal-infant body contact during a period of maternal separation was examined for its effects on parent-infant and triadic interactions. Participants were 146 three-month-old preterm infants and their parents, half of whom received skin-to-skin contact, or kangaroo care (KC), in the neonatal nursery. Global relational style and micro-patterns of proximity and touch were coded. Following KC, mothers and fathers were more sensitive and less intrusive, infants showed less negative affect, and family style was more cohesive. Among KC families, maternal and paternal affectionate touch of infant and spouse was more frequent, spouses remained in closer proximity, and infant proximity position was conducive to mutual gaze and touch during triadic play. The role of touch as a constituent of the co-regulatory parent-infant and triadic systems and the effects of maternal contact on mothering, co-parenting, and family processes are discussed.

Proximal migration of transanastomotic pancreatic stent following pancreaticoduodenectomy and pancreaticojejunostomy.

PubMed

Ammori, B J; White, C M

1999-06-01

The use of catheters to stent the pancreaticojejunal anastomosis following pancreaticoduodenectomy is practiced by some surgeons. Their long-term effects in this setting, however, remain unknown. A 60-yr-old woman underwent a potentially curative pylorus preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy for Stage I ampullary carcinoma. Roux-en-Y pancreaticojejunostomy was constructed over a short stent. She presented 4 yr later with abdominal pain, steatorrhea, and weight loss. Computed tomography revealed a stent within the proximal pancreatic duct, with gross upstream ductal dilatation and parenchymal features of chronic pancreatitis. Laparotomy revealed no disease recurrence. The stent, removed through a jejunotomy, was occluded. On-table pancreatogram demonstrated a 3-cm proximal duct stricture. Drainage was achieved with a lateral pancreaticojejunostomy (modified Puestow procedure). Recovery was uneventful, with clinical recovery of pancreatic exocrine function at 6 mo follow-up. Proximal migration of transanastomotic pancreatic stent with subsequent development of chronic pancreatitis is a potential complication following pancreaticoduodenectomy. It can be managed effectively with stent removal and a lateral pancreaticojejunostomy.

Effects of nanoparticle heating on the structure of a concentrated aqueous salt solution.

PubMed

Sindt, Julien O; Alexander, Andrew J; Camp, Philip J

2017-12-07

The effects of a rapidly heated nanoparticle on the structure of a concentrated aqueous salt solution are studied using molecular dynamics simulations. A diamond-like nanoparticle of radius 20 Å is immersed in a sodium-chloride solution at 20% above the experimental saturation concentration and equilibrated at T = 293 K and P = 1 atm. The nanoparticle is then rapidly heated to several thousand degrees Kelvin, and the system is held under isobaric-isoenthalpic conditions. It is observed that after 2-3 ns, the salt ions are depleted far more than water molecules from a proximal zone 15-25 Å from the nanoparticle surface. This leads to a transient reduction in molality in the proximal zone and an increase in ion clustering in the distal zone. At longer times, ions begin to diffuse back into the proximal zone. It is speculated that the formation of proximal and distal zones, and the increase in ion clustering, plays a role in the mechanism of nonphotochemical laser-induced nucleation.

Effects of nanoparticle heating on the structure of a concentrated aqueous salt solution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sindt, Julien O.; Alexander, Andrew J.; Camp, Philip J.

2017-12-01

The effects of a rapidly heated nanoparticle on the structure of a concentrated aqueous salt solution are studied using molecular dynamics simulations. A diamond-like nanoparticle of radius 20 Å is immersed in a sodium-chloride solution at 20% above the experimental saturation concentration and equilibrated at T = 293 K and P = 1 atm. The nanoparticle is then rapidly heated to several thousand degrees Kelvin, and the system is held under isobaric-isoenthalpic conditions. It is observed that after 2-3 ns, the salt ions are depleted far more than water molecules from a proximal zone 15-25 Å from the nanoparticle surface. This leads to a transient reduction in molality in the proximal zone and an increase in ion clustering in the distal zone. At longer times, ions begin to diffuse back into the proximal zone. It is speculated that the formation of proximal and distal zones, and the increase in ion clustering, plays a role in the mechanism of nonphotochemical laser-induced nucleation.

The cation transporters rOCT1 and rOCT2 interact with bicarbonate but play only a minor role for amantadine uptake into rat renal proximal tubules.

PubMed

Goralski, Kerry B; Lou, Ganlu; Prowse, Matthew T; Gorboulev, Valentin; Volk, Christopher; Koepsell, Hermann; Sitar, Daniel S

2002-12-01

In renal proximal tubules, the organic cation transporters rOCT1 and rOCT2 are supposed to mediate the first step in organic cation secretion. We investigated whether previously described differences in amantadine and tetraethylammonium (TEA) uptake into isolated renal proximal tubules could be explained by differences in their transport by rOCT1 and rOCT2. By expressing rOCT1 and rOCT2 in Xenopus oocytes and HEK 293 cells, we demonstrated that both transporters translocated amantadine. In Xenopus oocytes, the inhibitory potency of several rOCT1/2 inhibitors was similar for amantadine compared to TEA uptake and supports amantadine transport by rOCT1 and rOCT2. In proximal tubules, procainamide, quinine, cyanine(863), choline, and guanidine in concentrations that inhibit rOCT1/2-mediated TEA or amantadine uptake in Xenopus oocytes exhibited no effect on amantadine uptake. At variance, these inhibitors blocked TEA uptake into proximal tubules. Amantadine and TEA transport were sensitive to modulation by 25 mM bicarbonate. The effect of bicarbonate on organic cation transport was dependent on substrate (amantadine or TEA), cell system (oocytes, HEK 293 cells, or proximal tubules), and transporter (rOCT1 or rOCT2). In proximal tubules, only amantadine uptake was stimulated by bicarbonate. The data suggested that rat renal proximal tubules contain an organic cation transporter in addition to rOCT1 and rOCT2 that mediates amantadine uptake and requires bicarbonate for optimal function. TEA uptake by the basolateral membrane may be mediated mainly by rOCT1 and rOCT2, but these transporters may be in a different functional or regulatory state when expressed in cells or oocytes compared with expression in vivo.

Performance of Encounternet Tags: Field Tests of Miniaturized Proximity Loggers for Use on Small Birds

PubMed Central

Levin, Iris I.; Zonana, David M.; Burt, John M.; Safran, Rebecca J.

2015-01-01

Proximity logging is a new tool for understanding social behavior as it allows for accurate quantification of social networks. We report results from field calibration and deployment tests of miniaturized proximity tags (Encounternet), digital transceivers that log encounters between tagged individuals. We examined radio signal behavior in relation to tag attachment (tag, tag on bird, tag on saline-filled balloon) to understand how radio signal strength is affected by the tag mounting technique used for calibration tests. We investigated inter-tag and inter-receiver station variability, and in each calibration test we accounted for the effects of antennae orientation. Additionally, we used data from a live deployment on breeding barn swallows (Hirundo rustica erythrogaster) to analyze the quality of the logs, including reciprocal agreement in dyadic logs. We evaluated the impact (in terms of mass changes) of tag attachment on the birds. We were able to statistically distinguish between RSSI values associated with different close-proximity (<5m) tag-tag distances regardless of antennae orientation. Inter-tag variability was low, but we did find significant inter-receiver station variability. Reciprocal agreement of dyadic logs was high and social networks were constructed from proximity tag logs based on two different RSSI thresholds. There was no evidence of significant mass loss in the time birds were wearing tags. We conclude that proximity loggers are accurate and effective for quantifying social behavior. However, because RSSI and distance cannot be perfectly resolved, data from proximity loggers are most appropriate for comparing networks based on specific RSSI thresholds. The Encounternet system is flexible and customizable, and tags are now light enough for use on small animals (<50g). PMID:26348329

Effect of paddock vs. stall housing on 24 hour gastric pH within the proximal and ventral equine stomach.

PubMed

Husted, L; Sanchez, L C; Olsen, S N; Baptiste, K E; Merritt, A M

2008-06-01

Stall housing has been suggested as a risk factor for ulcer development in the equine stomach; however, the exact pathogenesis for this has not been established. To investigate the effect of 3 environmental situations (grass paddock, stall alone or stall with adjacent companion) on pH in the proximal and the ventral stomach. Six horses with permanently implanted gastric cannulae were used in a randomised, cross-over, block design. Each horse rotated through each of three 24 h environmental situations. Horses remained on their normal diet (grass hay ad libitum and grain b.i.d.) throughout the study. Intragastric pH was measured continuously for 72 h just inside the lower oesophageal sphincter (proximal stomach) and via a pH probe in the gastric cannula (ventral stomach). Neither proximal nor ventral 24 h gastric pH changed significantly between the 3 environmental situations. Mean hourly proximal gastric pH decreased significantly in the interval from 01.00-09.00 h compared to the interval from 13.00-20.00 h, regardless of environmental situation. Median hourly proximal pH only differed in the interval from 06.00-07.00 h compared to the interval 14.00-19.00 h. Neither mean nor median hourly ventral gastric pH varied significantly with the time of day. The change in housing status used in the current study did not affect acid exposure within either region of the equine stomach. The pH in the ventral stomach was uniformly stable throughout the study, while the proximal pH demonstrated a 24 h circadian pattern.

Asymmetric magnetic proximity effect in a Pd/Co/Pd trilayer system

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kim, Dong -Ok; Song, Kyung Mee; Choi, Yongseong

In spintronic devices consisting of ferromagnetic/nonmagnetic systems, the ferromagnet-induced magnetic moment in the adjacent nonmagnetic material significantly influences the spin transport properties. In this study, such magnetic proximity effect in a Pd/Co/Pd trilayer system is investigated by x-ray magnetic circular dichroism and x-ray resonant magnetic reflectivity, which enables magnetic characterizations with element and depth resolution. We observe that the total Pd magnetic moments induced at the top Co/Pd interface are significantly larger than the Pd moments at the bottom Pd/Co interface, whereas transmission electron microscopy and reflectivity analysis indicate the two interfaces are nearly identical structurally. Furthermore, such asymmetry inmore » magnetic proximity effects could be important for understanding spin transport characteristics in ferromagnetic/nonmagnetic systems and its potential application to spin devices.« less

Asymmetric magnetic proximity effect in a Pd/Co/Pd trilayer system

DOE PAGES

Kim, Dong -Ok; Song, Kyung Mee; Choi, Yongseong; ...

2016-05-06

In spintronic devices consisting of ferromagnetic/nonmagnetic systems, the ferromagnet-induced magnetic moment in the adjacent nonmagnetic material significantly influences the spin transport properties. In this study, such magnetic proximity effect in a Pd/Co/Pd trilayer system is investigated by x-ray magnetic circular dichroism and x-ray resonant magnetic reflectivity, which enables magnetic characterizations with element and depth resolution. We observe that the total Pd magnetic moments induced at the top Co/Pd interface are significantly larger than the Pd moments at the bottom Pd/Co interface, whereas transmission electron microscopy and reflectivity analysis indicate the two interfaces are nearly identical structurally. Furthermore, such asymmetry inmore » magnetic proximity effects could be important for understanding spin transport characteristics in ferromagnetic/nonmagnetic systems and its potential application to spin devices.« less

Water surface temperature profiles for the Rhine River derived from Landsat ETM+ data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fricke, Katharina; Baschek, Björn

2013-10-01

Water temperature influences physical and chemical parameters of rivers and streams and is an important parameter for water quality. It is a crucial factor for the existence and the growth of animal and plant species in the river ecosystem. The aim of the research project "Remote sensing of water surface temperature" at the Federal Institute of Hydrology (BfG), Germany, is to supplement point measurements of water temperature with remote sensing methodology. The research area investigated here is the Upper and Middle Rhine River, where continuous measurements of water temperature are already available for several water quality monitoring stations. Satellite imagery is used to complement these point measurements and to generate longitudinal temperature profiles for a better systematic understanding of the changes in river temperature along its course. Several products for sea surface temperature derived from radiances in the thermal infrared are available, but for water temperature from rivers less research has been carried out. Problems arise from the characteristics of the river valley and morphology and the proximity to the riverbank. Depending on the river width, a certain spatial resolution of the satellite images is necessary to allow for an accurate identification of the river surface and the calculation of water temperature. The bands from the Landsat ETM+ sensor in the thermal infrared region offer a possibility to extract the river surface temperatures (RST) of a sufficiently wide river such as the Rhine. Additionally, problems such as cloud cover, shadowing effects, georeferencing errors, different emissivity of water and land, scattering of thermal radiation, adjacency and mixed pixel effects had to be accounted for and their effects on the radiance temperatures will be discussed. For this purpose, several temperature data sets derived from radiance and in situ measurements were com- pared. The observed radiance temperatures are strongly influenced by the atmosphere. Without atmospheric correction, the absolute mean difference between RST and in situ measurements was 1.1°C with a standard devi- ation of 1.3°C. Thus, a correction of atmospheric influences on radiances measured at the top of the atmosphere was necessary and two different methods for atmospheric correction (ATCOR2 and the Atmospheric Correction Parameter Calculator) were applied. The correction results showed that for both methods, the correct choice of atmospheric profiles is very important. With the calculator, an absolute mean difference of 0.8 +/- 1.0°C and with the selected overall best scenes, an absolute mean difference of 0.5 ± 0.7°C was achieved. The selected corrected RST can be used to interpolate between in situ measurements available only for a limited number of points along the river course and longitudinal example profiles of the surface water temperature in the Upper and Middle Rhine could be calculated for different seasons. On the basis of these profiles, the increasing temperature gradient along the Upper Rhine could be identified and the possibility to detect heat or cooling discharge from tributaries and other sources is evaluated.

Electromagnetic navigation reduces surgical time and radiation exposure for proximal interlocking in retrograde femoral nailing.

PubMed

Somerson, Jeremy S; Rowley, David; Kennedy, Chad; Buttacavoli, Frank; Agarwal, Animesh

2014-07-01

To compare the time required for proximal locking screw placement between a standard freehand technique and the navigated technique, and to quantify the reduction in ionizing radiation exposure. A fresh frozen cadaver model was used for 48 proximal interlocking screw procedures. Each procedure consisted of insertion of 2 anteroposterior locking screws. Standard fluoroscopic technique was used for 24 procedures, and an electromagnetic navigation system was used for the remaining 24 procedures. Procedure duration was recorded using an electronic timer and radiation doses were documented. Mean total insertion time for both proximal interlocking screws was 405 ± 165.7 seconds with the freehand technique and 311 ± 78.3 seconds in the navigation group (P = 0.002). All procedures resulted in successful locking screw placement. Mean ionizing radiation exposure time for proximal locking was 29.5 ± 12.8 seconds. Proximal locking screw insertion using the navigation technique evaluated in this work was significantly faster than the standard fluoroscopic method. The navigated technique is effective and has the potential to prevent ionizing radiation exposure.

