Film Images Research Articles

Application of open-door laminoplasty with ARCH plate fixation in cervical intraspinal tumors

BackgroundThe open-door laminoplasty is an effective procedure for the treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy. However, little information is available about the surgical results of open-door laminoplasty in the treatment of intraspinal tumors. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the clinical effect of open-door laminoplasty with ARCH plate fixation in the treatment of cervical intraspinal tumors.MethodsThis was a retrospective study. From January 2013 to May 2018, 38 patients (13 males and 25 females, the average age of 44 ± 17 years) with cervical intraspinal tumors underwent open-door laminoplasty with ARCH plate fixation in our hospital. The operation time, blood loss, pre- and postoperative visual analog scale (VAS), and Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores were determined. To determine the radiographic outcomes, cervical X-ray film and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed before and after the operation, and cervical X-ray sagittal film was used to measure Cobb angle. The clinical data before and after the operation were compared by t-test.ResultsA total of 38 patients underwent a successful operation and demonstrated primary healing. The average operation time was 113 ± 12 min. The average blood loss was 120 ± 19 mL. All patients were followed up for 26.1 ± 2.8 months, and the final follow-up time was more than 24 months. VAS scores were much better at 24 months after operation compared with those before the operation, which were decreased from 6.1 ± 1.1 to 1.4 ± 0.7 (t = 32.63, P < 0.01). The JOA score was improved from 9.9 ± 1.5 to 15.5 ± 0.6 (t = − 18.36, P < 0.01), and the mean JOA recovery rate was 79% ± 11% at 24 months after the operation. There was no significant difference in Cobb angle between pre-operation and 24 months after the operation, which was 9.8 ± 2.6 and 10.3 ± 3.1 respectively (t = − 0.61, P > 0.05). Neither spinal malalignment on the coronal plane nor displacement of the laminoplasty flap was observed on postoperative cervical X-ray and MRI examinations at the final follow-up.ConclusionsOpen-door laminoplasty with ARCH plate fixation was a safe and effective surgical approach for the treatment of cervical intraspinal tumors.

Current Regulation and Property Study of Porous Anodic Alumina Films with a Periodic Pore Structure.

Porous anodic alumina (PAA) films with periodically modulated pore diameters are prepared by cyclic anodization of Al in a 0.6 M H3PO4 solution at room temperature. Studies have demonstrated that the oscillating current signals have an important effect on the structures of PAA films. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of the PAA film show that when the positive triangle wave current signal is applied, with the increase in the maximum current value, PAA gradually exhibits a symmetrically modulated pore diameter structure, and part of the pores generates slub-like branches. When the maximum current value is 60 mA, the effect of modulation on the pore diameter is the most obvious and the UV reflectance spectrum shows the lowest reflectivity. A sawtooth wave current signal will cause the generation of a V-shaped structure at the junction of adjacent oxide layers. This work provides important guidance for regulating the structure of PAA by changing the current signal.

Structural, morphological and magnetic properties of iron oxide thin films obtained by atomic layer deposition as a function of their thickness

Hematite (α-Fe2O3) thin films with different thicknesses between 4 and 16 nm were synthesized by atomic layer deposition, employing 500 to 2000 cycles of FeCp2/O3. After a thermal reduction process, under a controlled atmosphere of hydrogen, it was possible to convert hematite to magnetite (Fe3O4). SEM images of the iron oxide thin films showed that they are macroscopically homogeneous, although the magnetic measurements by MOKE indicated that the samples should present holes that are responsible for pinning the domain walls, raising the coercivity to values ​​that vary between 0.3 and 0.7 kOe. XRD revealed the presence of the Fe3O4 phase by identifying the main peaks. The signal obtained by Raman spectroscopy was identified at 667 cm−1, which suggests the presence of the phonon mode A1g of Fe3O4 in the reduced sample. Controlling the thickness of Fe3O4 thin films allows adjusting their magnetic properties, coercivity and remanence, so that they can be used in potential technological applications.

