Double Horn Research Articles

THE SIGN OF THE HORNS: A RARE CASE OF DOUBLE PERI–COMMISSURAL MITRAL FLAIL

Abstract A 80–year–old man with history of hypertension and dyslipidemia was admitted to our Cardiology Unit for exertional dyspnea (NYHA III) occurred during the last few days. The physical examination showed a systolic heart murmur (4/6 on Levine scale) and signs of pulmonary congestion. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a massive mitral regurgitation (Fig.1) together with severe dilation of the left atrium, mild–to–moderate aortic regurgitation, high probability of pulmonary hypertension and normal biventricular systolic function. A transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was performed to clarify mitral valve anatomy. A double flail of the posterior leaflet was present involving the peri–commissural portions due to a single chordal rupture on P1 scallop and a double chordal rupture on P3 scallop (Fig.2). P2 scallop was prolapsing and there was a billowing of the anterior leaflet. In addiction mitral annulus was dilated (antero–posterior diameter of 43 mm and intercommissural diameter of 45 mm). We named this finding “sign of the horns” for his 3D echocardiographic appearance (Fig.3) given the double flail resembling two fingers. A surgical correction was performed with 3 GoreTex neochords implantation on the posterior leaflet and an annuloplasty ring (Physio II n. 34) implantation during extracorporeal circulation through right anterior minithoracotomy. Surgical and echocardiographic results were optimal. The patient was discharged after 7 days of hospitalization. Conclusion Coexistence of a double peri–commissural flail in the same leaflet is a very rare echocardiographic finding and we named it “double horn sign”. TEE is an essential examination in this scenario in order to understand the exact mechanism of the regurgitation for an optimal preoperative planning.

A new armored dinosaur with double cheek horns from the early Late Cretaceous of southeastern China

Ankylosaurines are the iconic armoured dinosaurs that characterize terrestrial vertebrate faunas in the Late Cretaceous of Asia and Laramidia (western North America). The earliest members of this clade are known from the early Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian–Santonian) times of Asia, but little consensus has emerged as to how they are related to the anatomically derived and chronologically younger forms. In southeastern China, the Cretaceous red sand beds crop out across basins from Zhejiang to Guandong provinces. However, the horizons corresponding to the early Late Cretaceous stages remain poorly sampled. Here, we report the first definitive vertebrate skeleton ¾ let alone that of an armoured dinosaur ¾ from the Coniacian/Turonian Ganzhou Formation, Datai yinliangis gen. et sp. nov. Despite the immature ontogenetic status of the type materials, D. yingliangis can be diagnosed with autapomorphic traits in the cranial caputegulae (such as double horns on the quadratojugal) and extensive gular osteoderms. Morphologically, it is intermediate between the chronologically older ankylosaurids from Asia (e.g., Crichtonpelta and Jinyunpelta) and derived post-Cenomanian ankylosaurines (e.g., Pinacosaurus). Phylogenetic analyses broadly corroborate this assessment. The new taxon either falls in the grade of Asian ankylosaurines proximal to the lineages of derived forms or forms a sister lineage to Pinacosaurus. Based on these insights, Datai makes a significant addition to the early Late Cretaceous vertebrate fauna from southeastern China and highlights the future potential in this region for improved understanding of the origin and early evolution of ankylosaurines.

Union-closed sets and Horn Boolean functions

A family F of sets is union-closed if the union of any two sets from F belongs to F. The union-closed sets conjecture states that if F is a finite union-closed family of finite sets, then there is an element that belongs to at least half of the sets in F. The conjecture has several equivalent formulations in terms of other combinatorial structures such as lattices and graphs. In its whole generality the conjecture remains wide open, but it was verified for various important classes of lattices, such as lower semimodular lattices, and graphs, such as chordal bipartite graphs. In the present paper we develop a Boolean approach to the conjecture and verify it for several classes of Boolean functions, such as submodular functions and double Horn functions.

