Middle Width Research Articles

An anatomical study of the superior transverse scapular ligament of Jining population.

The aim of this study was to determine the anatomical variations of the superior transverse scapular ligament (STSL) for better understanding the possible predisposing factors for suprascapular nerve entrapment. The study was using fifty 10% formalin solution-fixed human cadaveric shoulders. After dissection of the suprascapular region, the length, medial width, lateral width and middle width of the suprascapular opening were measured for each STSL. The STSL displayed six types as: (1) band-shaped in 11 cases; (2) fan-shaped in 27 cases; (3) triangular-shaped in 5 cases; (4) linear type in 2 cases; (5) bifid in 1 case; (6) absent in 1 case. The ossified type of STSL was found in 3 cases. There were statistically significant differences in the length (P = 0.009), medial width (P = 0.001), lateral width (P = 0.029) of the three types of fan-shaped, band-shaped and triangular-shaped. However, there was no statistical difference in the middle width of the suprascapular opening of the three types (P = 0.340). Knowing the morphological features and variations of the STSL is important for better understanding the anatomical conditions, which could be taken into consideration during open suprascapular operations or arthroscopic decompressions.

Comparison of Least Squares, Ridge Regression and Principal Component Approaches in the Presence of Multicollinearity in Regression Analysis

The aim of this study was to compare estimation methods: least squares method (LS), ridge regression (RR), Principal component regression (PCR) to estimate the parameters of multiple regression model in situations when the underlying assumptions of least squares estimation are untenable because of multicollinearity. For this aim, the effect of some body measurements on body weights (height at withers and rumps, body length, chest width, chest girth and chest depth, front, middle and hind rump width) obtained from totally 85 Karayaka lambs at weaning period raised at Research Farm of Ondokuz Mayis University was examined. Mean square error, R2 value and significance of parameters were used to evaluate estimator performance. The multicollinearity, between front and middle rump width which were used to estimate live weight, was eliminated by using RR and PCR. Although research findings showed that RR method had the smallest MSE and the highest R2 value, the estimates of PCR were determined to be more consistent when the importance tests of parameters were taken into account. The results showed that principal component regression approach should be used to estimate the live weight of Karayaka lambs at weaning period.

Comparative Evaluation of the Adaptation of Two Calcium Silicate-Based Endodontic Sealers with a Conventional Resin-Based Sealer to Dentinal Walls: An In vitro Scanning Electron Microscopic Study

Aim of the study: The aim of this study was to compare the adaptation of two calcium silicate-based root canal sealers with a resin-based sealer to root canal walls at the middle and apical levels using scanning electron microscope.Material and methods: Twenty-six single-canalled lower premolars were instrumented and randomly divided into three groups according to the sealer used with gutta-percha (n=8); AH plus, Bioroot RCS, and Endoseal MTA. Two random specimens served as the blank control group to assess the smear layer removal from the dentinal walls. Teeth were sectioned at middle and apical levels and gap width was evaluated using scanning electron microscope. Data were statistically analyzed with significance level set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: At the apical and mid-root levels, the highest mean values were found in Endoseal MTA group followed by Bioroot RCS group while the lowest mean value was found in AH Plus group with statistically significant difference between all groups. Statistically significant differences were found between Endoseal MTA and each of Bioroot RCS and AH Plus groups. No statistically significant difference was found between Bioroot RCS and AH Plus groups. Conclusions: AH Plus and Bioroot RCS showed statistically better results than Endoseal MTA regarding adaptation to the root canal walls.

Evaluation of mesencephalic diameter using MRI in the diagnostic differentiation of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) from parkinson disease (PD)

Diagnostic differentiation of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) from Parkinsons disease (PD) is difficult task in early stages. MR image based diagnosis plays a vital role in differentiation of parkinsonian syndromes because of its effective depiction of tissue anatomy. This study was designed to evaluate mesencephalic diameter using MRI in the differentiation of PSP from PD. A total 40 cases (20 cases clinically diagnosed with PSP and 20 cases with PD) and 20 healthy control subjects> 45 years were included. Cases were undergone with MRI (SEIMENS 1.5 Tesla) to detect antero-posterior diameter and superior profile of midbrain, tegmental hyper intensity, putamen intensity, Middle cerebellar peduncle width. AP diameter of midbrain was < 15mm in all the PSP cases, but none of the PD cases and control subjects. It has 100% sensitivity and specificity in differentiating PSP from PD and control subjects. The abnormal superior profile has 81% sensitivity, 80% specificity and 88% accuracy in identification of PSP from PD and control subjects. The measurement of mesencephalic diameter on standard routine T2 W MR images can be accurate to differentiate PSP cases from PD cases. Including this simple measure in the diagnostic criteria of PSP give effective outcome.

