Minimum Vertical Distance Research Articles

Relationship between the Surgical Access Line of Maxillary Posterior Teeth and the Maxillary Sinus Floor

IntroductionThe aim of this study was to use cone-beam computed tomographic imaging to investigate the relationship between the surgical access line (SAL) of maxillary posterior teeth and the maxillary sinus floor (MSF) in endodontic microsurgery. MethodsCone-beam computed tomographic scans of 190 subjects with clear and integrated maxillary posterior teeth and sinus floors on both sides were evaluated. The correlation of the average distance between the SAL and the MSF with age was analyzed. Three types of relationships between the SAL and MSF were classified. The minimum vertical distance between the SAL and the MSF for the type 1 relationship was measured. ResultsA total of 1134 teeth, including 758 premolars and 376 first molars, were evaluated. The average distance between the SAL of maxillary posterior teeth and the MSF increased with age, except in the 31- to 40-year-old group. The highest rates of the SAL touching the MSF and protruding into the maxillary sinus occurred among first molars at 25.6% and 8.1%, respectively. For the type 1 relationship, the mean distance from the SAL of the first and second premolars and the first molar to the MSF was 7.11 ± 4.40, 4.92 ± 3.69, and 4.76 ± 3.61 mm, respectively. ConclusionsKnowledge of the relationship between the SAL and the MSF of maxillary posterior teeth could provide an important reference for surgeons to evaluate surgical difficulty and decrease the risk of maxillary sinus perforation.

Interarch distance is a target restorative space value: clinical decisionmaking of implant restoration guided by measured value

When design an implant restoration for edentulous patients, many doctors ignore the sufficiency of the interarch distance (vertical distance) or horizontal distance of the patient to accommodate the superstructure and restoration before designing the implant plan. However, the connotation of measuring the interarch distance or horizontal distance has not been clarified in clinical practice. It is often based on visual estimation after operation, and the decision-making path of implant restoration is inverted, resulting in many mistakes regarding the restoration after implantation. The main reason is the lack of standardized paths and practical methods to use before surgery. This article recommended initially establishing a maxillo-mandibular relationship based on natural teeth, old dentures, or new ones and then using the height and horizontal distance or angle of the target restorative space, which was easier to grasp as the measured index. The minimum vertical distance (including the height of the gingival surface and the bone surface) and the horizontal distance (or the angle from the bone or gingival surface to the proposed occlusal plane) should be measured before operation. A decision tree of edentulous jaw restoration guided by the values of the repair space was established based on the measured values. This article clarified the measuring points and planes and thus provided a quantitative relationship basis for the design of implant restoration.

Minimum toe clearance and tripping probability in people with unilateral transtibial amputation walking on ramps with different prosthetic designs

BackgroundMinimum Toe Clearance (MTC) is defined as the minimum vertical distance between the lowest point under the front part of the foot and the ground, during mid-swing. Low values of MTC and walking on inclines are both related to higher probability of tripping and falling in lower limb amputees. New prosthetic designs aim at improving MTC, especially on ramps, however the real effect on MTC still needs investigation. The objective of this study was then to evaluate the effect of different prosthetic designs on MTC in inclined walking. MethodsThirteen transtibial amputees walked on a ramp using three different prostheses: non articulating ankle (NAA), articulating hydraulic ankle (AHA), and articulating hydraulic ankle with microprocessor (AHA-MP). Median MTC, coefficient of variation (CV), and tripping probability (TP) for obstacles of 10 and 15 mm were compared across ankle type in ascent and descent. FindingsWhen using AHA-MP, larger MTC median values for ascending (P ≤ 0.001, W = 0.58) and descending the ramp (P = 0.003, W = 0.47) were found in the prosthetic limb. Also significantly lower CV was found on the prosthetic limb for both types of AHA feet when compared to NAA for descending the ramp (P = 0.014, W = 0.45). AHA-MP showed the lowest TP for the prosthetic leg in three conditions evaluated. On the sound limb results showed the median MTC was significantly larger (P = 0.009, W = 0.43) and CV significantly lower (P = 0.005, W = 0.41) when using an AHA in ascent. InterpretationBoth AHA prosthetic designs help reduce the risk of tripping of the prosthetic limb by increasing the median MTC, lowering its variability and reducing TP for both legs when ascending and descending the ramp. For most of the conditions, AHA-MP showed the lowest TP values. Findings suggest that AHA prostheses, especially AHA-MP could reduce the risk of tripping on ramps in amputees.

