Vertical Face Research Articles

The utility of the Faces Pain Scale in the assessment of shoulder pain in Turkish stroke patients: its relation with quality of life and psychologic status

This study was planned to investigate the utility of the vertical Faces Pain Scale (FPS) in the assessment of pain in stroke patients using the shoulder pain model and to assess its utility in the Turkish patient population. The secondary aim was to analyze the association of FPS with the quality of life and depression in the study population.Thirty stroke patients (group I) and 30 controls (group II),all suffering from shoulder pain were included in the study.The patients with subacute shoulder pain and with no other known diseases and impairments were recruited as a control group. Shoulder pain was evaluated by the commonly used pain scales including the Visual Analogue Scale, Likert Pain Scale and 0–10 Numerical Rating Scale besides FPS. Depression was screened using Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and quality of life was evaluated using Short Form-36 (SF-36). FPS showed good correlations with the other pain scales in both the groups(r= 0.950–0.972 and 0.674–0.926, respectively). In group I,there were significant correlations between FPS and physical functioning, pain and emotional role subscales of SF-36 (r= – 0.432, 0.707 and – 0.461, respectively).Although there was a low correlation between the FPS and BDI scores, it was not statistically significant. In group II,FPS showed significant correlations with the BDI scores and all subscales of SF-36 except social functioning and vitality (r= – 0.679 to 0.848). FPS had a high degree of convergent validity and can be used in the assessment of shoulder pain in stroke patients. It may be a good alternative for pain assessment especially in patients with speech disorders and illiterate patients.

Embryonic mortality as a cost of communal nesting in the delicate skink

Lizards are appropriate organisms to investigate causes and correlates of communal egg laying because their general lack of parental care focuses attention on nest site choice. We field-tested hypotheses associated with nest site choice and communal egg laying in the delicate skink Lampropholis delicata, in south-eastern Australia. Specifically, we predicted that lizards would nest at sites with lower openness and solar radiation than random sites, but within crevices with higher humidity than random crevices. However, we predicted that these environmental factors would not differ between communal and solitary nest sites (based on previous research), but that egg mortality in communal nests would be higher than that in solitary nests due to conspecific interference. Despite being ground dwellers, skinks in this population nested above the ground level in narrow horizontal crevices within vertical faces of sandstone outcrops. At the broadest scale, skinks nested at sites with significantly lower canopy openness and incident (solar) radiation than random sites, while at the smallest scale, skinks nested in crevices with significantly higher relative humidity than potential nest crevices. Humidity averaged 94% in nest sites, and nesting females did not trade-off humidity for temperature, despite an inverse relationship between the two at potential nest sites. Of 60 nests, about half to two-thirds were communal. Communal nest sites did not differ from solitary nest sites with respect to temperature, humidity, rock size, aspect, height of crevice above ground, or crevice dimensions. Eggs from communal nests were three times more likely to desiccate and perish than eggs from solitary nests, a clear cost of communal nesting. Desiccation was caused by eggs being displaced from their original positions within the crevices, possibly by conspecific gravid females.

Speleothems in a wave-cut notch, Cayman Brac, British West Indies: The integrated product of subaerial precipitation, dissolution, and microbes

A wave-cut notch that is deeply incised into the vertical cliff faces of Cayman Brac is adorned with stalactites, stalagmites, and columns. The prefix “notch” is applied to each type of speleothem in order to distinguish them from cave speleothems. These speleothemic deposits must have formed since the highstand, ~ 125,000 years ago, which was responsible for the development of the notch. The laminated notch speleothems are formed largely of aragonite (small and large crystals) and calcite (columnar, fiber, and grain-coating mats) along with minor amounts of dolomite, a Mg–Si precipitate (kerolite?), gypsum, and halite. Laminae, typically < 2 mm thick, are commonly bounded by dissolution discontinuities that truncate the older laminae and their formative aragonite and calcite crystals. The patchy tan, grey, to green surface coloration of the notch speleothems reflects the random distribution of the subaerial biofilms, which are formed of a diverse array of filamentous and non-filamentous microbes. The notch speleothems are the integrated product of precipitation and dissolution that was, in some places, microbially mediated. Interpretations based on their mineralogy and internal structures indicate that the composition of the formative waters must have temporally fluctuated with periods of precipitation being interrupted by periods of dissolution. The microbes that formed the subaerial biofilms may have influenced some of these processes. The aragonite, calcite, and kerolite (?) probably formed as evaporation and loss of Ca through precipitation progressively increased the Mg:Ca and the Si/(Ca + Mg) ratios. The dolomite, gypsum, and halite probably formed during early diagenesis during the evaporation of seawater that percolated into the interiors of the notch speleothems.