Fluoroscopically Guided Peritendinous Corticosteroid Injection for Proximal Hamstring Tendinopathy

PubMed Central

Nicholson, Luke T.; DiSegna, Steven; Newman, Joel S.; Miller, Suzanne L.

2014-01-01

Background: Proximal hamstring tendinopathy is an uncommon but debilitating cause of posterior thigh pain in athletes subjected to repetitive eccentric hamstring contraction, such as runners. Minimal data exist evaluating treatment options for proximal hamstring tendinopathy. Purpose: This retrospective study evaluates the effectiveness of fluoroscopically guided corticosteroid injections in treating proximal hamstring tendinopathy. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Eighteen athletes with 22 cases of magnetic resonance imaging–confirmed proximal hamstring tendinopathy were treated with corticosteroid injection and later contacted to evaluate the efficacy of the injection with the use of a questionnaire. Results: The visual analog score decreased from 7.22 preinjection to 3.94 postinjection (P < .001), level of athletic participation increased from 28.76% to 68.82% (P < .001) at a mean follow-up of 21 months, and 38.8% of patients experienced complete resolution at a mean follow-up of 24.8 months. The mean lower extremity function score at the time of follow-up was 60. Conclusion: A trial of fluoroscopically guided corticosteroid injection is warranted in patients presenting with symptoms of proximal hamstring tendinopathy refractory to conservative therapy. PMID:26535310

Fluoroscopically Guided Peritendinous Corticosteroid Injection for Proximal Hamstring Tendinopathy: A Retrospective Review.

PubMed

Nicholson, Luke T; DiSegna, Steven; Newman, Joel S; Miller, Suzanne L

2014-03-01

Proximal hamstring tendinopathy is an uncommon but debilitating cause of posterior thigh pain in athletes subjected to repetitive eccentric hamstring contraction, such as runners. Minimal data exist evaluating treatment options for proximal hamstring tendinopathy. This retrospective study evaluates the effectiveness of fluoroscopically guided corticosteroid injections in treating proximal hamstring tendinopathy. Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Eighteen athletes with 22 cases of magnetic resonance imaging-confirmed proximal hamstring tendinopathy were treated with corticosteroid injection and later contacted to evaluate the efficacy of the injection with the use of a questionnaire. The visual analog score decreased from 7.22 preinjection to 3.94 postinjection (P < .001), level of athletic participation increased from 28.76% to 68.82% (P < .001) at a mean follow-up of 21 months, and 38.8% of patients experienced complete resolution at a mean follow-up of 24.8 months. The mean lower extremity function score at the time of follow-up was 60. A trial of fluoroscopically guided corticosteroid injection is warranted in patients presenting with symptoms of proximal hamstring tendinopathy refractory to conservative therapy.

Esophagogastrostomy plus gastrojejunostomy: a novel reconstruction procedure after curative resection for proximal gastric cancer.

PubMed

Chen, Shicai; Li, Jianchang; Liu, Haiying; Zeng, Jun; Yang, Guohua; Wang, Jin; Lu, Weiqun; Yu, Nanrong; Huang, Zhiliang; Xu, Houwei; Zeng, Xiang

2014-03-01

The choice of surgical strategy for patients with proximal gastric cancer remains controversial. In this study, we recommend that a new reconstruction procedure be performed following proximal gastrectomy. We conducted a retrospective study involving 71 patients who underwent gastrectomy for proximal gastric cancer. Clinicopathological features, postoperative complications, nutritional status, and overall survival (OS) rate were compared among three different reconstruction approaches. There were 34 cases of proximal gastrectomy followed by esophagogastrostomy reconstruction (EG), 16 cases of total gastrectomy and Roux-en Y reconstruction (RY) and 21 cases of proximal gastrectomy followed by esophagogastrostomy plus gastrojejunostomy reconstruction (EGJ). Though the clinicopathological features, the nutritional status and OS rate were similar among the three groups of patients, the incidence of reflux esophagitis was significantly higher in the EG group (35.3%) than the RY (6.2%) and EGJ (9.6%) groups(P < 0.05). Few EGJ patients suffered from either reflux esophagitis or anastomotic stenosis. The EGJ reconstruction method helps to resolve the syndrome of reflux esophagitis. Our data indicates that it is a simple, safe, and effective reconstruction procedure for PGC.

Photometric Modeling of Simulated Surace-Resolved Bennu Images

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Golish, D.; DellaGiustina, D. N.; Clark, B.; Li, J. Y.; Zou, X. D.; Bennett, C. A.; Lauretta, D. S.

2017-12-01

The Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security, Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) is a NASA mission to study and return a sample of asteroid (101955) Bennu. Imaging data from the mission will be used to develop empirical surface-resolved photometric models of Bennu at a series of wavelengths. These models will be used to photometrically correct panchromatic and color base maps of Bennu, compensating for variations due to shadows and photometric angle differences, thereby minimizing seams in mosaicked images. Well-corrected mosaics are critical to the generation of a global hazard map and a global 1064-nm reflectance map which predicts LIDAR response. These data products directly feed into the selection of a site from which to safely acquire a sample. We also require photometric correction for the creation of color ratio maps of Bennu. Color ratios maps provide insight into the composition and geological history of the surface and allow for comparison to other Solar System small bodies. In advance of OSIRIS-REx's arrival at Bennu, we use simulated images to judge the efficacy of both the photometric modeling software and the mission observation plan. Our simulation software is based on USGS's Integrated Software for Imagers and Spectrometers (ISIS) and uses a synthetic shape model, a camera model, and an empirical photometric model to generate simulated images. This approach gives us the flexibility to create simulated images of Bennu based on analog surfaces from other small Solar System bodies and to test our modeling software under those conditions. Our photometric modeling software fits image data to several conventional empirical photometric models and produces the best fit model parameters. The process is largely automated, which is crucial to the efficient production of data products during proximity operations. The software also produces several metrics on the quality of the observations themselves, such as surface coverage and the completeness of the data set for evaluating the phase and disk functions of the surface. Application of this software to simulated mission data has revealed limitations in the initial mission design, which has fed back into the planning process. The entire photometric pipeline further serves as an exercise of planned activities for proximity operations.

Patients with proximal junctional kyphosis requiring revision surgery have higher postoperative lumbar lordosis and larger sagittal balance corrections.

PubMed

Kim, Han Jo; Bridwell, Keith H; Lenke, Lawrence G; Park, Moon Soo; Song, Kwang Sup; Piyaskulkaew, Chaiwat; Chuntarapas, Tapanut

2014-04-20

Case control study. To evaluate risk factors in patients in 3 groups: those without proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) (N), with PJK but not requiring revision (P), and then those with PJK requiring revision surgery (S). It is becoming clear that some patients maintain stable PJK angles, whereas others progress and develop severe PJK necessitating revision surgery. A total of 206 patients at a single institution from 2002 to 2007 with adult scoliosis with 2-year minimum follow-up (average 3.5 yr) were analyzed. Inclusion criteria were age more than 18 years and primary fusions greater than 5 levels from any thoracic upper instrumented vertebra to any lower instrumented vertebrae. Revisions were excluded. Radiographical assessment included Cobb measurements in the coronal/sagittal plane and measurements of the PJK angle at postoperative time points: 1 to 2 months, 2 years, and final follow-up. PJK was defined as an angle greater than 10°. The prevalence of PJK was 34%. The average age in N was 49.9 vs. 51.3 years in P and 60.1 years in S. Sex, body mass index, and smoking status were not significantly different between groups. Fusions extending to the pelvis were 74%, 85%, and 91% of the cases in groups N, P, and S. Instrumentation type was significantly different between groups N and S, with a higher number of upper instrumented vertebra hooks in group N. Radiographical parameters demonstrated a higher postoperative lumbar lordosis and a larger sagittal balance change, with surgery in those with PJK requiring revision surgery. Scoliosis Research Society postoperative pain scores were inferior in group N vs. P and S, and Oswestry Disability Index scores were similar between all groups. Patients with PJK requiring revision were older, had higher postoperative lumbar lordosis, and larger sagittal balance corrections than patients without PJK. Based on these data, it seems as though older patients with large corrections in their lumbar lordosis and sagittal balance were at risk for developing PJK, requiring revision surgery. 3.

Hypospadias, all there is to know.

PubMed

van der Horst, H J R; de Wall, L L

2017-04-01

Hypospadias is one of the most common congenital anomalies in men. The condition is typically characterized by proximal displacement of the urethral opening, penile curvature, and a ventrally deficient hooded foreskin. In about 70%, the urethral meatus is located distally on the penile shaft; this is considered a mild form that is not associated with other urogenital deformities. The remaining 30% are proximal and often more complex. In these cases, endocrinological evaluation is advised to exclude disorders of sexual differentiation, especially in case of concomitant unilateral or bilateral undescended testis. Although the etiology of hypospadias is largely unknown, many hypotheses exist about genetic predisposition and hormonal influences. The goal of hypospadias repair is to achieve cosmetic and functional normality, and currently, surgery is recommended between 6 and 18 months of age. Hypospadias can be corrected at any age with comparable complication risk, functional, and cosmetic outcome; however, the optimal age of repair remains conclusive. Although long-term overall outcome concerning cosmetic appearance and sexual function is fairly good, after correction, men may more often be inhibited in seeking sexual contact. Moreover, lower urinary tract symptoms occur twice as often in patients undergoing hypospadias repair and can still occur many years after the initial repair. This study explores the most recent insights into the management of hypospadias. What is Known: • Guidelines advise referral for treatment between 6 and 18 months of age. • Cosmetic outcome is considered satisfactory in over 70% of all patients. What is New: • Long-term complications include urinary tract symptoms and sexual and cosmetic issues. • New developments allow a more individualized approach, hopefully leading to less complications and more patient satisfaction.

Development and implementation of a remote audit tool for high dose rate (HDR) Ir-192 brachytherapy using optically stimulated luminescence dosimetry

PubMed Central

Casey, Kevin E.; Alvarez, Paola; Kry, Stephen F.; Howell, Rebecca M.; Lawyer, Ann; Followill, David

2013-01-01

Purpose: The aim of this work was to create a mailable phantom with measurement accuracy suitable for Radiological Physics Center (RPC) audits of high dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy sources at institutions participating in National Cancer Institute-funded cooperative clinical trials. Optically stimulated luminescence dosimeters (OSLDs) were chosen as the dosimeter to be used with the phantom. Methods: The authors designed and built an 8 × 8 × 10 cm3 prototype phantom that had two slots capable of holding Al2O3:C OSLDs (nanoDots; Landauer, Glenwood, IL) and a single channel capable of accepting all 192Ir HDR brachytherapy sources in current clinical use in the United States. The authors irradiated the phantom with Nucletron and Varian 192Ir HDR sources in order to determine correction factors for linearity with dose and the combined effects of irradiation energy and phantom characteristics. The phantom was then sent to eight institutions which volunteered to perform trial remote audits. Results: The linearity correction factor was kL = (−9.43 × 10−5 × dose) + 1.009, where dose is in cGy, which differed from that determined by the RPC for the same batch of dosimeters using 60Co irradiation. Separate block correction factors were determined for current versions of both Nucletron and Varian 192Ir HDR sources and these vendor-specific correction factors differed by almost 2.6%. For the Nucletron source, the correction factor was 1.026 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.023–1.028], and for the Varian source, it was 1.000 (95% CI = 0.995–1.005). Variations in lateral source positioning up to 0.8 mm and distal/proximal source positioning up to 10 mm had minimal effect on dose measurement accuracy. The overall dose measurement uncertainty of the system was estimated to be 2.4% and 2.5% for the Nucletron and Varian sources, respectively (95% CI). This uncertainty was sufficient to establish a ±5% acceptance criterion for source strength audits under a formal RPC audit program. Trial audits of four Nucletron sources and four Varian sources revealed an average RPC-to-institution dose ratio of 1.000 (standard deviation = 0.011). Conclusions: The authors have created an OSLD-based 192Ir HDR brachytherapy source remote audit tool which offers sufficient dose measurement accuracy to allow the RPC to establish a remote audit program with a ±5% acceptance criterion. The feasibility of the system has been demonstrated with eight trial audits to date. PMID:24320455

CD-SEM real time bias correction using reference metrology based modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ukraintsev, V.; Banke, W.; Zagorodnev, G.; Archie, C.; Rana, N.; Pavlovsky, V.; Smirnov, V.; Briginas, I.; Katnani, A.; Vaid, A.

2018-03-01

Accuracy of patterning impacts yield, IC performance and technology time to market. Accuracy of patterning relies on optical proximity correction (OPC) models built using CD-SEM inputs and intra die critical dimension (CD) control based on CD-SEM. Sub-nanometer measurement uncertainty (MU) of CD-SEM is required for current technologies. Reported design and process related bias variation of CD-SEM is in the range of several nanometers. Reference metrology and numerical modeling are used to correct SEM. Both methods are slow to be used for real time bias correction. We report on real time CD-SEM bias correction using empirical models based on reference metrology (RM) data. Significant amount of currently untapped information (sidewall angle, corner rounding, etc.) is obtainable from SEM waveforms. Using additional RM information provided for specific technology (design rules, materials, processes) CD extraction algorithms can be pre-built and then used in real time for accurate CD extraction from regular CD-SEM images. The art and challenge of SEM modeling is in finding robust correlation between SEM waveform features and bias of CD-SEM as well as in minimizing RM inputs needed to create accurate (within the design and process space) model. The new approach was applied to improve CD-SEM accuracy of 45 nm GATE and 32 nm MET1 OPC 1D models. In both cases MU of the state of the art CD-SEM has been improved by 3x and reduced to a nanometer level. Similar approach can be applied to 2D (end of line, contours, etc.) and 3D (sidewall angle, corner rounding, etc.) cases.

Three-dimensional printing as a technology supporting the treatment of lower limb deformity and shortening with the Ilizarov method.