Impact of diabetic neuropathy severity on foot clearance complexity and variability during walking

BackgroundThe control of foot trajectory during swing phase is important to achieve safe clearance with the ground. Complexity of a physiological control system arises from the interaction of structural units and regulatory feedback loops that operate to enable the organism to adapt to a non-static environment. Diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) impairs peripheral feedback inputs and alters ankle control during gait, which might affect toe clearance (ToC) parameters and its complexity, predisposing DPN-subjects to tripping and falling. Research questionHow do different DPN-severity degrees change ToC trajectory and minimum ToC, and its complexity during gait of diabetic subjects? Methods15 healthy controls and 69 diabetic subjects were assessed and classified into DPN-severity degrees by an expert fuzzy model: absent (n = 26), mild (n = 21) and severe (n = 22). Three-dimensional kinematics was measured during comfortable walking. ToC was the minimum vertical distance between the marker placed at the first metatarsal head and the ground during swing. Mean ToC, ToC standard deviation (SD) between trials, and sample entropy (SaEn) and standard deviation (SD) of ToC trajectory were calculated from the ToC temporal series. ANOVA and ANCOVA (with the walking speed as the covariate) and Bonferroni pairwise post-hoc tests (P < 0.05) were used to compare groups. ResultsMean ToC and ToC SD did not show differences between groups (ANCOVA F = 0.436; df = 3; P = 0.705; F=1.719; df=3; P=0.170, respectively). ToC trajectory SD also did not show differences between groups (ANCOVA F = 3.98; df = 3; P = 0.755). Severe-DPN subjects showed higher ToC_Traj_SaEn than controls (ANCOVA F=2.60; df=3; P = 0.05). SignificanceSevere-DPN subjects showed a more complex pattern of overall foot-ankle trajectory in swing phase in comparison to controls, although did not present lower minimum ToC values. The higher complexity of ToC might lead to an increase in the motor system output (more strategies, increase in variability), resulting in a more unstable system and selected motor strategies.

Evaluation of the relationship between maxillary posterior teeth and the maxillary sinus floor using cone-beam computed tomography

BackgroundMaxillary posterior teeth have close anatomical proximity to the maxillary sinus floor (MSF), and the race, gender, age, side and presence/absence of adjacent teeth may influence the mean distances between the root apices and the MSF. This study aimed to evaluate both the relationship between the maxillary posterior teeth and MSF, and the influence of adjacent teeth loss on the distance between the maxillary posterior roots and MSF.MethodsCone-beam computed tomography images were collected from 1011 Chinese patients. The relationship between the maxillary posterior teeth and the MSF was divided into three types: Type OS (the root apex extending below/outside the MSF), Type CO (the root apex contacting with the MSF), Type IS (the root apex extending above/inside the MSF). The minimum vertical distances between the maxillary posterior roots apices and the MSF were recorded. The correlations of the distances with gender and age were analyzed. The distances between the maxillary posterior root apices and the MSF with different types of adjacent teeth loss was evaluated.ResultsType OS was the most common relationship of all posterior root apices (P<0.05). Type IS was highest in the palatal roots (PRs) of the maxillary first molars (MFMs) and the mesiobuccal roots (MBRs) of the maxillary second molars (MSMs) (24.8% and 21.6%) (P<0.05). The frequency of Type IS decreased with age except the premolar roots and PRs of the MSMs (P<0.05). The MBRs of the MSMs had the lowest distances to the MSF (0.8 ± 2.5 mm), followed by the distobuccal roots of the MSMs (1.3 ± 2.7 mm) and the PRs of the MFMs (1.4 ± 3.4 mm) (P<0.05). Age was an important influencing factor to the mean distances while gender had little effects. The distance between the maxillary second premolar root apices and the MSF decreased with the absence of adjacent teeth (P<0.05).ConclusionsThe maxillary molars showed greater proximity to the MSF than premolars. Age had significant impacts on the relationship between maxillary posterior roots and MSF. The absence of maxillary first molars will influence the proximity of maxillary second premolar root apices to MSF.