The effect of mouth breathing versus nasal breathing on dentofacial and craniofacial development in orthodontic patients

To determine the effect of mouth breathing during childhood on craniofacial and dentofacial development compared to nasal breathing in malocclusion patients treated in the orthodontic clinic. Retrospective study in a tertiary medical center. Clinical variables and cephalometric parameters of 116 pediatric patients who had undergone orthodontic treatment were reviewed. The study group included 55 pediatric patients who suffered from symptoms and signs of nasal obstruction, and the control group included 61 patients who were normal nasal breathers. Mouth breathers demonstrated considerable backward and downward rotation of the mandible, increased overjet, increase in the mandible plane angle, a higher palatal plane, and narrowing of both upper and lower arches at the level of canines and first molars compared to the nasal breathers group. The prevalence of a posterior cross bite was significantly more frequent in the mouth breathers group (49%) than nose breathers (26%), (P = .006). Abnormal lip-to-tongue anterior oral seal was significantly more frequent in the mouth breathers group (56%) than in the nose breathers group (30%) (P = .05). Naso-respiratory obstruction with mouth breathing during critical growth periods in children has a higher tendency for clockwise rotation of the growing mandible, with a disproportionate increase in anterior lower vertical face height and decreased posterior facial height.

Prediction of near field overpressure from quarry blasting

This paper investigates the propagation of airblast or pressure waves in air produced by bench blasting (i.e. detonation of the explosive in a row of blastholes, breaking the burden of rock towards the free vertical face of the block). Peak overpressure is calculated as a function of blasting parameters (explosive mass per delay and velocity at which the detonation sequence proceeds along the bench) and the polar coordinates of the position of interest (distance to the source and azimuth with respect to the free face). The model has been fitted to empirical data using linear least squares. The data set is composed of 122 airblast records monitored at distances less than 400 m in 41 production blasts carried out in two quarries. The model is statistically significant and has a determination coefficient of 0.87. The formula is validated from 12 airblast measurements gathered in five additional blasts.

Water table response to a tidal agitation in a coastal aquifer: The Meyer–Polubarinova-Kochina theory revisited

The linear potential model of Meyer and Polubarinova-Kochina (MPK) solves Laplace’s equation in a quadrant, the vertical face of which is subject to a harmonic variation of hydraulic head induced by a tide. On the horizontal face of the quadrant a linear combination of the partial derivatives of the head with respect to time and with respect to the vertical Cartesian coordinate are linearly related. The fields of pore pressure (head) and Darcian velocity, trajectories of marked particles, the oscillating phreatic surface and its upper envelope are obtained. Hydrograph in a piezometer located 60 m from the shore line in a thick unconfined coastal aquifer (Oman) is interpreted by the analytical results of the model using the detected groundwater amplitude attenuated as compared with the tide amplitude. MPK method provides a potentially superior description to the Dupuit–Forchheimer method for tidally driven phreatic systems.

