Central Strip Research Articles

Observing the spin Hall effect of pseudothermal light through weak measurement

It is well known that the spin Hall effect of light (SHEL) can be easily observed via weak measurement by the dark strip resulted from the splitting of different polarization components. We find that the SHEL of partially coherent beam (PCB) also has similar phenomenon. However, the existence of the dark strip in the SHEL of PCB can not be properly justified by considering the beam as a statistical assemble of coherent speckles. Also, the dark strip of PCB is not purely dark. By analyzing the autocorrelation of the central dark strip part of the SHEL of PCB, we show that SHEL of PCB is essentially the direct result of overlapping coherent speckles' SHEL. Then we further prove our conclusion by adjusting the converging level and the incident angle of the beam. Finally, we develop a qualitative theory by taking the intensity distribution of PCB into account, to fully clarify the SHEL of PCB. The feasibility of our theory to Goos-H\"anchen (GH) scenario is also demonstrated.

Studies in Asian Nervilia (Orchidaceae) VII: Nervilia kasiensis, a new Lao endemic

A new species belonging to the terrestrial orchid genus Nervilia is described from Kasi District, Vientiane Province, northern Laos. Referable to the widespread and species-rich N. adolphi/punctata alliance on account of its solitary flower, slender white and violet-marked labellum and glabrous, angular leaf, N. kasiensis is morphologically most closely allied to N. muratana of southern China and northern Vietnam. As in that species, the flowering and leafing phases overlap, an unusual feature among members of the genus. The new species can be distinguished from N. muratana by its shorter inflorescence, its weakly spreading perianth with beige sepals, its narrower labellum with a central pubescent strip on the epichile, its arched column, and by its faintly tessellated leaf. A morphological description, line drawing and notes on the species’ ecology and conservation status are presented.

Capacitively coupled pickup in MCP-based photodetectors using a conductive metallic anode

We have designed and tested a robust 20×20cm2 thin metal film internal anode capacitively coupled to an external array of signal pads or micro-strips for use in fast microchannel plate photodetectors. The internal anode, in this case a 10nm-thick NiCr film deposited on a 96% pure Al2O3 3mm-thick ceramic plate and connected to HV ground, provides the return path for the electron cascade charge. The multi-channel pickup array consists of a printed-circuit card or glass plate with metal signal pickups on one side and the signal ground plane on the other. The pickup can be put in close proximity to the bottom outer surface of the sealed photodetector, with no electrical connections through the photodetector hermetic vacuum package other than a single ground connection to the internal anode. Two pickup patterns were tested using a small commercial MCP-PMT as the signal source: 1) parallel 50Ω 25-cm-long micro-strips with an analog bandwidth of 1.5GHz, and 2) a 20×20cm2 array of 2-dimensional square ‘pads’ with sides of 1.27cm or 2.54cm. The rise-time of the fast input pulse is maintained for both pickup patterns. For the pad pattern, we observe 80% of the directly coupled amplitude. For the strip pattern we measure 34% of the directly coupled amplitude on the central strip of a broadened signal. The physical decoupling of the photodetector from the pickup pattern allows easy customization for different applications while maintaining high analog bandwidth.

Membrane-Active Epithelial Keratin 6A Fragments (KAMPs) Are Unique Human Antimicrobial Peptides with a Non-αβ Structure.

