Annular Imaging Research Articles

Effects of Right Atrioventricular Expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene Path Graft Reconstruction on Arrhythmogenicity and Ventricular Function in Dogs.

Right atrioventricular pericardial autografts, including the coronary groove, may cause myocardial ischemia. Our aim was to explore the effects of this procedure using an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) patch on arrhythmogenicity and right ventricular function. Four healthy beagles and one client-owned golden retriever with recurrent cardiac tamponade as a result of hemangiosarcoma were included. The four healthy dogs underwent right atrioventricular ePTFE patch graft reconstruction after complete resection of the right auricle. Right ventricular function and arrhythmia were evaluated using tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion and tissue Doppler imaging on echocardiography and Holter electrocardiography, respectively, before and after surgery. The golden retriever underwent right atrioventricular ePTFE patch graft reconstruction followed by resection of the cardiac mass. None of the echocardiographic values, not involving systolic function, changed after surgery in the four healthy dogs. Transient arrhythmias tended to increase 1 day after surgery. The dog with recurrent cardiac tamponade exhibited more severe arrhythmia and required transient antiarrhythmic treatment for 3 days and survived the cardiac tamponade for 434 days after surgery. We showed that an ePTFE patch can serve as a suitable alternative material for right atrioventricular patch graft reconstruction, although transient arrhythmias may occur following surgery.

Prognostic role of diastolic dysfunction in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Prior studies have shown that left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (DD) is associated with increased mortality after surgical aortic valve replacement but studies on transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) are limited and have not taken into account mitral annular calcification (MAC), which limits the use of mitral valve annular tissue Doppler imaging. We performed a single-center retrospective analysis to better evaluate the role of baseline DD on outcomes after TAVR. After excluding patients with atrial fibrillation, mitral valve prostheses and significant mitral stenosis, 359 consecutive TAVR patients were included in the study. Moderate-to-severe MAC was present in 58% of the patients. We classified patients into severe versus nonsevere DD based on the evaluation of elevated left ventricular filling pressure. The outcome measure was all-cause mortality or heart failure hospitalization. Over a mean follow-up time of 13 months, severe DD was associated with an increased risk for the outcome measure (HR 2.02 [1.23-3.30], p = .005). However, this association was lost in a propensity-matched cohort. In multivariate analysis, STS score was the only independent predictor of all cause mortality of heart failure hospitalization (HR 1.1 [1.05-1.15], p < .001). We evaluated the role of baseline DD on outcomes after TAVR by taking into account the presence of MAC. Severe DD was associated with increased all-cause mortality or heart failure hospitalization but not independently of other structural parameters and known predictors of the outcome measure.

Synthesis and Properties of (BiSe)0.97MoSe2: A Heterostructure Containing Both 2H-MoSe2 and 1T-MoSe2

The metastable heterostructure, (BiSe)0.97MoSe2, containing alternating bilayers of BiSe and MoSe2 trilayers was synthesized using the modulated elemental reactant method to determine if charge transfer from BiSe to MoSe2 would stabilize the metallic 1T polymorph of MoSe2. Optimum synthesis conditions were determined by following the structural evolution as a function of temperature. The structure of the product contained distorted rock salt-structured BiSe layers alternating with hexagonal MoSe2 layers. High-angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy images revealed that two different polymorphs of MoSe2 coexisted in (BiSe)0.97MoSe2. Raman spectroscopy confirmed the presence of 1T MoSe2 layers. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) indicated that there were two different electronic states for both Mo and Bi. The Mo states are consistent with having octahedral and trigonal prismatic coordination of molybdenum as found in the 1T and 2H polymorphs of MoSe2. The two different electro...

Echocardiographic assessment of single-ventricle diastolic function and its correlation to short-term outcomes after the Fontan operation.

