Straight Pattern Research Articles

Magnification Endoscopy and Chromoendoscopy in Evaluation of Specialized Intestinal Metaplasia in Barrett’s Esophagus

BackgroundSpecialized intestinal metaplasia (SIM) in Barrett’s esophagus is a risk factor of esophageal adenocarcinoma. It often occurs focally and cannot be distinguished from surrounding columnar epithelium with conventional endoscopy.AimsThe purpose of this study was evaluation of methylene blue (MB) staining and magnification endoscopy with comparison of pit-pattern classifications according to Endo and Guelrud, in detection of SIM in Barrett’s esophagus.MethodsTwenty-five patients, aged 33–77 years (average 57 years), with displacement of Z line were prospectively enrolled and underwent gastroscopy with the use of magnification up to 115 times (Olympus GIF Q160Z). Biopsy for histopathologic examination was taken from sites stained with MB and/or places with particular pit patterns. A control group consisted of ten patients with normal gastro-esophageal junction.ResultsSIM was proved in nine patients, and significantly more frequently in patients with hiatal hernia and Barrett’s segment longer than 3 cm. Round or thin linear pit patterns according to Guelrud’s and small round and straight pit patterns according to Endo’s classification were coupled with columnar epithelium. SIM was associated with deep linear and foveolar pit patterns in Guelrud’s classification. Other pit patterns were less characteristic. Both classifications had high sensitivity (Endo’s 85.7%, Guelrud’s 92.8%) but poor specificity (respectively, 21.15 and 28.4%) in detection of SIM. Sensitivity and specificity of MB staining were, respectively, 71.4 and 40.6%.ConclusionsDespite existing association between mucosal surface structure and histology, we find no convincing data indicating that pit-pattern evaluation may replace multiple biopsies taken according to recommendations from Seattle for detection of SIM in Barrett’s esophagus.

Material Technology of Conductive Wiring for Ink-jet Print

New material technology for ink-jet printing has been studied. The relationship between new insulator ink and conductor ink was investigated. The fine pattern with highly adhesive performance was obtained by the simple process without any photomask. Experimental results revealed that the contact angle and the sliding angle are important parameters. The insulator ink was used for the insulating, surface leveling and material adjusting between the conductive traces. The new metallization process to fabricate the conductive copper trace was also investigated. The temperature of the process was below 200°C, which is suitable for organic substrates. The volume resistivity and pull-strength testing showed that the developed inks are applicable to fabricate highly conductive, smooth and straight patterns.

Relative position of the mylohyoid line on dentulous and edentulous mandibles

For the purpose of studying the relative position of the mylohyoid line, 156 Japanese mandibles (62 dentulous, 94 edentulous) were measured and comparisons made between specimens. Resorption of bone above the level of the mylohyoid line was recognized but no obvious changes were noted below the level of the mylohyoid line, except in rare cases. A straight pattern of the mylohyoid line was observed most frequently, with the segment of the mylohyoid line between the first and second molars being straight. The mean ratio between the total height of the mandible and the height of the mylohyoid line at the level of mesiolingual cusp of the lower first molar was 1:0.65 in males and 1:0.66 in females. These results will be useful in the fabrication of dental prostheses because the level of the occlusal plane can be estimated for edentulous patients using the proportional data for the the mylohyoid line's position.

Visualization of polymorphism in apolipoprotein C-II amyloid fibrils

The misfolding and self-assembly of proteins into amyloid fibrils, which occur in several debilitating and age-related diseases, are affected by common components of amyloid deposits, notably lipids and lipid complexes. Previously, the effects of phospholipids on amyloid fibril formation by apolipoprotein (apo) C-II have been examined, where low concentrations of micellar phospholipids and lipid bilayers induce a new, straight rod-like morphology for apoC-II fibrils. This fibril appearance is distinct from the twisted-ribbon morphology observed when apoC-II fibrils are formed in the absence of lipids. We used total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM) to visualize the described polymorphism of apoC-II amyloid fibrils. The spontaneous assembly of apoC-II into either twisted-ribbon fibrils in the absence of lipids or into fibrils of straight rod-like morphology when lipids are present was captured by TIRFM. The latter was found to be better suited for visualization using TIRFM. The difference between seeding of apoC-II straight fibrils on microscopic quartz slide and in test tube suggested a role for the effects of incubation surface on fibril formation. Seed-dependent growth of apoC-II straight fibrils was probed further by using a dual-labelling construct, giving insights into the straight fibril growth pattern.