Using Sea Turtle Carcasses to Assess the Conservation Potential of a Turtle Excluder Dredge

AbstractFisheries observers have documented interactions between sea turtles in the family Cheloniidae and the Atlantic sea scallop Placopecten magellanicus fishery. Sea turtle injuries resulting from interactions with scallop dredges are being mitigated through shifts in fishing effort and modifications to fishing gear. The standard New Bedford dredge can trap objects and crush them as they pass between the dredge frame and sea floor, so a modified turtle excluder dredge has been designed to reduce the likelihood of a turtle's passing under the frame when the dredge fishes on the seafloor. The key elements of the modified design are a forward cutting bar (which results in a sloping rather than a vertical face), a reduced number of bale support bars (just the center and outer bales), extension of the outer bale bars before tapering to the gooseneck (hauling point), and a reduction in the sources of entrapment between the depressor plate and the cutting bar via reduced spacing of struts. We evaluated the ability of the modified dredge to cause live sea turtles to pass over it by using loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta carcasses as a proxy. The carcasses were placed on the seafloor in the path of a towed dredge equipped with video cameras. Nine interactions between carcasses and the modified dredge were documented on video recordings. In each of the interactions, the carcass hit the dredge and passed over the dredge frame with little or no physical damage to the recovered carcasses. These carcass studies suggest that the turtle excluder dredge reduces sea turtle injuries associated with interactions between sea turtles and scallop dredges fishing on the seafloor.

Urban scene understanding from aerial and ground LIDAR data

We present a framework to segment cultural and natural features, given 3D aerial scans of a large urban area, and (optionally) registered ground level scans of the same area. This system provides a primary step to achieve the ultimate goal of detecting every object from a large number of varied categories, from antenna to power plants. Our framework first identifies local patches of the ground surface and roofs of buildings. This is accomplished by tensor voting that infers surface orientation from neighboring regions as well as local 3D points. We then group adjacent planar surfaces with consistent pose to find surface segments and classify them as either the terrain or roofs of buildings. The same approach is also applied to delineate vertical faces of buildings, as well as free-standing vertical structures such as fences. The inferred large structures are then used as geometric context to segment linear structures, such as power lines, and structures attached to walls and roofs from remaining unclassified 3D points in the scene. We demonstrate our system on real LIDAR datasets acquired from typical urban regions with areas of a few square kilometers each, and provide a quantitative analysis of performance using externally provided ground truth.

Adhesively Bonded Repair Proposal for Wood Members Damaged by Horizontal Shear Using Carbon-Epoxy Patches

In this work, a repair technique with adhesively bonded carbon-epoxy patches is proposed for wood members damaged by horizontal shear and under bending loads. This damage is characterized by horizontal crack growth near the neutral plane of the wood beam, normally originating from checks and shakes. The repair consists of adhesively bonded carbon-epoxy patches on the vertical side faces of the beam at the cracked region to block sliding between the beam arms. An experimental and numerical parametric analysis was performed on the patch length. The numerical analysis used the finite element method (FEM) and cohesive zone models (CZMs), with an inverse modelling technique for the characterization of the adhesive layer. Trapezoidal cohesive laws in each pure mode were used to account for the ductility of the adhesive used. To fully reproduce the tests, horizontal damage propagation within the wood beam was also simulated. A good correlation with the experiments was found. Regarding the effectiveness of the repair, for the conditions selected for this work, a full strength recovery was achieved for the bigger value of patch length tested.

Upside-down spiders build upside-down orb webs: web asymmetry, spider orientation and running speed in Cyclosa

Almost all spiders building vertical orb webs face downwards when sitting on the hubs of their webs, and their webs exhibit an up-down size asymmetry, with the lower part of the capture area being larger than the upper. However, spiders of the genus Cyclosa, which all build vertical orb webs, exhibit inter- and intraspecific variation in orientation. In particular, Cyclosa ginnaga and C. argenteoalba always face upwards, and C. octotuberculata always face downwards, whereas some C. confusa face upwards and others face downwards or even sideways. These spiders provide a unique opportunity to examine why most spiders face downwards and have asymmetrical webs. We found that upward-facing spiders had upside-down webs with larger upper parts, downward-facing spiders had normal webs with larger lower parts and sideways-facing spiders had more symmetrical webs. Downward-facing C. confusa spiders were larger than upward- and sideways-facing individuals. We also found that during prey attacks, downward-facing spiders ran significantly faster downwards than upwards, which was not the case in upward-facing spiders. These results suggest that the spider's orientation at the hub and web asymmetry enhance its foraging efficiency by minimizing the time to reach prey trapped in the web.