Postoperative complications after the Fontan operation for single ventricle heart disease are common and include persistent pleural drainage and prolonged length of hospital stay (LOS). Diastolic ventricular dysfunction may increase risk for postoperative complications by raising central venous pressures. We sought to determine the relationship between preoperative echocardiographic measurements of diastolic function, including myocardial deformation imaging, on (a) preoperative invasive catheterization measurements and (b) postoperative outcomes after the Fontan procedure. All patients that underwent Fontan procedure from 2011 to 2017 were included. Echocardiograms performed within 6months prior to Fontan operation were evaluated. Measurements of ventricular global and diastolic strain and strain rate were performed offline with TomTec speckle tracking software. Other diastolic function measurements included atrioventricular valve inflow and annular tissue Doppler imaging. Diastolic function measurements were correlated with pre-Fontan catheterization measurements and postoperative Fontan outcomes using Spearman's rho. Multivariable logistic regression for a prolonged LOS (>75%ile for postoperative LOS) was performed to adjust for preoperative risk factors. A total of 141 patients were included in the study. Majority had single morphologic right ventricle (58.9%). Median age at time of Fontan was 3.4years (IQR 2.9-4). Median hospital LOS was 9days (IQR 7-11). Circumferential diastolic strain rate weakly correlated with LOS (rho=-0.21, P=.01). There was no correlation between any other diastolic strain measurements and pre-Fontan end-diastolic pressure or postoperative LOS. In multivariable analysis, E/E' was the only echo measurement that predicted prolonged hospital LOS (OR 1.4, 95%CI: 1.1-1.8, P=.003). Preoperative diastolic strain measurements did not have a strong association with postoperative Fontan outcomes. Increased E/E' ratio, however, did predict greater LOS after Fontan procedure, and may be useful in preoperative risk stratification. Future studies are needed to further assess the utility of diastolic strain imaging in the single-ventricle population.

Mineralogy of Zirconium in Iron-Oxides: A Micron- to Nanoscale Study of Hematite Ore from Peculiar Knob, South Australia

Zirconium is an element of considerable petrogenetic significance but is rarely found in hematite at concentrations higher than a few parts-per-million (ppm). Coarse-grained hematite ore from the metamorphosed Peculiar Knob iron deposit, South Australia, contains anomalous concentrations of Zr and has been investigated using microanalytical techniques that can bridge the micron- to nanoscales to understand the distribution of Zr in the ore. Hematite displays textures attributable to annealing under conditions of high-grade metamorphism, deformation twins (r~85˚ to hematite elongation), relict magnetite and fields of sub-micron-wide inclusions of baddeleyite as conjugate needles with orientation at ~110˚/70˚. Skeletal and granoblastic zircon, containing only a few ppm U, are both present interstitial to hematite. Using laser-ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) spot analysis and mapping, the concentration of Zr in hematite is determined to be ~260 ppm on average (up to 680 ppm). The Zr content is, however, directly attributable to nm-scale inclusions of baddeleyite pervasively distributed throughout the hematite rather than Zr in solid solution. Distinction between nm-scale inclusions and lattice-bound trace element substitutions cannot be made from LA-ICP-MS data alone and requires nanoscale characterization. Scandium-rich (up to 0.18 wt. % Sc2O3) cores in zircon are documented by microprobe analysis and mapping. Using high-angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy imaging (HAADF-STEM) and energy-dispersive spectrometry STEM mapping of foils prepared in-situ by focused ion beam methods, we identify [011]baddeleyite epitaxially intergrown with [22.1]hematite. Lattice vectors at 84–86˚ underpinning the epitaxial intergrowth orientation correspond to directions of r-twins but not to the orientation of the needles, which display a ~15˚ misfit. This is attributable to directions of trellis exsolutions in a precursor titanomagnetite. U–Pb dating of zircon gives a 206Pb/238U weighted mean age of 1741 ± 49 Ma (sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe U–Pb method). Based on the findings presented here, detrital titanomagnetite from erosion of mafic rocks is considered the most likely source for Zr, Ti, Cr and Sc. Whether such detrital horizons accumulated in a basin with chemical precipitation of Fe-minerals (banded iron formation) is debatable, but such Fe-rich sediments clearly included detrital horizons. Martitization during the diagenesis-supergene enrichment cycle was followed by high-grade metamorphism during the ~1.73–1.69 Ga Kimban Orogeny during which martite recrystallized as granoblastic hematite. Later interaction with hydrothermal fluids associated with ~1.6 Ga Hiltaba-granitoids led to W, Sn and Sb enrichment in the hematite. By reconstructing the evolution of the massive orebody at Peculiar Knob, we show how application of complimentary advanced microanalytical techniques, in-situ and on the same material but at different scales, provides critical constraints on ore-forming processes.