Resorption of Iliac Bone Grafts Following Wrap-Around Flap for Thumb Reconstruction: A Follow-Up Study

To study the bone resorption pattern of iliac crest grafts after thumb reconstruction with a wrap-around flap from the hallux. Patients who underwent thumb reconstruction with a wrap-around flap from the hallux were followed up. We measured the length, proximal, middle, and distal widths, and proximal, middle, and distal thicknesses of the iliac crest grafts on posteroanterior and lateral radiographs and used the length, width, and thickness ratios of the iliac grafts and the first metacarpal bones to calculate the amount of bone resorption. Data from 2 groups reconstructed with or without a terminal tuft were analyzed. Fifteen patients were followed for an average of 20 months (range, 14-72 months). Bone resorption occurred in all 3 measured dimensions in all patients and the degree of resorption increased with time. Resorption amounts of the length dimension in the group with a terminal tuft was significantly decreased compared with those in the group without a terminal tuft at 6 months, 12 months, and the last follow-up. The resorption amount of the width dimension of the distal portion was significantly less in the group with a terminal tuft at the last follow-up. The resorption amount of the thickness dimension of the distal portion was significantly lower in the group with a terminal tuft at 12 months and at the last follow-up. Bone resorption occurred in all dimensions of the graft after thumb reconstruction using a wrap-around flap from the hallux. Flaps including the terminal tuft had less bone resorption in the distal portion. Wrap-around toe flaps should only be used in cases of thumb amputations at the middle of the proximal phalanx and distal, and the terminal tuft should be preserved in the flap; fixation with a plate should be avoided. Therapeutic IV.

Influences of gender, hand dominance, and anthropometric characteristics on different types of pinch strength: A partial least squares (PLS) approach

The relationships of demographic and anthropometric characteristics (17 dimensions related to the hand, wrist, and arm) with four different pinch strengths (lateral pinch, key pinch, three-jaw chuck pinch and tip-to-tip pinch strengths) were evaluated among 196 (96 males and 100 females) young adults aged 19–30 years. For both dominant and non-dominant hands, the lateral pinch was greatest, followed by the key pinch, three-jaw chuck pinch and tip-to-tip pinch strengths. Mean pinch strengths of the dominant and non-dominant hands of females varied between 62%–78% and 61%–73% of those exerted by males, respectively. Strength of the dominant hand was 5.3%–7.5% stronger than of that of the non-dominant hand, with this difference being generally higher in females than in males. Hand length and forearm length showed the strongest correlation with all types of pinch strengths exerted by both the dominant and non-dominant hands. In the partial least squares analysis, 10 out of 17 anthropometric indices including hand length, forearm length, arm length, middle finger width, thumb length, index finger width, thumb width, wrist depth, palm depth and index finger depth had considerable loadings in the extracted component, explaining 37% of the total variance. These findings can fill the gap in the strength data, or used by health professionals and designers in the field.

Propylene Polymerization Catalyzed by Metallocene /Methylaluminoxane Systems on Rice Husk Ash.

Silica generated from agricultural waste is more cost effective and environmentally friendly than silica from traditional commercial processes. In this study, spherical silica particles with a diameter of around 120 nm were fabricated from rice husk ash (RHA), and were used to support two bridged zirconcene complexes ((I) Me2Si(Ind)2ZrCl2 and (II) C2H4(Ind)2ZrCl2) for catalyzing propylene polymerization to produce polypropylene (PP) in a temperature range of 40–70 °C and in a solution methylaluminoxane (MAO) range of 0.1–0.6 wt%. Due to its small particle size, RHA-supported catalyst exhibited much higher activity than micro-sized commercial silica-supported catalyst. At the optimum polymerization temperature of 55 °C and with increasing MAO concentration, polymer yield increased proportionally with the increase of number average molecular weight. Compared to (I), (II) produced more polymer molecules but with much shorter chain length, ascribed to the differences of Zr loading and bridge structure. With increasing polymerization temperature, polymer molecular weight decreased rapidly and resulted in a significant change of PP assembly morphology (shape and size). At 55 °C, (I) produced uniform PP assemblies which had dumbbell-like structure with a smooth middle section and two fibrillar ends, while (II) produced spherical PP particles. The dumbbell middle part width was essentially identical to the Batchelor microscale proposed in turbulent mixing theory.