PubMed

Morasiewicz, Piotr; Burzyńska, Karolina; Orzechowski, Wiktor; Dragan, Szymon Łukasz; Dragan, Szymon Feliks; Filipiak, Jarosław

2018-04-20

Treatment of multiplanar deformities, especially in younger children, requires construction of a complex Ilizarov fixator, frequently with small dimensions. The aim of this study is to verify clinical application of a3D-printed bone model in treatment with the Ilizarov method. The study involved a 6-year-old child in whom clinical and radiological examination revealed multiplanar deformity of the right leg. Then, 3D models of individual bones were printed by means of additive manufacturing and were used as a scaffold to install the Ilizarov apparatus. To compare the expected and factual axial correction and lengthening, we measured spatial orientation of bone fragments three times. The factual axial correction and lengthening were determined with a photometric technique. Ilizarov fixator with a configuration developed using a 3D model of the treated bone was mounted on the patient's leg. Corticotomy was carried out at the proximal metaphysis of the right tibia, along with osteotomy of the right talus. The treatment resulted in a 3.5-cm lengthening of the limb and a 7° correction of valgus angle. The values of actual lengthening and axial correction were 4.1% lower than the expected values of these parameters. Orthopedists should consider differences between the expected and actual lengthening and axial correction in planning treatment with the Ilizarov method. Three-dimensional printing is a useful technology that can be used to support treatment with the Ilizarov method. Copyright © 2018 IPEM. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Anomalous proximity effect in an inhomogeneous disordered superconductor.

PubMed

Escoffier, W; Chapelier, C; Hadacek, N; Villégier, J-C

2004-11-19

By combining very low temperature scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy on a TiN film we have observed a nonuniform state comprising of superconducting (S) and normal (N) areas. The local density of states displays a spatial dependence between S and N different from the usual proximity effect. We conclude that mesoscopic fluctuations might play a major role in accordance with recent theories describing superconductor-normal-metal quantum transition.

The Effects of Affirmative Quality Feedback on Low Socio-Economic Students' Zone of Proximal Development Reading Gains (ZPDRL): A Causal-Comparative Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Prescott, Sharon H.

2010-01-01

The purpose of this study was to explore upper elementary reading classes in a low socio-economic area to determine the effects frequent praise, both academically and socially, have on the zone of proximal development in reading (ZPD[subscript RL], Renaissance Learning, 2006). A causal-comparative study was utilized by observing two groups of…

Effect of oxytocin on contraction of rabbit proximal colon in vitro

PubMed Central

Xie, Dong-Ping; Chen, Lian-Bi; Liu, Chuan-Yong; Liu, Jing-Zhang; Liu, Ke-Jing

2003-01-01

AIM: To investigate the effects of oxytocin (OT) on isolated rabbit proximal colon and its mechanism. METHODS: Both longitudinal muscle (LM) and circular muscle (CM) were suspended in a tissue chamber containing 5 mL Krebs solution (37 °C), bubbled continuously with 950 mL·L-1 O2 and 50 mL·L-1 CO2. Isometric spontaneous contractile responses to oxytocin or other drugs were recorded in circular and longitudinal muscle strips. RESULTS: OT (0.1 U·L-1) failed to elicit significant effects on the contractile activity of proximal colonic smooth muscle strips (P > 0.05). OT (1 to 10 U·L-1) decreased the mean contractile amplitude and the contractile frequency of CM and LM. Hexamethonium (10 μmol·L-1) partly blocked the inhibition of oxytocin (1 U·L-1) on the contractile frenquency of CM. Nω-nitro-L-arginine-methylester (L-NAME, 1 μmol·L-1), progesterone (32 μmol·L-1) and estrogen (2.6 μmol·L-1) had no effects on OT-induced responses. CONCLUSION: OT inhibits the motility of proximal colon in rabbits. The action is partly relevant with N receptor, but irrelevant with that of NO, progesterone or estrogen. PMID:12508375

Exploring proximity effects and large depth of field in helium ion beam lithography: large-area dense patterns and tilted surface exposure.

PubMed

Flatabø, Ranveig; Agarwal, Akshay; Hobbs, Richard; Greve, Martin M; Holst, Bodil; Berggren, Karl K

2018-07-06

Helium ion beam lithography (HIL) is an emerging nanofabrication technique. It benefits from a reduced interaction volume compared to that of an electron beam of similar energy, and hence reduced long-range scattering (proximity effect), higher resist sensitivity and potentially higher resolution. Furthermore, the small angular spread of the helium ion beam gives rise to a large depth of field. This should enable patterning on tilted and curved surfaces without the need of any additional adjustments, such as laser-auto focus. So far, most work on HIL has been focused on exploiting the reduced proximity effect to reach single-digit nanometer resolution, and has thus been concentrated on single-pixel exposures over small areas. Here we explore two new areas of application. Firstly, we investigate the proximity effect in large-area exposures and demonstrate HIL's capabilities in fabricating precise high-density gratings on large planar surfaces (100 μm × 100 μm, with pitch down to 35 nm) using an area dose for exposure. Secondly, we exploit the large depth of field by making the first HIL patterns on tilted surfaces (sample stage tilted 45°). We demonstrate a depth of field greater than 100 μm for a resolution of about 20 nm.

Early proximal tibial valgus osteotomy as a very important prognostic factor in Thai children with infantile tibia vara.

PubMed

Kaewpornsawan, Kamolporn; Tangsataporn, Suksan; Jatunarapit, Ratiporn

2005-10-01

To find the effectiveness of the early surgery (2-3 years of age)as a very important prognostic factor affecting the outcomes in Thai children with infantile tibia vara and all the prognostic factors including the usefulness of arthrographic study in correcting the deformity. From 1994 to 2004, sixteen children aged average 3.61 years old (2.08-7.0) were treated in Siriraj Hospital and diagnosed as infantile tibia vara by Langenskiold radiographic staging were included in the present study and retrospectively reviewed with an average of 6.4 years follow up (range 6 month - 11.1 years). All cases were initially treated by surgery because of low compliance for brace or brace failure. They consisted of 3 boys and 13 girls. There were 24 legs including the bilateral involvement in 8 cases (2 boy and 6 girls). After arihrography, the midshaft fibular osteotomy was performed then the proximal tibial dome-shaped valgus osteotomy was done and fixed with 2 pins. The desired position was 12 degree knee valgus . The patients were divided in two groups, 1)group A,the successful group with the knee becoming normal without any deformity after single osteotomy, 2)group B,the recurrent group with recurrence of the varus deformity required further corrective osteotomies to make normal axis of the knee. All variables were analyzed and compared between group A and group B. The general characteristics and radiographic findings were recorded in 1)age, 2)sex, 3)side, 4)weight in kilogram and in percentage of normal or overweight(obesity) compared with the standard Thai weight chart, 5)tibiofemoral angle (TFA) pre and postoperative treatment, 6) metaphyseal diaphyseal angle (MDA), 7)the medial physeal slope angle (MPS, 8)The preoperative arthrographic articulo-diaphyseal angle (ADA), 9.arthrographic articulo-medial physeal angle (AMPA). There were 14 legs in group A and the remaining 10 legs were in group B (average 2.4 operations). All cases healed in good alignment of the legs without major complication. All patients who were operated on early before 3 years old were 100% cured by single osteotomy in group A(11 legs). Arthrography was useful in evaluating the knee joint and drawing the angle. Considering the prognostic factors affecting the outcomes after surgery, there were 6 prognostic factors . First, the age less than 3 years old (P<0.001). Second, the normal weight (P<0.047). Third, the Langenskiold stage 1-2 (P=0.002). Fourth, the MPS angle equal or less than 59 degree (P < 0.001). Fifth, the ADA preperative angle equal or less than 18 degrees (P<0.001). Sixth and the last factor, the TFA angle postoperative treatment, equal or more than 10 degrees valgus (mean 13 degrees valgus) (P=0.009).In multivariate analysis with stepwise logistic regression of these 6 prosnostic factors, the MPS angle had the most important significance. The proximal tibial valgus osteotomy was a very important factor(P < 0.001). The 6 prognostic factors and usefulness of arthrography were identified. The authors suggest that surgery should be performed early in Thai children who have met these criterias 1)age of the patients more than 2 years old, 2)Langenskiold roentgenographic characteristics of infantile tibia vara stage 2 or more at the time of diagnosis, 3)Low compliance for brace treatment.or brace failure but not more than 3 years old. The surgery should not be delayed more than 3 years of age by waiting for effectiveness of brace treatment in Thai children with infantile tibia vara. The early proximal valgus dome- shaped osteotomy was a very important controllable prognostic factor by surgeon decision.

RELATIVE TOXICITY OF SIZE-FRACTIONATED PARTICULATE MATTER OBTAINED AT DIFFERENT PROXIMITIES TO A HIGHWAY

EPA Science Inventory

Recent epidemiological studies have shown associations between proximity to highways and adverse health effects. Toxicology studies in animals are needed to examine the basis for these observations. Airborne particulate matter (PM) was collected for 2 weeks using a high-volume im...

Kin Group Solidarity among the Aged.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kivett, Vira R.; Atkinson, Maxine P.

The theoretical model of Bengtson et al (l976) for the measurement of intergenerational solidarity proposes that dependency needs and residential proximity modify helping behavior, while filial responsibility mediates the effects of residential proximity. To examine the relative importance of the model in predicting parent/child solidarity among a…

Effect of Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction Method on Patellofemoral Contact Pressures and Kinematics.

PubMed

Stephen, Joanna M; Kittl, Christoph; Williams, Andy; Zaffagnini, Stefano; Marcheggiani Muccioli, Giulio Maria; Fink, Christian; Amis, Andrew A

2016-05-01

There remains a lack of evidence regarding the optimal method when reconstructing the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) and whether some graft constructs can be more forgiving to surgical errors, such as overtensioning or tunnel malpositioning, than others. The null hypothesis was that there would not be a significant difference between reconstruction methods (eg, graft type and fixation) in the adverse biomechanical effects (eg, patellar maltracking or elevated articular contact pressure) resulting from surgical errors such as tunnel malpositioning or graft overtensioning. Controlled laboratory study. Nine fresh-frozen cadaveric knees were placed on a customized testing rig, where the femur was fixed but the tibia could be moved freely from 0° to 90° of flexion. Individual quadriceps heads and the iliotibial tract were separated and loaded to 205 N of tension using a weighted pulley system. Patellofemoral contact pressures and patellar tracking were measured at 0°, 10°, 20°, 30°, 60°, and 90° of flexion using pressure-sensitive film inserted between the patella and trochlea, in conjunction with an optical tracking system. The MPFL was transected and then reconstructed in a randomized order using a (1) double-strand gracilis tendon, (2) quadriceps tendon, and (3) tensor fasciae latae allograft. Pressure maps and tracking measurements were recorded for each reconstruction method in 2 N and 10 N of tension and with the graft positioned in the anatomic, proximal, and distal femoral tunnel positions. Statistical analysis was undertaken using repeated-measures analyses of variance, Bonferroni post hoc analyses, and paired t tests. Anatomically placed grafts during MPFL reconstruction tensioned to 2 N resulted in the restoration of intact medial joint contact pressures and patellar tracking for all 3 graft types investigated (P > .050). However, femoral tunnels positioned proximal or distal to the anatomic origin resulted in significant increases in the mean medial joint contact pressure, medial patellar tilt, and medial patellar translation during knee flexion or extension, respectively (P < .050), regardless of graft type, as did tensioning to 10 N. The importance of the surgical technique, specifically correct femoral tunnel positioning and graft tensioning, in restoring normal patellofemoral joint (PFJ) kinematics and articular cartilage contact stresses is evident, and the type of MPFL graft appeared less important. The correct femoral tunnel position and graft tension for restoring normal PFJ kinematics and articular cartilage contact stresses appear to be more important than graft selection during MPFL reconstruction. These findings emphasize the importance of the surgical technique when undertaking this procedure. © 2016 The Author(s).

Proximity effects in the electron impact mass spectra of 2-substituted benzazoles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chantler, Thomas; Perrin, Victoria L.; Donkor, Rachel E.; Cawthorne, Richard S.; Bowen, Richard D.

2004-08-01

The 70 eV electron impact mass spectra of a wide range of 2-substituted benzazoles are reported and discussed. Particular attention is paid to the mechanistic significance and analytical utility of [M-H]+ and [M-X]+ signals in the spectra of benzazoles in which the 2-substituent contains a terminal aryl group with one or more substituents, X. Loss of H[radical sign] or X[radical sign] occurs preferentially from an ortho-position from ionized 2-benzylbenzimidazoles, 2-phenethylbenzimidazoles, 2-styrylbenzimidazoles, 2-styrylbenzoxazoles and 2-styrylbenzothiazoles. In the three styrylbenzazole series, the [M-H]+ and/or [M-X]+ signals dominate the spectra. This unusually facile loss of H[radical sign] or X[radical sign] may be attributed to a proximity effect, in which cyclization of the ionized molecule is followed by elimination of an ortho-substituent to give an exceptionally stable polycyclic ion. Formation of a new five- or six-membered ring by the proximity effect occurs rapidly; cyclization to a seven-membered ring takes place rather less readily; but formation of a ring with only four atoms or more than seven atoms is not observed to a significant extent. The proximity effect competes effectively with loss of a methyl radical by simple cleavage of an ethyl, isopropyl and even a t-butyl group in the pendant aromatic ring of ionized 2-(4-alkylstyryl)benzazoles.

Orbiter/payload proximity operations SES Postsim report. Lateral approach and other techniques

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Olszewski, O.

1978-01-01

Various approach and stationkeeping simulations (proximity operations) were conducted in the Shuttle engineering simulator (SES). This simulator is the first to dynamically include the Orbiter reaction control system (RCS) plume effects on a payload being recovered after rendezvous operations. A procedure for braking, using the simultaneous firing of both jets, was evaluated and found very useful for proximity operations. However this procedure is very inefficient in the RCS usage and requires modifications to the digital autopilot (DAP) software. A new final approach, the lateral approach technique (LAT), or the momentum vector proximity approach, was also evaluated in the simulations. The LAT, which included a tailfirst approach for braking, was evaluated successfully with both inertial and gravity stabilized payloads.

A maneuver for improved positioning of a tourniquet in the obese patient.