Voiceless Screams: Pictorialism as Narrative Strategy in Horror Silent Cinema

Abstract As a complementary condition to narrative, the notion of pictorialism in film is rooted in the first decades of the medium. In their quest to demonstrate the capturing and restoring of images with various devices, early filmmakers selected views with pictorial qualities in the long-standing tradition of painting, transferring them on film in the form of non-narrative shots. The evolution of fictional narratives in silent cinema displaced the source of inspiration in theatre, assimilating its nineteenth-century tradition of pictorialism. Thus, the film audiences’ appeal for visual pleasure was elevated with balanced elements of composition, framing and acting that resulted in pictorially represented moments actively engaged in the narrative system. The paper explores the notion of “pictorial spirit” (Valkola 2016) in relation to that of “monstration” (Gaudreault 2009) aiming to describe the narrative mechanism of provoking fear by means of pictorially constructed cinematic images in a selection of short-length horror silent films belonging to the transitional era, consisting in The Haunted House/The Witch House (La Maison ensorcelée/La casa encantada, Segundo de Chomón, 1908), Frankenstein (J. Searle Dawley, 1910) and the surviving fragments of The Portrait (Портрет, Vladislav Starevich, 1915).1

A Study on the Father Image in Chinese Film and Television

The father image in Chinese film and TV shows is often absent or lacks power. This is a new phenomenon presented by fathers in social relations, family relations and self-identity and reflects the implicit identity anxiety behind the father image in the new pattern of middle-class families. The father image in film and TV shows is no longer a symbol of power and authority of the traditional patriarchy but a deconstruction from the loss of discourse to disintegration, not only reflecting the loss of discourse of individuals&amp;rsquo; rights but also presenting a certain metaphor of the era. Fathers recovering from their image collapse requires a new sublimation image so that their power representation and self-worth can be renewed.

Tailoring the band gap of ZnO nanostructures using chromium

Nanostructured pure and Chromium doped ZnO thin films were grown on glass substrates by spin coating technique. Structural, electrical and optical properties of these thin films have been investigated by X-Ray diffraction, UV–Visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, Raman spectroscopy and I–V measurements. XRD patterns show that the particle size varies with respect to the varying concentration of Chromium. The lattice parameters, bond length and the average particle size have also been determined from the XRD data. The SEM images of the nanostructured thin film of doped and undoped ZnO shows the uniformly grown nanoparticles and uniform layer deposition of thin film. For dopant concentrations less than 2.5%, the optical band gap is found to be increase with increase in Cr concentration due to reduction in grain size. Raman spectroscopic studies confirm the hexagonal wurtzite structure formation of the ZnO nanoparticle. The electrical transport properties of the nanostructured thin films correlate well with the variation in the bandgap.

Influence of complexing agents-aided CuInSe2 thin films by single-step electrochemical deposition and photoelectrochemical studies

CuInSe2 thin films were deposited on ITO glass substrate by one-step electrochemical deposition (ECD) method without and with complexing agents like tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide (TMAH) and triethanolamine (TEA) at different temperatures. X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies confirm the as-deposited CuInSe2 thin films at 85 °C without and with complexing agents belong to the tetragonal crystal structure with the dominant peak representing the (112) plane. The single crystallized CuInSe2 thin films show Raman spectra with a dominant A1 mode at 174 cm−1. Raman spectra analysis conform that doesn’t peak present secondary phases like Cu2S and In2S3. AFM images of the as-deposited thin films show adherent, compact, and crack-free surface. The (αhν)2 fall is sharper in CuInSe2 thin films with TEA complex than the TMAH complex due to better crystallinity. From the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) study, we found that CuInSe2 thin film with TEA complex acquires a very slighter charge transfer resistance (Rct) of 32 Ω when compared with CuInSe2 thin film samples deposited with and without TMAH. Also, photoelectrochemical investigation signifies that CuInSe2 thin films deposited with TEA complex exhibit engendering better photocurrent response and more rapid relocation of photo-induced charge carriers in contrast to the other thin films fabricated with TMAH. We observed from cyclic voltammetry (CV) studies that redox reaction of iodide/triiodide (I−/I−3) optimized using CuInSe2 thin film with TEA complex delivers superior electrocatalytic performance than the films with TMAH.