An investigation of the standardization of fetal cavum septi pellucidi measurements using three-dimensional volumes of the fetal head.

The purpose of this study was to measure the maximal width, middle width, and length of the cavum septi pellucidi (CSP) in normal fetuses, and compare these measurements obtained in the transthalamic (TT) plane with those obtained in the transventricular (TV) plane. A prospective study was conducted of normal singleton fetuses, ranging from 18 to 36 weeks in gestational age. In each case, a three-dimensional volume of the fetal head was obtained in the TT plane for further offline measurements, then the maximal width, middle width, and length of the CSP in both the TT and TV planes were measured. Intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility was assessed, and curve estimation was used to assess the possible relationship between these measurements of CSP and gestational age (GA). A total of 267 normal fetuses were studied. The CSP width and length in TT and TV planes as a function of GA were analyzed using a quadratic regression model. Intraobserver and interobserver agreement of the CSP measurements was excellent overall (ICCs >0.9), with intraobserver and interobserver differences of less than 4%. Measurements of CSP in the TT and TV planes are equally reproducible.

Ridge preservation of extraction sockets with buccal bone deficiency using poly lactide-co-glycolide coated β-tricalcium phosphate bone grafts: An experimental study in dogs.

The alveolar ridge undergoes pronounced reduction in height and width following tooth extraction. This study aims to comparatively evaluate the potential for ridge preservation in extraction sockets with buccal bone deficiency of β-tricalcium phosphate coated with poly lactide-co-glycolide (β-TCP/PLGA) and conventional particulate β-TCP. In six beagles, maxillary first premolars were extracted after removal of their buccal bone plates. Standardized bone defects (4 [mesiodistal width] × 4 [buccopalatal width] × 5 [depth]mm) were created at the sites of extraction sockets and filled with β-TCP/PLGA (test sites) or particulate β-TCP (control sites). Microcomputed tomography, histologic, and histometric evaluations were performed 12weeks post-surgery. The test sites exhibited a significantly greater bone volume than the control sites (25.7 ± 2.14versus 16.0 ± 3.3mm3 ), although no statistically significant difference was detected in bone material density (746.3 ± 23.9versus 714.5 ± 37.0g/cm3 , respectively). Relative to the control sites, the test sites exhibited significantly greater alveolar-ridge coronal (2.0 ± 0.4versus 1.1 ± 0.3mm) and middle (2.9 ± 0.2versus 2.1 ± 0.3mm) horizontal widths and proportions of woven bone (50.3 ± 8.1%versus 38.0 ± 5.2%) and bone marrow (17.7 ± 6.6%versus 9.7 ± 4.1%) but a significantly lower proportion of connective tissue (10.7 ± 4.5%versus 18.3 ± 5.7%). Within the limitations of this study, the moldable β-TCP/PLGA graft appears to exhibit a greater potential than the conventional particulate β-TCP graft for ridge preservation of extraction sockets with buccal bone deficiency.

Assessment of facial asymmetry and establishment of threshold of sub-clinical asymmetry in Malwa population

Introduction: The word symmetry is derived from the Greek word ‘symmetries’ which means ‘of like measure’. Facial symmetry can be defined in numerous ways, one being associated with the state of facial equilibrium, in which there is a correspondence in size, shape, and arrangement of facial landmarks on the opposite sides.&#x0D; Materials &amp; Method: The 1427 subjects in the present study were selected from the Out Patient Department of Government College of Dentistry, Indore(M.P), who presented with aesthetically pleasing faces over a period of one year (October 2013-0ctober 2014). Out of the 1427 patients examined 150 (17-30 years) subjects were randomly included. Photographs and orthopantomogram of all the 150 patients were obtained.&#x0D; Result: The photographs and orthopantomogram were analyzed &amp; Absolute value of Asymmetry Index was taken for all the measurements. Comparison of absolute Asymmetry index of different parameters between male and female subjects was performed. Wilcoxon paired test showed right side predominance for the parameter corpus length, middle facial width, cheek length, lower facial width.&#x0D; Conclusion: In the present study an attempt was made to quantify sub-clinical asymmetries in clinically symmetrical faces. Minor asymmetries were observed in nearly all individuals taken up for the study. There is no association of gender with predominance of facial asymmetry. On assessment of side predominance of asymmetry it was concluded that the right side dominance of asymmetry for corpus length, middle facial width, cheek length, lower facial width. A threshold value of 6% for sub-clinical asymmetry was established from this study except for condylar and coronoid.