High jugular bulb: different osseous landmarks and their clinical implications.

The purpose of this investigation was to compare the rate of high jugular bulb (HJB) in relation to internal acoustic meatus (IAM), round window (RW) and endolymphatic sac and to study their clinical implications. Eighty-seven cadaveric non-pathologic human temporal bones were micro-dissected to expose the jugular fossa (JF) and RW. The minimum distance of JF from RW was measured. On the inner surface of petrous part of temporal bone, minimum vertical distance of JF from IAM and saccus endolymphaticus (E sac) was also measured. If the distance of summit of JF from RW or IAM was ≤2mm or if there was no distance between JF and slit on which E sac opens, they were classified as HJB cases. The mean minimum distance of JF from the RW, IAM and E sac was found to be2.85±1.58, 3.83±2.38 and 2.06±2.38mm and the rate of HJB was 32.2, 24.1 and 41.4% respectively. The rate of HJB varies even in a particular specimen using different landmarks i.e. the RW, IAM and E sac. The preoperative awareness in relation to these landmarks will be useful in cochlear implantation, surgical removal of vestibular schwanommas and clinical findings of Meniere's disease.

Increased minimum toe clearance variability in patients with peripheral arterial disease

Individuals with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) report difficulty walking and experience 73% more falls than their healthy counterparts, but no studies have investigated functional mechanisms contributing to increased falls. Minimum toe clearance (MTC) is the minimum vertical distance between the toe of the swinging leg and the walking surface when the leg is swinging, and decreased values are associated with an increased risk for falls. This study is the first such analysis in patients with PAD. Eighteen individuals with PAD and eighteen healthy controls walked on a treadmill before and after the onset of claudication pain. Mean MTC and the standard deviation of MTC values across the trial were calculated. Mean MTC was not different between groups in the pain-free (P = 0.244) or pain conditions (P = 0.565). MTC variability was increased for patients with PAD in pain-free (P = 0.048) and pain conditions (P = 0.019). No significant differences existed between conditions for MTC mean (P = 0.134) or MTC variability (P = 0.123). Increased MTC variability is present before and after the onset of claudication pain, and may be a useful assessment for treatment and rehabilitation efficacy in these patients.

Integrated assessment of variable density–viscosity groundwater flow for a high temperature mono-well aquifer thermal energy storage (HT-ATES) system in a geothermal reservoir

The use of groundwater systems for heat storage increasingly gains interest among water managers, policy makers and researchers as a way to increase the efficiency of energy production and to allow the re-use of waste heat. Typically, mono-well storage systems are thought to require the use of separate aquifers. This study assessed the suitability of using heat and cold storage in a single deep geothermal aquifer for district heating and cooling. An integrated modelling approach was used for evaluating the controls on the energy efficiency of high temperature aquifer thermal energy storage (HT-ATES). The temperature difference (ΔT) of 40°C between the injection temperatures for the cold and warm storages 20°C and 60°C was significant, which required accounting for transient variation of density and viscosity due to temperature and pressure within the modelling code SEAWAT. The developed model was applied for a geothermal reservoir from the Moesian platform, in the Bucharest area, Romania. The sensitivity of the system efficiency was analyzed with respect to the main physical (density, viscosity, longitudinal dispersivity) and operational design parameters (distance between warm and cold storage volumes, flow rates). Uncertainties in geological heterogeneity and the associated range in longitudinal dispersivity values (5–50m) resulted in significant efficiency differences (80–55%). While reducing the lateral distance between multiple mono-well systems increased their overall efficiency due to positive thermal interference, a minimum vertical distance of (160m) was required between the injection/extraction filters to prevent interaction between the cold and warm storage volumes. Overall, this study highlights the potential of using a cost-effective mono-well system for HT-ATES in single deep geothermal groundwater systems.