Antibiotic resistance is a pressing global health problem that threatens millions of lives each year. Natural antimicrobial peptides and their synthetic derivatives, including peptoids and peptidomimetics, are promising candidates as novel antibiotics. Recently, the C-terminal glycine-rich fragments of human epithelial keratin 6A were found to have bactericidal and cytoprotective activities. Here, we used an improved 2-dimensional NMR method coupled with a new protocol for structural refinement by low temperature simulated annealing to characterize the solution structure of these kerain-derived antimicrobial peptides (KAMPs). Two specific KAMPs in complex with membrane mimicking sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) micelles displayed amphipathic conformations with only local bends and turns, and a central 10-residue glycine-rich hydrophobic strip that is central to bactericidal activity. To our knowledge, this is the first report of non-αβ structure for human antimicrobial peptides. Direct observation of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa by scanning and transmission electron microscopy showed that KAMPs deformed bacterial cell envelopes and induced pore formation. Notably, in competitive binding experiments, KAMPs demonstrated binding affinities to LPS and LTA that did not correlate with their bactericidal activities, suggesting peptide-LPS and peptide-LTA interactions are less important in their mechanisms of action. Moreover, immunoprecipitation of KAMPs-bacterial factor complexes indicated that membrane surface lipoprotein SlyB and intracellular machineries NQR sodium pump and ribosomes are potential molecular targets for the peptides. Results of this study improve our understanding of the bactericidal function of epithelial cytokeratin fragments, and highlight an unexplored class of human antimicrobial peptides, which may serve as non-αβ peptide scaffolds for the design of novel peptide-based antibiotics.

Effect of vibrational degrees of freedom on the heat transfer in polyatomic gases confined between parallel plates

Conductive stationary heat transfer through rarefied nonpolar polyatomic gases, confined between parallel plates maintained at different temperatures, is investigated. It is assumed that gas molecules possess both rotational and vibrational degrees of freedom, described by the classical rigid rotator and quantum harmonic oscillator models, respectively. The flow structure is computed by the Holway kinetic model and the Direct Simulation Monte Carlo method. In both approaches the total collision frequency is computed according to the Inverse Power Law intermolecular potential. Inelastic collisions in DSMC simulations are based on the quantum version of the Borgnakke–Larsen collision model. Results are presented for N2, O2, CO2, CH4 and SF6 representing diatomic as well as linear and nonlinear polyatomic molecules with 1 up to 15 vibrational modes. The translational, rotational, vibrational and total temperatures and heat fluxes are computed in a wide range of the rarefaction parameter and for various ratios of the hot over the cold plate temperatures. Very good agreement, between the Holway and DSMC results is observed as well as with experiments. The effect of the vibrational degrees of freedom is demonstrated. In diatomic gases the vibrational heat flux varies from 5% up to 25% of the total one. Corresponding results in polyatomic gases with a higher number of vibrational modes show that even at low reference temperatures the contribution of the vibrational heat flux may be considerably higher. For example in the case of SF6 at 300K and 500K the vibrational heat flux is about 67% and 76% respectively of the total heat flux. Furthermore, it is numerically proved that the computed solutions are in agreement with the Chapman–Enskog approximation in a central strip of the computational domain even at moderately large values of the rarefaction parameter, as found in previous investigations. This property has been used to compute the gas thermal conductivity predicted by the adopted models.

Automatic Segmentation of Lower Jaw and Mandibular Bone in Digital Dental Panoramic Radiographs

Objectives: Panoramic x-ray is a medical imaging technique used in dentistry. This paper aims to present fully automatic segmentation algorithm to extract lower jaw and mandible from panoramic x-ray. Methods/Analysis: Panoramic x-rays provide features of various diseases like advanced periodontal diseases, cysts, tumors, impacted teeth, fractures in lower or upper jaw, etc. Image processing techniques are applied on these images to detect diseases automatically. Segmentation is an inevitable step in automation to extract disease features. Majority existing literature use semi-automatic method for segmentation of panoramic x-ray. The algorithm proposed in this paper is fully automatic method of segmentation. Findings: Panoramic x-rays give entire view of mouth and facilitate assessment of hard tissue structures of the facial area rather than assessment of dental carries. Segmentation of panoramic x-rays is an inevitable step in automating diagnosis of oral disorders like, tumor, cysts, fracture, etc. In this paper, an algorithm is developed for automatic segmentation of lower jaw and then mandibular bone in dental digital panoramic x-ray. Dental digital panoramic x-ray is a good quality image which does not require noise removal. The segmentation algorithm uses novel strips method where input image is subdivided in number of strips. These strips are further processed to separate lower jaw and mandible from input image. The algorithm is fully automatic and does not involve human intervention at any level. Paper presents analysis of number of strips as 3, 5, 7 and 9. The algorithm presented in this paper gives 93% success for segmentation of lower jaw and 90% success in segmentation of mandible structure when strip count is 5. Applications/Improvement: Strip method focuses ROI and ignores components like teeth, spinal cord shadow, etc. Central strip is useful to segment lower jaw whereas side strips are useful to detect mandible edge points.

