Hook Method Research Articles

An accurate Rb density measurement method for a plasma wakefield accelerator experiment using a novel Rb reservoir

A method to accurately measure the density of Rb vapor is described. We plan on using this method for the Advanced Wakefield (AWAKE) (Assmann et al., 2014 [1]) project at CERN , which will be the world׳s first proton driven plasma wakefield experiment. The method is similar to the hook (Marlow, 1967 [2]) method and has been described in great detail in the work by Hill et al. (1986) [3]. In this method a cosine fit is applied to the interferogram to obtain a relative accuracy on the order of 1% for the vapor density–length product. A single-mode, fiber-based, Mach–Zenhder interferometer will be built and used near the ends of the 10 meter-long AWAKE plasma source to be able to make accurate relative density measurement between these two locations. This can then be used to infer the vapor density gradient along the AWAKE plasma source and also change it to the value desired for the plasma wakefield experiment. Here we describe the plan in detail and show preliminary results obtained using a prototype 8cm long novel Rb vapor cell.

An enhanced extended hook method to realize tetranuclear metal clusters embedded in energetic metal–organic framework channels

Rare tetranuclear Zn clusters were successfully embedded into energetic 3D metal–organic framework channels by an extended bifunctional tetrazolate–carboxylate hook ligand.

Dynamically Selective Performance Optimization Method for Mobile 3D Graphics Application with N-Screen Service

In this paper, we focus on a dynamically selective performance optimization method for mobile 3D graphics applications under n-screen service environment. Thus, an effective solution to enhance the performance is required to support real time processing under limited network bandwidth. This method can be employed to apply quality loss techniques that trade the quality within the range of tolerance over performance. First, we describe performance optimization methods for mobile graphics applications in 2 dimensions: Graphic Processing Unit (GPU) performance and image quality. Second, we present an adaptive level-of-detail (LOD) configuration method for graphics applications via OpenGL ES API level. Third, we show how OpenGL ES library hooking method can be employed to apply quality loss techniques that trade quality over performance. Last, we argue that OpenGL ES library hooking method is crucial to achieve higher performance, since it can be used in common android phones without any source code modification of applications. Overall, the experimental result shows that the proposed technique allows 24 % of performance improvement for all applied methodologies, and 4 % improvement for some selected methodologies while causing around 14 and 2 % of quality degradation, respectively. Thus, our approach can support an acceptable trade-off by determining the level of reduced quality that would lead to the desired performance improvements of the mobile GPU.

Secure and quick transumbilical initial trocar insertion with skin hooks: The skin hook method

Abstract Objective To evaluate clinical safety and ease of the entry technique using an optical access system and skin hooks. Materials and methods A total of 80 gynecological patients who have undergone laparoscopic surgery with either the skin hook method using skin hooks or the conventional method using Pean clamps. Results The skin hook method was compared with the conventional method using Pean clamps ( n = 40 patients each). The skin hook method required less time and there was less device slippage than in the conventional method. No other severe complications occurred after either method. Conclusion This method is a simple and secure approach and can be applied during laparoscopic surgery and in patients other than gynecological patients.

Wire or Hook Traction for Reducing Zygomatic Fracture.

BackgroundVariable methods have been introduced for reduction of the zygomatic fractures. The Dingman elevator is used widely to reduce these fractures but is inappropriate in certain types of fractures which require atypical traction vectors. We introduce and examine an alternate method of reducing zygomatic fractures using wire and hook traction.MethodsA retrospective study was performed for all zygomatic fracture patients admitted between 2008 and 2014. Medially rotated fractures were reduced by using a wire looped through an intermaxillary screw secured on the medial side of the zygoma. Laterally rotated fractures were reduced using a hook introduced through an infrazygomatic skin incision.ResultsNo accidental bleeding or incomplete reduction was observed in any of the cases. Postoperative imaging demonstrated proper reduction immediately after the operation. Follow-up computed tomography study at 1 month after operation also demonstrated proper reduction and healthy union across the previous site of fracture.ConclusionThe hook and wire method allowed precise application of traction forces across zygomatic fractures. The fractured bone fragment could be pulled in the direction precisely opposite to the vector of impact at the time of trauma. Soft tissue damage due to dissection was minimized. In particular, this method was effective in reducing rotated bone fragments and can be an alternative option to using the zygoma elevator.

