Quantitative morphology of the subchondral plate of the tibial plateau

The object of the present investigation was to measure the thickness distribution of the subchondral plate of the tibial plateau. The data were obtained by computerised image analysis of serial sections. The measured values revealed a marked difference in the thickness between the various regions of the joint surface. Thinner zones (100-300 microns) are found in the peripheral region near the margin of the tibial plateau. Thickness maxima (up to 1500 microns and more) are to be seen at the centres of the joint surfaces. The relationship between the thickness distribution of the subchondral plate and information about the stress distribution of this particular joint surface support the conclusion that the morphology of the subchondral plate of the tibial plateau is determined by the function of the joint

Physiological incongruity of the humero-ulnar joint

Investigations into the distribution of subchondral bone density in the human elbow have suggested that the geometry of the trochlear notch deviates from a perfect fit with the trochlea, and that the load is transmitted ventrally and dorsally rather than through the centre of the humero-ulnar joint. We therefore decided to make a quantitative assessment of the degree of incongruity between the two components in 15 human specimens (age distribution 60 to 93 years) with different types of joint surface. Polyether casts of the joint cavity were prepared under loads of 10,40,160 and 640 N. The thickness of the casts was then measured at 50 predetermined points, and an area distribution of the width of the joint space represented in a two-dimensional template of the trochlear notch. The reproducibility of this procedure was tested by image analysis. At a load of 10 N, only a narrow space was present ventrally and dorsally in the joint, but in the depths of the trochlear notch a width of 0.5 to 1 mm was recorded in the centre, and up to 3 mm at its medial and lateral edges. Specimens with continuous articular cartilage showed a lower degree of incongruity than those with a divided articular surface. As the load was increased to 640 N, however, the original incongruity between the articular surfaces disappeared almost completely. The joint surfaces became more congruous, probably because of the viscoelastic properties of the articular cartilage and the subchondral bone, and the contact areas merged in the centre of the joint. It is suggested that this physiological incongruity brings about an optimal distribution of stress over the articular surface during the transmission of the load, and it may lead to better nourishment of the articular cartilage by providing intermittent mechanical stimulation and circulation of the synovial fluid

Flopping-mode electric dipole spin resonance

Traditional approaches to controlling single spins in quantum dots require the generation of large electromagnetic fields to drive many Rabi oscillations within the spin coherence time. We demonstrate "flopping-mode" electric dipole spin resonance, where an electron is electrically driven in a Si/SiGe double quantum dot in the presence of a large magnetic field gradient. At zero detuning, charge delocalization across the double quantum dot enhances coupling to the drive field and enables low power electric dipole spin resonance. Through dispersive measurements of the single electron spin state, we demonstrate a nearly three order of magnitude improvement in driving efficiency using flopping-mode resonance, which should facilitate low power spin control in quantum dot arrays

Multimodal imaging of human brain activity: rational, biophysical aspects and modes of integration

Until relatively recently the vast majority of imaging and electrophysiological studies of human brain activity have relied on single-modality measurements usually correlated with readily observable or experimentally modified behavioural or brain state patterns. Multi-modal imaging is the concept of bringing together observations or measurements from different instruments. We discuss the aims of multi-modal imaging and the ways in which it can be accomplished using representative applications. Given the importance of haemodynamic and electrophysiological signals in current multi-modal imaging applications, we also review some of the basic physiology relevant to understanding their relationship

A Coherent Spin-Photon Interface in Silicon

Electron spins in silicon quantum dots are attractive systems for quantum computing due to their long coherence times and the promise of rapid scaling using semiconductor fabrication techniques. While nearest neighbor exchange coupling of two spins has been demonstrated, the interaction of spins via microwave frequency photons could enable long distance spin-spin coupling and "all-to-all" qubit connectivity. Here we demonstrate strong-coupling between a single spin in silicon and a microwave frequency photon with spin-photon coupling rates g_s/(2\pi) > 10 MHz. The mechanism enabling coherent spin-photon interactions is based on spin-charge hybridization in the presence of a magnetic field gradient. In addition to spin-photon coupling, we demonstrate coherent control of a single spin in the device and quantum non-demolition spin state readout using cavity photons. These results open a direct path toward entangling single spins using microwave frequency photons