PubMed

Krackow, K A

1982-08-01

Proximal positioning of an arterial tourniquet will be greatly facilitated by having an assistant firmly draw the skin and subcutaneous tissue distally prior to positioning the cast padding and tourniquet. This simple maneuver is clearly not part of current practice or training, despite the simplicity and effectiveness. Excessive tourniquet tightening should be avoided prior to fixing the Velcro fasteners, a practice which is commonly employed and is not only ineffective in maintaining proximal tourniquet positioning, but also deleterious in that it creates a "venous tourniquet" effect. Loosening of the restraining adhesive tapes and unnecessary traction of adhesive tape on sensitive skin can be avoided by bringing the extremity to its resting position before fastening the tape proximal to the tourniquet.

Scanning tunneling spectroscopy study of the proximity effect in a disordered two-dimensional metal.

PubMed

Serrier-Garcia, L; Cuevas, J C; Cren, T; Brun, C; Cherkez, V; Debontridder, F; Fokin, D; Bergeret, F S; Roditchev, D

2013-04-12

The proximity effect between a superconductor and a highly diffusive two-dimensional metal is revealed in a scanning tunneling spectroscopy experiment. The in situ elaborated samples consist of superconducting single crystalline Pb islands interconnected by a nonsuperconducting atomically thin disordered Pb wetting layer. In the vicinity of each superconducting island the wetting layer acquires specific tunneling characteristics which reflect the interplay between the proximity-induced superconductivity and the inherent electron correlations of this ultimate diffusive two-dimensional metal. The observed spatial evolution of the tunneling spectra is accounted for theoretically by combining the Usadel equations with the theory of dynamical Coulomb blockade; the relevant length and energy scales are extracted and found in agreement with available experimental data.

Effects of Hand Proximity and Movement Direction in Spatial and Temporal Gap Discrimination.

PubMed

Wiemers, Michael; Fischer, Martin H

2016-01-01

Previous research on the interplay between static manual postures and visual attention revealed enhanced visual selection near the hands (near-hand effect). During active movements there is also superior visual performance when moving toward compared to away from the stimulus (direction effect). The "modulated visual pathways" hypothesis argues that differential involvement of magno- and parvocellular visual processing streams causes the near-hand effect. The key finding supporting this hypothesis is an increase in temporal and a reduction in spatial processing in near-hand space (Gozli et al., 2012). Since this hypothesis has, so far, only been tested with static hand postures, we provide a conceptual replication of Gozli et al.'s (2012) result with moving hands, thus also probing the generality of the direction effect. Participants performed temporal or spatial gap discriminations while their right hand was moving below the display. In contrast to Gozli et al. (2012), temporal gap discrimination was superior at intermediate and not near hand proximity. In spatial gap discrimination, a direction effect without hand proximity effect suggests that pragmatic attentional maps overshadowed temporal/spatial processing biases for far/near-hand space.

Proximal and Overall Gastric Emptying of Solids in Patients with Reduced Gastric Volume Accommodation Compared to Matched Controls

PubMed Central

Camilleri, Michael; Breen, Mary; Ryks, Michael; Burton, Duane

2011-01-01

Background Interventions such as gastric surgery and erythromycin result in displacement of solids to the distal stomach and acceleration of overall and proximal gastric emptying. The effect of non-surgical impairment of gastric accommodation on gastric emptying is unclear. Non-surgical impairment of gastric accommodation is associated with accelerated gastric emptying. Aim To compare measurements of proximal and overall gastric emptying in patients with reduced postprandial gastric volume accommodation with the emptying rates in age- and gender-matched controls with normal postprandial gastric volume accommodation. Methods We evaluated overall and proximal gastric emptying in 9 patients with impaired gastric accommodation and age-equivalent and gender-matched controls. Gastric volumes and emptying were measured using validated SPECT and dual gamma camera scintigraphy respectively. We compared group differences in overall and proximal gastric emptying t1/2 by t test. Results Patients with impaired postprandial gastric volume accommodation had greater fasting gastric volume. The proportion of food emptied from the proximal stomach immediately after meal ingestion was lower and t1/2of proximal gastric emptying correspondingly longer in the group with reduced postprandial gastric accommodation. In contrast, differences were not detected in overall gastric emptying in the two groups, and the ratio of overall to proximal gastric emptying t1/2was greater in the group with impaired volume accommodation. Conclusions Proximal stomach emptying is reduced in patients with impaired postprandial volume accommodation; this difference occurs predominantly during the time of meal ingestion. Compensatory mechanisms that result in normal overall gastric emptying require further elucidation. PMID:21327917

Superconducting proximity effect in topological materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reeg, Christopher R.

In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in the proximity effect due to its role in the realization of topological superconductivity. In this dissertation, we discuss several results that have been obtained in the field of proximity-induced superconductivity and relate the results to the search for Majorana fermions. First, we show that repulsive electron-electron interactions can induce a non-Majorana zero-energy bound state at the interface between a conventional superconductor and a normal metal. We show that this state is very sensitive to disorder, owing to its lack of topological protection. Second, we show that Rashba spin-orbit coupling, which is one of the key ingredients in engineering a topological superconductor, induces triplet pairing in the proximity effect. When the spin-orbit coupling is strong (i.e., when the characteristic energy scale for spin-orbit coupling is comparable to the Fermi energy), the induced singlet and triplet pairing amplitudes can be comparable in magnitude. Finally, we discuss how the size of the proximity-induced gap, which appears in a low-dimensional material coupled to a superconductor, evolves as the thickness of the (quasi-)low-dimensional material is increased. We show that the induced gap can be comparable to the bulk energy gap of the underlying superconductor in materials that are much thicker than the Fermi wavelength, even in the presence of an interfacial barrier and strong Fermi surface mismatch. This result has important experimental consequences for topological superconductivity, as a sizable gap is required to isolate and detect the Majorana modes.

A homeostatic clock sets daughter centriole size in flies

PubMed Central

Aydogan, Mustafa G.; Steinacker, Thomas L.; Novak, Zsofia A.; Baumbach, Janina; Muschalik, Nadine

2018-01-01

Centrioles are highly structured organelles whose size is remarkably consistent within any given cell type. New centrioles are born when Polo-like kinase 4 (Plk4) recruits Ana2/STIL and Sas-6 to the side of an existing “mother” centriole. These two proteins then assemble into a cartwheel, which grows outwards to form the structural core of a new daughter. Here, we show that in early Drosophila melanogaster embryos, daughter centrioles grow at a linear rate during early S-phase and abruptly stop growing when they reach their correct size in mid- to late S-phase. Unexpectedly, the cartwheel grows from its proximal end, and Plk4 determines both the rate and period of centriole growth: the more active the centriolar Plk4, the faster centrioles grow, but the faster centriolar Plk4 is inactivated and growth ceases. Thus, Plk4 functions as a homeostatic clock, establishing an inverse relationship between growth rate and period to ensure that daughter centrioles grow to the correct size. PMID:29500190

Social media analysis during political turbulence

PubMed Central

Spiliotopoulos, Dimitris; V. Samaras, Christos; Pratikakis, Polyvios; Ioannidis, Sotiris; Fragopoulou, Paraskevi

2017-01-01

Today, a considerable proportion of the public political discourse on nationwide elections proceeds in Online Social Networks. Through analyzing this content, we can discover the major themes that prevailed during the discussion, investigate the temporal variation of positive and negative sentiment and examine the semantic proximity of these themes. According to existing studies, the results of similar tasks are heavily dependent on the quality and completeness of dictionaries for linguistic preprocessing, entity discovery and sentiment analysis. Additionally, noise reduction is achieved with methods for sarcasm detection and correction. Here we report on the application of these methods on the complete corpus of tweets regarding two local electoral events of worldwide impact: the Greek referendum of 2015 and the subsequent legislative elections. To this end, we compiled novel dictionaries for sentiment and entity detection for the Greek language tailored to these events. We subsequently performed volume analysis, sentiment analysis, sarcasm correction and topic modeling. Results showed that there was a strong anti-austerity sentiment accompanied with a critical view on European and Greek political actions. PMID:29088263

Social media analysis during political turbulence.

PubMed

Antonakaki, Despoina; Spiliotopoulos, Dimitris; V Samaras, Christos; Pratikakis, Polyvios; Ioannidis, Sotiris; Fragopoulou, Paraskevi

2017-01-01

Today, a considerable proportion of the public political discourse on nationwide elections proceeds in Online Social Networks. Through analyzing this content, we can discover the major themes that prevailed during the discussion, investigate the temporal variation of positive and negative sentiment and examine the semantic proximity of these themes. According to existing studies, the results of similar tasks are heavily dependent on the quality and completeness of dictionaries for linguistic preprocessing, entity discovery and sentiment analysis. Additionally, noise reduction is achieved with methods for sarcasm detection and correction. Here we report on the application of these methods on the complete corpus of tweets regarding two local electoral events of worldwide impact: the Greek referendum of 2015 and the subsequent legislative elections. To this end, we compiled novel dictionaries for sentiment and entity detection for the Greek language tailored to these events. We subsequently performed volume analysis, sentiment analysis, sarcasm correction and topic modeling. Results showed that there was a strong anti-austerity sentiment accompanied with a critical view on European and Greek political actions.

Rapid population growth and environmental degradation: ultimate versus proximate factors.

PubMed

Shaw, R P

1989-01-01

This philosophical review of 2 arguments about responsibility for and solutions to environmental degradation concludes that both sides are correct: the ultimate and the proximal causes. Ultimate causes of pollution are defined as the technology responsible for a given type of pollution, such as burning fossil fuel; proximate causes are defined as situation-specific factors confounding the problem, such as population density or rate of growth. Commoner and others argue that developed countries with low or negative population growth rates are responsible for 80% of world pollution, primarily in polluting technologies such as automobiles, power generation, plastics, pesticides, toxic wastes, garbage, warfaring, and nuclear weapons wastes. Distortionary policies also contribute; examples are agricultural trade protection, land mismanagement, urban bias in expenditures, and institutional rigidity., Poor nations are responsible for very little pollution because poverty allows little waste or expenditures for polluting, synthetic technologies. The proximal causes of pollution include numbers and rate of growth of populations responsible for the pollution. Since change in the ultimate cause of pollution remains out of reach, altering the numbers of polluters can make a difference. Predictions are made for proportions of the world's total waste production, assuming current 1.6 tons/capita for developed countries and 0.17 tons/capita for developing countries. If developing countries grow at current rates and become more wealthy, they will be emitting half the world's waste by 2025. ON the other hand, unsustainable population growth goes along with inadequate investment in human capital: education, health, employment, infrastructure. The solution is to improve farming technologies in the 117 non-self-sufficient countries, fund development in the most unsustainable enclaves of growing countries, break institutionalized socio-political rigidity in these enclaves, and focus on educating and empowering women in these enclaves. Women are in charge of birth spacing and all aspects of management of energy, food, water and the local environment, more so than men, in most countries.

Instrumentation Strategies to Reduce the Risks of Proximal Junctional Kyphosis in Adult Scoliosis: A Detailed Biomechanical Analysis.

PubMed

Aubin, Carl-Eric; Cammarata, Marco; Wang, Xiaoyu; Mac-Thiong, Jean-Marc

2015-05-01

Biomechanical analysis of proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) through numerical simulations. Assessment of the effect of sagittal alignment, the upper instrumented vertebral level (UIV), and 4 other surgical variables on biomechanical indices related to the PJK risks. Despite retrospective clinical studies, biomechanical analysis of individual parameters associated with PJK is lacking to support instrumentation strategies to reduce the PJK risks. Instrumentations of 6 adult scoliosis cases with different operative strategies were simulated (1,152 simulations). Proximal junctional (PJ) angle and flexion loads were evaluated against the sagittal alignment and the proximal instrumentation level. Instrumenting 1 more proximal vertebra allowed the PJ angle, proximal moment, and force to be reduced by 18%, 25%, and 16%, respectively. Shifting sagittal alignment by 20 mm posteriorly increased the PJ angle and proximal moment by 16% and 22%, and increased the equivalent posterior extensor force by 37%. Bilateral complete facetectomy, posterior ligaments resection, and the combination of the 2 resulted in an increase of the PJ angle (by 10%, 28%, and 53%, respectively), flexion forces (by 4%, 12%, and 22%, respectively), and proximal moments (by 16%, 44%, and 83%, respectively). Transverse process hooks at UIV compared with pedicle screws allowed 26% lower PJ angle and flexion loads. The use of proximal transition rods with proximal diameter reduced from 5.5 to 4 mm slightly reduced PJ angle, flexion force, and moment (less than 8%). The increase in sagittal rod curvature from 10° to 40° increased the PJ angle (from 6% to 19%), flexion force (from 3% to 10%), and moment (from 9% to 27%). Simulated posteriorly shifted sagittal alignment was associated with higher PJK risks, whereas extending instrumentation proximally allowed a lower mechanical risk of PJK. Preserving PJ intervertebral elements and using a more flexible anchorage at UIV help reduce the biomechanical risks of PJK. Copyright © 2015 Scoliosis Research Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Compression ultrasonography of the lower extremity with portable vascular ultrasonography can accurately detect deep venous thrombosis in the emergency department.

