Angle

PURPOSE: The lamina cribrosa (LC) depends on the sclera for support. The support must be provided through the LC insertions. Although a continuous insertion over the whole LC periphery is often assumed, LC insertions are actually discrete locations where LC collagenous beams meet the sclera. We hypothesized that LC insertions vary in number, size, and shape by quadrant and depth. METHODS: Coronal cryosections through the full LCs from six healthy monkey eyes were imaged using instant polarized light microscopy...

In addressing the pressing environmental challenges posed by frequent oil spills, this work presents a novel approach of synthesizing a superhydrophobic three-dimensional (3D) porous melamine sponge (MS). CuO and ZnO nanoparticles were grown on the MS via a hydrothermal method to create MS/CuO/ZnO with multiscale hierarchical nanostructures. The resulting material exhibited a stable water contact angle of 155° through various tests. MS/CuO/ZnO demonstrated exceptional oil absorption capacities (40-145 g/g and 0...

INTRODUCTION: Gait ability is often cited by stroke survivors. Robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) can help stroke patients with lower limb motor impairment regain motor coordination. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase were systematically searched until September 2023, to identify randomized controlled trials presenting: stroke survivors as participants; RAGT as intervention; conventional rehabilitation as a comparator; gait assessment, through scales or quantitative parameters, as outcome measures...

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship of smoking and smoking intensity, with the rate of optic nerve head (ONH) whole image capillary density (wiCD) loss in primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and glaucoma suspect patients. METHODS: In this longitudinal study, POAG patients who had at least 2 years of follow-up and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) performed at a minimum of 4 visits were selected for study. The smoking intensity was calculated as the pack-year at the baseline OCTA...

Ansa -metallocenes, a vital class of organometallic compounds, have attracted significant attention due to their diverse structural motifs and their pivotal roles in catalysis and materials science. We investigated 37 distinct group 2 ansa -metallocenes at the B3LYP-D3/def2-TZVP level of theory. Utilizing local mode force constants derived from our local vibrational mode theory, including a special force constant directly targeting the metal-ring interaction, we could unveil latent structural differences between solvated and non-solvated metallocenophanes and the influence of the solvent on complex stability and structure...

In recent years, the exploration of solar absorbers has grown in favor due to the scarcity of energy. Here, we propose an absorber with an array of a circular ring surrounding disk (RSD) for solar energy capture. The novel structure keeps above 93.5% absorption with an average absorption of 96.95% in wavelengths from 300 to 4000 nm. Meanwhile, the proposed absorber is advantageous in that the structure is generalizable to other metals and dielectric materials. Furthermore, the data results show that the absorber has polarization-independent properties as well as maintaining >90% absorption in the considered wavelength range up to an incidence angle of 52° and >95% absorption at large process tolerances...

Conventional B-mode ultrasound imaging has difficulty in delineating homogeneous soft tissues with similar acoustic impedances, as the reflectivity depends on the acoustic impedance at the interface. As a quantitative imaging biomarker sensitive to alteration of biomechanical properties, speed-of-sound (SoS) holds promising potential for tissue and disease differentiation such as delineation of different breast tissue types with similar acoustic impedance. Compared to two-dimensional (2D) SoS images, three-dimensional (3D) volumetric SoS images achieved through a full-angle ultrasound scan can reveal more intricate morphological structures of tissues; however, they generally require a ring transducer...

Multilayer neutron optics require precise control of interface morphology for optimal performance. In this work, we investigate the effects of different growth conditions on the interface morphology of Ni/Ti-based multilayers, with a focus on incorporating low-neutron-absorbing 11 B4 C and using different ion assistance schemes. Grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering was used to probe the structural and morphological details of buried interfaces, revealing that the layers become more strongly correlated and the interfaces form mounds with increasing amounts of 11 B4 C...

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) have attracted significant attention because of their nanoscale magnetic properties. SPION aggregates may afford emergent properties, resulting from dipole-dipole interactions between neighbors. Such aggregates can display internal order, with high packing fractions (>20%), and can be stabilized with block co-polymers (BCPs), permitting design of tunable composites for potential nanomedicine, data storage, and electronic sensing applications. Despite the routine use of magnetic fields for aggregate actuation, the impact of those fields on polymer structure, SPION ordering, and magnetic properties is not fully understood...

Understanding the origin of the dissipative mechanisms that control the dynamics of a contact line is a real challenge. In order to study the energy dissipation at the contact line when a moving meniscus encounters topographical defects, we developed atomic force microscopy (AFM) experiments using nanofibers with nanometer scale defects. These experiments realized with three liquids are performed in two AFM modes: the contact mode (C-AFM) is used to measure the energy associated with the contact angle hysteresis in the limit of a static situation, deduced from advancing and receding dipping experiments on an isolated defect; the frequency-modulation mode (FM-AFM) is performed at different amplitudes and then velocities to measure the energy dissipated as the contact line moves over the same defect...