Association of Echocardiographic Parameters of Right Ventricular Remodeling and Myocardial Performance With Modified Task Force Criteria in Adolescents With Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy.

The usefulness of echocardiographic indices, including those already used by modified Task Force Criteria (mTFC), and others such as strain imaging, to identify arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) in adolescence is not well established. Echocardiograms from 120 adolescents investigated for ARVC (13±4 years) were retrospectively analyzed. According to the mTFC, patients were classified into definite (n=38), borderline (n=39), or possible (n=43) ARVC. Results were compared with 35 healthy controls. mTFC echocardiographic parameters were analyzed, as well as comprehensive right ventricular (RV) and left ventricular assessment of function including parameters not included in mTFC such as pulsed-wave tissue Doppler and RV 2-dimensional speckle strain. mTFC parameters indexed for body surface area were significantly more abnormal in patients with possible, borderline, or definite ARVC compared with controls for parasternal long-axis view of the RV outflow tract. RV end-diastolic diameters were significantly larger in patients versus controls, a difference that increased with likelihood of ARVC. Left ventricular ejection fraction, tricuspid annular peak systolic excursion, and systolic and diastolic pulsed-wave tissue Doppler imaging indices were similar to controls for all groups. Average and segmental RV peak longitudinal systolic strain was significantly lower in patients with definite ARVC (-21±4%) and disease subgroups versus controls (-25±3%). Multivariable risk analysis showed that reduced RV strain was significantly associated with ARVC diagnosis and its likelihood (multivariable odds ratio [95% CI]=1.23 [1.1-1.37]; P<0.001) as was increased end-diastolic diameter at the apical third of the RV (multivariable odds ratio [95% CI]=1.51 [1.33-1.72]; P<0.001). mTFC echocardiographic criteria are significantly different between patients and controls and between the different diagnostic groups. However, in our cohort, current echocardiographic mTFC are not met by the majority of adolescent ARVC patients, particularly when indexed to body surface area. Measurement of RV apical dimensions and strain may increase the diagnostic yield of echocardiography for ARVC.

Direct observation of strain-stored grains in electrodeposited nanocrystalline Ni-W alloys by low-angle annular dark field diffraction contrast imaging

Nanostructures of grain interior in electrodeposited nanocrystalline Ni-W alloys were evaluated by low-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (LAADF-STEM). LAADF imaging displayed sufficient contrast to sensitively reflect distortions of the crystal orientation. Conventional STEM images showed the nanocrystalline structures with grain size of ~30 nm. By combining these modalities, LAADF-STEM images captured variations in the crystal orientation within nanograins. In addition, Fourier transform-processed patterns revealed that the crystal lattice was already distorted even in the as-deposited state. The importance of strain-stored grains is discussed in terms of their potential mechanical properties.

Control of Knock-On Damage for 3D Atomic Scale Quantification of Nanostructures: Making Every Electron Count in Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy.