Unclassified Mullerian Anomaly: Retroperitoneal Uterus

Anomalies of uterus might be encountered at Caesarean Section or routine investigation. In this article, we present a rare case of double horns of uterus completely separated. One of them is situated retroperitoneally. Therefore, MRI or CT scans is recommend for unclassified Mullerian anomalies, to confirm pelvic or other anomalies and to reduce the likelihood of complications arising during the operation or delivery.

The ACDC horn: A 5-valve single B-flat horn with E-flat alto and F slides

The ascending/descending (or ACDC) horn is a single horn with ascending high E-flat and descending F valves. Its design is simple and composed of a standard 3-valve single B-flat horn fitted with these additional E-flat alto and F valves. This horn can be set to A stopping functionality by pressing simultaneously on both these valves. This latter incidental discovery allows us to propose the first 5-valve single horn which admits a complete range of tonalities, including stopped harmonics, without the need of any additional slide or clutch valve, and with fingerings similar to the standard F/B-flat double horn. With this model, we think the single horn becomes now a serious alternative to the standard double horn.

Directionality and gain of small acoustic velocity horns.

Acoustic Velocity Horns (AVHs) are acoustically small funnels open to incident acoustic waves from mouth and throat (for single horns) or both mouths for double horns. Unlike traditional pressure horns terminated at the throat, AVHs yield appreciable amplification of the particle velocity across a wide frequency range starting from extremely low infrasound frequencies. Such horns can be utilized to enhance the performance of conventional vector and acoustic intensity sensors. The present paper includes derivation of directional properties and gains for acoustic velocity as well as pressure for horns of various configurations: single and symmetrical double-horns, and symmetrical horns with inserts of various profiles. The study reveals that the conical double-horns provide the highest velocity gain as compared to horns with an exponential profile or with inserts. The maximum gain cannot exceed a horn's mouth-to-throat radii ratio. In addition to the velocity gain, AVHs offer dipole directionality for the particle velocity and omnidirectional response with no gain for acoustic pressure. These findings were experimentally validated using a water-submerged conical double-horn.

Entyposis cordipenis new species from Ethiopia (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae: Schizonychini).

Entyposis Kolbe, 1895 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae: Schizonychini) was established for Schizonycha cavicollis Fairmaire, 1887 and newly described Entyposis impressa Kolbe, 1895. Lacroix & Montreuil (2012) revised the genus, designated S. cavicollis Fairmaire, 1887 as the type species and described six new species: Entyposis bidentata, E. martinezi, E. rasplusi, and E. madogolelei from Mozambique; E. excavata from Tanzania; and E. squamulata from Kenya and Tanzania. They also synonymized E. nyukana (Kolbe, 1910) and E. montana (Moser, 1913) with E. mendax Péringuey, 1904. Entyposis differs from other schizonychine genera in having a low occipital carina and with the pronotum in both sexes thickened basally into conspicuous bulges (with medial tubercle) and with deeper medial impression extending anteriorly into a weak or prominent point (Kolbe 1895; Lacroix & Montreuil 2012). Entyposis is very similar to Entypophana Moser, 1913. Both genera are characterized by conspicuous bulges (with lateral tubercle) on the pronotum, but Entypophana differs by having a double vertical frontal carina and occipital carina medially elevated into a simple or double horn or a broad, straight edge. The pronotum of both genera is laterally thickened into conspicuous bulges (with lateral tubercle) and medially bears a shallow, apically narrowing impression (Burgeon 1946; Moser 1913, 1917; Sehnal 2017).

Use of N,O-carboxymethyl chitosan to prevent postsurgical adhesions in a rabbit double uterine horn model: a randomized controlled design.

In previous studies, N,O-carboxymethyl chitosan has been shown to decrease the incidence and intensity of abdominal adhesions. In the present study, adhesions were induced in 220 rabbits using a double uterine horn model. Rabbits were randomized to receive an operation only or an operation+medical chitosan intraperitoneally. Twenty-two rabbits from each group were euthanized at one of five different times (Day 3, 7, 14, 28, or 42), and adhesion formation was given gross and histopathological scores. Reductions were observed in adhesion extent (P=0.0337) and tenacity (P=0.0271) as well as inflammation (P<0.0001) on Day 3 when medical chitosan was applied. Prior to Day 14, fibrosis was less obvious in the medical chitosan group (P< 0.0005). The tenacity scores were significantly lower in the medical chitosan group following Day 14 (P<.05), while the type scores were lower in the medical chitosan group following Day 28 (P<.03). Thus, medical chitosan decreased both the gross and the histopathological scores of the induced adhesions.