Direct Writing of Resist Patterns Using a Wire Nozzle Newly Developed for an Air-Pressure Dispenser

Direct writing of resist patterns using an air-pressure dispenser is expected as a low-cost patterning method for fabricating various microdevices. However, it was difficult to smoothly delineate fine resist patterns with a width of less than 100 µm when a commercial air-pressure dispenser system was used, because high-viscosity resists block fine dispenser nozzles, and low-viscosity resists spread after they are dispensed. For this reason, a new wire-nozzle dispenser was developed to write fine resist patterns with a width of less than 100 µm. The technology is especially suitable for customized small-scale productions. In the experiments, patterns were delineated onto wafers and copper-clad plastic substrates using the new wire-nozzle dispenser with an inner diameter of 100 µm and a wire diameter of 30 µm. As a result, straight line patterns with a minimum width of 50 µm were successfully delineated using a resist PMER P-LA900PM with a viscosity of 1500 mPa·s. Patterns circularly curved with a radius of 1 mm and a width of 130 µm were also smoothly delineated. In addition, microreactor patterns including a joint point and curved shapes were successfully written. Although the linewidths at the curved parts slightly differed from those at the straight parts, all the patterns were smoothly stitched. Moreover, complicated patterns with variously curved routes were also successfully delineated. It was verified that the newly developed wire nozzle was useful as a new dispenser tool.

Channel patterns: Braided, anabranching, and single-thread

A new channel pattern classification is presented based on theoretically derived channel pattern discriminant functions. The thresholds are formulated as power laws that relate the critical slope associated with a change in channel pattern to dimensionless discharge and relative bank strength. One threshold demarcates the boundary between stable single-thread channels (both straight and meandering) and stable multiple-thread channels (anabranching). Another threshold separates anabranching from braided channels, where braided channels are considered to be fundamentally unstable. The exponents of the thresholds are nearly identical to that in the threshold equation originally proposed by Leopold and Wolman (1957), and the coefficients are quite similar as well. An analysis of their data set using our dimensionless approach reveals that no fundamental difference exists between meandering and straight patterns, and thus data from both types are grouped together under the more general heading of single-thread channels. Furthermore, we demonstrate that over a limited range of conditions, an unstable single-thread channel can form stable multiple-threads; but that for systems far from the threshold bounding the single-thread channels, the number of divisions required to produce stable anabranches grows geometrically: this motivates a separation of multiple-thread channels into anabranching and braided types. Our theoretical thresholds are then compared against several large data sets of field data, and the results broadly confirm our proposed thresholds.

A simple pathway to ordered silica nanopattern from self-assembling of block copolymer containing organic silicon block

Self-assembly of block copolymer is an effective strategy to prepare periodic structures at nanoscale. In this paper an unique and very simple method to prepare inorganic silica nanopattern is demonstrated from self-assembling of poly(styrene- block-dimethylsiloxane) (PS- b-PDMS) on the surface of silicon wafer. To simplify the patterning process, at first we obtain highly ordered PDMS microdomains, which are covered with PS layer by controlling solvent vapor annealing conditions. Following exposure to UV/O 3 irradiation, nanopatterned surface consisting of silicon oxide is fabricated directly via selectively etching PS phase and converting PDMS phase into silicon oxide. As tuning the composition of the block copolymer, hexagonally packing dot and straight stripe pattern can be obtained. Finally, the time evolution from spheres morphology to aligned long cylinders is discussed. These results hold promise for nanolithography and the fabrication of nanodevices.

Organic acid-based wet etching behaviors of Ga-doped ZnO films sputter-deposited at different substrate temperatures

150 nm thick Ga-doped ZnO (GZO) thin films were sputter-deposited at different substrate temperatures of 200 °C and room temperature (RT). Different degrees of crystallinity, electrical resistivities, and surface topologies resulted between these as-deposited GZO films. Weak organic acid-based etchants such as citric and formic acids with the identical concentration of 0.02 M were chosen for line-patterning of GZO films, and their etching results were found to be strongly dependent on the crystallinity of as-deposited GZO films. The GZO films deposited at 200 °C and RT exhibited a desirable etch profile such as a steep sidewall angle and a straight pattern line by 0.02 M formic and citric acids, respectively. The etch rate, etch profile, and activation energy for 200 °C- and RT-GZO films with organic acids used are compared, and the distinct etching mechanisms between 200 °C- and RT-GZO films are suggested.

