Persistent cloaca and caudal duplication in a monovular twin, a rare case report

© 2019 Introduction: A cloaca occurs when genitourinary tract and bowel converge into a common channel. We report a case of partial caudal duplication, persistent cloaca and vestigial appendage in a monovular female twin infant. Presentation of case: This is a monochorinonic-diamniotic twin born at 36 weeks with apgars of 9/9. She had a duplicated labia with two clitorises, and a partially formed accessory foot with 2 toes protruding from the right gluteal region. There was anal atresia and a punctate urethral opening in the right genitalia through which she voided spontaneously. X-ray of the accessory foot had rudimentary metatarsals and phalanges. There was left hydroureteronephrosis and a hydrocolpos causing severe mass effect. On the first day of life, she had exploratory laparotomy with a diverting colostomy and mucus fistula and drainage of hydrocolpos. At 6 months of age, she had removal of the accessory foot with flap closure of the perineal defect and vesicostomy. At 15 months of age she had laparotomy for repair of cloaca, excision of presacral pelvic mass and the duplicated vulva. Discussion: Theories of etiology include failure of regression of Kovalevsky\u27s canal (a communication that connects the amniotic and yolk sac), an incomplete form of twinning through iatrogenic damage to the zona pellucida or a failed triplet formation from a single embryo. Conclusion: Caudal duplication with persistent cloaca and vestigial appendage is a rare and complex malformation. Having a unified surgical and medical team to preserve quality of life and to treat complications is of key importance

Combined reflection and transmission thin-film ellipsometry: a unified linear analysis

A scheme of combined reflection and transmission ellipsometry on light-transmitting ambient-film-substrate systems is proposed and the required sample design and instrument operation are investigated. A comparative study of the sensitivity of external and internal reflection and transmission ellipsometry is carried out based on unified linear approximations of the exact equations. These approximations are general in that an arbitrary initial film thickness is assumed. They are simple, because a complex sensitivity function is introduced whose real and imaginary projections determine the psi (Ψ) and delta (Δ) sensitivity factors. Among the conclusions of this paper are the following. (1) External reflection ellipsometry near the Brewster angle of a transparent ambient-substrate system is extremely sensitive to the presence of very thin interfacial films. For example, films as thin as 10-5 Å of gold are readily detectable on glass substrates at an angle of incidence 0.3° below the Brewster angle, assuming a measuring wavelength of 5461 Å with an ellipsometer of 0.05° precision. (2) The formation of thin nonabsorbing films at the interface between transparent ambient and substrate media is not detectable, to first order, as a change in the ellipsometric angle Ψ by either internal or external reflection or transmission ellipsometry. (3) The film-detection sensitivity of transmission ellipsometry increases monotonically with angle of incidence. (4) For each angle of external incidence there is a corresponding angle of internal incidence that leads to the same values of the reflection and transmission sensitivity functions. These angles are interrelated by Snell’s law. (5) The ranges of validity of the linear approximation in reflection and transmission ellipsometry are comparable. The case of total internal reflection ellipsometry may lead to strong nonlinear behavior of Ψ and Δ as functions of the film thickness in the range below 0.05 of the wavelength of light

Ellipsometric function of a film-substrate system: Applications to the design of reflection-type optical devices and to ellipsometry

The ratio ρ = Rp/Rs of the complex amplitude-reflection coefficients Rp and Rs for light polarized parallel (p) and perpendicular (s) to the plane of incidence, reflected from an optically isotropic film-substrate system, is investigated as a function of the angle of incidence ϕ and the film thickness d. Both constant-angle-of-incidence contours (CAIC) and constant-thickness contours (CTC) of the ellipsometric function ρ(ϕ,d) in the complex ρ plane are examined. For transparent films, ρ(ϕ,d) is a periodic function of d with period Dϕ that is a function of ϕ. For a given angle of incidence ϕ and film thickness d (0 ≤ ϕ ≤ 90, 0 ≤ d ≤ Dϕ), the equispaced linear array of points (ϕ,d + mDϕ) (m = 0, 1, 2,…) in the real (ϕ,d) plane is mapped by the periodic function ρ(ϕ,d) into one distinct point in the complex ρ plane. Conversely, for a given film-substrate system, any value of the ellipsometric function ρ can be realized at one particular angle of incidence ϕ and an associated infinite series of film thicknesses d, d + Dϕ, d + 2Dϕ,.... This analysis leads to (1) a unified scheme for the design of all reflection-type optical devices, such as polarizers and retarders, (2) a novel null ellipsometer without a compensator, for the measurement of films whose thicknesses are within certain permissible ranges, and (3) an inversion procedure for the nonlinear equations of reflection ellipsometry that separates the determination of the optical constants (refractive indices and extinction coefficients) of the film and substrate from the film thickness. Extension of the work to absorbing films is discussed