How to perform the dusting technique for calcium oxalate stone phantoms during Ho:YAG laser lithotripsy

BackgroundTo determine the most efficacious setting of Holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Ho:YAG) laser with a maximum power output of 120 W with in vitro phantom-stone dusting technique.MethodsA laser was used to treat two 4 × 3 × 3 mm3 sized phantom stones in 5 mL syringes with 1 mm-sized holes at the bottom. According to the pulse width (short 500, middle 750, long pulse 1000 μsec), maximal pulse repetition rates from 50 to 80 Hz were tested with pulse energy of 0.2, 0.4, 0.5, and 0.8 J. Six times of the mean dusting times were measured at each setting. Dusting was performed at continuous firing of the laser until the stones become dusts < 1 mm.ResultsThe mean Hounsfield unit of phantom stones was 1309.0 ± 60.8. The laser with long pulse generally showed shorter dusting times than short or middle pulse width. With increasing the pulse energy to 0.5 J, the dusting time decreased. However, the pulse energy of 0.8 J showed longer dusting times than those of 0.5 J. On the post-hoc analysis, the pulse energy of 0.5 J, long pulse width, and the repetition rates of 70 Hz demonstrated significantly shorter dusting times than other settings.ConclusionsThe results suggest that long pulse width with 0.5 J and 70 Hz would be the most efficacious setting for dusting techniques of plaster stone phantoms simulating calcium oxalate stones using the 120 W Ho:YAG laser.

The efficacy of nasal airway stent (Nastent) on obstructive sleep apnoea and prediction of treatment outcomes.

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is characterised by recurrent episodes of partial or complete upper airway collapse during sleep and is highly prevalent in the general population. The nasopharyngeal airway stent (Nastent) is a specifically designed, preformed silicone tube that intends to maintain the upper airway patency during sleep and reduce snoring and sleep apnoea. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of Nastent treatment and examine predictors for Nastent treatment outcomes in patients with OSA. Consecutive thirty patients were enrolled in this study. Cephalometric radiographs were obtained to analyse the pharyngeal and craniofacial morphology. Before and after Nastent treatment, we evaluated OSA using a portable sleep study. Twenty-nine subjects completed this study. There were significant decreases in the respiratory event index (REI) (22.4±14.1 to 15.7±10.4, P<0.01) and a significant increase in the lowest SpO2 (81.9±7.5 to 86.6±4.8, P<0.01) by Nastent treatment. Subjects were divided into responders and non-responders based on reduction in REI of >50% compared with baseline REI. We evaluated the ratio of inferior airway width and middle airway width (IAW/MAW) on cephalograms as the index of the narrowest airway site. The IAW/MAW was significantly higher in responders than in non-responders (1.4±0.9 vs 0.9±0.4, P<0.01) and predicted treatment responders with high accuracy (sensitivity: 90.9%, specificity: 88.9%, when IAW/MAW was set at 1.10). The Nastent device improved OSA, and a narrower velopharynx than hypopharynx predicted treatment response with a good sensitivity and specificity.

Coupled Heat Transfer Simulation of the Spiral Water Wall in a Double Reheat Ultra-supercritical Boiler

This paper presented a coupled heat transfer model combining the combustion in the furnace and the ultra-supercritical (USC) heat transfer in the water wall tubes. The thermal analysis of the spiral water wall in a 1000 MW double reheat USC boiler was conducted by the coupled heat transfer simulations. The simulation results show that there are two peak heat flux regions on each wall of spiral water wall, where the primary combustion zone and burnt-out zone locate respectively. In the full load condition, the maximal heat flux of the primary combustion zone is close to 500 kW/m2, which is higher than that in the conventional single reheat USC boilers. The heat flux along the furnace width presents a parabolic shape that the values in the furnace center are much higher than that in the corner regions. The distribution of water wall temperature has a perfect accordance with the heat flux distribution of the parabolic shape curves, which can illustrate the distribution of water wall temperature is mainly determined by heat flux on the water wall. The maximal water wall temperature occurs at the middle width of furnace wall and approaches 530°C, which can be allowed by the metal material of water wall tube 12Cr1MoVG. In the primary combustion zone, the wall temperatures in half load are almost close to the values in 75% load condition, caused by the heat transfer deterioration of the subcritical pressure fluid under the high heat flux condition. The simulation results in this study are beneficial to the better design and operational optimization for the double reheat USC boilers.