Understanding nanostructures down to the atomic level is the key to optimizing the design of advanced materials with revolutionary novel properties. This requires characterization methods capable of quantifying the three-dimensional (3D) atomic structure with the highest possible precision. A successful approach to reach this goal is to count the number of atoms in each atomic column from 2D annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy images. To count atoms with single atom sensitivity, a minimum electron dose has been shown to be necessary, while on the other hand beam damage, induced by the high energy electrons, puts a limit on the tolerable dose. An important challenge is therefore to develop experimental strategies to optimize the electron dose by balancing atom-counting fidelity vs the risk of knock-on damage. To achieve this goal, a statistical framework combined with physics-based modeling of the dose-dependent processes is here proposed and experimentally verified. This model enables an investigator to theoretically predict, in advance of an experimental measurement, the optimal electron dose resulting in an unambiguous quantification of nanostructures in their native state with the highest attainable precision.

Design of monocentric wide field-of-view and high-resolution computational imaging system

Imaging systems with a wide field-of-view (FOV) and high-resolution, which can provide abundant target information, are always desired in various applications including target detection, environment monitoring, marine rescue, etc. Various approaches to realizing the wide FOV and high-resolution imaging have been developed, for example, fisheye lens imaging system, and panoramic optical annular staring imaging technology. In these single aperture imaging systems, the maximum resolution and FOV are determined by either the geometric aberration or the diffraction limit of the optics. Multi-scale monocentric ball-lens imaging system is of particular importance due to its high real-time ability, small image distortion, and wide FOV. The complete geometrical symmetry of multilayer monocentric ball-lens makes it possible to compensate for the geometric aberration with no need of additional assistance. However, the major problem in designing imaging system based on multi-scale monocentric ball-lens is that there are too many variables needed to be set for a ball-lens imaging structure and the problems of high time cost and computation complexity.For simplifying the design process, in this manuscript, we apply the computational imaging theory to optical system design, thereby developing a geometric aberration optimization function to determine the initial values of the desired system by the sound computation rather than repetitive iterations by using the optical system design software. Function development starts from the aberration theory. Since the monocentric ball lens does not bring in the aberrations relating to FOV, only spherical aberration and chromatic aberration are needed to be considered. The optimization function is then founded according to the principle of minimizing the spherical aberration and chromatic aberration. And then with the determined initial parameters, ZEMAX is employed to globally optimize the residual geometric aberrations, which is time-efficient. After required parameters are finally determined, the system performance is evaluated via the modulation transmission function, the spot diagram distribution, the field-curve and distortion value and the ray fan curve. Favorable results are obtained, which demonstrates the feasibility of the developed system designing approach. Imaging results from the finished prototype system are pretty satisfactory with wide FOV and high resolution which is captured through only one frame. The multi-scale wide FOV and high-resolution computation imaging system not only solves the conflict between the wide FOV and high resolution, but also provides the research foundation for computational imaging.

折衍射混合环形孔径超薄成像光学系统设计

折衍射混合环形孔径超薄成像光学系统设计

Pharmacodynamic Analysis of the Influence of Propofol on Left Ventricular Long-Axis Systolic Performance in Cardiac Surgical Patients.

BackgroundPropofol induced a decline in the left ventricular (LV) systolic performance in non-cardiac surgery. We tested the hypothesis that propofol decreased the LV contractile function by dose dependent manner in cardiac surgery patients.MethodsAnesthesia was maintained with target-controlled infusions of propofol and remifentanil in cardiac surgery patients. With a fixed effect-site concentration (Ce) of remifentanil (20 ng/mL) after sternotomy, the Ce of propofol was adjusted to maintain a Bispectral index of 40–60 (Ce1). Mitral annular Doppler tissue image tracings and other echocardiographic variables, including end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes, stroke volume, and mitral inflow pulse wave Doppler profile at Ce1, were recorded using transesophageal echocardiography. Echocardiographic recordings were repeated after the Ce-values of propofol were doubled and tripled at 10-minute intervals (defined as Ce2 and Ce3, respectively). Serial changes in echocardiographic variables for each Ce of propofol were assessed using generalized linear mixed effect modeling. The pharmacodynamic relationship between the Ce of propofol and peak systolic mitral annular velocity (Sm) was analyzed by logistic regression using non-linear mixed effect modeling (NONMEM).ResultsMeans of Ce1, Ce2, and Ce3 were 0.8, 1.6, and 2.4 μg/mL, respectively, and their means of Sm (95% confidence interval) were 9.7 (9.3–10.2), 8.7 (8.2–9.1), and 7.5 cm/sec (7.0–8.0), respectively (P < 0.01). Ce values of propofol and Sm showed a significant inter-correlation and predictability (intercept, 10.8; slope–1.0 in generalized mixed linear modeling; P < 0.01). Ce values producing 10% and 20% decline of Sm with 50%-probability were 1.4 and 2.1 μg/mL, respectively.ConclusionPropofol reduces LV systolic long-axis performance in a dose-dependent manner.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01826149