Atmospheric icing impact on wind turbine production

Wind turbine performance depends mainly on the wind speed and aerodynamics of blades. The roughness generated from ice accretion can significantly reduce the aerodynamics and consequently the power production of the wind turbine. This study locates the glaze and rime ice on the blade, to detect the critical zones involved in significant power production loss. On the blade, the distribution of the elementary power production as well as the type and thickness of the accreted ice are inconsistent. Under icing conditions, the outer section of the blade starting from the radial position r/R=0.8 contribute significantly to the blades aerodynamics. The freezing fraction is unevenly distributed; since it initially forms rime ice near the root and then glaze toward the tip of the blade. The critical freezing fraction 0.88 associated with the double horn ice shape is spatially limited and occupies a restricted segment on the blade and gradually moves towards the tip with decreasing temperature. With the use of power degradation analogy with sub-scaled rotor blades of a helicopter under icing conditions, a power loss factor is introduced to quantify and locate power loss along the blades of wind turbines. The study is based on four values of liquid water content that delineate five classes of icing severity. Including power loss factor, the most significant power loss that corresponds to freezing fraction 0.88 is found to be located at r/R~[0.93 0.96] which corresponds to T=−2.6°C, −4.5°C, −12°C, and −20°C and for liquid water content LWC=0.04g·m−3, 0.07g·m−3, 0.2g·m−3, and 0.36g·m−3 respectively. The resulted power degradation can reach a maximum of 40%. Locally it is the shape rather than the thickness of ice that causes more power loss, meanwhile when considering the whole blade, power degradation is controlled mainly by ice thickness regardless of the type of ice. The results obtained can help the setup of a sensor that triggers the ice-protection system upon detection of critical freezing fraction.

Numerical simulation of icing effect and ice accretion on three-dimensional configurations

It is common for an aircraft to encounter icing weather conditions, which would be dangerous to the flight. Thus, there is a need to study the detail of icing effect and the process of ice accretion on the aircraft. In this paper, considering three different icing models according to weather conditions, i.e., sharp-angled ice, blunt-nosed ice and double horn ice, the Reynolds-averaged N-S equations and the S-A turbulence model are used to analyze the flow field for an iced wing/body configuration with a multi-block strategy and structured grid technique. The numerical result is compared with the experimental data. A flow solver is developed based on the Euler equations to investigate the ice accretion process. The droplets are tracked by using the Lagrangian method. In addition, a revised Messinger model is proposed to simulate the ice accretion. This numerical simulation is conducted for the ice accretion on an M6 wing and a wing/body/tail configuration. The presented results preliminarily show that the numerical methods are feasible and effective.

Horns as particle velocity amplifiers

Preliminary measurements and numerical predictions reveal that simple, and relatively small, horns generate remarkable amplification of acoustic particle velocity. For example, below 2 kHz, a 2.5 cm conical horn has a uniform velocity amplification ratio (throat-to-mouth) factor of approximately 3, or, in terms of a decibel level, 9.5 dB. It is shown that the velocity amplification factor depends on the horn's mouth-to-throat ratio as well as, though to a lesser degree, the horn's flare rate. A double horn configuration provides limited additional gain, approximately an increase of up to 25%.

TECHNOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS ON THE MANUFACTURE OF THE LATE MINOAN GODDESSES FROM HALASMENOS EAST CRETE, AS REVEALED DURING THE PROCESS OF CONSERVATION

Halasmenos is a settlement of the Late Minoan IIIC period (c. 1190–1070 BC) in East Crete with individual houses, communal buildings and a shrine. When the shrine was abandoned, it contained a large number of ceramic ritual objects, including figures of a goddess with upraised arms, snake tubes, kalathoi and plaques topped by double horns. A number of significant observations concerning the manufacture of this ritual assemblage were recorded during the process of conservation. This presentation focuses on the goddess figures and the technology employed to manufacture them. The differences which were observed may ultimately indicate different technological traditions and/or workshops, or even various social groups that dedicated these specific cult assemblages in the shrine. A conservation policy and the contribution of different disciplines (archaeology, conservation, petrography) to the study and the publication of this assemblage are also discussed.