Superconducting microwave parametric amplifier based on a quasi-fractal slow propagation line

Quantum limited amplifiers are sought after for a wide range of applications within quantum technologies and sensing. One promising candidate is the travelling wave parametric amplifier which exploits the non-linear kinetic inductance of a superconducting transmission line. This type of microwave amplifier promises to deliver a high gain, a quantum limited noise performance over several GHz bandwidth, and a high dynamic range. However, practical realizations of this type of device have so far been limited by fabrication defects, since the length of the superconducting transmission line required for achieving substantial parametric gain is on the order of ∼1 m. Here, we report on a design for a microwave traveling wave amplifier based on a slow propagation line comprising a central strip with high kinetic inductance and quasi-fractal line-to-ground capacitors. Due to an enhanced per unit length inductance (73 nH cm−1) and capacitance (15 pF cm−1), the line has a microwave propagation velocity as low as 9.8 × 108 cm s−1. This translates into parametric gain up to 0.5 dB cm−1 and a total gain of 6 dB for just a ∼10 cm long transmission line. Moreover, the flexibility of the presented design allows balancing the line inductance and capacitance in order to keep the characteristic impedance close to 50 Ω and to suppress standing waves, both factors being essential in order to implement a practical parametric amplifier in the microwave domain.

Modelling of heat flow and interdendritic crack formation in twin-roll strip casting of aluminium alloys

Preliminary mathematical analyses of different interdendritic cracks associated with variation of heat transfer and generation of interdendritic strain in horizontal twin-roll strip casting have been investigated. A 1-D transient finite difference model of heat flow, dendritic solidification and interdendritic thermo-metallurgical strain has been developed. The model contains two cracking criteria to predict qualitatively and quantitatively the tendency of interdendritic crack formation during dendritic solidification of pure aluminium and 6022 aluminium alloy. The model predictions are compared to available analytical methods and previous measurements. This is to verify and calibrate the model where good and reasonable agreements are obtained, respectively. The variations of heat transfer modes during different contact cooling zones and their effects on the generation of interdendritic thermo-metallurgical strain at the surface and central strip locations have been analysed. The model predictions point out that the different contact cooling zones of strip surface and surroundings control the stages of interdendritic crack formation in different mushy regions. The mechanism of interdendritic crack formation in twin-roll strip casting process with previous and present cracking criteria have been explained and discussed. These discussions show the importance of selection of mathematical treatment to predict the stages of interdendritic crack formation.

Unstable elbow dislocations: a case report of a new surgical technique.

This case report describes our first clinical experience of a previously described new surgical technique for the treatment of unstable simple elbow dislocations. The technique utilises a central strip of the distal triceps tendon which is harvested proximally at the musculotendonous junction and left attached at its insertion on the olecranon. The strip is the passed through the olecranon fossa and attached to the coronoid process to stabilise the joint. We encountered an early postoperative complication that led to a modification of our technique and ultimately an excellent recovery of a stable pain free joint with a full range of movement.

Description of a marine nematode Hopperia sinensis sp. nov. (Comesomatidae) from mangrove forests of Quanzhou, China, with a pictorial key to Hopperia species