Measurement of the densities of Cu and Ag vapours in a low-voltage switch using the hook method

In a research model of a low-voltage circuit breaker with fixed contacts and windows for optical access, arcs powered by either a high-current transformer or a capacitor bank were initiated by the explosion of tungsten wires. Air at atmospheric pressure was the switching medium. The number densities of neutral silver and copper vapours from contacts and arc runners were measured simultaneously by the hook method using a Mach–Zehnder interferometer combined with a 1 m spectrograph and a gated intensified CCD camera. When an arc current was flowing, a substantial fraction of the metal vapour was ionized, and thus not amenable to a density measurement with the technique chosen. To nevertheless obtain approximate density values, the arc current was forced to zero within 8 to 10 µs at a preset time and measurements were carried out 100 µs after extinction of the arc. At that time the metal vapour was expected to have recombined to a large extent but not yet diffused to the walls in significant amounts. Depending on the current amplitude reached within the arc duration the arc remained anchored to the silver contacts or commutated to the copper arc runners. At a maximum current amplitude of 650 A Ag vapour densities of the order of 1022 m−3 were observed near the anode outweighing the Cu vapour density by a factor of 20. When at 1600 A the arc commutated to the arc runners a Cu vapour density of 8 × 1021 m−3 was reached while the Ag density remained limited to 2 × 1021 m−3.

Determination of an international sensitivity index of thromboplastin reagents using a WHO thromboplastin as calibrator for plasma spiked with rivaroxaban

Rivaroxaban and other direct factor Xa inhibitors are used at fixed doses without drug monitoring and dose adjustment. Patients may require determination of the anticoagulant effect during treatment. The aim of this study was to develop a method to reduce the differences between thromboplastin reagents and coagulation analysers for determination of the anticoagulant effect of rivaroxaban in human plasma. Purity of rivaroxaban extracted from commercially available drug was confirmed by mass spectrometry, elemental analysis and 1H-NMR spectroscopy. Coagulation times of pooled human plasma spiked with 50-900 ng/ml rivaroxaban were analysed. Thromboplastin reagents, WHO RBT/90, Innovin, RecombiPlasTin 2G, STA Neoplastin Plus, Technoclot PT Plus and Thromborel S, the manual Kolle-Hook method and the KC10 analyser were used. An international sensitivity index (ISI) was determined for each reagent and coagulation method using the RBT/90 thromboplastin reagent as reference. The orthogonal, used for the determination of the ISI of coumarin plasmas, and ordinary regression analyses were compared. The results showed than increasing concentrations of rivaroxaban prolonged coagulation values of all thromboplastin assays linearly (r (2)= 0.96 and r(2) = 0.99, respectively). The coefficient of variation between the slopes of the dilution curves and the ratios of the thromboplastin reagents were reduced using the international normalized ratio (INR) and ISI calculated for rivaroxaban. The ISIs of the thromboplastin reagents ranged from 0.73 to 1.67 as compared with the WHO reagent using the manual technique. The coefficient of variations between the thromboplastin reagents comparing the orthogonal and the ordinary regression analysis were 6.8 versus 3.7% (Kolle-Hook method, P = 0.0011) and 8.5 versus 4.8% (KC10 method, P < 0.0001). Using ISI for vitamin-K antagonist and rivaroxaban, the INRs for the rivaroxaban-containing samples were significantly different for one of five commercial thromboplastin reagents. In conclusion, the determination of an ISI for rivaroxaban using a WHO thromboplastin reagent is required for commercial thromboplastin reagents. The manual Kolle-Hook method and an ordinary linear regression analysis should be adopted.

Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair by the hook method in emergency setting in children presenting with incarcerated inguinal hernia

Background The development of laparoscopic hernia repair has provided an alternative approach to the management of incarcerated inguinal hernia in children. Different laparoscopic techniques for hernia repair have been described. However, we hereby review the role of laparoscopic hernia repair using the hook method in the emergency setting for incarcerated inguinal hernias in children. Methods A retrospective review was conducted of all children who presented with incarcerated inguinal hernia and underwent laparoscopic hernia repair using the hook method in emergency setting between 2004 and 2010. Results There were a total of 15 boys and 1 girl with a mean age of 30 ± 36 months (range, 4 months to 12 years). The hernia was successfully reduced after sedation in 7 children and after general anesthesia in 4 children. In 5 children, the hernia was reduced by a combined manual and laparoscopic-assisted approach. Emergency laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair using the hook method was performed after reduction of the hernia. The presence of preperitoneal fluid secondary to recent incarceration facilitated the dissection of the preperitoneal space by the hernia hook. All children underwent successful reduction and hernia repair. The median operative time was 37 minutes. There was no postoperative complication. The median hospital stay was 3 days. At a median follow-up of 40 months, there was no recurrence of the hernia or testicular atrophy. Conclusions Emergency laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair by the hook method is safe and feasible. Easier preperitoneal dissection was experienced, and repair of the contralateral patent processus vaginalis can be performed in the same setting.

Generating a catalog of unanticipated schemas in class hierarchies using Formal Concept Analysis

Context Inheritance is the cornerstone of object-oriented development, supporting conceptual modeling, subtype polymorphism and software reuse. But inheritance can be used in subtle ways that make complex systems hard to understand and extend, due to the presence of implicit dependencies in the inheritance hierarchy. Objective Although these dependencies often specify well-known schemas (i.e., recurrent design or coding patterns, such as hook and template methods), new unanticipated dependency schemas arise in practice, and can consequently be hard to recognize and detect. Thus, a developer making changes or extensions to an object-oriented system needs to understand these implicit contracts defined by the dependencies between a class and its subclasses, or risk that seemingly innocuous changes break them. Method To tackle this problem, we have developed an approach based on Formal Concept Analysis. Our Formal Concept Analysis based-Reverse Engineering methodology (FoCARE) identifies undocumented hierarchical dependencies in a hierarchy by taking into account the existing structure and behavior of classes and subclasses. Results We validate our approach by applying it to a large and non-trivial case study, yielding a catalog of hierarchy schemas, each one composed of a set of dependencies over methods and attributes in a class hierarchy. We show how the discovered dependency schemas can be used not only to identify good design practices, but also to expose bad smells in design, thereby helping developers in initial reengineering phases to develop a first mental model of a system. Although some of the identified schemas are already documented in existing literature, with our approach based on Formal Concept Analysis (FCA), we are also able to identify previously unidentified schemas. Conclusions FCA is an effective tool because it is an ideal classification mining tool to identify commonalities between software artifacts, and usually these commonalities reveal known and unknown characteristics of the software artifacts. We also show that once a catalog of useful schemas stabilizes after several runs of FoCARE, the added cost of FCA is no longer needed.

Laparoscopic hernia repair in children by the hook method: a single-center series of 433 consecutive patients

Background The relatively high recurrence rate reported in laparoscopic hernia repair in children using intracorporeal suturing technique remains a concern. We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of the hook method during hernia repair that allows extraperitoneal passage of suture to close the hernia sac without creating any tension or skip areas and does not require laparoscopic suturing skills. Methods A retrospective review was conducted on 433 consecutive children who underwent laparoscopic hernia repair using the hook method by 1 of 4 surgeons from July 2004 to June 2007. Results A total of 572 successful laparoscopic hernia repairs were performed among the 433 children with an age range of 1 week to 15 years (mean = 56 months). Conversion rate was 1.04%. Contralateral patent processus vaginalis was found in 26.8%. Mean operating time was 23.8 and 40.2 minutes for unilateral and bilateral repair, respectively. At a median follow-up of 20 months, there were 2 recurrences (0.35%), 2 hydroceles, 1 ascending testis, and 1 instance of testicular atrophy. No serious complications were associated with the procedure. Conclusions Medium-term results suggest that laparoscopic hernia repair with the hook method is a sound alternative to open herniotomy in children.