Estimation of muscle pennation angle in ultrasound images using the beamlet transform

Ultrasound imaging has been widely used to investigate the architecture properties of skeletal muscle, including the measurement of the pennation angle. In this study, we propose a beamlet-based algorithm to detect the straight line-shaped patterns of aponeurosis, fascicle or bone, and then to quantify the pennation angle in ultrasound images. The results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm can well detect the pennatoin angles in thirty ultrasound images with the correlation coefficient of 0.945, the standard root mean square error of 0.682°, and the relative root mean square error of 3.498%. The results suggest that this beamlet-based algorithm provides an alternative approach for the orientation estimation in musculoskeletal ultrasound images.

Onset of Küppers–Lortz-like dynamics in finite rotating thermal convection

The onset of thermal convection in a finite rotating cylinder is investigated using direct numerical simulations of the Navier–Stokes equations with the Boussinesq approximation in a regime in which spatio-temporal complexity is observed directly after onset. The system is examined in the non-physical limit of zero centrifugal force as well as with an experimentally realizable centrifugal force, leading to two different paths to Küppers–Lortz-like spatio-temporal chaos. In the idealized case, neglecting centrifugal force, the onset of convection occurs directly from a conduction state, resulting in square patterns with slow roll switching, followed at higher thermal driving by straight roll patterns with faster roll switching. The case with a centrifugal force typical of laboratory experiments exhibits target patterns near the theoretically predicted onset of convection, followed by a rotating wave that emerges via a Hopf bifurcation. A subsequent Hopf bifurcation leads to ratcheting states with sixfold symmetry near the axis. With increasing thermal driving, roll switching is observed within the ratcheting lattice before Küppers–Lortz-like spatio-temporal chaos is observed with the dissolution of the lattice at a slightly stronger thermal driving. For both cases, all of these states are observed within a 2% variation in the thermal driving.

Hemodynamic Comparison of Differing Anastomotic Geometries Using Magnetic Resonance Velocimetry

Hemodynamic factors at the distal anastomosis play an important role in prosthetic graft performance. A new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique was used to determine the effect of anastomotic geometry on hemodynamic flow patterns. Four dimensional (4D) magnetic resonance velocimetry (4D-MRV) is a noninvasive method of analyzing pulsatile flow in three dimensions (3D). End-to-side anastomotic models were constructed by suturing 6 mm polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) grafts to silicone tubing (4 mm i.d.). The models included straight ePTFE, precuffed ePTFE, and patched ePTFE configurations in a pulsatile system, which created flow consistent with physiologic flow rates and pressures. Blood was simulated by a solution of 40% glycerol in distilled water with trace gadolinium. The different models were imaged using MRV techniques in a three-dimensional (3D) coronal slab (0.5 mm thick coronal slices, in-plane field of view (FOV) 18 cm.) The data were reconstructed, resulting in an interpolated resolution of 0.35 mm in each coronal plane. The 3D flow fields were represented as isosurfaces, visualizing the internal geometry of the models with streamlines tangent to the velocity vectors identifying the path of the fluid. Volumetric flow rates for each time phase were calculated by integrating the flow through cross sections of each anastomotic model. Analysis of the flow patterns focused on the anastomotic regions prone to the development of intimal hyperplasia and graft failure as identified in the literature; the toe, floor, heel, and hood. Conventional end-to-side geometry resulted in uniform flow with a low angle of impingement on the recipient vessel floor. A small vortex at the anastomotic heel created minimal recirculation. The precuffed geometry resulted in a large recirculation vortex of chaotic, low flow that increased throughout the pulsatile cycle. Regions of low flow velocity were noted in a substantial portion of the precuffed anastomotic configuration. Flow separation distal to the toe occurred in both geometries, but was more apparent in the precuffed configuration. The patch model had flow characteristics similar to the straight end-to-side geometry. Magnetic resonance velocimetry produces 3D, time varying velocity measurements with sufficient accuracy and resolution to analyze hemodynamics in anastomotic geometries. Flow structures in different graft configurations were effectively captured with marked differences noted between standard and precuffed anastomotic geometries. The findings support a conventional end-to-side anastomosis with a low incidence angle using a straight graft as producing favorable hemodynamics as compared to a cuffed configuration. The vein patch configuration closely approximates the conventional, straight anastomotic pattern. We believe the MRV technique has been sufficiently developed to warrant additional in vitro and in vivo studies providing insight into hemodynamic implications for the development of optimal prosthetic graft performance.