Study of aluminum nitride films deposited on silicon for fabrication of MEMs devices

In this work, aluminum nitride (AlN) thin films deposited on the silicon (100) by RF magnetron-sputtering were analyzed. Nitrogen and argon plasmas were used in a vacuum system technique, being possible to obtain films oriented to the (oo2) crystallographic direction analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. Scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) was used to obtain the chemical composition (% at.) of AlN thin films. SEM analyses were accomplished to verify the images of the AlN films. Raman spectroscopy was used to obtain the Raman displacement as a function of the light intensity of the beam incident on the AlN films. Therefore, it was possible to reach the peaks of laser radiation absorption (λ = 514 nm) during Raman scattering. Ellipsometry was required to obtain: the roughness (Rz), optical gap (E04), and films thickness. Optical properties of the films depend on the temperature during the deposition. COMSOL software was required to simulate the performance of MEMS device, operating in the match circuit on a few ten of MHz resonance frequency.

Study of aluminum nitride films deposited on silicon for fabrication of MEMs devices

In this work, aluminum nitride (AlN) thin films deposited on the silicon (100) by RF magnetron-sputtering were analyzed. Nitrogen and argon plasmas were used in a vacuum system technique, being possible to obtain films oriented to the (oo2) crystallographic direction analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. Scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) was used to obtain the chemical composition (% at.) of AlN thin films. SEM analyses were accomplished to verify the images of the AlN films. Raman spectroscopy was used to obtain the Raman displacement as a function of the light intensity of the beam incident on the AlN films. Therefore, it was possible to reach the peaks of laser radiation absorption (λ = 514 nm) during Raman scattering. Ellipsometry was required to obtain: the roughness (Rz), optical gap (E04), and films thickness. Optical properties of the films depend on the temperature during the deposition. COMSOL software was required to simulate the performance of MEMS device, operating in the match circuit on a few ten of MHz resonance frequency.

Compositional, Structural, Morphological, and Optical Properties of ZnO Thin Films Prepared by PECVD Technique

ZnO thin films were synthesized on silicon and glass substrates using the plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) technique. Three samples were prepared at substrates temperatures of 200, 300, and 400 °C. The surface chemical composition was analyzed by the use of X-Ray Photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Structural and morphological properties were studied by using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Optical properties were carried out by UV-visible spectroscopy. XPS spectra showed typical peaks of Zn(2p3/2), Zn(2p1/2), and O(1s) of ZnO with a slight shift attributed to the substrate temperature. XRD analysis revealed hexagonal wurtzite phases with a preferred (002) growth orientation that improved with temperature. Calculation of grain size and dislocation density revealed the crystallization improvement of ZnO when the substrate temperature varied from 200 to 400 °C. SEM images of ZnO films showed textured surfaces composed of grains of spherical shape uniformly distributed. The transmittance yields are reaching 80%, and the values of the band-gap energy indicate that the ZnO films prepared by PECVD present transparent and semiconducting properties.

Forming-free resistive switching in ferroelectric Bi 0.97 Y 0.03 Fe 0.95 Sc 0.05 O 3 film for RRAM application

Electromechanical and resistive switching properties were investigated in ferroelectric rhombohedral Bi 0.97 Y 0.03 Fe 0.95 Sc 0.05 O 3 (BYFSO) film, grown on fluorine-doped tin oxide coated glass substrate. Piezoforce microscopy images of the BYFSO film after the electrical writing indicates the ferroelectric domains were switched completely towards the upward and downward direction at ± 8 V DC bias voltage, which is analogous to the ferroelectric hysteresis curve. The resistive switching effect was investigated on the Ag/BYFSO/FTO RRAM device configuration through conventional I − V characteristics. The charge transport process in Ag/BYFSO/FTO resistive device is transformed from Ohmic to space charge limited current conduction mechanism. The endurance characteristics ensure a stable bipolar resistive switching effect with a large memory window of OFF/ON ratio about ∼100 for 50 repeatable testing cycles. From the impedance spectroscopy analysis, it is observed that the bulk resistance plays a significant role during the SET-RESET process, by large degradation of resistance from megaohm (high resistance state) to kiloohm (low resistance state). The oxygen vacancy induced conductive filaments are responsible for achieving the various resistive states in the device.