PubMed

Crisp, Jonathan G; Lovato, Luis M; Jang, Timothy B

2010-12-01

Compression ultrasonography of the lower extremity is an established method of detecting proximal lower extremity deep venous thrombosis when performed by a certified operator in a vascular laboratory. Our objective is to determine the sensitivity and specificity of bedside 2-point compression ultrasonography performed in the emergency department (ED) with portable vascular ultrasonography for the detection of proximal lower extremity deep venous thrombosis. We did this by directly comparing emergency physician-performed ultrasonography to lower extremity duplex ultrasonography performed by the Department of Radiology. This was a prospective, cross-sectional study and diagnostic test assessment of a convenience sample of ED patients with a suspected lower extremity deep venous thrombosis, conducted at a single-center, urban, academic ED. All physicians had a 10-minute training session before enrolling patients. ED compression ultrasonography occurred before Department of Radiology ultrasonography and involved identification of 2 specific points: the common femoral and popliteal vessels, with subsequent compression of the common femoral and popliteal veins. The study result was considered positive for proximal lower extremity deep venous thrombosis if either vein was incompressible or a thrombus was visualized. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated with the final radiologist interpretation of the Department of Radiology ultrasonography as the criterion standard. A total of 47 physicians performed 199 2-point compression ultrasonographic examinations in the ED. Median number of examinations per physician was 2 (range 1 to 29 examinations; interquartile range 1 to 5 examinations). There were 45 proximal lower extremity deep venous thromboses observed on Department of Radiology evaluation, all correctly identified by ED 2-point compression ultrasonography. The 153 patients without proximal lower extremity deep venous thrombosis all had a negative ED compression ultrasonographic result. One patient with a negative Department of Radiology ultrasonographic result was found to have decreased compression of the popliteal vein on ED compression ultrasonography, giving a single false-positive result, yet repeated ultrasonography by the Department of Radiology 1 week later showed a popliteal deep venous thrombosis. The sensitivity and specificity of ED 2-point compression ultrasonography for deep venous thrombosis were 100% (95% confidence interval 92% to 100%) and 99% (95% confidence interval 96% to 100%), respectively. Emergency physician-performed 2-point compression ultrasonography of the lower extremity with a portable vascular ultrasonographic machine, conducted in the ED by this physician group and in this patient sample, accurately identified the presence and absence of proximal lower extremity deep venous thrombosis. Copyright © 2010 American College of Emergency Physicians. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Simulation of Electron Scattering in Complex Nanostructures: Lithography, Metrology, and Characterization.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Johnson, Sylvester, IV

A CAE (Computer Aided Engineering) tool called SEEL (Simulation of Electron Energy Loss) is described in detail. SEEL simulates in any material the energy loss and trajectories of electrons in the complex, multilayered nanostructures typical of ULSI, at beam energies from 1 to 50 keV. Structures and materials are defined in the input file rather than in the source code of the program, for which flowcharts are included in addition to an explanation of the algorithms implemented. Satisfactory comparisons of simulated with experimental results are made of both secondary electron (SE) and backscattered electron (BSE) linescans across an array of MOS gate structures capped by rough oxide. Many other comparisons are made. The effects of varying line edge slopes on SE linescan peak shape are simulated and analyzed. A data library containing the simulated variation of the FWHM, peak height, and peak location with slope for different materials, line heights or trench depths, widths, beam energies, and nominal diameters could be used to find the edge location relative to the peak for improvement of the accuracy of linewidth measurement algorithms. An investigation indicates that the use of such a library would be complicated by the effect of surface roughness on the SE signal at the edge of a feature. SEEL can be used as the first module in a series of programs that simulate energy deposition in resist structures and correct the exposure of a circuit pattern. Pixel by pixel convolution for prediction of the proximity effect is time-consuming. Another method of proximity effect prediction based on the reciprocity of the RED is described. Such programs could be used to reduce the number of iterations in the lab required to optimize resist structures and exposure parameters. For both smooth and rough interfaces between a bottom layer of PMMA in a multilayer resist structure and a W film, the simulated exposure contrast declines from that with an oxide film beneath the structure. A comparison of Auger peak to background ratios resulting from simulation of smooth and rough surfaces indicates that roughening of an Al surface on a small scale could result in a smaller ratio.

Leptin modulates enteric neurotransmission in the rat proximal colon: an in vitro study.

PubMed

Florian, Voinot; Caroline, Fischer; Francis, Crenner; Camille, Schmidt; Fabielle, Angel

2013-08-10

Leptin has been shown to modulate gastrointestinal functions including nutrient absorption, growth, and inflammation and to display complex effects on gut motility. Leptin receptors have also been identified within the enteric nervous system (ENS), which plays a crucial role in digestive functions. Although leptin has recently been shown to activate neurons in the ENS, the precise mechanisms involved are so far unknown. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine the effects of leptin on rat proximal colon smooth muscle and enteric neuron activities. The effects of exogenous leptin on tone and on responses to transmural nerve stimulation (TNS) of isolated circular smooth muscle of proximal colon in rats were investigated using an organ bath technique. The effects of a physiological concentration (0.1 μM) of leptin were also studied on tone and TNS-induced relaxation in the presence of atropine, hexamethonium, L-N(G)-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and capsazepine. Leptin caused a slight but significant decrease in tone, TNS-induced relaxation and contraction in a concentration-dependent manner in colonic preparations. Cholinergic antagonists abolished the effects of 0.1 μM leptin on TNS-induced relaxation. This concentration of leptin had no further effect on relaxation in the presence of L-NAME. In the presence of capsazepine, leptin had no further effect either on tone or relaxation compared to the drug alone. In conclusion, leptin modulates the activity of enteric inhibitory and excitatory neurons in proximal colon. These effects may be mediated through nitrergic neurons. Intrinsic primary afferent neurons may be involved. © 2013.

Superconductivity and ferromagnetism in topological insulators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Duming

Topological insulators, a new state of matter discovered recently, have attracted great interest due to their novel properties. They are insulating inside the bulk, but conducting at the surface or edges. This peculiar behavior is characterized by an insulating bulk energy gap and gapless surface or edge states, which originate from strong spin-orbit coupling and time-reversal symmetry. The spin and momentum locked surface states not only provide a model system to study fundamental physics, but can also lead to applications in spintronics and dissipationless electronics. While topological insulators are interesting by themselves, more exotic behaviors are predicted when an energy gap is induced at the surface. This dissertation explores two types of surface state gap in topological insulators, a superconducting gap induced by proximity effect and a magnetic gap induced by chemical doping. The first three chapters provide introductory theory and experimental details of my research. Chapter 1 provides a brief introduction to the theoretical background of topological insulators. Chapter 2 is dedicated to material synthesis principles and techniques. I will focus on two major synthesis methods: molecular beam epitaxy for the growth of Bi2Se3 thin films and chemical vapor deposition for the growth of Bi2Se3 nanoribbons and nanowires. Material characterization is discussed in Chapter 3. I will describe structural, morphological, magnetic, electrical, and electronic characterization techniques used to study topological insulators. Chapter 4 discusses the experiments on proximity-induced superconductivity in topological insulator (Bi2Se3) nanoribbons. This work is motivated by the search for the elusive Majorana fermions, which act as their own antiparticles. They were proposed by Ettore Majorara in 1937, but have remained undiscovered. Recently, Majorana's concept has been revived in condensed matter physics: a condensed matter analog of Majorana fermions is predicted to exist when topological insulators are interfaced with superconductors. The observation of Majorana fermions would not only be fundamentally important, but would also lead to applications in fault-tolerant topological quantum computation. By interfacing topological insulator nanoribbons with superconducting electrodes, we observe distinct signatures of proximity-induced superconductivity, which is found to be present in devices with channel lengths that are much longer than the normal transport characteristic lengths. This might suggest preferential coupling of the proximity effect to a ballistic surface channel of the topological insulator. In addition, when the electrodes are in the superconducting state, we observe periodic magnetoresistance oscillations which suggest the formation of vortices in the proximity-induced region of the nanoribbons. Our results demonstrate that proximity-induced superconductivity and vortices can be realized in our nanoribbon geometry, which accomplishes a first important step towards the search for Majorana fermions in condensed matter. In Chapter 5, I will discuss experiments on a magnetically-doped topological insulator (Mn-doped Bi2Se3) to induce a surface state gap. The metallic Dirac cone surface states of a topological insulator are expected to be protected against small perturbations by time-reversal symmetry. However, these surface states can be dramatically modified and a finite energy gap can be opened at the Dirac point by breaking the time-reversal symmetry via magnetic doping. The interplay between magnetism and topological surface states is predicted to yield novel phenomena of fundamental interest such as a topological magneto-electric effect, a quantized anomalous Hall effect, and the induction of magnetic monopoles. Our systematic measurements reveal a close correlation between the onset of ferromagnetism and quantum corrections to diffusive transport, which crosses over from the symplectic (weak anti-localization) to the unitary (weak localization) class. A comprehensive interpretation of data obtained from electrical transport, angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, superconducting quantum interference device magnetometry, and scanning tunneling microscopy indicates that the ferromagnetism responsible for modifications in the surface states occurs in nanoscale regions on the surface where magnetic atoms segregate during sample growth. This suggests that some aspects of the observed magnetoconductance may indeed originate from surface transport despite the non-ideal nature of the samples. These observations are consistent with the prediction of a time-reversal symmetry breaking gap, which is further supported by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy measurements.

Proximate effects of temperature versus evolved intrinsic constraints for embryonic development times among temperate and tropical songbirds

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ton, Riccardo; Martin, Thomas E.

2017-01-01

The relative importance of intrinsic constraints imposed by evolved physiological trade-offs versus the proximate effects of temperature for interspecific variation in embryonic development time remains unclear. Understanding this distinction is important because slow development due to evolved trade-offs can yield phenotypic benefits, whereas slow development from low temperature can yield costs. We experimentally increased embryonic temperature in free-living tropical and north temperate songbird species to test these alternatives. Warmer temperatures consistently shortened development time without costs to embryo mass or metabolism. However, proximate effects of temperature played an increasingly stronger role than intrinsic constraints for development time among species with colder natural incubation temperatures. Long development times of tropical birds have been thought to primarily reflect evolved physiological trade-offs that facilitate their greater longevity. In contrast, our results indicate a much stronger role of temperature in embryonic development time than currently thought.

Treatment effect, postoperative complications, and their reasons in juvenile thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis surgery.

PubMed

He, Qing-Yi; Xu, Jian-Zhong; Zhou, Qiang; Luo, Fei; Hou, Tianyong; Zhang, Zehua

2015-10-01

Fifty-four juvenile cases under 18 years of age with thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis underwent focus debridement, deformity correction, bone graft fusion, and internal fixation. The treatment effects, complications, and reasons were analyzed retrospectively. There were 54 juvenile cases under 18 years of age with thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis. The average age was 9.2 years old, and the sample comprised 38 males and 16 females. The disease types included 28 thoracic cases, 17 thoracolumbar cases, and 9 lumbar cases. Nerve function was evaluated with the Frankel classification. Thirty-six cases were performed with focus debridement and deformity correction and were supported with allograft or autograft in mesh and fixed with pedicle screws from a posterior approach. Eight cases underwent a combined anterior and posterior surgical approach. Nine cases underwent osteotomy and deformity correction, and one case received focus debridement. The treatment effects, complications, and bone fusions were tracked for an average of 52 months. According to the Frankel classification, paralysis was improved from 3 cases of B, 8 cases of C, 18 cases of D, and 25 cases of E preoperatively. This improvement was found in 3 cases of C, 6 cases of D, and 45 cases of E at a final follow-up postoperatively. No nerve dysfunction was aggravated. VAS was improved from 7.8 ± 1.7 preoperatively to 3.2 ± 2.1 at final follow-up postoperatively. ODI was improved from 77.5 ± 17.3 preoperatively to 28.4 ± 15.9 at final follow-up postoperatively. Kyphosis Cobb angle improved from 62.2° ± 3.7° preoperatively to 37° ± 2.4° at final follow-up postoperatively. Both of these are significant improvements, and all bone grafts were fused. Complications related to the operation occurred in 31.5% (17/54) of cases. Six cases suffered postoperative aggravated kyphosis deformity, eight cases suffered proximal kyphosis deformity, one case suffered pedicle penetration, one case suffered failure of internal devices, and one case suffered recurrence of tuberculosis. As long as the treatment plan is fully prepared, the surgical option can achieve a satisfactory curative effect in treating juvenile spinal tuberculosis despite some complications.

A flexible dual-mode proximity sensor based on cooperative sensing for robot skin applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Ying; Cai, Xia; Kan, Wenqing; Qiu, Shihua; Guo, Xiaohui; Liu, Caixia; Liu, Ping

2017-08-01

A flexible dual-mode proximity sensor has been designed and implemented, which is capable of combining capacitive-resistive detection in this paper. The capacitive type proximity sensor detecting is defined as mode-C, and the resistive type proximity sensor detecting is defined as mode-R. The characteristics of the proximity sensor are as follows: (1) the theoretical mode is developed which indicates that this proximity sensor can reflect proximity information accurately; (2) both sensing modes are vertically integrated into a sandwich-like chip with an 8 mm × 12 mm unit area. The thickness of a mode-R sensing material (graphene nanoplatelets) and mode-C dielectric (the mixture of carbon black and silicone rubber) is 1 mm and 2.5 mm, respectively; (3) for mode-R, the linearity of temperature-resistance curve can achieve 0.998 in the temperature range from 25°C to 65°C. And for mode-C, various materials can be successfully detected with fast response and high reversibility. Meanwhile, the study compensated the influence of object temperature to ensure mode-C properly works. A cooperative sensing test shows that R-C dual modes sense effectively which can enlarge the sensing distance compared with the single mode proximity sensor. The fabrication of this sensor is convenient, and the integrity of a flexible sandwich-like structure based on dual modes is beneficial to form arrays, which is suitable to be used in skin-like sensing applications.

Acetazolamide-mediated decrease in strong ion difference accounts for the correction of metabolic alkalosis in critically ill patients

PubMed Central

Moviat, Miriam; Pickkers, Peter; van der Voort, Peter HJ; van der Hoeven, Johannes G

2006-01-01

Introduction Metabolic alkalosis is a commonly encountered acid–base derangement in the intensive care unit. Treatment with the carbonic anhydrase inhibitor acetazolamide is indicated in selected cases. According to the quantitative approach described by Stewart, correction of serum pH due to carbonic anhydrase inhibition in the proximal tubule cannot be explained by excretion of bicarbonate. Using the Stewart approach, we studied the mechanism of action of acetazolamide in critically ill patients with a metabolic alkalosis. Methods Fifteen consecutive intensive care unit patients with metabolic alkalosis (pH ≥ 7.48 and HCO3- ≥ 28 mmol/l) were treated with a single administration of 500 mg acetazolamide intravenously. Serum levels of strong ions, creatinine, lactate, weak acids, pH and partial carbon dioxide tension were measured at 0, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours. The main strong ions in urine and pH were measured at 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours. Strong ion difference (SID), strong ion gap, sodium–chloride effect, and the urinary SID were calculated. Data (mean ± standard error were analyzed by comparing baseline variables and time dependent changes by one way analysis of variance for repeated measures. Results After a single administration of acetazolamide, correction of serum pH (from 7.49 ± 0.01 to 7.46 ± 0.01; P = 0.001) was maximal at 24 hours and sustained during the period of observation. The parallel decrease in partial carbon dioxide tension was not significant (from 5.7 ± 0.2 to 5.3 ± 0.2 kPa; P = 0.08) and there was no significant change in total concentration of weak acids. Serum SID decreased significantly (from 41.5 ± 1.3 to 38.0 ± 1.0 mEq/l; P = 0.03) due to an increase in serum chloride (from 105 ± 1.2 to 110 ± 1.2 mmol/l; P < 0.0001). The decrease in serum SID was explained by a significant increase in the urinary excretion of sodium without chloride during the first 24 hours (increase in urinary SID: from 48.4 ± 15.1 to 85.3 ± 7.7; P = 0.02). Conclusion A single dose of acetazolamide effectively corrects metabolic alkalosis in critically ill patients by decreasing the serum SID. This effect is completely explained by the increased renal excretion ratio of sodium to chloride, resulting in an increase in serum chloride. PMID:16420662

Residential proximity to electromagnetic field sources and birth weight: Minimizing residual confounding using multiple imputation and propensity score matching.