A new free-living marine nematode species Hopperia sinensis sp. nov. from mangrove forests of Fujian Province, China, is identified and illustrated. Hopperia sinensis sp. nov. is characterized by its cephalic setae 2.4–2.8 µm long or 17%–20% head diameter, and amphids of 2.25–2.5 turns. Lateral differentiation appears with larger, more irregularly distributed dots behind 3–5 transverse rows of dots posterior to amphid. Buccal cavity is consisted of a shallow and weakly sclerotized cup-shaped portion with strongly sclerotized walls of 18–21 µm deep. There are three sclerotized and size-equally pointed teeth at the junction between the two parts. Spicules of 41–45 µm long are slightly curved with broadband velum and central strips at the proximal end. The gubernacula, with apparent lateral guiding pieces, are formed by one central tubular piece that is weakly sclerotized with 11–16 µm long dorso-caudally directed apophyses. There are 13–14 fine tubular precloacal supplements. Conico-cylindrical tail gradually tapers till pointed tail tip. Female is similar to male, but have a longer body and tail. Ovaries are opposed and outstretched, with anterior ovary to the left and posterior ovary to the right of the intestine. A pictorial key to all the valid known species in genus Hopperia is given.

Mapping the quadriceps tendon: an anatomic and morphometric study to guide tendon harvesting.

The quadriceps tendon (QT) may be used in first-line knee ligament surgery (Anterior and Posterior Cruciate Ligaments), surgical revision and multiligament surgery. There are few published anatomic guides to QT harvesting. The present anatomic study sought to determine the ideal harvesting site and exa mined possible correlation between patellar and graft sizes. A descriptive morphometric anatomic study was performed on 12 cadaveric knees. The reference anatomical landmark was the center of the superior edge of the patella. The QT was dissected and sliced longitudinally into five 5-mm strips. The central strip corresponded to the anatomic center of the patella. QT thickness was measured every 10 mm over a length of 100 mm. Data were analyzed on Pearson correlation test and Student, Bartlett and Fisher tests (α risk = 0.05). QT thickness ranged from 0.7 to 9.78 mm, for a mean 4.94 mm. Mean thickness in the lateral, central and medial strips was, respectively, 3.464, 6.040 and 3.899 mm. Central and centromedial strips were thicker than medial, centrolateral and lateral strips; central and centromedial strips were similar at, respectively, 6.040 and 6.041 mm (non-significant: p = 0.95), and significantly thicker than lateral strips. QT thickness showed significant correlation with patellar length (r = 0.75; p = 0.0048; 95% CI [+0.31; +0.93]). The present anatomical study confirmed that QT should be harvested from the central and centromedial regions. Mean thickness was 7.84 mm at the patellar insertion, 7.37 mm at 20 mm from the insertion, 6.41 at 40 mm, 5.61 at 60 mm and 4.33 at 100 mm.

Reduction glossectomy for macroglossia in children

Background/aim: Although several surgical techniques have been described for reduction glossectomy in children, many general pediatric surgeons are still skeptical about the treatment of patients with macroglossia because of potential surgical complications. The aim of this study was to describe our initial surgical experience with reduction glossectomy in a series of eight patients with macroglossia. Materials and methods: A retrospective file review was carried out for all patients who underwent reduction glossectomy during the period from October 2009 to December 2014. Charts were designed to collect the following data from the patients’ files: age; etiology of macroglossia; and full clinical examination including the functional respiration, deglutition, phonation deficit, and dental occlusion alterations. Results: The records of eight patients were retrieved. Five patients, in whom macroglossia affected the tongue width and length, underwent peripheral glossectomy, whereas two patients, in whom macroglossia affected the tongue in all directions, underwent key-hole glossectomy. In one patient in whom only half the tongue was affected, a central longitudinal strip was excised. Motor and sensory functions, especially taste sensation, were not affected by resection. Speech articulation errors were corrected in cases that stared speech. One complication occurred in one patient who had undergone a key-hole glossectomy: wound infection, followed by partial wound disruption. Conclusion: Partial glossectomy for macroglossia in children is both feasible and safe. It results in minimal complications. Many clinical problems caused by the pathology improve after surgery repair. The recommended surgical technique should be based on the extent of involvement of the tongue. Keywords: Beckwith–Wiedemann syndrome, macroglossia, reduction glossectomy

Results of Isolated Lateral Retinacular Reconstruction for Iatrogenic Medial Patellar Instability