Stress analysis of CMOS-MEMS microphone under shock loading by Taguchi method

The stress distribution and failure of CMOS-MEMS microphone under shock loading was investigated by finite element method in this study. The results show that corners of spring, the anchors connecting spring and fix end and the connection of the spring and diaphragm had higher stresses for MEMS microphone under shock loading. Four parameters, the width of anchor, the width of spring, the radius of diaphragm and the thickness of diaphragm, were chosen in stress analysis of MEMS microphone by Taguchi method. Each parameter has lower, middle and higher levels. The case with higher width of anchor, width of spring, thickness of diaphragm and lower radius of diaphragm has smaller stress, 35% less than that of the original design; the case with middle width of anchor, lower width of spring, higher radius of diaphragm and thickness of diaphragm has 7.3 times of microphone capacitive sensitivity than that in the original design. Drop test experiment was performed to verify the simulation results according to the JEDEC standards, JESD22-B111 and JESD22-B110B. The results obtained in this study can give useful suggestions for improving the design and robustness of MEMS microphone.

Surgical anatomy of cricothyroid membrane with reference to airway surgeries in North Indian population: a cadaveric study’

&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background:&lt;/strong&gt; Surgical cricothyroidotomy is used to rapidly gain entry into the subglottic airway by creating an opening in cricothyroid membrane. The size and position of cricothyroid membrane is variable depending on racial characteristics of the individual. Statistics regarding dimensions of cricothyroid membrane has been documented extensively in Caucasian race. This study aims to augment the meagre information available on the Indian population on this important part of upper airway.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods:&lt;/strong&gt; Morphometric cadaveric analysis done in tertiary health care centre. 39 adult human cadaveric larynges were obtained for this study. Using electronic Vernier caliper, different dimensions of cricothyroid membrane and depth of subglottis were noted down in predesigned proforma in standard office software. Data obtained was collated and compared with existing literature. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results:&lt;/strong&gt; The average dimensions of cricothyroid space and cricothyroid membrane were uniformly larger in males compared to females. Mean middle width F: 10.92±1.57 mm, M: 13.84±2.54 mm; mean height F: 7.26±1.82 mm, M: 9.61±1.86 mm; mean thickness F: 2.89±0.22 mm, M: 4.53±0.92 mm and mean subglottic depth F: 17.24±2.09 mm, M: 21.94±2.93 mm.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/strong&gt; Inter specimen disparity was noted. As cricothyroid membrane is smaller in Indian population compared to Caucasian population, ET tubes size 3.0 to 5.0 in females and 4.0 to 6.0 in males are suggested for use for cricothyroidotomy. Oversized tubes are known to cause dysphonia, laryngeal damage and subglottic stenosis.&lt;/p&gt;

Effect of Welding Speed on Fatigue Properties of TC18 Thick Plate by Electron Beam Welding

The welding of 15 mm thick TC18 titanium alloy thick plate was realized by electron beam welding. The effect of different welding speeds (10, 20, 30 mm/s) on the fatigue properties of the electron beam welded joints for TC18 titanium alloy was investigated. The macroscopic morphology, microstructure and fracture characteristics of the joints were analyzed by optical microscope, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, and the fatigue properties of welded joints were studied and tested by an electronic universal testing machine. The results show that the weld fusion zone is mainly composed of columnar β phase and acicular α martensite phase. The upper melting width, the middle melting width and the lower melting width are obviously reduced, and the grain size gradually decreases with the increase of welding speed, which results in the increase of fatigue properties of welded joints. At Nf =107 the fatigue limit of the weld increases by nearly 29% with the welding speed from 10 mm/s to 30 mm/s. The fatigue fracture of the joints can be divided into three typical regions of fatigue crack source zone, expansion zone and instantaneous zone, and the fatigue cracks all originate from the surface of the specimen. With the increase of welding speed, the proportion of instantaneous area decreases and the fatigue performance increases.

Antagonistic function of the heart muscle : PartII: Clinical implications

In the hypertrophic heart the myostructural afterload in the form of endoepicardial networks is predominant, which enhances myocardial hypertrophy. The intrinsic antagonism is derailed. Likewise, the connective tissue scaffold, i.e. the stromatogenic afterload, is enriched in the response to the derailment of antagonism in a hypertrophic heart up to regional captivation of the heart musculature. Due to the selective susceptibility of the auxotonic, contracting oblique transmural myocardial network for low dose negative inotropic medication, this promises to attenuate progress in myocardial hypertrophy. Volume reduction surgery is most effective in reducing wall stress as long as the myocardium is not critically fettered by fibrosis. The use of external mechanical circulatory support is then effective if the heart is supported in its resting mode, which means around amiddle width and at minimal amplitude of motion. The takotsubo cardiomyopathy might possibly reflect an isolated, extreme stimulation of the intrinsic antagonism as a response to hormonally induced sensitization of the myocardium to catecholamine. Aparticular significant conclusion with respect to the diseased heart is that clinical diagnostics need new impulses with a focus on the analysis of local motion patterns and on myocardial stiffness reflecting disease-dependent antagonistic intensity. This would become arelevant diagnostic marker if corresponding (noninvasive) measurement techniques would become available.