PO013 Using Mitral Annular Plane Systolic Excursion (MAPSE) and Tissue Doppler Imaging Systolic Velocity (TDI S’) as Surrogates of Left Ventricular Ejection Function

PO013 Using Mitral Annular Plane Systolic Excursion (MAPSE) and Tissue Doppler Imaging Systolic Velocity (TDI S’) as Surrogates of Left Ventricular Ejection Function

Single‐pixel compressive imaging based on motion compensation

Compressive sensing (CS) theory enables single-pixel compressive imaging (SPCI) popular in optical remote sensing imaging, since single-pixel imager not only realises the acquisition and recovery of sparse images at the sampling rates significantly below the classical Nyquist rate, but also makes use of special detectors to improve sensitivity, dynamic range, spectral range and so on. However, its requirement of static imaging condition for the time-sequential measurements makes it difficult to apply in remote sensing, since the imaging platform is always in motion relative to the imaging scene. In this study, the authors develop a new method for SPCI on moving platform in optical remote sensing. Instead of ignoring the motion during sampling, the proposed method first builds the compressive sampling model based on motion compensation during sampling, and then reconstructs the image by frame-by-frame recovery method and joint recovery method, respectively, in the framework of CS theory, where the recovery condition is also analysed. To validate the basic principle and the physical feasibility of motion compensation, the authors implement the numerical simulations and optical experiments, where different conditions are exploited sufficiently. In addition, the proposed method for SPCI can be also extended into other applications, such as 360° annular imaging, multi-pixel compressive imaging as well as super-resolution imaging.

Generating panoramic unfolded image from borehole video acquired through APBT

In geological engineering, geological structure detection is crucial to the engineering design and implementation. One of the most commonly used method is to acquire the borehole videos by Axial View Panoramic Borehole Televiewer (APBT). However this method analyzes the borehole information by video playback or video snapshot, only providing a qualitative description for borehole, but cannot obtain a unfolded image to make quantitative analysis. In this paper, we propose a novel method to generate a complete borehole unfolded image from the video taken by APBT. Firstly, a center location method based on circularity is proposed to automatically locate the center of annular borehole images obtained from the borehole video. Then the annular borehole image sequences are unfolded into the borehole unfolded image sequences by the Rubber sheet model (RSM) combined with interpolation algorithm. Finally, the unfolded image sequences are fused into an entire panoramic unfolded image based on improved gray-scale projection registration algorithm. The experimental results shows that, with our proposed method, panoramic unfolded images from borehole videos with satisfying visual quality to analyze the geological conditions can be obtained efficiently.

New, Efficient, and Reliable Air Electrode Material for Proton-Conducting Reversible Solid Oxide Cells.