Fine root isotropy in Eucalyptus grandis plantations. Towards the prediction of root length densities from root counts on trench walls

The objectives of the study were to assess changes in fine root anisotropy and specific root lengths throughout the development of Eucalyptus grandis (W. Hill ex Maiden) plantations and to establish a predictive model of root length density (RLD) from root intercept counts on trench walls. Fine root densities (<1 mm in diameter) were studied in 6-, 12-, 22-, 28-, 54-, 68- and 72-month-old E. grandis plantations established on deep Ferralsols in southern Brazil. Fine root intercepts were counted on 3 faces of 90–198 soil cubes (1 dm3 in volume) in each stand and fine root lengths (L) were measured inside 576 soil cubes, sampled between the depths of 10 cm and 290 cm. The number of fine root intercepts was counted on one vertical face perpendicular to the planting row (Nt), one vertical face parallel to the planting row (Nl) and one horizontal face (Nh), for each soil cube sampled. An overall isotropy of fine roots was shown by paired Student’s t-tests between the numbers of fine roots intersecting each face of soil cubes at most stand ages and soil depths. Specific root lengths decreased with stand age in the upper soil layers and tended to increase in deep soil layers at the end of the rotation. A linear regression established between Nt and L for all the soil cubes sampled accounted for 36% of the variability of L. Such a regression computed for mean Nt and L values at each sampling depth and stand age explained only 55% of the variability, as a result of large differences in the relationship between L and Nt depending on stand productivity. The equation RLD = 1.89*LAI*Nt, where LAI was the stand leaf area index (m2 m−2) and Nt was expressed as the number of root intercepts per cm2, made it possible to predict accurately (R2 = 0.84) and without bias the mean RLDs (cm cm−3) per depth in each stand, for the whole data set of 576 soil cubes sampled between 2 years of age and the end of the rotation.

Time-Domain Hydrodynamic Forces on Rigid Dams with Reservoir Bottom Absorption of Energy

In this investigation, a two-dimensional time-domain closed-form mathematical model for the hydrodynamic forces on the upstream vertical face of a given rigid dam subjected to a specified horizontal ground motion accelerogram was developed. The model includes the absorption of energy at the elastic reservoir bottom, characterized by the impedance ratio of the sub-bottom materials with respect to water (α) . The formulated boundary-value problem is solved in Laplace’s domain and subsequently transformed back to the time domain. Response spectra for the hydrodynamic base shear force and overturning moment are constructed for extreme values of the parameter α . It is found that, frequently, including the solid-foundation elasticity in the reservoir model attenuates the resultant hydrodynamic forces on a rigid barrier, as compared to the results for the case of a rigid reservoir foundation. In this case, the elasticity of the sub-bottom materials constitutes an effective energy dissipating mechanism (radiatio...

Remnants of vertical and lateral migration of the entrapped volatiles and gases in the Deccan Trap basalts at Bhaja, Maval Taluka of Pune district, Maharashtra

The present paper records some of the remnant vertical and horizontal to sub-horizontal gas migration channels in the Deccan Trap basalts from the vertical escarpment face at Bhaja Caves. These could have developed during the eruption, migration, inflation and overriding of the basaltic lava flows. The accumulated entrapped gases and volatiles of the lower flows migrated vertically and laterally into offshoots along the upper contacts or within the flow itself. In most cases, the vesicles are found to be empty as well as filled with the secondary minerals.

Boundary Condition of Groundwater Flow through Sloping Seepage Face

This study has experimentally and theoretically investigated the downstream boundary condition of unconfined groundwater flow through the trapezoidal aquifers of which upstream end is vertical and downstream seepage face is sloping. Flow through the trapezoidal aquifers is experimentally simulated by a Hele-Shaw model. The upstream end is impermeable and the downstream boundary forms a drawdown flow on a sloping seepage face. The drawdown flow is formed on a seepage face when hydraulic gradient at a seepage point is less than the seepage face slope. Discharge through the sloping seepage face is found to be proportional to fluid depth (thickness of the fluid layer) at the seepage point, where a phreatic surface crosses the seepage face. When the angle of the seepage face to the horizontal is between 45 and 90°, the hydraulic gradient at the seepage point is found to be 1/2. This is independent of the seepage face slope. When the angle of the seepage face to the horizontal is less than 45°, the phreatic sur...