Mapping Grains, Boundaries, and Defects in 2D Covalent Organic Framework Thin Films.

To improve their synthesis and ultimately realize the technical promise of two-dimensional covalent organic frameworks (2D COFs), it is imperative that a robust understanding of their structure be developed. However, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) imaging of such beam-sensitive materials is an outstanding characterization challenge. Here, we overcome this challenge by leveraging low electron flux imaging conditions and high-speed direct electron counting detectors to acquire high-resolution images of 2D COF films. We developed a Fourier mapping technique to rapidly extract nanoscale structural information from these TEM images. This postprocessing script analyzes the evolution of 2D Fourier transforms across a TEM image, which yields information about polycrystalline domain orientations and enables quantification of average domain sizes. Moreover, this approach provides information about several types of defects present in a film, such as overlapping grains and various types of grain boundaries. We also find that the pre-eminent origin of defects in COF-5 films, a prototypical boronate ester-linked COF, arises as a consequence of broken B-O bonds formed during polymerization. These results suggest that the nanoscale features observed are a direct consequence of chemical phenomena. Taken together, this mapping approach provides information about the fundamental microstructure and crystallographic underpinnings of 2D COF films, which will guide the development of future 2D polymerization strategies and help realize the goal of using 2D COFs in a host of thin-film device architectures.

Synthesis of molybdenum-doped rhenium disulfide alloy using aerosol-assisted chemical vapour deposition

Polycrystalline thin films of molybdenum-doped rhenium disulphide (Mo-doped ReS2) alloys were synthesised by aerosol-assisted chemical vapour deposition (AACVD) using precursor solutions containing (1) [Re(S2CC6H5)(S3CC6H5)2], and (2) [Mo(S2CNEt2)4]. Synthesised thin films were characterised using powder X-Ray diffraction (p-XRD), Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and energy dispersive X-Ray (EDX). The p-XRD shows that interlayer spacing increases with increasing Mo content in the ReS2 matrix, and (001) plane becomes broad and weak as the molybdenum increases in the doped films. The destruction of the vibrational modes of ReS2 on increasing the Mo content and a clear shift in the Eg vibrational and Ag-like modes were also observed by Raman analysis. The presence of Mo in the ReS2 matrix was detected by ICP-OES. It was observed that the Mo content in the final material was 7.61 at% compared to the initial feed of 15 at%. The SEM images of the doped alloy films revealed nano crystal morphology, and the morphology changed when there was an increase in the Mo portion into the ReS2 crystal structure.

A low noise cryogen-free scanning tunneling microscope-superconducting magnet system with vacuum sample transfer.

Imaging atomically resolved surfaces and performing spectroscopy of exotic surfaces at cryogenic temperature in the presence of the magnetic field is an engineering challenge. Additionally, performing these measurements in an all-cryogen-free environment compounds the above complexity due to the associated vibration and acoustic noise generated by the running of cryogenic cold heads. We here report successful integration of a cryogen-free scanning tunneling microscope (STM) with a cryogen-free superconducting vector-magnet, connected to an ultra-high vacuum cluster assembly for in situ sample transfer. We present details of the integration involving vibration and electrical noise isolation procedures allowing for operation of the STM at extremely low noise levels below 30 fA/Hz during normal operations of the complete vacuum-line assembly with multiple turbomolecular pumps. We demonstrate the above STM capability at cryogenic temperature and in the presence of the magnetic field through atomic resolution imaging of graphite and thin films of gold on the mica substrate transferred in situ to the STM chamber. We also demonstrate spectroscopy signatures of the superconducting gap in MgB2 thin films. The design of our in-house customized cluster-vacuum-line assembly provides unsought opportunities in continuous uninterrupted imaging of ultra-clean in-vacuum grown surfaces without the need for cryogenic refills in either the STM or the magnet.