Investigation of Vertical Microwave Publishing Caused by the Base Transceiver Station (BTS) Antennas in Hashtgerd City

Background and Objectives: New Hazards interface the environment and human life along with technology development. One of these pollutants is electromagnetic field and it’s known and unknown bad effects on the environment, this study determines the vertical publishing (height measurement) of microwave antennas in the city of Hashtgerd. Methods: The basic information including the geographical location of the BTS antennas in the city, brand, the operator type, installation and its height was received from CRA and radio communications, and then the measuring was done by using the standard method of IEEE STD 95. 1 by the SPECTRAN 4060, and by using crane elevator in 17-meters height near the BTS antennas (15 meters).analysis were done by Spss16 and by Kolmogorov Smirnov test, multiple regression method. Results: Results show that in the both operators of Irancell and Hamrah-e-aval, density will increase by increasing measurement height or decreasing the vertical distance of broadcaster antenna. Regarding to the mix model test, a meaningful statistical relationship can be seen between measurement height and the density average in both types of the operators. Conclusion: while measuring height increased or in other words got closer to the antennas, density average increased in both operators, so the highest number was reported in the minimum vertical distance compared to the Irancell operator antenna was 25 mw/m2 and the lowest number was related to Hamrah-e-aval operator in the maximum vertical distance which was 0.02mw/m2. Thus, people stationed in the tall buildings parallel with installation height of antennas or in less vertical distance of them, are more exposed to the waves.

Modelling of the evolution of crack of nanoscale in iron

Metal owns the ability of self-healing to some extent, and the ability of the internal crack healing is most desirable for improving the reliability of metal. A molecular dynamics simulation has been further developed to investigate the evolution of a nanoscale crack in body centred cubic Fe crystal under the conditions of heating or compressive pressure. When system temperature drops, the evolution of the crack that was at elevated temperature has been studied for the first time. N-body potential according to the embedded atom method has been adopted. The original nanoscale crack is expressed by removing some atoms in the centre of the cell, and the minimum vertical distance between the atoms on the top and bottom crack surfaces has been defined as Dm for assessing the process of crack evolution. The results show that a crack healing process can be accelerated significantly with an increase of temperature. When the system temperature decreases, Dm of the crack that was in healing process does not change significantly but fluctuates in a narrow range. This means that the crack healing is the result of Fe atoms diffusing into the crack area but not the thermal stress incurred in the simulation cell at elevated temperature. The pre-compressive pressure under the condition of both biaxial and uniaxial loadings can help promote the crack healing significantly and results in more uniform distribution of defects after healing.

Wheel-Rail Contact Point Calculation of Flexible Wheelset Base on Wheel-Rail Contact Line Method

Elastic deformation of wheelset should be considered for wheelset dynamic research. In this article, a new wheel-rail contact point searching algorithm that can be used for flexible wheelset simulation was developed based on wheel-rail contact line method. For given position and deformation of wheelset, normal vectors of a point on each rolling circle and its project on rail were calculated to find out possible contact point, which formed wheel-rail contact line. The final contact point was determined by minimum vertical distance of contact line and rail section profile. Rigid-flexible coupling dynamic equations of single wheelset were established and dynamic simulation was executed. The impact of wheelset deformation on wheel-rail contact position and creepage were discussed. Comparison of rigid and flexible wheelset results show that the new method gets more accurate contact point position.

Schematization of networks

We study the problem of computing schematized versions of network maps, like railroad or highway maps. Every path of the schematized map has two or three links with restricted orientations, and the schematized map must be topologically equivalent to the input map. Our approach can handle several types of schematizations, and certain additional constraints can be added, such as a minimum vertical distance between two paths. Our algorithm runs in O ( n log n ) time, and experimental results showing the quality of the output are given.

SLEEVE AND CASING LYSIMETERS FOR SOIL PORE WATER SAMPLING

Two pore water samplers were designed for the purpose of incorporating a lysimeter into the casing of a monitoring well and to provide multiple sampling capabilities in a single retrievable section. A sleeve lysimeter was fabricated for use with a monitoring well and provided multiple sampling points to depths of about 15 m. The casing lysimeter provides multiple sampling points to depths in excess of 15 m by incorporating several lysimeters with threaded PVC well casing. The minimum vertical distance between the porous sections of two lysimeters was calculated using a linearized solution of the matric potential and stream functions for various soils at finite and infinite depths. A vertical spacing not less than 20 times the lysimeter radius (20 ro) is appropriate for most soils. The radius of sampling influence is maximized if the borehole diameter is only slightly burger than the lysimeter, and a fine-grained silica flour (grain size .032 mm) is used for an optimum backfill around the porous section of the lysimeter.