(E)-4-Bromo-N-(2,3,4-trimeth­oxy­benzyl­idene)aniline

The title Schiff base compound, C16H16BrNO3, adopts an E configuration with respect to the C=N bond. The dihedral angle between the two aromatic rings is 64.02 (6)°

N,N′-Bis[(E)-2-Benzyl­idenepropylidene]ethane-1,2-diamine

The two independent mol­ecules in the asymmetric unit of the title Schiff base, C22H24N2, lie across centers of inversion. The C=N double bonds are in a trans configuration

4-Bromo-N-(3,4,5-trimethoxy­benzyl­idene)aniline

The title compound, C16H16BrNO3, adopts an E configuration with respect to the imine C=N bond. The two benzene rings are twisted with respect to each other at an angle of 38.3 (1)°. In the crystal structure, mol­ecules are connected by weak bifurcated C—H⋯(O, O) hydrogen bonds, forming a helical chain along the b axis

On the Application of Mechanical Vibration in Robotics-Assisted Soft Tissue Intervention

Mechanical vibration as a way of transmitting energy has been an interesting subject to study. While cyclic oscillation is usually associated with fatigue effect, and hence a detrimental factor in failure of structures and machineries, by controlled transmission of vibration, energy can be transferred from the source to the target. In this thesis, the application of such mechanical vibration in a few surgical procedures is demonstrated. Three challenges associated with lung cancer diagnosis and treatment are chosen for this purpose, namely, Motion Compensation, tumor targeting in lung Needle Insertion and Soft Tissue Dissection: A robotic solution is proposed for compensating for the undesirable oscillatory motion of soft tissue (caused by heart beat and respiration) during needle insertion in the lung. An impedance control strategy based on a mechanical vibratory system is implemented to minimize the tissue deformation during needle insertion. A prototype was built to evaluate the proposed approach using: 1) two Mitsubishi PA10-7C robots, one for manipulating the macro part and the other for mimicking the tissue motion, 2) one motorized linear stage to handle the micro part, and 3) a Phantom Omni haptic device for remote manipulation. Experimental results are given to demonstrate the performance of the motion compensation system. A vibration-assisted needle insertion technique has been proposed in order to reduce needle–tissue friction. The LuGre friction model is employed as a basis for the study and the model is extended and analyzed to include the impact of high-frequency vibration on translational friction. Experiments are conducted to evaluate the role of insertion speed as well as vibration frequency on frictional effects. In the experiments conducted, an 18 GA brachytherapy needle was vibrated and inserted into an ex-vivo soft tissue sample using a pair of amplified piezoelectric actuators. Analysis demonstrates that the translational friction can be reduced by introducing a vibratory low-amplitude motion onto a regular insertion profile, which is usually performed at a constant rate. A robotics-assisted articulating ultrasonic surgical scalpel for minimally invasive soft tissue cutting and coagulation is designed and developed. For this purpose, the optimal design of a Langevin transducer with stepped horn profile is presented for internal-body applications. The modeling, optimization and design of the ultrasonic scalpel are performed through equivalent circuit theory and verified by finite element analysis. Moreover, a novel surgical wrist, compatible with the da Vinci® surgical system, with decoupled two degrees-of-freedom (DOFs) is developed that eliminates the strain of pulling cables and electrical wires. The developed instrument is then driven using the dVRK (da Vinci® research kit) and the Classic da Vinci® surgical system

(E)-4-Bromo-N-(2,4-dimethoxy­benzyl­idene)aniline

The title Schiff base compound, C15H14BrNO2, adopts an E configuration with respect to the C=N bond. The C and O atoms of the two meth­oxy substituents lie very close to the dimethoxy­phenyl ring plane [maximum deviation = 0.17 (1) Å]. The dihedral angle between the two aromatic rings is 43.69 (16)°, while the plane through the central C—C=N—C system is inclined at 10.6 (6)° to the dimethoxy­phenyl ring and 34.6 (3)° to the bromo­phenyl ring. In the crystal structure, each mol­ecule is involved in the formation of two inversion-related dimers through weak C—H⋯N and C—H⋯O inter­actions, respectively. These contacts link the mol­ecules into independent rows parallel to the b axis

The effect of traditional games in fundamental motor skill development in 7-­9 year old boys

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of traditional games on fundamental motor skills in seven to nine year-old boys. Methods: Forty subjects of seven to nine year-old boys selected randomly by a personal information questionnaire. After pretest by Test of Gross Motor Development, edition 2 (TGMD-2), gross motor skill, locomotor and object control motor skills, subjects were divided by random matching into two groups. The first group performed traditional games and the second group performed daily activities. Then children in first group played traditional game at 24 sessions. After 12 and 24 sessions, traditional game and daily activity groups participated in the mid and post tests. Data were analyzed by Variance Analyze of Repeated Measures. Findings: The results showed that traditional games with mean difference in fundamental motor skill development (17.12, P<0.001), and also with mean difference in locomotor (2.23, P=0.002), and mean difference in object control skill development (2.27, P=0.002) significantly are more effective than daily activities. Conclusion: Traditional game program is appropriate for a fundamental motor skill development

The effect of curcumin on biochemical and hematological indices of red blood cells during and after taking ecstasy in male Wistar rats

Background: The using of ecstasy pills or 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) has severe damage to various systems of the body, including blood cells. In this study, we investigated the protective effect of curcumin (turmeric extract) on red blood cells and its hematological and biochemical indices with and after taking ecstasy. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 adult male rats were divided into five groups: group1; control without MDMA and Curcumin, group 2; received MDMA, group 3; received MDMA and curcumin, group 4; received MDMA for 15 days, then 15 days later, no drug injection and group 5; received MDMA for 15 days, then injection of curcumin for 15 days later. The blood samples were collected and then, blood smears were prepared to assess morphology of red bleed cells mean values morphology of red blood cells. Results: The mean of red blood cell levels were significantly lower in MDMA recipient groups than in the control group. By using curcumin during and after taking ecstasy the level of red blood cells and hemoglobin were significantly decreased compared with that in the control group. Also, red blood cells were significantly decreased in the curcumin recipient groups compared with the MDMA groups. The total bilirubin levels in 2 and 4 groups which received MDMA alone, as well as in 3 and 5 groups received MDMA with curcumin were significantly higher than those in the control group. Conclusion: The effect of curcumin during and after taking ecstasy is likely due to a high digestive absorption of MDMA by curcumin or non-metabolizing of MDMA when using curcumin