PubMed

de Vocht, Frank; Lee, Brian

2014-08-01

Studies have suggested that residential exposure to extremely low frequency (50 Hz) electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) from high voltage cables, overhead power lines, electricity substations or towers are associated with reduced birth weight and may be associated with adverse birth outcomes or even miscarriages. We previously conducted a study of 140,356 singleton live births between 2004 and 2008 in Northwest England, which suggested that close residential proximity (≤ 50 m) to ELF-EMF sources was associated with reduced average birth weight of 212 g (95%CI: -395 to -29 g) but not with statistically significant increased risks for other adverse perinatal outcomes. However, the cohort was limited by missing data for most potentially confounding variables including maternal smoking during pregnancy, which was only available for a small subgroup, while also residual confounding could not be excluded. This study, using the same cohort, was conducted to minimize the effects of these problems using multiple imputation to address missing data and propensity score matching to minimize residual confounding. Missing data were imputed using multiple imputation using chained equations to generate five datasets. For each dataset 115 exposed women (residing ≤ 50 m from a residential ELF-EMF source) were propensity score matched to 1150 unexposed women. After doubly robust confounder adjustment, close proximity to a residential ELF-EMF source remained associated with a reduction in birth weight of -116 g (95% confidence interval: -224:-7 g). No effect was found for proximity ≤ 100 m compared to women living further away. These results indicate that although the effect size was about half of the effect previously reported, close maternal residential proximity to sources of ELF-EMF remained associated with suboptimal fetal growth. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The Protective Effects of Exclusive Enteral Nutrition Formulas on Growth Factor Expression and the Proximal Tibial Epiphyseal Growth Plate in a TNBS-Induced IBD Rat Model.

PubMed

Shi, Jieru; Huang, Zhiheng; Wang, Yuhuan; Huang, Ying

2015-07-01

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of different types of nutritional formulas in a rat model of TNBS-induced IBD. IBD was induced with TNBS in 4-week-old rats that were then fed different exclusive enteral nutrition diets for 7 days. The length of the tibia and the number of chondrocytes in the proximal tibias were analyzed at 7 days after supplementation. Immunohistochemical analysis, ELISA and real-time PCR were performed to evaluate the levels of growth hormone receptor (GHR) and insulin-like growth factor-I receptor (IGF-IR), the growth factors IGF-I and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 (IGFBP3) , bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2 and BMP-6 respectively. The results demonstrated that the tibia length of the peptide formula group was longer than that of the IBD-Modulen(®) formula and normal diet groups (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the number of chondrocytes of the proximal tibial was more pronounced in the peptide formula group compared to the other groups (P < 0.05). The peptide formula was also more effective in increasing the expression of GHR compared to the other groups (P < 0.05), while the expression of IGF-IR was not significantly different (P > 0.05). In addition, the IGF-I and IGFBP3 levels were more pronounced in the peptide formula supplement group (P < 0.05), and the expression of BMP-2 and BMP-6 mRNA in the proximal tibia growth plate from the peptide formula group was higher than that in the ordinary formula and normal diet groups (P < 0.05). EEN, and particularly a peptide formula, exerted protective effects on the proximal tibial epiphyseal growth plate in a TNBS-induced IBD model.

Radius morphology and its effects on rotation with contoured and noncontoured plating of the proximal radius.

PubMed

Rupasinghe, Shavantha L; Poon, Peter C

2012-05-01

The radius has a sagittal bow and a coronal bow. Fractures are often treated with volar anterior plating. However, the sagittal bow is often overlooked when plating. This study looks at radial morphology and the effect of plating the proximal radius with straight plates and then contoured plates bowed in the sagittal plane. We report our findings and their effect on forearm rotation. Morphology was investigated in 14 radii. Attention was paid to the proximal shaft of the radius and its sagittal bow; from this, 6-, 7-, and 8-hole plates were contoured to fit this bow. A simple transverse fracture was then made at the apex of this bow in 23 cadaver arms. Supination and pronation were compared when plating with a straight plate and a contoured plate. Ten cadavers underwent ulna plating at the same level. The effect on rotation of fractures plated in the distal-third shaft was also measured. A significant reduction in rotation was found when a proximal radius fracture was plated with a straight plate compared with a contoured plate: 10.8°, 12.8°, and 21.7° for 6-, 7-, and 8-hole plates, respectively (P < .05). Forearm rotation was decreased further when a longer plate was used. Ulna or distal shaft plating did not reduce rotation. This study has shown a significant sagittal bow of the proximal shaft of the radius. Plating this with contoured plates in the sagittal plane improves rotation when compared with straight plates. Additional ulna plating is not a source of reduced forearm rotation. Copyright © 2012 Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Board of Trustees. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Vectorial mask optimization methods for robust optical lithography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, Xu; Li, Yanqiu; Guo, Xuejia; Dong, Lisong; Arce, Gonzalo R.

2012-10-01

Continuous shrinkage of critical dimension in an integrated circuit impels the development of resolution enhancement techniques for low k1 lithography. Recently, several pixelated optical proximity correction (OPC) and phase-shifting mask (PSM) approaches were developed under scalar imaging models to account for the process variations. However, the lithography systems with larger-NA (NA>0.6) are predominant for current technology nodes, rendering the scalar models inadequate to describe the vector nature of the electromagnetic field that propagates through the optical lithography system. In addition, OPC and PSM algorithms based on scalar models can compensate for wavefront aberrations, but are incapable of mitigating polarization aberrations in practical lithography systems, which can only be dealt with under the vector model. To this end, we focus on developing robust pixelated gradient-based OPC and PSM optimization algorithms aimed at canceling defocus, dose variation, wavefront and polarization aberrations under a vector model. First, an integrative and analytic vector imaging model is applied to formulate the optimization problem, where the effects of process variations are explicitly incorporated in the optimization framework. A steepest descent algorithm is then used to iteratively optimize the mask patterns. Simulations show that the proposed algorithms can effectively improve the process windows of the optical lithography systems.

Alternative stitching method for massively parallel e-beam lithography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brandt, Pieter; Tranquillin, Céline; Wieland, Marco; Bayle, Sébastien; Milléquant, Matthieu; Renault, Guillaume

2015-07-01

In this study, a stitching method other than soft edge (SE) and smart boundary (SB) is introduced and benchmarked against SE. The method is based on locally enhanced exposure latitude without throughput cost, making use of the fact that the two beams that pass through the stitching region can deposit up to 2× the nominal dose. The method requires a complex proximity effect correction that takes a preset stitching dose profile into account. Although the principle of the presented stitching method can be multibeam (lithography) systems in general, in this study, the MAPPER FLX 1200 tool is specifically considered. For the latter tool at a metal clip at minimum half-pitch of 32 nm, the stitching method effectively mitigates beam-to-beam (B2B) position errors such that they do not induce an increase in critical dimension uniformity (CDU). In other words, the same CDU can be realized inside the stitching region as outside the stitching region. For the SE method, the CDU inside is 0.3 nm higher than outside the stitching region. A 5-nm direct overlay impact from the B2B position errors cannot be reduced by a stitching strategy.

Optimization of LOPA-based direct laser writing technique for fabrication of submicrometric polymer two- and three-dimensional structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Do, Mai Trang; Li, Qinggele; Ledoux-Rak, Isabelle; Lai, Ngoc D.

2013-05-01

We demonstrate a novel and very simple method allowing very easy flexible fabrication of 2D and 3D submicrometric structures. By using a photosensitive polymer (SU8) possessing an ultralow one-photon absorption (LOPA) coefficient at the excition laser wavelength (532 nm) and a high numerical aperture (NA = 1.3, oil immersion) objective lens, various submicrometric structures with feature size as small as 150 nm have been successfully fabricated. We have further investigated the energy accumulation effect in LOPA direct laser writing when the structure lattice constant approaches the diffraction limit. In this case, a proximity correction, i.e., a compensation of the doses between different voxels, was applied, allowing to create uniform and submicrometric structures with a lattice constant as small as 400 nm. As compared to commonly used two-photon absorption microscopy, the LOPA method allows to simplify the experimental setup and also to minimize the photo-damaging or bleaching effect. The idea of using LOPA also opens a new and inexpensive way to optically address 3D structures, namely 3D fluorescence imaging and 3D data storage.

The Role of Proximity Effects in Transition-Edge Sensor Design and Performance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, Stephen J.

2012-01-01

Transition-edge sensor (TES) microcalorimeters and bolometers are under development by numerous groups worldwide for a variety of applications involving the measurement of particle and photon radiation. Recent experimental and theoretical progress has led to the realization that the fundamental physics of some TES systems involves the longitudinal proximity effect between the electrical bias contacts and the TES. As such, these devices are described as SS'S (or SN'S) weak-links exhibiting Fraunhofer-like magnetic field dependence, and exponential temperature dependence, of the critical current. These discoveries, for the first time, provide a realistic theoretical framework for predicting the resistive transition as a function of temperature, current and magnetic field. In this contribution, we review the latest theoretical and experimental results and investigate how proximity effects play an important role in determining the resistive transition characteristics, which ultimately determines the dynamic range and energy resolution of TES detectors. We investigate how these effects could be utilized in device design to engineer desired transition characteristics for a given application.

Proximity effect in superconductor/ferromagnet hetero-structures as a function of interface properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sarmiento, Julio; Patino, Edgar J.

2014-03-01

Superconductor/ferromagnet heterostructures are currently a subject of strong research due to novel phenomena resulting from the proximity effect. Among the most investigated ones are the oscillations of the critical temperature as function of the ferromagnet thickness. The oscillatory behavior of Tc is theoretically explained as to be result of the generation of the FFLO (Fulde-Ferrel-Larkin-Ovchinnikov) state of Cooper pairs under the presence of the exchange field of the ferromagnet. With the advancement of experimental techniques for S/F bilayers growth new questions regarding the effect of the interface transparency can to be addressed. For instance the influence of the interface roughness on the proximity effect. For studying this phenomenon Nb/Co and Nb/Cu/Co samples were sputtered on SiO2 substrates with different roughness. Characterization of these samples show a significant variation of Tc with the interface roughness. This results point towards a possible relationship between transparency and roughness of the interface. Proyecto Semilla Facultad de Ciencias Universidad de los Andes.

Biologically Inspired SNN for Robot Control.

PubMed

Nichols, Eric; McDaid, Liam J; Siddique, Nazmul

2013-02-01

This paper proposes a spiking-neural-network-based robot controller inspired by the control structures of biological systems. Information is routed through the network using facilitating dynamic synapses with short-term plasticity. Learning occurs through long-term synaptic plasticity which is implemented using the temporal difference learning rule to enable the robot to learn to associate the correct movement with the appropriate input conditions. The network self-organizes to provide memories of environments that the robot encounters. A Pioneer robot simulator with laser and sonar proximity sensors is used to verify the performance of the network with a wall-following task, and the results are presented.

Photodissociation of phenol via nonadiabatic tunneling: Comparison of two ab initio based potential energy surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xie, Changjian; Guo, Hua

2017-09-01

The nonadiabatic tunneling-facilitated photodissociation of phenol is investigated using a reduced-dimensional quantum model on two ab initio-based coupled potential energy surfaces (PESs). Although dynamics occurs largely on the lower adiabat, the proximity to a conical intersection between the S1 and S2 states requires the inclusion of both the geometric phase (GP) and diagonal Born-Oppenheimer correction (DBOC). The lifetime of the lowest-lying vibronic state is computed using the diabatic and various adiabatic models. The GP and DBOC terms are found to be essential on one set of PESs, but have a small impact on the other.

Electronic Griffiths phase and quantum interference in disordered heavy-fermion systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gnida, Daniel

2018-02-01

We investigated the specific heat and electrical resistivity of disordered heavy-fermion systems Ce2Co0.8Si3.2 and Ce2Co0.4Rh0.4Si3.2 . Results show that pronounced non-Fermi-liquid behavior in these Kondo disordered compounds originates from approaching metal-insulator transition rather than from proximity to magnetic instability. Power-law divergence of the local Kondo temperature distribution, P (TK) , in the limit of TK→0 , and clear signature of the quantum interference corrections in the resistivity detected deep below the onset of Kondo coherent state, point to electronic Griffiths phase formation in the studied compounds.

Scattering of spermatozoa off cylindrical pillars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bukatin, Anton; Lushi, Enkeleida; Kantsler, Vasily

2017-11-01

The motion of micro-swimmers in structured environments, even though crucial in processes such as in vivo and in vitro egg fertilization, is still not completely understood. We combine microfluidic experiments with mathematical modeling of 3D swimming near convex surfaces to quantify the dynamics of individual sperm cells in the proximity of cylindrical pillars. Our results show that the hydrodynamic and contact forces that account for the shape asymmetry and flagellar motion, are crucial in correctly describing the dynamics observed in the experiments. Last, we discuss how the size of the cylindrical obstacles determines whether the swimmers scatter off or get trapped circling the pillar.

Orbit targeting specialist function: Level C formulation requirements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dupont, A.; Mcadoo, S.; Jones, H.; Jones, A. K.; Pearson, D.

1978-01-01

A definition of the level C requirements for onboard maneuver targeting software is provided. Included are revisions of the level C software requirements delineated in JSC IN 78-FM-27, Proximity Operations Software; Level C Requirements, dated May 1978. The software supports the terminal phase midcourse (TPM) maneuver, braking and close-in operations as well as supporting computation of the rendezvous corrective combination maneuver (NCC), and the terminal phase initiation (TPI). Specific formulation is contained here for the orbit targeting specialist function including the processing logic, linkage, and data base definitions for all modules. The crew interface with the software is through the keyboard and the ORBIT-TGT display.