Optimization of valve tube lengths for brass instruments.

The intonation deviations from the well-tempered scale are presented for valve brass wind instruments. Compensating and full double instruments are considered. Systems including descending valves and less popular ascending valves are studied. The lengths of the valve tubes are optimized by minimizing the overall root mean squared (rms) intonation error using the method established in 1967 [R. Young, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 42, 224–235 (1967)]. Open note detuning is considered in each case and improves the overall intonation. The worst three valve instrument without open note detuning has an rms deviation 24 cents The best of the three and four valve instruments is a three valve compensating euphonium tuned 3 cents sharp on the open notes and flat on valves 2, 1, and 3 by 3, 3, 10 cents, respectively. It exhibits only 2 cents rms deviation on single valves and less than 3 cents on combinations of valves. The comparisons also include several new three, four, and five valve systems. Included is a double horn with only two double valves and a switch valve.

The double bell descant euphonium.

A euphonium is presented that has better intonation and is easier to play in the extreme registers. It is a complete double horn having five double valves in contrast to the incomplete normal double French horn having only three double valves. The valves descend 2, 1, 3, 4, and 5 semitones from the open tones. The large bell is for the B♭ standard part of the instrument. A switch valve activates the smaller alto bell in the key of high E ♮ and sends the air through the five shorter valve slides and out the small bell. The fundamental frequency of the E side is 82.4 Hz or six semitones above the fundamental of the B♭ euphonium. The key of E rather than F or E♭ enables all notes in the complete range (about 29–988 Hz) to be played with a single tunable valve slide. Either of the other keys would introduce a need for one additional valve or compromise the intonation.

Horns on diffusion paths in multiphase diffusion couples

The formation of “horns” on diffusion paths in two-phase diffusion couples having a common matrix phase is analyzed by considering the one-dimensional form of the diffusion equation. It is shown that horns occur when flux versus distance profiles have a finite slope at the initial diffusion couple interface. In particular, the equations predict that only single horns will form, even though double horns have been reported in the literature. A model ternary system is used as an example. The model system illustrates that when the effective diffusivity is constant, the diffusion path follows a linear zigzag course and has no horns. Also, the flux profiles are symmetric with a peak at the initial interface. However, when the effective diffusivity is modeled to vary with composition, the peak shifts away from the initial interface and the flux profile has a finite slope at the origin. The result is a diffusion path with a single horn, in agreement with theory.

Measurement of Moisture Content in Powdered Food Using Microwave Free-Space Transmission Technique

In this study, microwave free-space transmission technique was applied to measure the moisture content of powdered food (wheat flour, milk powder, and coffee powder). In frequency range from 1 to 15 GHz, the microwave attenuation and phase shift due to moisture content of food samples were measured and analyzed using vector network analyzer, double rigid horn antennas, and sample holder filled with moist food samples. To estimate the relationship between moisture density of powdered food and the attenuation and phase shift, correlation analysis was performed. The correlation coefficients at each food sample were greater than 0.91. The calibration equation for moisture content measurement having attenuation and phase shift as independent variables at 15 GHz was developed and evaluated. The coefficient of determination and root mean square for all food samples were 0.974 and 0.328 % respectively.