Occipitocervical fusion using a hook and rod system between cervical levels C2 and C3

We aimed to evaluate the clinical utility and safety of the hook and rod method for occipitocervical fusion. Eleven consecutive patients (3 males, 8 females; 50–78 years old, average 63.8 years; 16–77 months follow-up, average 33.7 months) with unstable lesions at the craniocervical junction who underwent occipitocervical fusion using a hook and rod system were examined. A Compact Cotrel-Dubousset cervical system (Sofamor-Danek, Memphis TN, USA) was used in all patients. The claw mechanism was applied bilaterally between the hook on the C2 lamina and the hook on the C3 inferior articular process. No complications occurred during surgery. Solid bony fusion was obtained in all patients and no patient became clinically worse postoperatively. Occipitocervical fusion using a hook and rod system is a useful procedure that allows decompression of the spinal cord and secure spinal fusion at multiple levels simultaneously.

ＣＥＡの術野展開におけるゴムフック吊り上げ法の有用性

We report on our surgical technique, “the rubber band and hook method,” for carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Since carotid stenosis is frequently high-positioned in the Japanese population, even a small transposition of the carotid artery downwards makes it safer and easier to manipulate the distal internal carotid artery. With rubber bands and small skin hooks, we mobilize the carotid artery by holding up the carotid sheath. The author (S.O.) performed 60 CEAs from 2001 to 2006 using this method. No perioperative stroke or hematoma formation that required surgical removal was observed. Postoperative angiography confirmed optimal patency in all cases. We observed, however, 1 persistent case (1.6%) and 2 transient cases (3.3%) of hoarseness due to superior laryngeal nerve palsy related to surgical maneuvers. In this article, we report the effectiveness of our technique in ensuring the operative field along with the potential benefit to reduce bleeding by not separating the backside of the carotid artery. We also underscore the need of meticulous manipulation in securing the distal internal carotid artery and superior thyroid artery to prevent the superior laryngeal nerve palsy.

"Hook"-calibration of GeneChip-microarrays: Chip characteristics and expression measures

BackgroundMicroarray experiments rely on several critical steps that may introduce biases and uncertainty in downstream analyses. These steps include mRNA sample extraction, amplification and labelling, hybridization, and scanning causing chip-specific systematic variations on the raw intensity level. Also the chosen array-type and the up-to-dateness of the genomic information probed on the chip affect the quality of the expression measures. In the accompanying publication we presented theory and algorithm of the so-called hook method which aims at correcting expression data for systematic biases using a series of new chip characteristics.ResultsIn this publication we summarize the essential chip characteristics provided by this method, analyze special benchmark experiments to estimate transcript related expression measures and illustrate the potency of the method to detect and to quantify the quality of a particular hybridization. It is shown that our single-chip approach provides expression measures responding linearly on changes of the transcript concentration over three orders of magnitude. In addition, the method calculates a detection call judging the relation between the signal and the detection limit of the particular measurement. The performance of the method in the context of different chip generations and probe set assignments is illustrated. The hook method characterizes the RNA-quality in terms of the 3'/5'-amplification bias and the sample-specific calling rate. We show that the proper judgement of these effects requires the disentanglement of non-specific and specific hybridization which, otherwise, can lead to misinterpretations of expression changes. The consequences of modifying probe/target interactions by either changing the labelling protocol or by substituting RNA by DNA targets are demonstrated.ConclusionThe single-chip based hook-method provides accurate expression estimates and chip-summary characteristics using the natural metrics given by the hybridization reaction with the potency to develop new standards for microarray quality control and calibration.