Quantification of narrow band UVB radiation doses in phototherapy using diacetylene based film dosimeters

Narrow band ultraviolet B (NB UVB) radiation doses are administered during phototherapy for various dermatological ailments. Precise quantification of these doses is vital because the absorbed irradiation can cause adverse photochemical reactions which can lead to potential phototherapeutic side effects. The paper presents development of diacetylene based dosimeter for the determination of therapeutic NB UVB doses during phototherapy. The amide terminated diacetylene analogues have been synthesized by tailoring them with different functional groups. The synthesized diacetylene monomers have been introduced in a polyvinyl alcohol binder solution to obtain a film dosimeter. The influence of different headgroups on the colorimetric response to UV radiation has been studied. Among all the synthesized diacetylene analogues, the naphthylamine substituted diacetylene exhibited excellent color transition from white to blue color at 100 mJ cm−2 NB UVB radiation dose. The developed amide films can be easily pasted on multiple sites of the patient’s skin to monitor doses during phototherapy simultaneously at different anatomical regions. The digital image processing of the scanned images of the irradiated films facilitates rapid dose measurement which enables facile implementation of the developed film dosimeters and promising application in routine clinical dosimetry.

Thermally Structured Gold Films for SERS Substrates—Patterns With and Without Solid-state Dewetting

This paper presents an experimental study on the manufacturing process of surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates obtained by the thermal structuring of gold films. Three such samples were fabricated by depositing gold on glass substrates, inside an ultra high vacuum (UHV) installation. The UHV facility also included a sample heater, an argon ion gun and an atomic force microscope (AFM). As the efficiency of a SERS substrate is optimum for a particular value of the horizontal granularity of the metallic film, which is linked to the laser wavelength used to probe the sample, we aimed to gradually increase the horizontal granularity, through several stages of thermally induced structuring, so to get as close as possible to this optimum value. The horizontal granularity of the gold film was expressed in terms of the surface correlation length, calculated for a 20% reference threshold of the surface correlation function, which we denoted by SCL20. This parameter can be measured from the AFM images of the gold films, which are taken at various stages in the fabrication process, and it gives meaningful values for the horizontal granularity, irrespective of the fact that the thermally induced pattern exhibits solid-state dewetting or not. Therefore, this parameter offers a useful unique measuring criterion for the horizontal granularity, as it can be applied to both continuous and discontinuous films. After fabrication, the SERS performance of each sample was measured and compared with that of a commercial sample, which had a paper based active region impregnated with gold nanoparticles.

Electrophoretic Deposition of Aged and Charge Controlled Colloidal Copper Sulfide Nanoparticles.

Colloidal nanoparticles (NPs) have been recently spotlighted as building blocks for various nanostructured devices. Their collective properties have been exhibited by arranging them on a substrate to form assembled NPs. In particular, electrophoretic deposition (EPD) is an emerging fabrication method for such nanostructured films. To maximize the benefits of this method, further studies are required to fully elucidate the key parameters that influence the NP deposition. Herein, two key parameters are examined, namely: (i) the aging of colloidal NPs and (ii) the charge formation by surface ligands. The aging of Cu2-xS NPs changes the charge states, thus leading to different NP deposition behaviors. The SEM images of NP films, dynamic light scattering, and zeta potential results demonstrated that the charge control and restoration of interparticle interactions for aged NPs were achieved via simple ligand engineering. The charge control of colloidal NPs was found to be more dominant than the influence of aging, which can alter the surface charges of the NPs. The present results thus reveal that the charge formation on the colloidal NPs, which depends on the surface ligands, is an important controllable parameter in EPD.

