Acromioclavicular Joint Fixation Using an Acroplate Combined With a Coracoclavicular Screw

Background: Appropriate treatment of acromioclavicular joint dislocation is controversial. Acroplate fixation is one of the most common treatment methods of acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) dislocation. Based on the risk of re-dislocation after Acroplate fixation, we assumed that combined fixation with an Acroplate and a coracoclavicular screw helps improve the outcome. Objectives: The main purpose of the current study was to compare the outcome of ACJ dislocation treated with an Acroplate alone and in combination with coracoclavicular screw. Patients and Methods: This study was carried out on 40 patients with ACJ dislocation types III to VI who were divided randomly into two equal groups: Acroplate group (P) and Acroplate in combination with coracoclavicular screw group (P + S). The screws were extracted 3-6 months postoperatively. The patients were followed for 1 year and Imatani’s score was calculated. Finally, the data were compared between the groups. Results: The mean Imatani’s score was significantly higher in P + S group (83.4 ± 14.1) than P group (81.2 ± 10.3) (P < 0.001). The mean duration of surgery was the same in the two groups (59.8 ± 9.4 minutes in group P V.s 64.3 ± 10.9 minutes in group P + S; P = 0.169). There were no cases of re-dislocation, degenerative changes and ossification and all patients returned to their previous jobs or sporting activities. Conclusions: Using a coracoclavicular screw combined with an Acroplate can improve the patients’ function after ACJ disruption without any significant increase in surgical duration. Authors recommend this technique in the fixation of ACJ dislocation

Lower Bounds for Structuring Unreliable Radio Networks

In this paper, we study lower bounds for randomized solutions to the maximal independent set (MIS) and connected dominating set (CDS) problems in the dual graph model of radio networks---a generalization of the standard graph-based model that now includes unreliable links controlled by an adversary. We begin by proving that a natural geographic constraint on the network topology is required to solve these problems efficiently (i.e., in time polylogarthmic in the network size). We then prove the importance of the assumption that nodes are provided advance knowledge of their reliable neighbors (i.e, neighbors connected by reliable links). Combined, these results answer an open question by proving that the efficient MIS and CDS algorithms from [Censor-Hillel, PODC 2011] are optimal with respect to their dual graph model assumptions. They also provide insight into what properties of an unreliable network enable efficient local computation.Comment: An extended abstract of this work appears in the 2014 proceedings of the International Symposium on Distributed Computing (DISC

Distributed algorithms for low stretch spanning trees

Given an undirected graph with integer edge lengths, we study the problem of approximating the distances in the graph by a spanning tree based on the notion of stretch. Our main contribution is a distributed algorithm in the CONGEST model of computation that constructs a random spanning tree with the guarantee that the expected stretch of every edge is O(log3 n), where n is the number of nodes in the graph. If the graph is unweighted, then this algorithm can be implemented to run in O(D) rounds, where D is the hop-diameter of the graph, thus being asymptotically optimal. In the weighted case, the run-time of our algorithm matches the currently best known bound for exact distance computations, i.e., Õ(min{√nD, √nD1/4 + n3/5 + D}). We stress that this is the first distributed construction of spanning trees leading to poly-logarithmic expected stretch with non-trivial running time

Effect of milling Time on the Structure, Micro-hardness, and Thermal Behavior of Amorphous/Nanocrystalline TiNiCu Shape Memory Alloys Developed by Mechanical Alloying

Cataloged from PDF version of article.In the present paper, the effect of milling process on the chemical composition, structure, microhardness, and thermal behavior of Ti-41Ni-9Cu compounds developed by mechanical alloying was evaluated. The structural characteristic of the alloyed powders was evaluated by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The chemical composition homogeneity and the powder morphology and size were studied by scanning electron microscopy coupled with electron dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Moreover, the Vickers micro-indentation hardness of the powders milled for different milling times was determined. Finally, the thermal behavior of the as-milled powders was studied by differential scanning calorimetery. According to the results, at the initial stages of milling (typically 0-12 h), the structure consisted of a Ni solid solution and amorphous phase, and by the milling evolution, nanocrystalline martensite (B19') and austenite (B2) phases were initially formed from the initial materials and then from the amorphous phase. It was found that by the milling development, the composition uniformity is increased, the inter-layer thickness is reduced, and the powders microhardness is initially increased, then reduced, and afterward re-increased. It was also realized that the thermal behavior of the alloyed powders and the structure of heat treated samples is considerably affected by the milling time. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Quantitative phase evolution during mechano-synthesis of Ti-Ni-Cu shape memory alloys

Cataloged from PDF version of article.Ti-41Ni-9Cu shape memory alloy was synthesized by mechanical alloying of pure elemental Ti, Ni, and Cu powders using high-energy ball milling. The qualitative and quantitative phase analyses of the as-milled powders were done by X-ray diffraction (XRD) using Rietveld refinement and the alloys microstructure was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Concerning the results, by milling evolution, the dissolution of the primary materials occurred at different rates and a considerable amount of the amorphous phase as well as B19′-martensite and B2-austenite was created. The formation of Ni solid solution was also evidenced prior to its dissolution. It was found that at sufficient milling time, the mechano-crystallization of the amorphous phase occurred and at the end of milling, the B19′-martensite is the dominant phase of the structure. © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserve

Removal of Arsenic (III) from Contaminated Waterby Synthetic Nano Size Zerovalent Iron

The present work was conducted for Arsenic (III) removal, which one of the most poisonous groundwater pollutants, by synthetic nano size zerovalent iron (nZVI). Batch experiments were performed to investigate the influence of As (III), nZVI concentration, pH of solution and contact time on the efficiency of As (III) removal. nZVI was synthesized by reduction of ferric chloride by sodium borohydrid. SEM and XRD were used to determine particle size and characterization of produced nanoparticles. Up to 99.9% removal efficiency for arsenic (III) was obtained by nZVI dosage of 1 g/L at time equal to 10 min. and pH=7. It could be concluded that the removal efficiency were enhanced with increasing of ZVI dosage and reaction time, but decreased with increasing of arsenic concentration and pH for nano sized ZVI. nZVI presented an outstanding ability to remove As (III) due to not only a high surface area and low particle size but also to high inherent activity

Multilevel Analysis of Effective Factor on Academic Resilience Among High School Students of Underdeveloped Regions of Mobarakeh

A this study aimed to determine the factors influencing resilience at individual, family and school level and surveyed on 250 female (n=192) and male students (n=58) of less developed regions in the Mobarekeh. Hierarchical liner regression (HLM) showed that individual (self-esteem and academic motivation) and the family-level variables (family social capital) have significant relationship with academic resilience and despite the school level variables associated with resilience in the second model, with the entrance of other variables in the final model, the relationship becomes insignificant. Finally, some suggestions provided for improving resilience in these areas