The aim of this study was to assess the outcomes of an isolated lateral retinaculum reconstruction for iatrogenic medial patellar instability (IMPI) in patients with continued pain after failed lateral retinacular release (LRR), including associated psychometric analysis. Pain was assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) and disability was determined with the Lysholm scale. Psychological variables such as anxiety, depression, catastrophizing, and fear-of-movement beliefs were studied by using self-administered psychometric questionnaires. All 17 patients (13 women and 4 men) in this retrospective study had undergone LRR previously for anterior knee pain or lateral patellar instability. Four patients had undergone LRR plus proximal (Insall) realignment, and one had undergone LRR plus a medial tibial tubercle transfer. After their procedures, all had disabling symptoms. All patients underwent reconstructive surgery for IMPI. At a minimum follow-up of 2 years (range, 2 to 8 years), the mean preoperative VAS score was 7.6 (range, 5 to 9) and improved to 1.9 (range, 0 to 8) at the time of final follow-up (P < .001). The mean preoperative Lysholm score was 36.4 (range, 20 to 55), and the knee was described as bad (<65 points) in all cases. Postoperatively, it improved to 86.1 (range, 70 to 94) at final follow-up (P < .001). Before surgery, 4 patients (24%) had the clinical criteria for depression, 10 (59%) had anxiety, 7 (41%) had "catastrophizing" ideas concerning pain, and all (100%) had kinesiophobia (fear of movement). After surgery, none of the patients had depression or anxiety, none had catastrophizing ideation, and only 53% had kinesiophobia. Reconstruction of the deep transverse layer of the lateral retinaculum (LR) using a central strip of the iliotibial band for IMPI in patients with continued pain after failed LRR can successfully treat these severely disabled patients. Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Inverted V-shape Osteotomy with Central Strip Resection: A Simultaneous Narrowing and Vertical Reduction Genioplasty.

Background:In East Asian countries, a prominent, long, and squared contour of the lower third of the face is considered unattractive, strong, and masculine. To change such a facial contour into an ovular contour, correction of the chin area is essential to accomplish the overall curve in the mandibuloplasty, and various methods for the horizontal reduction of the chin area have been suggested. The horizontal osteotomy and central strip resection technique, which is the most widely used method, has comparatively little effect and some restrictions. To improve these points, the authors introduced an effective method for simultaneously reducing the width and height of the chin without additional procedures.Methods:From March 2010 to May 2013, 432 women and 117 men underwent mandibular contouring surgery. Of these patients, 321 needed correction of the chin shape with simultaneous mandibular contouring surgery. Narrowing and vertical reduction genioplasty was performed for these patients using an inverted V-shaped osteotomy with central bony segment resection.Results:Narrowing and vertical reduction genioplasty was successfully performed in all cases. No severe complications were observed. Transient sensory changes of the skin around the chin were observed in 87 patients, but all recovered within 3 months. All of the patients were satisfied with the results.Conclusions:The method that we introduce in this article is a simple and more effective method for simultaneous reduction of the width and height of the chin without additional procedures. The square and long face was effectively and easily reshaped into a slender ovular contour, and the shape of the chin was changed from square to slender.

The Study on the Central Strip Width of the Arterial Highway of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps

Typical points are selected on Ganmo Highway, the only bidirectional four-lane highway of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (hereinafter referred to as “Xinjiang Corps”), so as to measure the speeds of vehicles on the overtaking lane and corresponding inside clearances. The relationship between the inside clearances and speeds of different types of vehicles is studied by mathematical statistics so as to establish a model of the relationship between inside clearances and speeds. Based on the collision deformation of different barrier types and the demand for the actual functions of the central strip, how to select the width of the central strip and the barrier type of the arterial highway of Xinjiang Corps is analyzed. According to the results, there is a linear relationship between inside clearances and speeds of vehicles; monolithic concrete barriers require a small width of the central strip and they are cheap on the whole and suitable for the corps area.

Optimization of photoswitch constituted of a coplanar line introducing an interdigitated MSM photodetector

In this paper we present the optimization of photoswitches constituted of a coplanar line introducing interdigitated MSM photodetectors in the central strip. The reflection and the transmission coefficients are studied with the aim of highlighting the influence of different geometrical parameters on the photoswitch microwave behavior. In pursuance of improving the performances, new topologies of coplanar lines introducing tapers of linear shapes, as well as tightening of ground planes around the central strip are proposed and studied. The outcomes showed that it is possible to achieve high insulation (−52.3dB) at the Off state. As for as the On/Off ratio is concerned, a value of 48.8dB is reached.