Driven by the demand to minimize fluctuation in common renewable energies, reversible solid oxide cells (RSOCs) have drawn increasing attention for they can operate either as fuel cells to produce electricity or as electrolysis cells to store electricity. Unfortunately, development of proton-conducting RSOCs (P-RSOCs) faces a major challenge of poor reliability because of the high content of steam involved in air electrode reactions, which could seriously decay the lifetime of air electrode materials. In this work, a very stable and efficient air electrode, SrEu2Fe1.8Co0.2O7-δ (SEFC) with layer structure, is designed and deployed in P-RSOCs. X-ray diffraction analysis and High-angle annular dark-filed scanning transmission electron microscopy images of SEFC reveal that Sr atoms occupy the center of perovskite slabs, whereas Eu atoms arrange orderly in the rock-salt layer. Such a special structure of SEFC largely depresses its Lewis basicity and therefore its reactivity with steam. Applying the SEFC air electrode, our button switches smoothly between both fuel cell and electrolysis cell (EC) modes with no obvious degradation over a 135 h long-term test under wet H2 (∼3% H2O) and 10% H2O-air atmospheres. A record of over 230 h is achieved in the long-term stability test in the EC mode, doubling the longest test that had been previously reported. Besides good stability, SEFC demonstrates great catalytic activity toward air electrode reactions when compared with traditional La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3-δ air electrodes. This research highlights the potential of stable and efficient P-RSOCs as an important part in a sustainable new energy power system.

Design and Implementation of Dry Eye Detection Illumination Imaging System Based on Placido Disc

A lighting imaging system for dry eye testers is designed for the Placido disc features. Among them, the illumination light source adopts the flexible circuit board annular 850 nm LED light source, light through the Placido disc that can make the eye table brightness and illumination uniformity, it is conducive to obtain a clear eye plaque Placido annular image using the image acquisition system. At the same time, an imaging objective lens with a working distance of 100 mm is designed, and the objective lens has a MTF value of more than 0.3 at a spatial frequency of 135 lp/mm in the full field of view. It corrected various aberrations well and obtained excellent photo quality. The results show that this design can clearly display the annular Placido disc images on the tear film.

Comparing the Performance of Tissue Doppler versus Left Atrial Strain in Predicting Left Ventricular End Diastolic Pressure in Patients with Different Left Ventricular Ejection Fractions

Background:Early trans-mitral inflow velocity and mitral annular tissue Doppler imaging (E/Em ratio) is widely applied to noninvasively estimate left ventricular (LV) filling pressures. However, E/Em ratio has a significant gray zone among patients with severely impaired ejection fraction. Speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) was recently proposed as an alternative surrogate to estimate LV filling pressures. This study aimed at assessing performance of tissue Doppler parameters and left atrial global longitudinal strain as non-invasive surrogates for LV filling pressures and comparing accuracy of these two parameters across different striae of LVEF. Methods: A total of 96 patients with sinus rhythm and different ejection fraction who divided into four groups of 24 patients each according to their EF(>55%, 45–54%, 30–44%, and <30%), had an invasive measurement of the LV pressure. Both medial and lateral E/Em ratio were measured in all subjects by 2D Tissue Doppler, peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS) and Peak atrial contraction strain (PACS) were obtained by averaging all segments measured in the 4-chamber. Results: Significant Correlation between global PALS and invasive LVEDP in all groups (r = 0.70 P < 0.000), While Lateral E/E’ shows significant correlation only in two groups; preserved and mildly impaired EF (r=0.42 P=0.023, r=0.439 p-0.032; respectively) Conclusion:In patients with preserved or mildly reduced LV ejection fraction, global PALS and Lateral E/E’ ratio presented good correlations with LVEDP. In patients with moderate or severe reduction of EF, E/E’ ratio correlated poorly with invasively measured LV filling pressures. Global PALS provided an overall better estimation of LV filling pressures.

