40 research outputs found
Aperiodic nano-photonic design
The photon scattering properties of aperiodic nano-scale dielectric
structures can be tailored to closely match a desired response by using
adaptive algorithms for device design. We show that broken symmetry of
aperiodic designs provides access to device functions not available to
conventional periodic photonic crystal structures.Comment: 23 pages, LaTex, 8 postscript figure
Persistent median artery in the carpal tunnel: anatomy, embryology, clinical significance, and review of the literature
The median artery usually regresses after the eighth week of intrauterine life, but
in some cases it persists into adulthood. The persistent median artery (PMA) passes
through the carpal tunnel of the wrist, accompanying the median nerve.
During anatomical dissection in our department, we found two unilateral cases
of PMA originating from the ulnar artery. In both cases the PMA passed through
the carpal tunnel, reached the palm, and anastomosed with the ulnar artery,
forming a medio-ulnar type of superficial palmar arch. In addition, in both cases
we observed a high division of the median nerve before entering the carpal
tunnel. Such an artery may result in several complications such as carpal tunnel
syndrome, pronator syndrome, or compression of the anterior interosseous nerve.
Therefore, the presence of a PMA should be taken into consideration in clinical
practice. This study presents two cases of PMA along with an embryological
explanation, analysis of its clinical significance, and a review of the literature. The
review of the literature includes cases observed during surgical procedures or
anatomical dissections. Cases observed by means of imaging techniques were
not included in the study
Patents and Industrialisation. An Historical Overview of the British Case, 1624-1907
A Report to the Strategic Advisory Board on Intellectual Property Policy (SABIP), U
Bacteraemia following debanding and gold chain adjustment
The purpose of this research was to estimate the prevalence, intensity, and nature of bacteraemia following deband and gold chain adjustment. Forty-nine children, 25 males and 24 females, mean age 15.4 years, attending the Orthodontic Department at the Eastman Dental Hospital were recruited. A cannula was inserted into either the left or the right antecubital fossa using an aseptic technique. A 6 ml sample of blood was taken before treatment and another 6 ml, 30 seconds after either upper deband (n = 42) or gold chain adjustment (n = 7). McNewmar's test was used to determine differences in the proportion of positive blood cultures and Wilcoxon matched pairs test to compare continuous variables. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the prevalence of bacteraemia between baseline (eight, 19 per cent) and following upper deband (11, 26 per cent) or between baseline (four, 57 per cent) and gold chain adjustment (four, 57 per cent). There was also no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the intensity of the anaerobic bacteraemia between baseline and following deband or gold chain adjustment. Although the number of subjects undergoing gold chain adjustment was small, the findings demonstrate that neither upper debanding nor gold chain adjustment is associated with a significant bacteraemia