Optoelectronic application of graphene nanoribbon for mid-infrared bandpass filtering.

In this study, an ultra-compact optoelectronic bandpass filter is proposed. A single piece of graphene nanoribbon (GNR) is placed between two input-output GNRs to form a Fabry-Perot-like cavity. The GNR, as a mid-infrared surface waveguide, enhances the compatibility with complementary metal oxide-semiconductor processing technologies. The transmission characteristics of the bandpass filter are tuned by the modulation of surface charge carrier density simply through changing the bias voltage applied on the GNR cavity, and thus a tunable filter at room temperature is achieved. It is found that increasing the gate voltage and the silica substrate thickness or middle GNR width alters the max peak of transmission spectra of the filter toward smaller wavelengths. In contrast, increasing the middle GNR length redshifts max peak of the filter toward longer wavelengths. The finite different time domain (FDTD) inhouse code has been employed to verify the designs.

Gender Variation in the Shape of Superior Talar Dome: A Cadaver Measurement Based on Chinese Population.

Understanding the shape of superior talar dome is essential for a better size compatibility between talar component of ankle implant and bone. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there were gender variations in (1) width (TW) and length (TL) of talus, as well as anterior width (DAW), middle width (DMW), posterior width (DPW), and length (DL) of superior talar dome; (2) differences between the DAW, DMW, and DPW; (3) the ratios between these parameters. Fifty-one cadaveric ankle specimens were included. Two observers measured all the specimens using vernier caliper. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were used for intraobserver and interobserver reliability analysis and the reliability was thought to be good if the ICC>0.75. A two-tailed unpaired t-test or the rank-sum test was used to investigate gender variations. A single-factor ANOVA was utilized to identify the differences between the width of the superior talar dome surface and p value of <0.05 was considered significant. Intraobserver and interobserver reliability were good. Significant gender variations were found, in which TW, TL, DAW, DMW, DPW, and DL of female specimens were much smaller than those of male. The width of talar dome linearly decreased from DAW to DPW; however, the linearly decreased rate from anterior to posterior width was bigger in female. Moreover, significant differences were found in DAW/DPW, DMW/DPW, DL/DAW, DL/DMW, and DL/DPW between male and female. Based on our result, there was no difference in the 2D shape of the whole talus instead gender variation existed in the 2D shape of superior talar dome between male and female. The current 2D data could contribute to figure out more suitable size of talar component for Chinese population and might indicate a gender-specific shape of bone-implant interface, which could reduce the potential bone-component incompatibility when performing ankle replacement using standard component.

Temperature and Thermal Expansion Analysis of the Cooling Roller Based on the Variable Heat Flux Boundary Condition

Planar flow casting (PFC) is a primary method for preparing an amorphous ribbon. The qualities of the amorphous ribbon are significantly influenced by the temperature and thermal expansion of the cooling roller. This study proposes a new approach to analyze the three-dimensional temperature and thermal expansion of the cooling roller using variable heat flux that acted on the cooling roller as a boundary condition. First, a simplified two-dimensional model of the PFC is developed to simulate the distribution of the heat flux in the circumferential direction with the software FLUENT. The resulting heat flux is extended to be three-dimensional in the ribbon’s width direction. Then, the extended heat flux is imported as the boundary condition by the CFX Expression Language, and the transient temperature of the cooling roller is analyzed in the CFX software. Next, the transient thermal expansion of the cooling roller is simulated through the thermal–structural coupling method. Simulation results show that the roller’s temperature and expansion are unevenly distributed, reach the peak value in the middle width direction, and the quasi-steady state of the maximum temperature and thermal expansion are achieved after approximately 50 s and 150 s of casting, respectively. The minimum values of the temperature and expansion are achieved when the roller has a thickness of 45 mm. Finally, the reliability of the approach proposed is verified by measuring the roller’s thermal expansion on the spot. This study provides theoretical guidance for the roller’s thermal expansion prediction and the gap adjustment in the PFC.