Synthesis and Characterization of CuPc-PEPC Composite Thin Films and Photovoltaic Devices by Drop Casting Method

Using a drop casting method, stronger absorbent and photosensitive composite thin films based on a copper-phthalocyanine (CuPc) oligomer and a poly (N-epoxypropylcarbazole) (PEPC) copolymer were developed. Morphology, structural behavior and optical properties of CuPc:PEPC composite thin films have been studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and UV-VIS spectroscopy. The SEM images of pure CuPc organic thin films show the formation of some elongated shapes, while the morphology of CuPc:PEPC composite thin films is mainly controlled by the content of CuPc. XRD analysis of the CuPc:PEPC composite thin films reveal good crystallinity and the beta-copper phthalocyanine phase. Study of optical properties of CuPc:PEPC composite thin films after annealing in hydrogen atmosphere show decrease of the average optical transmittance. In addition, the broadening of the absorption bands increases the light harvesting capacity of the composite material for photovoltaic applications.

Synthesis, characterization, optical, morphological, and antioxidant properties of oligo(2-ethoxy-6-(((2-hydroxyphenyl)imino)methyl)phenol) obtained by oxidative polycondensation

A newly designed oligo-Schiff-base was prepared and characterized to investigate its optical and morphological response and antioxidant activity. We first clarified the synthesis of 2-ethoxy-6-(((2-hydroxyphenyl)imino)methyl)phenol (EHPIMP) from the condensation reaction of 3-ethoxy-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde with 2-aminophenol. The subsequent oxidative polycondensation process yielded the target oligo(2-ethoxy-6-(((2-hydroxyphenyl)imino)-methyl)phenol), oligo (EHPIMP). The structural elucidation of oligo (EHPIMP) was performed by 1H, 13C NMR, TGA, FTIR and GPC systems. The optical properties of the EHPIMP and the oligo (EHPIMP)’s thin films were compared mainly with UV–Vis spectroscopy. Corresponding band gap (Eg) values of the EHPIMP and the oligo (EHPIMP) films were obtained as 2.224 and 1.404 eV, respectively. 2D and 3D surface images of films were analyzed with atomic force microscopy. In the AFM results, the surface roughness values and the average roughness were attained to be 8.28 nm and 46.63 nm for EHPIMP and the oligo (EHPIMP)’s thin films, respectively. Furthermore, the antioxidant activities were investigated using in vitro FRAP, CUPRAC, DPPH, and ABTS methods. The obtained data demonstrated that EHPIMP and oligo (EHPIMP) had effective reducing antioxidant potentials and radical scavenging activities.

РЕЦ. НА КН.: ШЕВЧЕНКО И. О. ОТЦЫ И ОТЦОВСТВО В СОВРЕМЕННОЙ РОССИИ: СОЦИОЛОГИЧЕСКИЙ АНАЛИЗ. М.: ТРОВАНТ, 2019. 298 С.

Based on the peer-reviewed scientific monograph by I.O. Shev- chenko, the article presents an analytical review of the social practices of fa - therhood in modern Russian society, the phenomenon of lonely fatherhood that is least studied in the sociological community, as well as the issue of divorced fathers and stepfathers. Against the background of many years of sociological research, among the most important issues in the monograph the following are highlighted: Russians’ ideas about fathers and fatherhood; social practices of fatherhood; aisespaternity in families of various structural types. The book shows the evolution of the meanings of paternity as claimed by men of different ages, married and divorced. It defines the anthropological and biological, personal, socio-economic, spiritual, gender meanings of fatherhood and presents the models of paternity: an impersonal father, an authoritarian father, a kind father. The author of the monograph raises an issue of the importance of the father in the life of the child and also manages through analysis of 830 essays written by schoolchildren to build a “live” dialogue between fathers and children. More - over based on 47 in-depth interviews the topic of fathers and children in difficult situations of family breakdown is raised. An image of the substitute father – stepfather is considered, the types of their behavior in relation to the adopted child are highlighted: active, neutral, and passive. The topic of lonely fatherhood, stereotypes of modern society in relation to single fathers is touched upon. Final - ly, among the original plots of the monograph, one can note: the creation of the father’s image in cinema and the analysis of the network communities of fathers. The author of the article concludes that the phenomenon of paternity is multifaceted and contradictory in modern Russian society and that there is the need for its further study in the direction proposed in the reviewed scientific monograph.