Design of film-substrate single-reflection linear partial polarizers

The results of a preceding paper [J. Opt. Soc. Am. 65, 1464,(1975)] are viewed from a different angleas providing the basis for the design of film-substrate single-reflection linear partial polarizers (LPP),which also operate as reflection optical rotators. The important characteristics of a comprehensive set of discrete designs of SiO2-Si LPP’s at λ = 6328 Å are shown graphically

Polarizer-surface-analyzer null ellipsometry for film-substrate systems

Single-pass polarizer-surface-analyzer null ellipsometry (PSA-NE) can be used to characterize film-substrate systems, provided that the film thickness lies within one of a set of permissible-thickness bands (PTB). For a transparent film on a transparent or absorbing substrate, the PTB structure consists of a small number of finite-bandwidth bands followed by a continuum band that extends from a film thickness of about half the wavelength of light to infinity. We show that this band structure is a direct consequence of the periodicity of the ellipsometric function ρ (the ratio Rp/Rs, of the complex amplitude-reflection coefficients for the p and s polarizations) with film thickness. The PTB for the SiO2-Si film-substrate system at He-Ne laser and mercury spectral lines are calculated. The angles of incidence for PSA-NE ona film-substrate system with known film thickness are easily predicted with the help of a graphical construction in the angle of incidence-vs-thickness φdplane. PSA-NE is generally applicable to the determination of both film thickness and optical properties of a film-substrate system. The procedure for its application to the special, but important, case of film-thickness measurement alone, when the optical properties are known, is given and is checked experimentally by the determination of the oxide-film thickness on Si wafers. In an automated form, PSA-NE can be a serious competitor for interferometric reflectance methods

Design of film—substrate single-reflection retarders

The design steps for film—substrate single-reflection retarders are briefly stated and applied to the SiO2—Si film—substrate system at wavelength 6328 Å. The criterion of minimum-maximum error of the ellipsometric angle ψ is used to choose angle-of-incidence-tunable designs. Use is made of the (Φ-d) plane (angle of incidence versus thickness) to determine whether a given film—substrate system with known optical properties and film thickness can operate as a reflection retarder and to determine the associated angles of incidence and retardation angles. This leads to the concept of permissible-thickness bands and forbidden gaps for operation of a film—substrate system as a reflection retarder. Experimental measurements on one of the proposed designs proved the validity of the method

Ellipsometric function of a film-substrate system: Applications to the design of reflection-type optical devices and to ellipsometry

The ratio ρ = Rp/Rs of the complex amplitude-reflection coefficients Rp and Rs for light polarized parallel (p) and perpendicular (s) to the plane of incidence, reflected from an optically isotropic film-substrate system, is investigated as a function of the angle of incidence ϕ and the film thickness d. Both constant-angle-of-incidence contours (CAIC) and constant-thickness contours (CTC) of the ellipsometric function ρ(ϕ,d) in the complex ρ plane are examined. For transparent films, ρ(ϕ,d) is a periodic function of d with period Dϕ that is a function of ϕ. For a given angle of incidence ϕ and film thickness d (0 ≤ ϕ ≤ 90, 0 ≤ d ≤ Dϕ), the equispaced linear array of points (ϕ,d + mDϕ) (m = 0, 1, 2,…) in the real (ϕ,d) plane is mapped by the periodic function ρ(ϕ,d) into one distinct point in the complex ρ plane. Conversely, for a given film-substrate system, any value of the ellipsometric function ρ can be realized at one particular angle of incidence ϕ and an associated infinite series of film thicknesses d, d + Dϕ, d + 2Dϕ,.... This analysis leads to (1) a unified scheme for the design of all reflection-type optical devices, such as polarizers and retarders, (2) a novel null ellipsometer without a compensator, for the measurement of films whose thicknesses are within certain permissible ranges, and (3) an inversion procedure for the nonlinear equations of reflection ellipsometry that separates the determination of the optical constants (refractive indices and extinction coefficients) of the film and substrate from the film thickness. Extension of the work to absorbing films is discussed