Improving Malaria Diagnosis via Latex Immunoagglutination Assay in Microfluidic Device

Attempt to improve latex immunoagglutination assay, a rapid method in medical diagnostics, reporting as quantitative results was interested in this study by using microfluidic device. Sensitized latex was produced by physical adsorption of human polyclonal IgG antibody to Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasite onto carboxylated polystyrene particle. Conventional latex agglutination assay was firstly performed to verify specific interaction of antibody on the bead surface versus antigen in malaria plasma. The agglutinate size around 30 µm was observed under optical microscope. The proportion of the plasma and the particle was optimized, and an appropriate ratio was applied in microfluidic device. Three patterns of the device were used with the agglutinate size comparison after 10 min as followed: rapid mixing > U-shaped loop > straight capillary Y-junction patterns. However, compared with patient plasma, small agglutinates were also observed when using normal serum.

Self-standing aligned fiber scaffold fabrication by two photon photopolymerization

Development of materials and fabrication techniques lead the growth of three-dimensional cell culture matrices in biomedical engineering. In this work, we present a method for fabricating self-standing fiber scaffolds by two-photon polymerization induced by a femtosecond laser. The aligned fibers are 330 microm long with a diameter of 6-9 microm. Depending on the pitch of the aligned fibers, various cell morphologies are distinguished via three-dimensional images. Furthermore, the morphologies of fibroblast cells (NIH-3T3) and epithelial cells (MDCK) on the fiber scaffolds are studied to show the effect of high curvature (3-4.5 microm radii) on cell morphology. NIH-3T3 cells that contain straight pattern of actin microfilament bundles are extended and partly wrap single fibers or tend to reside between fibers. On the other hand, MDCK cells that contain circular pattern of actin microfilament bundles cover the fiber peripheral surface exhibiting high aspect ratio elongation. These results indicate that cell morphology on fiber scaffolds is influenced by the pattern of actin microfilament bundles.

Degenerated coracoacromial ligament in shoulders with rotator cuff tears shows higher elastic modulus: measurement with scanning acoustic microscopy

Purpose.The purpose of this study was to determine the elasticity of the coracoacromial ligament in shoulders with and without rotator cuff tears. Methods.The coracoacromial ligaments from 20 cadaveric shoulders (average patient age 79.5 years; 8 men, 12 women) were divided into six portions — three portions (acromial, central, and coracoid) in two layers (superficial and deep). A total of 120 samples were studied. First, the samples were classified by the collagen fiber orientation into three degeneration patterns: wavy, straight, irregular. For each pattern, the tissue sound speed, which shows a positive correlation with elasticity, was measured with scanning acoustic microscopy. Next, the samples were divided into three groups: 60 samples from shoulders with rotator cuff tears (RCT group), 30 samples from shoulders with an intact rotator cuff and a subacromial spur (spur group), and 30 samples from shoulders with an intact rotator cuff without a subacromial spur (control group). All shoulders with rotator cuff tears had subacromial spurs. The tissue sound speed and the histological findings were compared among the groups. Results.The sound speeds in the wavy, straight, and irregular patterns were 1592 ± 17.2 m/s (mean ± SD), 1626 ± 28.0 m/s, and 1607 ± 29.8 m/s, respectively (P < 0.0001). The sound speed in the straight pattern was higher than that in the wavy pattern (P < 0.0001), and that in the irregular pattern was lower than that in the straight pattern (P = 0.0023). The RCT group and the spur group had more straight patterns (P = 0.0002) and fewer wavy patterns (P < 0.0001) than did the control group. Significant differences in the sound speed were observed between the groups (P < 0.0001): 1596 ± 19.1 m/s in the control group, 1630 ± 31.5 m/s in the spur group, 1612 ± 28.6 m/s in the RCT group. Conclusions.The coracoacromial ligament in shoulders with rotator cuff tears shows higher elastic modulus than in age-matched normal shoulders due to degeneration of the ligament.