112 - The Ascent Component of Mitral Annular Motion Mainly Reflects the Left Ventricular Diastolic Function

Background: M-mode interrogation of the mitral annular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE) and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) of the MA systolic velocity are accepted surrogate measures of left ventricular (LV) systolic function. Since the MA continues to move during diastole and not only determines the MA ascent (MAa) component but also maximal MAPSE; our study intended to investigate the overall contribution of MAa to LV systole and diastole in patients with normal LV systolic function and in sinus rhythm. Methods: A total of 106 echocardiograms were retrospectively evaluated. LV systolic function was assessed using the modified Simpson's rule, MAPSE and MA TDI measures. LV diastolic function was investigated using standard Doppler criteria. Finally, MAa data was measured as shown in Fig. 1. The studied population was divided according to age: Group 1 included 16 patients (24–39 years); Group 2 contained 52 patients (40–55 years) while Group 3 comprised 38 patients (56–89 years). Results: All measured echocardiographic data is shown in Table 1. In our study sample, while there was no difference in terms of MAPSE; MAa was lowest in Group 1. In a multiple regression analysis, MAa correlated best with MAPSE (<0.001), both early and late diastolic MA velocities (<0.001) and mitral valve inflow early to late diastolic flows (<0.001). No correlation was seen with regards to age, LV systolic function by Simpson’s, or MA TDI systolic velocity. Conclusions: In this study, MAa only correlated with Doppler parameters of LV diastolic and with none of the systolic measures of LV function, except maximal MA systolic excursion. The latter association might simply reflect normal atrio-ventricular dependency that exists between LV systole and diastole. Specifically, the final end diastolic MA resting position determines were the next LV cardiac systolic cycle starts. Additional studies are now required to better examine this atrio-ventricular dependence between LV systole and diastole.Table 1Echocardiographic data of the study population.VariablesGroup 1 (n = 16)Group 2 (n = 52)Group 3 (n = 38)ANOVAAge31 ± 548 ± 467 ± 8<0.001LVEF69 ± 568 ± 973 ± 100.034MV E/A ratio1.6 ± 0.81.3 ± 0.51.0 ± 0.6<0.001MA S' velocity10 ± 38 ± 28 ± 30.009MA E' velocity14 ± 59 ± 38 ± 2<0.001MA A' velocity7 ± 28 ± 210 ± 40.004MA E'/A' ratio2.1 ± 0.81.2 ± 0.50.9 ± 0.4<0.001MAPSE1.4 ± 0.21.3 ± 0.21.3 ± 0.30.102MAa0.4 ± 0.10.6 ± 0.20.6 ± 0.20.017 Open table in a new tab

Compact polarization-based dual-view panoramic lens.

Panoramic annular lens (PAL) is a type of special optical system that can transform the cylindrical side view onto a planar annular image. We propose a compact polarization-based dual-view panoramic lens to solve the two major limitations of the conventional PAL structure: large front annular lens and lack of forward view. Dual-view imaging capability, which is highly needed for some applications, is achieved by using a polarization technique. The diameter ratio of the proposed front PAL lens and the sensor is reduced to less than 1.5, while it is larger than 2.5 for traditional PAL systems, expanding its applications in space-confined environments.

One Step Toward a New Generation of C-MOS Compatible Oxide P-N Junctions: Structure of the LSMO/ZnO Interface Elucidated by an Experimental and Theoretical Synergic Work.

Heterostructures formed by La0.7Sr0.3MnO3/ZnO (LSMO/ZnO) interfaces exhibit extremely interesting electronic properties making them promising candidates for novel oxide p-n junctions, with multifunctional features. In this work, the structure of the interface is studied through a combined experimental/theoretical approach. Heterostructures were grown epitaxially and homogeneously on 4″ silicon wafers, characterized by advanced electron microscopy imaging and spectroscopy and simulated by ab initio density functional theory calculations. The simulation results suggest that the most stable interface configuration is composed of the (001) face of LSMO, with the LaO planes exposed, in contact with the (112̅0) face of ZnO. The ab initio predictions agree well with experimental high-angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy images and confirm the validity of the suggested structural model. Electron energy loss spectroscopy confirms the atomic sharpness of the interface. From statistical parameter estimation theory, it has been found that the distances between the interfacial planes are displaced from the respective ones of the bulk material. This can be ascribed to the strain induced by the mismatch between the lattices of the two materials employed.