Indicadores del nivel del mar durante el MIS 5 y elevación tectónica en el Estrecho de Gibraltar (Norte de Marruecos)

This study investigates the morpho-sedimentary evidence of two highstands registered and dated during MIS 5 stage by U-series dating in the North of Morocco (Strait of Gibraltar). Bioerosive notch and mixed siliciclastic and carbonate deposits, high energy beaches with algal bioherms, were formed in coastal environments during MIS 5a. A sea-level altitude of +10 m asl was inferred for this substage. The record of MIS 5e-2 substage is less complete, consisting in upper foreshore and storm deposits located some meters above the sea-level (+13-15 m asl). A tectonic uplift rate of ~0.1 mm/yr has been estimated for the last 130 ky. This data is consistent with models of coastal uplifts elaborated for the Gibraltar Strait.Este trabajo analiza las evidencias morfosedimentarias de dos altas paradas del nivel marino datadas en el MIS 5 mediante series de U en el Norte de Marruecos. Durante el MIS 5a se formaron socaves bioerosivos (notches) y facies de playas de alta energía constituidas por depósitos mixtos siliciclástico-carbonatados. Una altura de 10 m snm ha sido estimada para esta etapa. El registro del MIS 5e-2 es menos completo, constituidos por depósitos de foreshore y de tormenta formados varios metros sobre el nivel del mar (+13-15 m snm). Se ha deducido una tasa de elevación tectónica de 0.1 mm/año para los últimos 130 ka. Estos datos son consistentes con los modelos previos de levantamiento tectónico elaborados para el Estrecho de Gibraltar.Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades CGL2010-15810/BT

Overexpression of Extracellular Superoxide Dismutase Protects against Brain Injury Induced by Chronic Hypoxia

Extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD) is an isoform of SOD normally found both intra- and extra-cellularly and accounting for most SOD activity in blood vessels. Here we explored the role of EC-SOD in protecting against brain damage induced by chronic hypoxia. EC-SOD Transgenic mice, were exposed to hypoxia (FiO2.1%) for 10 days (H-KI) and compared to transgenic animals housed in room air (RA-KI), wild type animals exposed to hypoxia (H-WT or wild type mice housed in room air (RA-WT). Overall brain metabolism evaluated by positron emission tomography (PET) showed that H-WT mice had significantly higher uptake of (18)FDG in the brain particularly the hippocampus, hypothalamus, and cerebellum. H-KI mice had comparable uptake to the RA-KI and RA-WT groups. To investigate the functional state of the hippocampus, electrophysiological techniques in ex vivo hippocampal slices were performed and showed that H-KI had normal synaptic plasticity, whereas H-WT were severely affected. Markers of oxidative stress, GFAP, IBA1, MIF, and pAMPK showed similar values in the H-KI and RA-WT groups, but were significantly increased in the H-WT group. Caspase-3 assay and histopathological studies showed significant apoptosis/cell damage in the H-WT group, but no significant difference in the H-KI group compared to the RA groups. The data suggest that EC-SOD has potential prophylactic and therapeutic roles in diseases with compromised brain oxygenation

B:Ionic Glove: A Soft Smart Wearable Sensory Feedback Device for Upper Limb Robotic Prostheses

Upper limb robotic prosthetic devices currently lack adequate sensory feedback, contributing to a high rejection rate. Incorporating affective sensory feedback into these devices reduces phantom limb pain and increases control and acceptance. To address the lack of sensory feedback we present the B:Ionic glove, wearable over a robotic hand which contains sensing, computation and actuation on board. It uses shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators integrated into an armband to gently squeeze the user's arm when pressure is sensed in novel electro-fluidic fingertip sensors and decoded through soft matter logic. We found that a circular electro-fluidic sensor cavity generated the most sensitive fingertip sensor and considered a computational configuration to convey different information from robot to user. A user study was conducted to characterise the tactile interaction capabilities of the device. No significant difference was found between the skin sensitivity threshold of participants' lower and upper arm. They found it easier to distinguish stimulation locations than strengths. Finally, we demonstrate a proof-of-concept of the complete device, illustrating how it could be used to grip an object, solely from the affective tactile feedback provided by the B:Ionic glove. The B:Ionic glove is a step towards the integration of natural, soft sensory feedback into robotic prosthetic devices.</p