We interrupt this newscast: how to improve local news and win ratings, too

Acknowledgments 1. A prologue: what this book is for Dante Chinni and Tom Rosenstiel 2. The knowledge base Tom Rosenstiel and Marion Just 3. 'I-Teams' and 'Eye Candy': the reality of local TV news Wally Dean and Atiba Pertilla 4. The myths that dominate local TV news: the X-structure and the fallacy of the hook and hold method of TV news Wally Dean, Atiba Pertilla and Todd Belt 5. The magic formula: how to make TV that viewers will watch Todd Belt and Marion Just 6. Steps to better coverage Todd Belt and Marion Just 7. Putting it all into action: techniques for changing newsroom cultures Wally Dean 8. The road ahead: the future of local TV news Tom Rosenstiel and Dante Chinni Appendix A. Design team members Appendix B. Quality grading criteria and value codes Appendix C. Content analysis intercoder reliability analyses Appendix D. Sample of local TV news stations Appendix E. 2005 follow-up study Notes References Index.

Experimental results and early clinical experience with an easy method for intracorporeal knot tying using a novel laparoscopic needleholder

Intracorporeal suturing and knot tying are among the most difficult procedures in laparoscopic operations. An easy and inexpensive method for intracorporeal instrumental ligation with a modified laparoscopic needle driver is presented. The needle driver developed in this study has a novel mechanism that can fix the suturing thread in a hook at the distal site of the holder's jaw hinge. This hook projects out from the rod only when the jaw of the holder is open. After the needle is removed from the tissue using the grasper, the needle driver is placed under the grasper, which the surgeon manipulates by the left hand. Then the thread is hooked on the needle driver by withdrawal of the driver with the jaw opening. The tip of the needle driver is moved over the shaft of the grasper by keeping the thread on the hook. The thread is entwined during a series of crossing movements of the rods of the forceps. The short tail of the suture material is gripped and tied up as a first throw of ligation. The side edge of the jaw, used for thread cutting, is sharpened by grinding. When the angle of the forceps is set at 90 degrees in the box trainer, no difference in terms of ligation time and degree of error is observed between the hook and conventional C-loop methods. In the case of the 30 degree forceps angle, the novel method is superior to the conventional method. The novel needle driver provides an easy and inexpensive method for performing an intracorporeal ligation, particularly in a case involving a sharp axis angle of the forceps. More clinical experience is necessary for evaluation of this method, but it has potential advantages in laparoscopic operations.

The development of the northern European fishery for north Atlantic bluefin tuna Thunnus thynnus during 1900–1950

North Atlantic bluefin tuna, Thunnus thynnus, used to migrate to northern European waters (Norwegian Sea, North Sea, Skagerrak, Kattegat, and Øresund) where it supported important commercial and sportfisheries. The species disappeared from the region in the early 1960s and the species is now still extremely rare. The factors which led to the development of the fishery and its subsequent decline remain unclear and poorly documented. This investigation documents the development of the fishery in terms of landings, effort, and gears with focus on the time period from 1900 to 1950 when landings were increasing. The species was frequently sighted while fishermen were targeting other species (herring, mackerel) and occasionally was caught as bycatch with these and other species. Information from scientifically trained observers demonstrate that tuna schools were common in the North Sea for 2–3 months during the summers of 1923–1931. As fishermen realized that the species had market value, new catch methods were developed and employed. These included harpoon-rifle, improved hook and line methods, and hydraulically operated purse seines. Landings rose sharply as did the number of vessels and the capacity of processing facilities for bluefin tuna. Bluefin tuna in this area were generally medium-large (>50 kg whole weight). The most important countries which participated in bluefin tuna fisheries in this period were Norway, Denmark and Sweden, but bluefin tuna were also exploited by France, Germany, The Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Similarly sportfishing increased in popularity in some of these countries and attracted many foreign participants. The increase in landings between 1900 and 1950 was driven particularly by an increase in fishing effort and technology. We found no evidence that the increase was due to a temperature-related shift in habitat into the region. Our results demonstrate that the species was an important part of the ecosystem at least back to the early 1900s and that commercial and recreational fisheries were well established in northern European waters before official ICCAT records.

Phacoemulsification using iris-hooks for capsular support in high myopic patient with subluxated lens and secondary angle closure glaucoma

We report an unusual case of angle closure glaucoma in a 78-year-old highly myopic female patient. The patient did not show any preoperative signs of subluxation of lens. However, the capsular bag was noted to be unstable during surgery. The patient was managed with phacoemulsification of lens using a novel method of iris hooks for stabilization of capsular bag during surgery.