Proximal pulmonary vein stenosis detection in pediatric patients: value of multiplanar and 3-D VR imaging evaluation.

PubMed

Lee, Edward Y; Jenkins, Kathy J; Muneeb, Muhammad; Marshall, Audrey C; Tracy, Donald A; Zurakowski, David; Boiselle, Phillip M

2013-08-01

One of the important benefits of using multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) is its capability to generate high-quality two-dimensional (2-D) multiplanar (MPR) and three-dimensional (3-D) images from volumetric and isotropic axial CT data. However, to the best of our knowledge, no results have been published on the potential diagnostic role of multiplanar and 3-D volume-rendered (VR) images in detecting pulmonary vein stenosis, a condition in which MDCT has recently assumed a role as the initial noninvasive imaging modality of choice. The purpose of this study was to compare diagnostic accuracy and interpretation time of axial, multiplanar and 3-D VR images for detection of proximal pulmonary vein stenosis in children, and to assess the potential added diagnostic value of multiplanar and 3-D VR images. We used our hospital information system to identify all consecutive children (< 18 years of age) with proximal pulmonary vein stenosis who had both a thoracic MDCT angiography study and a catheter-based conventional angiography within 2 months from June 2005 to February 2012. Two experienced pediatric radiologists independently reviewed each MDCT study for the presence of proximal pulmonary vein stenosis defined as ≥ 50% of luminal narrowing on axial, multiplanar and 3-D VR images. Final diagnosis was confirmed by angiographic findings. Diagnostic accuracy was compared using the z-test. Confidence level of diagnosis (scale 1-5, 5 = highest), perceived added diagnostic value (scale 1-5, 5 = highest), and interpretation time of multiplanar or 3-D VR images were compared using paired t-tests. Interobserver agreement was measured using the chance-corrected kappa coefficient. The final study population consisted of 28 children (15 boys and 13 girls; mean age: 5.2 months). Diagnostic accuracy based on 116 individual pulmonary veins for detection of proximal pulmonary vein stenosis was 72.4% (84 of 116) for axial MDCT images, 77.5% (90 of 116 cases) for multiplanar MDCT images, and 93% (108 of 116 cases) for 3-D VR images with significantly higher accuracy with 3-D VR compared to axial (z = 4.17, P < 0.001) and multiplanar (z = 3.34, P < 0.001) images. Confidence levels for detection of proximal pulmonary vein stenosis were significantly higher with 3-D VR images (mean level: 4.6) compared to axial MDCT images (mean level: 1.7) and multiplanar MDCT images (mean level: 2.0) (paired t-tests, P < 0.001). Thus, 3-D VR images (mean added diagnostic value: 4.7) were found to provide added diagnostic value for detecting proximal pulmonary vein stenosis (paired t-test, P < 0.001); however, multiplanar MDCT images did not provide added value (paired t-test, P = 0.89). Interpretation time was significantly longer and interobserver agreement was higher when using 3-D VR images than using axial MDCT images or MPR MDCT images for diagnosing proximal pulmonary vein stenosis (paired t-tests, P < 0.001). Use of 3-D VR images in the diagnosis of proximal pulmonary vein stenosis in children significantly increases accuracy, confidence level, added diagnostic value and interobserver agreement. Thus, the routine use of this technique should be encouraged despite its increased interpretation time.

The position of DNA cleavage by TALENs and cell synchronization influences the frequency of gene editing directed by single-stranded oligonucleotides.

PubMed

Rivera-Torres, Natalia; Strouse, Bryan; Bialk, Pawel; Niamat, Rohina A; Kmiec, Eric B

2014-01-01

With recent technological advances that enable DNA cleavage at specific sites in the human genome, it may now be possible to reverse inborn errors, thereby correcting a mutation, at levels that could have an impact in a clinical setting. We have been developing gene editing, using single-stranded DNA oligonucleotides (ssODNs), as a tool to direct site specific single base changes. Successful application of this technique has been demonstrated in many systems ranging from bacteria to human (ES and somatic) cells. While the frequency of gene editing can vary widely, it is often at a level that does not enable clinical application. As such, a number of stimulatory factors such as double-stranded breaks are known to elevate the frequency significantly. The majority of these results have been discovered using a validated HCT116 mammalian cell model system where credible genetic and biochemical readouts are available. Here, we couple TAL-Effector Nucleases (TALENs) that execute specific ds DNA breaks with ssODNs, designed specifically to repair a missense mutation, in an integrated single copy eGFP gene. We find that proximal cleavage, relative to the mutant base, is key for enabling high frequencies of editing. A directionality of correction is also observed with TALEN activity upstream from the target base being more effective in promoting gene editing than activity downstream. We also find that cells progressing through S phase are more amenable to combinatorial gene editing activity. Thus, we identify novel aspects of gene editing that will help in the design of more effective protocols for genome modification and gene therapy in natural genes.

Management of colon stents based on Bernoulli's principle.

PubMed

Uno, Yoshiharu

2017-03-01

The colonic self-expanding metal stent (SEMS) has been widely used for "bridge to surgery" and palliative therapy. However, if the spread of SEMS is insufficient, not only can a decompression effect not be obtained but also perforation and obstructive colitis can occur. The mechanism of occurrence of obstructive colitis and perforation was investigated by flow dynamics. Bernoulli's principle was applied, assuming that the cause of inflammation and perforation represented the pressure difference in the proximal lumen and stent. The variables considered were proximal lumen diameter, stent lumen diameter, flow rate into the proximal lumen, and fluid density. To model the right colon, the proximal lumen diameter was set at 50 mm. To model the left-side colon, the proximal lumen diameter was set at 30 mm. For both the right colon model and the left-side colon model, the difference in pressure between the proximal lumen and the stent was less than 20 mmHg, when the diameter of the stent lumen was 14 mm or more. Both the right colon model and the left-side colon model were 30 mmHg or more at 200 mL s -1 when the stent lumen was 10 mm or less. Even with an inflow rate of 90-110 mL s -1 , the pressure was 140 mmHg when the stent lumen diameter was 5 mm. In theory, in order to maintain the effectiveness of SEMS, it is necessary to keep the diameter of the stent lumen at 14 mm or more.

Functional significance of muscarinic receptor expression within the proximal and distal rat vagina.

PubMed

Basha, Maureen; Labelle, Edward F; Northington, Gina M; Wang, Tanchun; Wein, Alan J; Chacko, Samuel

2009-11-01

Information regarding the role of cholinergic nerves in mediating vaginal smooth muscle contraction is sparse, and in vitro studies of the effects of muscarinic agonists on vaginal smooth muscle are discrepant. The goal of this study was to determine the expression of muscarinic receptors in the vaginal wall of the rat. In addition, we sought to determine the effect of the muscarinic receptor agonist carbachol on contractility and inositol phosphate production of the proximal and distal rat vaginal muscularis. RT-PCR analysis indicated that both M(2) and M(3) receptor transcripts were expressed within the proximal and distal rat vagina. Carbachol dose-dependently (10(-7)-10(-4) M) contracted the rat vaginal muscularis with a greater maximal contractile response in the proximal vagina (P < 0.01) compared with the distal vagina. The contractile responses of the rat vaginal muscularis to carbachol were dose dependently inhibited by the M(3) antagonist para-fluoro-hexahydrosiladefenidol, and a pK(B) of 7.78 and 7.95 was calculated for the proximal and distal vagina, respectively. Inositol phosphate production was significantly increased in both regions of the vagina following 20-min exposure to 50 muM carbachol with higher levels detected in the proximal vagina compared with the distal (P < 0.05). Preliminary experiments indicated the presence of M(2) and M(3) receptors in the human vaginal muscularis as well as contraction of human vaginal muscularis to carbachol, indicating that our animal studies are relevant to human tissue. Our results provide strong evidence for the functional significance of M(3) receptor expression in the vaginal muscularis.

Space Network Time Distribution and Synchronization Protocol Development for Mars Proximity Link

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Woo, Simon S.; Gao, Jay L.; Mills, David

2010-01-01

Time distribution and synchronization in deep space network are challenging due to long propagation delays, spacecraft movements, and relativistic effects. Further, the Network Time Protocol (NTP) designed for terrestrial networks may not work properly in space. In this work, we consider the time distribution protocol based on time message exchanges similar to Network Time Protocol (NTP). We present the Proximity-1 Space Link Interleaved Time Synchronization (PITS) algorithm that can work with the CCSDS Proximity-1 Space Data Link Protocol. The PITS algorithm provides faster time synchronization via two-way time transfer over proximity links, improves scalability as the number of spacecraft increase, lowers storage space requirement for collecting time samples, and is robust against packet loss and duplication which underlying protocol mechanisms provide.

Effect of drying process assisted by high-pressure impregnation on protein quality and digestibility in red abalone (Haliotis rufescens).

PubMed

Cepero-Betancourt, Yamira; Oliva-Moresco, Patricio; Pasten-Contreras, Alexis; Tabilo-Munizaga, Gipsy; Pérez-Won, Mario; Moreno-Osorio, Luis; Lemus-Mondaca, Roberto

2017-10-01

Abalone (Haliotis spp.) is an exotic seafood product recognized as a protein source of high biological value. Traditional methods used to preserve foods such as drying technology can affect their nutritional quality (protein quality and digestibility). A 28-day rat feeding study was conducted to evaluate the effects of the drying process assisted by high-pressure impregnation (HPI) (350, 450, and 500 MPa × 5 min) on chemical proximate and amino acid compositions and nutritional parameters, such as protein efficiency ratio (PER), true digestibility (TD), net protein ratio, and protein digestibility corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS) of dried abalone. The HPI-assisted drying process ensured excellent protein quality based on PER values, regardless of the pressure level. At 350 and 500 MPa, the HPI-assisted drying process had no negative effect on TD and PDCAAS then, based on nutritional parameters analysed, we recommend HPI-assisted drying process at 350 MPa × 5 min as the best process condition to dry abalone. Variations in nutritional parameters compared to casein protein were observed; nevertheless, the high protein quality and digestibility of HPI-assisted dried abalones were maintained to satisfy the metabolic demands of human beings.

Meissner effect in normal-superconducting proximity-contact double layers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Higashitani, Seiji; Nagai, Katsuhiko

1995-02-01

The Meissner effect in normal-superconducting proximity-contact double layers is discussed in the clean limit. The diamagnetic current is calculated using the quasi-classical Green's function. We obtain the quasi-classical Green's function linear in the vector potential in the proximity-contact double layers with a finite reflection coefficient at the interface. It is found that the diamagnetic current in the clean normal layer is constant in space, therefore, the magnetic field linearly decreases in the clean normal layer. We give an explicit expression for the screening length in the clean normal layer and study its temperature dependence. We show that the temperature dependence in the clean normal layer is considerably different from that in the dirty normal layer and agrees with a recent experiment in Au-Nb system.

A rate-controlled teleoperator task with simulated transport delays

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pennington, J. E.

1983-01-01

A teleoperator-system simulation was used to examine the effects of two control modes (joint-by-joint and resolved-rate), a proximity-display method, and time delays (up to 2 sec) on the control of a five-degree-of-freedom manipulator performing a probe-in-hole alignment task. Four subjects used proportional rotational control and discrete (on-off) translation control with computer-generated visual displays. The proximity display enabled subjects to separate rotational errors from displacement (translation) errors; thus, when the proximity display was used with resolved-rate control, the simulated task was trivial. The time required to perform the simulated task increased linearly with time delay, but time delays had no effect on alignment accuracy. Based on the results of this simulation, several future studies are recommended.

Flexor digitorum brevis transfer for floating toe prevention after Weil osteotomy: a cadaveric study.

PubMed

Lee, Lydia C; Charlton, Timothy P; Thordarson, David B

2013-12-01

A floating toe deformity occurs in many patients who undergo Weil osteotomies. It is likely caused by the failure of the windlass mechanism in shortening the metatarsal. For patients who require a proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint arthroplasty or fusion in addition to a Weil osteotomy, the transfer of the flexor digitorum brevis (FDB) tendon to the PIP joint might restore the windlass mechanism and decrease the incidence of floating toes. Fourteen cadaveric foot specimens were examined to determine the effects of changing metatarsal length as well as tensioning the FDB tendon on the angle of the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint as a measure of a floating toe. Shortening and lengthening the second metatarsal resulted in a significant change in MTP angle (P = .03 and .02, respectively), though there was no clear relationship found between the amount of change in metatarsal length and the change in MTP angle. Transferring the FDB to a PIP arthroplasty site plantarflexed the MTP joint and corrected floating toes; the change in angle was significant compared with the control and shortening groups (P = .0001 and .002, respectively). This study supports the theory that change in length of the metatarsal, possibly via the windlass mechanism, plays a role in the pathophysiology of the floating toe deformity. Tensioning and transferring the FDB tendon into the PIP joint helped prevent the floating toe deformity in this cadaveric model. Continued research in this subject will help to refine methods of prevention and correction of the floating toe deformity.

Effect of heat and moisture exchanger (HME) positioning on inspiratory gas humidification.

PubMed

Inui, Daisuke; Oto, Jun; Nishimura, Masaji

2006-08-08

In mechanically ventilated patients, we investigated how positioning the heat and moisture exchanger (HME) at different places on the ventilator circuit affected inspiratory gas humidification. Absolute humidity (AH) and temperature (TEMP) at the proximal end of endotracheal tube (ETT) were measured in ten mechanically ventilated patients. The HME was connected either directly proximal to the ETT (Site 1) or at before the circuit Y-piece (Site 2: distance from proximal end of ETT and Site 2 was about 19 cm) (Figure. 1). Two devices, Hygrobac S (Mallinckrodt Dar, Mirandola, Italy) and Thermovent HEPA (Smiths Medical International Ltd., Kent, UK) were tested. AH and TEMP were measured with a hygrometer (Moiscope, MERA Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan). Hygrobac S provided significantly higher AH and TEMP at both sites than Thermovent HEPA. Both Hygrobac S and with Thermovent HEPA provided significantly higher AH and TEMP when placed proximally to the ETT. Although placement proximal to the ETT improved both AH and TEMP in both HMEs tested, one HME performed better in the distal position than the other HME in the proximal position. We conclude the both the type and placement of HME can make a significant difference in maintaining AH and TEMP during adult ventilation.