Litter input triggers the secretion of soil extracellular enzymes and facilitates the release of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) from decomposing litter. However, how soil extracellular enzyme activities were controlled by litter input with various substrates is not fully understood. We examined the activities and stoichiometry of five enzymes including β-1,4-glucosidase, β-D-cellobiosidase, β-1,4- N -acetyl-glucosaminidase, leucine aminopeptidase and acidic phosphatase (AP) with and without litter input in 10-year-old Castanopsis carlesii and Cunninghamia lanceolata plantations monthly during April to August, in October, and in December 2021 by using an in situ microcosm experiment...

BACKGROUND: The need for capsular closure during arthroscopic hip labral repair is debated. PURPOSE: To compare pain and functional outcomes in patients undergoing arthroscopic hip labral repair with concomitant repair or plication of the capsule versus no closure. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study. METHODS: Outcomes were compared between patients undergoing arthroscopic hip labral repair with concomitant repair or plication of the capsule versus no closure at up to 2 years postoperatively and with stratification by age and sex...

Infectious diabetic wounds can result in severe injuries or even death. Biocompatible wound dressings offer one of the best ways to treat these wounds, but creating a dressing with a suitable hydrophilicity and biodegradation rate can be challenging. To address this issue, we used the electrospinning method to create a wound dressing composed of poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS) and gelatin (Gel). We dissolved the PGS and Gel in acetic acid (75 v/v %) and added EDC/NHS solution as a crosslinking agent. Our measurements revealed that the scaffolds' fiber diameter ranged from 180...

INTRODUCTION: Radiographic analysis is necessary for the assessment and the surgical planning in adults with spinal deformity (ASD). Restoration of global alignment is key to improving patient's quality of life. However, the large number of existing global alignment parameters can be confusing for surgeons. RESEARCH QUESTION: To determine the most clinically and functionally relevant global alignment parameters in ASD. MATERIAL AND METHODS: ASD and controls underwent full body biplanar X-ray to calculate global alignment parameters: odontoid to hip axis angle (OD-HA), global sagittal angle (GSA), global tilt (GT), SVA, center of auditory meatus to hip axis (CAM-HA), SSA, T1-tilt and T9-tilt...

Aim and objective This study aims to assess the accuracy of gender estimation using gonial and antegonial angles and determine the gender of the given samples using gonial and antegonial angles. Introduction An essential component of the human skull, the mandible, exhibits sexual dimorphism, making it a valuable tool in forensic and anthropological investigations for detecting sex. This procedure can be especially difficult in situations where there are large numbers of casualties, natural disasters, or widely dispersed remains...

Introduction Clear aligners have demonstrated success in achieving complex tooth movements. However, orthodontists have faced challenges related to the predictability of clear aligners. This retrospective study aimed to assess the predictability of ClinCheck® accuracy in space closure before and after Invisalign® treatment and to identify factors associated with the need for refinement. Methods Patient records from one private clinic in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, were analyzed, and a sample of 55 adult patients who had spacing and underwent Invisalign treatment were included...

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the synergistic regulation of the polarization of mesenchymal stem cells by integrin and N-cadherin-mediated mechanical adhesion and the underlying mechanobiological mechanisms. METHODS: Bilayer polyethylene glyeol (PEG) hydrogels were formulated and modified with RGD and HAVDI peptides, respectively, to achieve mechanical adhesion to integrin and N-cadherin and to replicate the integrin-mediated mechanical interaction between cells and the extracellular matrix and the N-cadherin-mediated cell-cell mechanical interaction...

OBJECTIVE: To study the microanatomic structure of the subtemporal transtentorial approach to the lateral side of the brainstem, and to provide anatomical information that will assist clinicians to perform surgeries on the lateral, circumferential, and petroclival regions of the brainstem. METHODS: Anatomical investigations were conducted on 8 cadaveric head specimens (16 sides) using the infratemporal transtentorial approach. The heads were tilted to one side, with the zygomatic arch at its highest point...

Purpose: The effects of the combination of strength training and acupuncture on chronic ankle instability have not been studied. This study examined effects of strength training combined with acupuncture on balance ability, ankle motion perception, and muscle strength in chronic ankle instability among college students. Methods: Forty-six chronic ankle instability college students were randomly categorized into the experimental group (n = 24, strength training + acupuncture) and the control group (n = 22, strength training) for an 8-week intervention...

Electrochemical paper-based analytical devices represent an important platform for portable, low-cost, affordable, and decentralized diagnostics. For this kind of application, chemical functionalization plays a pivotal role to ensure high clinical performance by tuning surface properties and the area of electrodes. However, controlling different surface properties of electrodes by using a single functionalization route is still challenging. In this work, we attempted to tune the wettability, chemical composition, and electroactive area of carbon-paper-based devices by thermally treating polydopamine (PDA) at different temperatures...