Asymptotics of a quantum random walk driven by an optical cavity

We investigate a novel quantum random walk (QRW) model, possibly useful in quantum algorithm implementation, that achieves a quadratically faster diffusion rate compared to its classical counterpart. We evaluate its asymptotic behavior expressed in the form of a limit probability distribution of a double horn shape. Questions of robustness and control of that limit distribution are addressed by introducing a quantum optical cavity in which a resonant Jaynes-Cummings type of interaction between the quantum walk coin system realized in the form of a two-level atom and a laser field is taking place. Driving the optical cavity by means of the coin-field interaction time and the initial quantum coin state, we determine two types of modification of the asymptotic behavior of the QRW. In the first one the limit distribution is robustly reproduced up to a scaling, while in the second one the quantum features of the walk, exemplified by enhanced diffusion rate, are washed out and Gaussian asymptotics prevail. Verification of these findings in an experimental setup that involves two quantum optical cavities that implement the driven QRW and its quantum to classical transition is discussed.

A survey of the historical and acoustical development of the horn

In the 17th century, the hunting horn entered the orchestra. With its shallow mouthpiece and rapidly flared bell, the baroque horn had a bright sound like that of the trumpet. Indeed, the same musicians often played either instrument. In modern authentic performances, players use side-vents or hand-stopping to improve intonation, though no evidence suggests that 18th century players used these techniques. When the hand entered the bell, the bell was widened and the mouthpiece deepened, giving the instrument its modern character. Despite the invention of the valve, acoustics requires that the hand remain in the bell. The modern double horn, with its wider bell and rotary valves, was introduced by Kruspe in 1902. Older designs (such as the Vienna horn, with its narrower bell, terminal crook, and curious Vienna valves) persist in some areas. The drive to compete with trumpets for volume and recordings for accuracy has led some modern players to adapt higher pitched descant horns.

Genital anomalies in girls with imperforate anus: A 20 year review

Background Pediatricians and pediatric gynecologists need to be aware of genital anomalies associated with imperforate anus. Methods In a retrospective review of patients with vaginal anomalies in a single children's hospital from 1964 to 1984, the largest subgroup 40 patients,(43%) had a vaginal anomaly with imperforate anus. Results 23 patients had the anus terminating in a “recto-vaginal” fistula recorded as the sole genital anomaly. Seventeen (43%) of patients in this subgroup had imperforate anus and a major genital anomaly. Five of these had cloacal type anomalies. Five others had vaginal atresia (one with a bicornuate uterus also; another had ambiguous genitalia; two had urogenital sinuses, one of whom had a bicornuate uterus). Two patients had uterine agenisis; two others had vaginal duplication (both with two uterine horns). The remaining patients had double uterine horns as the sole genital anomaly. Conclusion Some of the genital anomalies in these 17 patients may not be readily identified by initial physical examination or newborn ultrasound. This may represent only a fraction of girls with this combination of anomalies as the denominator in the study was “identified vaginal anomalies”. It is, therefore, recommended that patients with any type of imperforate anus have frequent genital exams in childhood and full genital evaluation including an ultrasound in a prepubertal Tanner II Stage in order to identify “obstructed”, genital anomalies missed in the newborn period. This is especially important for pediatricians and pediatric gynecologists to be aware of as females more commonly have a low imperforate anus and may be continent. They may be, therefore, lost to follow up of the surgeon and the pediatric service may be the only source of contact.

Double Horn Functions

In this paper, we define double Horn functions, which are the Boolean functionsfsuch that bothfand its complement (i.e., negation)fare Horn, and investigate their semantical and computational properties. Double Horn functions embody a balanced treatment of positive and negative information in the course of the extension problem of partially defined Boolean functions (pdBfs), where a pdBf is a pair (T, F) of disjoint setsT, F⊆{0, 1}nof true and false vectors, respectively, and an extension of (T, F) is a Boolean functionfthat is compatible withTandF. We derive syntactic and semantic characterizations of double Horn functions, and determine the number of such functions. The characterizations are then exploited to give polynomial time algorithms (i) that recognize double Horn functions from Horn DNFs (disjunctive normal forms), and (ii) that compute the prime DNF from an arbitrary formula, as well as its complement and its dual. Furthermore, we consider the problem of determining a double Horn extension of a given pdBf. We describe a polynomial time algorithm for this problem and moreover an algorithm that enumerates all double Horn extensions of a pdBf with polynomial delay. However, finding a shortest double Horn extension (in terms of the size of a formulaϕrepresenting it) is shown to be intractable.