Prevalence, repairs and complications of hypospadias: an Australian population-based study.

PubMed

Schneuer, Francisco Javier; Holland, Andrew J A; Pereira, Gavin; Bower, Carol; Nassar, Natasha

2015-11-01

To investigate hypospadias' prevalence and trends, rate of surgical repairs and post-repair complications in an Australian population. Hypospadias cases were identified from all live-born infants in New South Wales, Australia, during the period 2001-2010, using routinely collected birth and hospital data. Prevalence, trends, surgical procedures or repairs, hospital admissions and complications following surgery were evaluated. Risk factors for reoperation and complications were assessed using multivariate logistic regression. There were 3186 boys with hypospadias in 2001-2010. Overall prevalence was 35.1 per 10,000 live births and remained constant during the study period. Proportions of anterior, middle, proximal and unspecified hypospadias were 41.3%, 26.2%, 5.8% and 26.6%, respectively. Surgical procedures were performed in 1945 boys (61%), with 1718 primary repairs. The overall post-surgery complication rate involving fistulas or strictures was 13%, but higher (33%) for proximal cases. Complications occurred after 1 year post-repair in 52.3% of cases and up to 5 years. Boys with proximal or middle hypospadias were at increased risk of reoperation or complications, but age at primary repair did not affect the outcome. One in 285 infants were affected with hypospadias, 60% required surgical repair or correction and one in eight experienced complications. The frequency of late complications would suggest that clinical review should be maintained for >1 year post-repair. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.

Surgical treatment of a proximal diaphyseal tibial deformity associated with partial caudal and cranial cruciate ligament deficiency and patella baja.

PubMed

Vincenti, S; Knell, S; Pozzi, A

2017-04-01

Caudal cruciate ligament injury can be a complication following tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) (Slocum und Slocum, 1993) especially if the post-operative Tibial Plateau Angle (TPA) is less than 5 degree. We describe a case of negative TPA associated with partial cranial and caudal ligament rupture treated with a center of rotation of angulation (CORA) based cranial tibial opening wedge osteotomy and tibial tuberosity transposition. A 13 kg, mixed breed dog was presented for right pelvic limb lameness. Radiographically a bilateral patella baja and a malformed tibia tuberosity along with a bilateral TPA of -8 degree were detected. Arthroscopically a partial rupture of the cranial and caudal cruciate ligaments were found. A cranial tibial opening wedge osteotomy of 23 degree and a fibular ostectomy were performed. The osteotomy was fixed with a 8 holes ALPS 9 (KYON, Switzerland) and a 3-holes 2.0mm UniLock plate (Synthes, Switzerland). Then a proximal tibial tuberosity transposition of 10mm was performed and fixed with a pin and tension band construct. The postoperative TPA was 15 degree. The radiographic controls at 6, 10 weeks, 6 months and 1 year after surgery revealed an unchanged position of the implants and progressive healing of the osteotomies. At the 6 and 12 months recheck evaluation the dog had no evidence of lameness or stifle pain and radiographs revealed complete healing of the osteotomy site and no implant failure. The diaphyseal CORA based osteotomy allowed accurate correction of a proximal tibial deformity associated with negative TPA.

[Correlation of medial compartmental joint line elevation with femorotibial angle correction and clinical function after unicompartmental arthroplasty].

PubMed

Zhang, Zhan-Feng; Wang, Dan; Min, Ji-Kang

2017-04-25

To study the correlation of postoperative femorotibial angle with medial compartmental joint line elevation after unicompartmental arthroplasty(UKA), as well as the correlation of joint line elevation with the clinical function by measuring radiological joint line. A retrospective study of 56 patients from July 2012 to August 2015 was performed. The mean body mass index (BMI) was 23.5 (ranged, 18.3 to 30.1). The standing anteroposterior radiographs of these patients were assessed both pre-and post-operatively, and the knee function was evaluated according to HSS grading. The correlation between postoperative femorotibial angle(FTA) and joint line elevation was analyzed as well as the correlation between joint line elevation and the clinical function. The mean medial joint line elevation was (2.2±2.0) mm(ranged, -3.3 to 7.0 mm), and the mean FTA correction was (2.3±3.0)°(ranged, -4.5° to 9.6°). The mean follow-up period was 12.2 months. There was a significant correlation between in joint line elevation and FTA correction( P <0.05), while there was no significant correlation between joint line elevation and the clinical function( P >0.05). There was a significant correlation between medial compartmental joint line elevation and FTA correction after UKA, and the proximal tibial osteotomy was critical during the procedure. There was no significant correlation between joint line elevation and the clinical function, which may be related to the design of UKA prosthesis.

Effectiveness of health management departments of universities that train health managers in Turkey.

PubMed

Karagoz, Sevgul; Balci, Ali

2007-01-01

This research has [corrected] aimed to examine the effectiveness of the health management departments of universities which [corrected] train health managers in Turkey. The study compares - for lecturers and students - nine variables of organisational effectiveness [corrected] These nine dimensions are derived from Cameron (1978; 1981; 1986) [corrected] Factor analysis was used to validate [corrected] the scale developed by the researcher. For internal consistency and reliability, the [corrected] Cronbach Alpha reliability coefficient and item total correlation were applied. A questionnaire was administered to a [corrected] total of [corrected] 207 people [corrected] in health management departments in [corrected]Turkey. In analysis of the data, [corrected] descriptive statistics and the [corrected] t-test were [corrected]used. According to our [corrected] research findings, at individual [corrected] university level, lecturers found their departments more effective than did [corrected] their students. The highest effectiveness was perceived at Baskent University, a private university [corrected] The best outcome was achieved for 'organisational health', and 'the [corrected] ability to acquire resources' achieved [corrected] the lowest outcome [corrected] Effectiveness overall [corrected] was found to be moderate [corrected] Copyright (c) 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Inter-regional comparison of land-use effects on stream metabolism

Treesearch

Melody J. Bernot; Daniel J. Sobota; Robert Hall; Patrick J. Mulholland; Walter K. Dodds; et al

2010-01-01

1. Rates of whole-system metabolism (production and respiration) are fundamental indicators of ecosystem structure and function. Although first-order, proximal controls are well understood, assessments of the interactions between proximal controls and distal controls, such as land use and geographic region, are lacking. Thus, the influence of land use on stream...

Inter-regional comparison of land-use effects on stream metabolism

Treesearch

Melody J. Bernot; Daniel J. Sobota; Robert O. Hall; Patrick J. Mulholland; Walter K. Dodds; Jackson R. Webster; Jennifer L. Tank; Linda R. Ashkenas; Lee W. Cooper; Clifford N. Dahm; Stanley V. Gregory; Nancy B. Grimm; Stephen K. Hamilton; Sherri L. Johnson; William H. McDowell; Judith L. Meyer; Bruce Peterson; Geoffrey C. Poole; H. Maurice Valett; Clay Arango; Jake J. Beaulieu; Amy J. Burgin; Chelsea Crenshaw; Ashley M. Helton; Laura Johnson; Jeff Merriam; B.R. Niederlehner; Jonathan M. O' Brien; Jody D. Potter; Richard W. Sheibley; Suzanne M. Thomas; Kym Wilson

2010-01-01

Rates of whole-system metabolism (production and respiration) are fundamental indicators of ecosystem structure and function. Although first-order, proximal controls are well understood, assessments of the interactions between proximal controls and distal controls, such as land use and geographic region, are lacking. Thus, the influence of land use on stream metabolism...

Effect of distal ulnar collateral ligament tear pattern on contact forces and valgus stability in the posteromedial compartment of the elbow.

PubMed

Hassan, Sheref E; Parks, Brent G; Douoguih, Wiemi A; Osbahr, Daryl C

2015-02-01

It is not known whether the pattern of ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) tear affects elbow biomechanics. There will be a significant change in elbow biomechanics with 50% proximal but not 50% distal simulated rupture of the UCL. Controlled laboratory study. Pressure sensors in the posteromedial elbow joint of 25 male cadaveric elbows (average age, 54.9 years; range, 26-66 years) were used to measure contact area, pressure, and valgus torque at 90° and 30° of elbow flexion. Thirteen specimens were tested with the UCL intact, then with proximal-to-distal detachment of 50%, and then with proximal-to-distal detachment of 100% of the anterior band of the UCL from the ulnar attachment. This method was repeated in the remaining 12 specimens in a distal-to-proximal direction. With 50% proximal-to-distal detachment, contact area decreased significantly versus intact at 90° (91.3 ± 23.6 vs 112.2 ± 26.0 mm(2); P < .001) and 30° (69.3 ± 14.8 vs 83.1 ± 21.6 mm(2); P < .001) of elbow flexion; the center of pressure (COP) moved significantly proximally versus intact at 90° (3.8 ± 2.5 vs 5.4 ± 2.3 mm; P < .001) and 30° (5.9 ± 2.8 vs 7.4±1.9 mm; P < .001). With 50% distal-to-proximal UCL detachment versus intact, no significant change was observed in contact area, movement of the COP, or valgus laxity at either flexion position. With 100% proximal-to-distal and distal-to-proximal detachment, significant change in contact area, movement of the COP, and valgus laxity versus intact was found at 90° and 30° of elbow flexion (P < .05). No significant difference in contact pressure was observed in any test conditions. Significant change in contact area and proximal movement of the COP with 50% proximal UCL detachment and the lack of significant change with 50% distal UCL detachment suggest that the proximal half of the UCL ulnar footprint has a primary role in maintaining posteromedial elbow biomechanics. The findings suggest that surgical reconstruction should aim to reestablish at least the proximal 50% of the UCL ulnar footprint. © 2014 The Author(s).

The effect of a therapy protocol for increasing correction of severely contracted proximal interphalangeal joints caused by dupuytren disease and treated with collagenase injection.

PubMed

Skirven, Terri M; Bachoura, Abdo; Jacoby, Sidney M; Culp, Randall W; Osterman, A Lee

2013-04-01

To determine the effect of a specific orthotic intervention and therapy protocol on proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint contractures of greater than 40° caused by Dupuytren disease and treated with collagenase injections. All patients with PIP joints contracted at least 40° by Dupuytren disease were prospectively invited to participate in the study. Following standard collagenase injection and cord rupture by a hand surgeon, a certified hand therapist evaluated and treated each patient based on a defined treatment protocol that consisted of orthotic intervention to address residual PIP joint contracture. In addition, exercises were initiated emphasizing reverse blocking for PIP joint extension and distal interphalangeal joint flexion exercises with the PIP joint held in extension to lengthen a frequently shortened oblique retinacular ligament. Patients were assessed before injection, immediately after injection, and 1 and 4 weeks later. There were 22 fingers in 21 patients. The mean age at treatment was 63 years (range, 37-80 y). The mean baseline passive PIP joint contracture was 56° (range, 40° to 80°). At cord rupture, the mean PIP joint contracture became 22° (range, 0° to 55°). One week after cord rupture and therapy, the contracture decreased further to a mean of 12° (range, 0° to 36°). By 4 weeks, the mean contracture was 7° (range, 0° to 35°). The differences in PIP joint contracture were statistically significant at all time points except when comparing the means at 1 week and 4 weeks. The results represent an 88% improvement of the PIP joint contracture. In the short term, it appears that severe PIP joint contractures benefit from specific, postinjection orthotic intervention and targeted exercises. Therapeutic IV. Copyright © 2013 American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Clinical effects of internal fixation for ulnar styloid fractures associated with distal radius fractures: A matched case-control study.

PubMed

Sawada, Hideyoshi; Shinohara, Takaaki; Natsume, Tadahiro; Hirata, Hitoshi

2016-11-01

Ulnar styloid fractures are often associated with distal radius fractures. However, controversy exists regarding whether to treat ulnar styloid fractures. This study aimed to evaluate clinical effects of internal fixation for ulnar styloid fractures after distal radius fractures were treated with the volar locking plate system. We used prospectively collected data of distal radius fractures. 111 patients were enrolled in this study. A matched case-control study design was used. We selected patients who underwent fixation for ulnar styloid fractures (case group). Three control patients for each patient of the case group were matched on the basis of age, sex, and fracture type of distal radius fractures from among patients who did not undergo fixation for ulnar styloid fractures (control group). The case group included 16 patients (7 men, 9 women; mean age: 52.6 years; classification of ulnar styloid fractures: center, 3; base, 11; and proximal, 2). The control group included 48 patients (15 men, 33 women; mean age: 61.1 years; classification of ulnar styloid fractures: center, 10; base, 31; and proximal, 7). For radiographic examination, the volar tilt angle, radial inclination angle, and ulnar variance length were measured, and the union of ulnar styloid fractures was judged. For clinical examination, the range of motions, grip strength, Hand20 score, and Numeric Rating Scale score were evaluated. There was little correction loss for each radiological parameter of fracture reduction, and these parameters were not significantly different between the groups. The bone-healing rate of ulnar styloid fractures was significantly higher in the case group than in the control group, but the clinical results were not significantly different. We revealed that there was no need to fix ulnar styloid fractures when distal radius fractures were treated via open reduction and internal fixation with a volar locking plate system. Copyright © 2016 The Japanese Orthopaedic Association. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Correction of Spatial Bias in Oligonucleotide Array Data

PubMed Central

Lemieux, Sébastien

2013-01-01

Background. Oligonucleotide microarrays allow for high-throughput gene expression profiling assays. The technology relies on the fundamental assumption that observed hybridization signal intensities (HSIs) for each intended target, on average, correlate with their target's true concentration in the sample. However, systematic, nonbiological variation from several sources undermines this hypothesis. Background hybridization signal has been previously identified as one such important source, one manifestation of which appears in the form of spatial autocorrelation. Results. We propose an algorithm, pyn, for the elimination of spatial autocorrelation in HSIs, exploiting the duality of desirable mutual information shared by probes in a common probe set and undesirable mutual information shared by spatially proximate probes. We show that this correction procedure reduces spatial autocorrelation in HSIs; increases HSI reproducibility across replicate arrays; increases differentially expressed gene detection power; and performs better than previously published methods. Conclusions. The proposed algorithm increases both precision and accuracy, while requiring virtually no changes to users' current analysis pipelines: the correction consists merely of a transformation of raw HSIs (e.g., CEL files for Affymetrix arrays). A free, open-source implementation is provided as an R package, compatible with standard Bioconductor tools. The approach may also be tailored to other platform types and other sources of bias. PMID:23573083