웹 기반 멀티미디어 공동 작업 환경에서의 동기화 오류 제어 시스템

We propose ESS_WMCE. This paper explains the design and implementation of the EDSS running on ESS_WMCE. EDSS is a synchronization error control system for web based multimedia collaboration environment. We have an error detection approach by using hooking method. The technique of an error transmission is a mended model of utilizing an application sharing system. DOORAE is a good framework model for supporting development on application for computer supported cooperated works. It has primitive service functions. Service functions are implemented with an object oriented concept. It is a system that is suitable for detecting and sharing a software error rapidly occurring on web based multimedia collaboration environment by using software techniques. It is able to share an error as well as providing URL synchronization to access shared objects. When an error occurs, this system detects an error by using hooking methods in MS-Windows API(Application Program Interface) function. If an error is found, it is able to provide an error sharing to access shared objects.

Methyl-methacrylate bone cement surface does not promote platelet aggregation or plasma coagulation in vitro

Leakage of viscous bone cement into venous blood possibly resulting in pulmonary embolism may occur during percutaneous vertebroplasty. Our aim was to study if bone cement surface or cement liquid component could induce platelet aggregation or plasma coagulation in vitro. Two types of commonly used methyl-methacrylate bone cement, Palacos R (Heraeus Kulzer, Germany) and Vertebroplastic TM (DePuy, Acro Med, England), were smeared on thin glass slides that were inserted over the bottom of cuvettes immediately or after 24 h, and platelet aggregation was recorded over 10 min. Bone cement liquid component, containing methyl-methacrylate monomer and N,N-dimethyl-p-toluidine, was tested in 2% and 4% final concentration. Partial thromboplastin time (PTT) was determined by the hook method in the presence of bone cement-smeared glass slides or 6% bone cement liquid. Both types of bone cement, either fresh or aged, did not promote platelet aggregation, whereas collagen-coated glass slides induced substantial platelet aggregation (65±37%). On the other hand, bone cement liquids reduced platelet aggregation induced by collagen solution to an average of less than 15% (p<0.01). Bone cement, fresh or aged, had no effect on PTT, but bone cement liquids significantly prolonged PTT: median and 1st–3rd interquartile range 149 (96–171) s for Vertebroplastic TM and 132 (99–194) s for Palacos R, p=0.03 for both comparisons with normal pool plasma without additives that had PTT of 69 (62–71) s. We conclude that the surface of fresh or aged bone cement is not thrombogenic in vitro. The bone cement liquid inhibits platelet aggregation and plasma clotting in relatively high concentrations that cannot be expected in vivo.

Cu HyBrID laser kinetics: optimization of HBr partial pressure and buffer-gas flow rate

A detailed investigation into the dependence of the densities of the principal plasma species in the laser discharge on the buffer-gas operating parameters is reported. Simple expressions for the densities of the Cu, Br, and H species are derived by considering their major mechanisms for production and loss. These predict that the atomic Cu and Br densities are proportional to the HBr mass flow rate, whereas the density of H species (i.e., H and H/sub 2/) is proportional to the added HBr partial pressure. The theory agrees well with Hook method measurements of Cu density in a 25-mm bore diameter device; the Cu density increases approximately in proportion to the HBr mass flow rate, whereas it depends only weakly on the HBr partial pressure. Measurements of the fraction of Cu atoms excited by the discharge pulse, the rate of regrowth of the ground-state Cu density during the inter-pulse period, and the pre-pulse plasma impedance, are also explained in accordance with the theory. The results show that the plasma conditions for maximum laser output, which are remarkably similar to those of other halogen enhanced Cu lasers, can be achieved more directly by adjusting the overall buffer flow rate with the partial pressure of the added HBr fixed at 1-2 mbar. The theory is also useful for predicting optimum buffer-gas conditions for a wide range of Cu HyBrID laser dimensions and operating conditions.