The ideal flip-through impact: experimental and numerical investigation

Results from a physical experiment and a numerical computation are compared for a flip-through type wave impact on a vertical face, typical of a seawall or breakwater. The physical wave was generated by application of the focused-wave group technique to the amplitudes of a JONSWAP spectrum, with the focus location adjusted to produce a near-breaking wave impact with no discernible air entrainment or entrapment. Details of the resultant impact are presented in the form of high-speed video, pressure transducer and wave gauge records. Numerical reproduction of the wave transformation and impact is achieved by application of a linear wave-analysis model and a fully nonlinear potential-flow solver. Although more advanced models exist, use of the latter model type is interesting as (1) it was applied by Cooker and Peregrine (Proceedings of the 22nd International Conference on Coastal Engineering, 164–176, 1990) in their original numerical discovery of the flip-through impact and (2) the assumptions behind the potential-flow model remain reasonably valid, until the flip-through jet begins to break into droplets. In the present study, the potential-flow model has been extended with the Schwarz–Christoffel conformal mapping, to allow a piece-wise linearly shaped mound geometry. Further, an ad-hoc wave-generation technique has been added, to facilitate an adequate numerical reproduction of long second-order waves in the flume. Free-surface elevations from the potential-flow computations show good agreement with wave gauge data for the wave that produces the flip-through impact. Experimental video frames with the corresponding numerical free-surface profiles overlaid show an excellent match for the flow contraction prior to impact. The deviations between the experiment and numerical solution that occur at the stage of jet formation are discussed and a computation of a slightly weaker impact illustrate the strong sensitivity of impact pressures to the shape of the impacting wave. Ways of improving the numerical description by use of more advanced models are outlined.

Nonextraction treatment of a skeletal Class III malocclusion

This case report describes the nonsurgical, nonextraction therapy of a 16-year-old boy with a skeletal Class III malocclusion, a prognathic mandible, and a retrusive maxilla. He was initially classified as needing orthognathic surgery, but he and his parents wanted to avoid that. The Class III malocclusion was corrected with a rapid palatal expander and a maxillary protraction mask followed by nonextraction orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances, combined with short Class III and vertical elastics in the anterior area. The height of the maxillary alveolar process and the vertical face height were slightly increased with treatment. Class I molar and canine relationships were achieved, and the facial profile improved substantially.

Upscaling in Vertically Fractured Oil Reservoirs Using Homogenization

Flow modeling in fractured reservoirs is largely confined to the so-called sugar cube model. Here, however, we consider vertically fractured reservoirs, i.e., the situation that the reservoir geometry can be approximated by fractures enclosed columns running from the base rock to the cap rock (aggregated columns). This article deals with the application of the homogenization method to derive an upscaled equation for fractured reservoirs with aggregated columns. It turns out that vertical flow in the columns plays an important role, whereas it can be usually disregarded in the sugar cube model. The vertical flow is caused by coupling of the matrix and fracture pressure along the vertical faces of the columns. We formulate a fully implicit three-dimensional upscaled numerical model. Furthermore, we develop a computationally efficient numerical approach. As found previously for the sugar cube model, the Peclet number, i.e., the ratio between the capillary diffusion time in the matrix and the residence time of the fluids in the fracture, plays an important role. The gravity number plays a secondary role. For low Peclet numbers, the results are sensitive to gravity, but relatively insensitive to the water injection rate, lateral matrix column size, and reservoir geometry, i.e., sugar cube versus aggregated column. At a low Peclet number and sufficiently low gravity number, the effective permeability model gives good results, which agree with the solution of the aggregated column model. However, ECLIPSE simulations (Barenblatt or Warren and Root (BWR) approach) show deviations at low Peclet numbers, but show good agreement at intermediate Peclet numbers. At high Peclet numbers, the results are relatively insensitive to gravity, but sensitive to the other conditions mentioned above. The ECLIPSE simulations and the effective permeability model show large deviations from the aggregated column model at high Peclet numbers. We conclude that at low Peclet numbers, it is advantageous to increase the water injection rate to improve the net present value. However, at high Peclet numbers, increasing the flow rate may lead to uneconomical water cuts.