Microfibril angle of Eucalyptus grandis wood in relation to the cambial age

The microfibril angle (MFA) of wood is an important feature, which helps to explain the physical and mechanical behaviour of wood in use. It has been little investigated for wood produced in Brazil, mainly for mature trees. Thus, the objective of this study was to analyze the MFA of Eucalyptus grandis at age 25 years in relation to the cambial age. One disk was cut from the base of the stem from each of three trees, where growth rings were marked. From a central strip 3,0 cm wide, 1 cm3 blocks were removed from each growth ring. After sectioned on the tangential face with a sliding microtome, sections of 8 μm thick were macerated. The individual fibres were observed by polarized light microscopy for measurement of MFA. According to the results, i) the MFA decreased from 29,3° (ring no 1) to 18,9° (ring no 25); ii) MFA can be estimated by the cambial age – a, according to the equation MFA = 28,1 – 0,35 × a, with R2 = 94,7%.

Fractal diabolo antenna for enhancing and confining the optical magnetic field

We introduce fractal geometry to diabolo nanoantenna for higher magnetic field intensity enhancement, i.e. the Sierpiński triangle diabolo antenna (STDA). Numerical results show that higher iteration of the STDA is responsible for the higher enhancement and the red shift of the resonant wavelength. Further investigation demonstrates the enhancement can be improved by increasing the length of the antenna or its central strip. By designing diabolo antennas with fractal geometry, improving the magnetic field intensity enhancement and varying the resonance conditions can be achieved while keeping the constant antenna dimensions.

Further work at Kilise Tepe, 2007-2011: refining the Bronze to Iron Age transition

AbstractThe excavations at Kilise Tepe in the 1990s inevitably left a range of research questions unanswered, and our second spell of work at the site from 2007 to 2011 sought to address some of these, relating to the later second and early first millennia. This article gathers the architectural and stratigraphie results of the renewed excavations, presenting the fresh information about the layout and character of the Late Bronze Age North-West Building and the initial phases of the Stele Building which succeeded it, including probable symbolic practices, and describing the complex stratigraphic sequence in the Central Strip sounding which covers the lapse of time from the 12th down to the seventh century. There follow short reports on the analyses of the botanical and faunal materials recovered, a summary of the results from the relevant radiocarbon dating samples and separate studies addressing issues resulting from the continuing study of the ceramics from the different contexts. Taken together, a complex picture emerges of changes in settlement layout, archi¬tectural traditions, use of external space, artefact production and subsistence strategies during the centuries which separate the Level III Late Bronze Age settlement from the latest Iron Age occupation around 700 BC.

DUAL-BAND DUAL-SENSE UNIDIRECTIONAL CIRCULARLY POLARIZED ANTENNA WITH CPW-FED FOR WIRELESS APPLICATIONS

A novel dual-band unidirectional circularly polarized (CP) antenna fed by coplanar waveguide (CPW) for wireless applications is proposed. The antenna configuration consists of a ring- shaped ground, an F-shaped central strip and a spherical cap reflector. The longer and shorter branches of the F-shaped central strip help to produce radiations at lower and higher frequencies. The CP characteristics are achieved by adding two solid arcs and a grounded tuning stub. Both simulated and measured results are given and analyzed. Measurement results show a 10 dB return loss with a bandwidth of 56% (2.15 GHz-3.83 GHz) at 2.45 GHz (ISM), and a bandwidth of 42.6% (4.67 GHz- 7.2 GHz) at 5.8 GHz (HiperLAN), a 3 dB axial ratio bandwidth of 15.1% (2.25 GHz-2.62 GHz), 4.1% (5.67 GHz-5.91 GHz). The maximum gains within the two CP bands are 8.7 dBic and 10.2 dBic, respectively.