Algorithms for Generating Adaptive Projection Patterns for 3D Shape Measurement

Point cloud construction using digital fringe projection (PCCDFP) is a noncontact technique for acquiring dense point clouds to represent the 3D shapes of objects. Most existing PCCDFP systems use projection patterns consisting of straight fringes with fixed fringe pitches. In certain situations, such patterns do not give the best results. In our earlier work, we have shown that for surfaces with large range of normal directions, patterns that use curved fringes with spatial pitch variation can significantly improve the process of constructing point clouds. This paper describes algorithms for automatically generating adaptive projection patterns that use curved fringes with spatial pitch variation to provide improved results for an object being measured. We also describe the supporting algorithms that are needed for utilizing adaptive projection patterns. Both simulation and physical experiments show that adaptive patterns are able to achieve improved performance, in terms of measurement accuracy and coverage, as compared to fixed-pitch straight fringe patterns.

Fracture mechanics analysis of three-dimensional ion cut technology

The recently established ion cut technology enables accurate fabrication of silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafers and has found some other significant applications. We study fracture mechanics of the technology when directly cutting a wafer into a desired surface morphology. First, we describe integral transformbased methods for calculating the stress intensity factors of subsurface cracks embedded in a semiinfinite solid. Because the crack and the free surface interact, the crack tip fields are generally of I-II mixed mode. We derive solutions for plane-strain or axisymmetrical configurations. We then analyze the suggested three-dimensional ion cut method using the fracture criterion for kinking propagation of a mixed-mode crack. To illustrate the approach, we consider circular hole and straight groove surface patterns.

Branching Patterns and Intraosseous Course of the Mental Nerve

The purpose of this study was to clarify the branching patterns of the mental nerve (MN) and intraosseous courses of the MN branches, and to determine the clinical relevance of the various courses of the MN branches. We investigated the topography of the MN by dissecting 31 hemifaces of Korean cadavers. Based on the distribution area of the MN, it was divided into angular (A), medial inferior labial (ILm), lateral inferior labial (ILl), and mental (M) branches. We classified the branching patterns of the 4 branches of the MN into 5 types. Type II, in which the MN divided into 3 branches (A, ILm, and M), with the ILl branch separating from the A branch, was the most common (35.4%). The MN was classified based on the shape of the anterior loop into loop, straight, and vertical patterns, which constituted 61.5%, 23.1%, and 15.4%, respectively. In the mandibular canal, the inferior alveolar nerve completely divided into the MN and the dental nerve, which supplies the teeth. In 17 cases (81%), the nerve bundles constituting the A branch were located at the superior aspect, whereas the nerve bundles of the inferior labial and mental branches were in the middle and inferior aspects within the mandibular canal, respectively, at the mental foramen region. These observations can help clinicians to predict the location or extent of paresthesia in the facial region according to the location and extent of nerve damage during dental implant surgery or genioplasty.

Interference fringe analysis based on centroid detection

Phase measurement of interference fringes is an integral part of several fields in optics. Using simple straight sinusoidal fringe patterns, we describe the relationship between fringe position or phase to the centroid position when these fringes are incident on a position sensitive detector. With detailed descriptions and some experimental results, we show that a phenomenal sensitivity is possible in principle with what we believe is a new approach of phase measurement, and excellent sensitivity is readily achieved.

A review and analyses of plumb‐line calibration

Abstract Radial and decentring distortion parameters have long been reported as fundamental elements in camera calibration, especially in digital close range photogrammetry. This paper reports on an investigation for the determination of both radial and decentring distortion parameters using analytical plumb‐line calibration. Straight line patterns, ranging from 1, 2, 4, 10 and up to 20 lines, not strictly plumb, are examined on a set of distorted imagery. Additionally, not only the number of straight lines but also the linear image distribution is analysed. For that purpose, linear features have been distributed in different positions and orientations over the whole of the imagery. Furthermore, the relationship between the parameters mentioned and the location of the principal point is also analysed, and shows how sensitive they are to deviations from the centre of the sensor. The motivation for this paper is the measurement of the minimum number of linear features for proper calibration of non‐metric digital cameras. Both radial and decentring distortion parameters are examined. Finally, some line patterns are recommended for making the plumb‐line calibration technique a reliable, easy and fast procedure. Photogrammetrists could use it as a first step in the procedure of camera calibration; users who are not experts in photogrammetry could employ it as a final step.

Crystal Engineering with ⋮C−H···N and C−H···N Hydrogen Bonds

Ethynylpyridines show straight and zigzag chain patterns formed by ⋮C−H···N hydrogen bonds; cross-stitching of zigzag chains by C−H···N hydrogen bonds leads to two-dimensional networks with predictable topology in 5-ethynylpyrimidine.