Reduction of non-breaking wave loads on caisson type breakwaters using a modified perforated configuration

In this study a new type of partially perforated caisson breakwater is introduced with two shallow chambers split horizontally by an impermeable plate at the mean sea level. A plexiglass laboratory model of the structure was manufactured with different frontface perforation ratios and adjustable chamber breadths, then tested under 2D non-breaking regular and irregular waves. The horizontal wave force and wave moment are evaluated as dimensionless parameters from measured pressure–time series. A control group of tests was also conducted with plain vertical face under identical waves, also the wave loads on a vertical face for the same wave properties were computed using Goda (1985) formulation. Results show that the dimensionless wave forces and dimensionless wave moments can be reduced by a ratio up to 35%–40% under regular and irregular waves and structure performance increases with decreasing wave length. The obtained results are also compared with reference to a fully perforated (Jarlan) caisson using the method given by Tabet-Aoul and Lambert (2003) and a general harmony was seen both for the magnitudes and variation of wave loads with dimensionless chamber breadth ( B/ L).

Development of cephalometric norms using a unified facial and dental approach.

To develop a cephalometric determination of anteroposterior skeletal occlusion on the basis of a clinically rational "gold standard" and objectively determined cut points. Pretreatment cephalograms from 10- to 18-year-old Caucasian patients with a normal vertical face dimension were digitized. Facial profile line drawings were judged by orthodontist raters as Class I, II, or III. Subjects who met all inclusion criteria were divided into Class I, Class II, and Class III on the basis of the matched skeletal (facial) and dental occlusion and comprised our gold standard for anteroposterior skeletal occlusions. Cephalometric variables included ANB angle, McNamara analysis, Harvold unit differential, anteroposterior dysplasia index (APDI), and Wits analysis. Half the sample was used to derive skeletal classification norms using receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves, and half the sample was used to test for diagnostic ability and to compare the diagnoses based on traditional cephalometric norms with the new norms. Results of the study showed that ANB and McNamara analysis performed well with traditional and ROC-derived norms, whereas Wits, Harvold unit differential, and APDI showed fewer errors in diagnosis with ROC norms compared with traditional norms. The use of a single set of diagnostic norms for each analysis to distinguish between the skeletal classifications for the 10- to 18-year-age group proved to be highly successful for each of the analyses and performed as well or better than when using traditional norms based on age and sex.

The persistence of waterfalls in fractured rock

Although the upstream translation of waterfalls is often thought to occur by undercutting of resistant strata, collapse, and headwall retreat (e.g., Niagara Falls), many propagating waterfalls maintain a vertical face in the absence of undercutting. To explain this observation, we propose that bedrock-fracture geometry exerts a fundamental control on knickpoint morphology and evolution such that vertical waterfalls can persist during retreat due to toppling in bedrock with near horizontal and vertical sets of joints (e.g., columnar basalt). At a waterfall, rock columns are affected by shear and drag from the overflowing water, buoyancy from the plunge pool at the foot of the waterfall, and gravity. We used a torque balance to determine the stability of a rock column and any individual blocks that comprise the column. Results indicate that rotational failure should occur about the base of a headwall (and therefore preserve its form during upstream propagation) where columns are tilted in the downstream direction or slightly tilted in the upstream direction, depending on the plunge-pool depth. Flume experiments were performed to test the model, and the model provides a good prediction of the flow necessary to induce toppling and the morphology of the head-wall. Waterfall-induced toppling explains the morphology of canyon headwalls in the volcanic terrain of the northwestern United States, where catastrophic paleofloods (e.g., Bonneville Flood) have carved steep amphitheater-headed canyons in columnar basalt. This model may also explain similar land-forms elsewhere on Earth and Mars, and it can be used to predict the minimum flow discharge needed to create these features.