Strategies for surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion according to the region of transverse maxillary deficiency

This study evaluated different techniques for surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion (SARME) according to the type of transverse maxillary deficiency using computed tomography (CT). Six adult patients with bilateral transverse maxillary deficiencies underwent SARME. the patients were equally divided into three groups: Group I, maxillary atresia in both the anterior and posterior regions; Group II, greater maxillary atresia in the anterior region; and Group ill, increased maxillary atresia in the posterior region. in Group I, a subtotal Le Fort I osteotomy was used. in Group II, a subtotal Le Fort I osteotomy was used without pterygomaxillary suture disjunction. in Group III, a subtotal Le Fort I osteotomy was used with pterygomaxillary suture disjunction and fixation of the anterior nasal spine with steel wire. the midpalatal suture opening was evaluated preoperatively and immediately after the activation period using CT. for Group I, the opening occurred parallel to midpalatal suture; for Group II, the opening comprised a V-shape with a vertex on the posterior nasal spine; and for Group III, the opening comprised a V-shape with a vertex at the anterior nasal spine. the conclusion was that the SARME technique should be individualized according to the type of transverse maxillary deficiency.

Fuzzy-Rough Sets Assisted Attribute Selection

R. Jensen and Q. Shen. Fuzzy-Rough Sets Assisted Attribute Selection. IEEE Transactions on Fuzzy Systems, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 73-89, 2007.

Intention and Causation in Medical Non-Killing: The impact of criminal law concepts on euthanasia and assisted suicide

null RAE2008

Managing diversity in practical ambient assisted living ecosystems

Though the motivation for developing Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) systems is incontestable, significant challenges exist in realizing the ambience that is essential to the success of such systems. By definition, an AAL system must be omnipresent, tracking occupant activities in the home and identifying those situations where assistance is needed or would be welcomed. Embedded sensors offer an attractive mechanism for realizing ambience as their form factor and harnessing of wireless technologies aid in their seamless integration into pre-existing environments. However, the heterogeneity of the end-user population, their disparate needs and the differing environments in which they inhabit, all pose particular problems regarding sensor integration and management

A microwave metamaterial with integrated power harvesting functionality

We present the design and experimental implementation of a power harvesting metamaterial. A maximum of 36.8% of the incident power from a 900 MHz signal is experimentally rectified by an array of metamaterial unit cells. We demonstrate that the maximum harvested power occurs for a resistive load close to 70 Ω in both simulation and experiment. The power harvesting metamaterial is an example of a functional metamaterial that may be suitable for a wide variety of applications that require power delivery to any active components integrated into the metamaterial. © 2013 AIP Publishing LLC.

ROLE OF ICAM-1-MEDIATED ENDOCYTOSIS IN ENDOTHELIAL FUNCTION AND IMPLICATIONS FOR CARRIER-ASSISTED DRUG DELIVERY

Intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) is a transmembrane protein found on the surface of vascular endothelial cells (ECs). Its expression is upregulated at inflammatory sites, allowing for targeted delivery of therapeutics using ICAM-1-binding drug carriers. Engagement of multiple copies of ICAM-1 by these drug carriers induces cell adhesion molecule (CAM)-mediated endocytosis, which results in trafficking of carriers to lysosomes and across ECs. Knowledge about the regulation behind CAM-mediated endocytosis can help improve drug delivery, but questions remain about these regulatory mechanisms. Furthermore, little is known about the natural function of this endocytic pathway. To address these gaps in knowledge, we focused on two natural binding partners of ICAM-1 that potentially elicit CAM-mediated endocytosis: leukocytes (which bind ICAM-1 via β₂ integrins) and fibrin polymers (a main component of blood clots which binds ICAM-1 via the γ3 sequence). First, inspired by properties of these natural binding partners, we varied the size and targeting moiety of model drug carriers to determine how these parameters affect CAM-mediated endocytosis. Increasing ICAM-1-targeted carrier size slowed carrier uptake kinetics, reduced carrier trafficking to lysosomes, and increased carrier transport across ECs. Changing targeting moieties from antibodies to peptides decreased particle binding and uptake, lowered trafficking to lysosomes, and increased transport across ECs. Second, using cell culture models of leukocyte/EC interactions, inhibiting regulatory elements of the CAM-mediated pathway disrupted leukocyte sampling, a process crucial to leukocyte crossing of endothelial layers (transmigration). This inhibition also decreased leukocyte transmigration across ECs, specifically through the transcellular route, which occurs through a single EC without disassembly of cell-cell junctions. Third, fibrin meshes, which mimic blood clot fragments/remnants, bound to ECs at ICAM-1-enriched sites and were internalized by the endothelium. Inhibiting the CAM-mediated pathway disrupted this uptake. Following endocytosis, fibrin meshes trafficked to lysosomes where they were degraded. In mouse models, CAM-mediated endocytosis of fibrin meshes appeared to remove fibrin remnants at the endothelial surface, preventing re-initiation of the coagulation cascade. Overall, these results support a link between CAM-mediated endocytosis and leukocyte transmigration as well as uptake of fibrin materials by ECs. Furthermore, these results will guide the future design of ICAM-1-targeted carrier-assisted therapies.

Coupled 3-D finite difference time domain and finite volume methods for solving microwave heating in porous media

Computational results for the microwave heating of a porous material are presented in this paper. Combined finite difference time domain and finite volume methods were used to solve equations that describe the electromagnetic field and heat and mass transfer in porous media. The coupling between the two schemes is through a change in dielectric properties which were assumed to be dependent both on temperature and moisture content. The model was able to reflect the evolution of temperature and moisture fields as the moisture in the porous medium evaporates. Moisture movement results from internal pressure gradients produced by the internal heating and phase change.

Microwave cure of conductive adhesives for flip-chip & microsystems applications

The curing of conductive adhesives and underfills can save considerable time and offer cost benefits for the microsystems and electronics packaging industry. In contrast to conventional ovens, curing by microwave energy generates heat internally within each individual component of an assembly. The rate at which heat is generated is different for each of the components and depends on the material properties as well as the oven power and frequency. This leads to a very complex and transient thermal state, which is extremely difficult to measure experimentally. Conductive adhesives need to be raised to a minimum temperature to initiate the cross-linking of the resin polymers, whilst some advanced packaging materials currently under investigation impose a maximum temperature constraint to avoid damage. Thermal imagery equipment integrated with the microwave oven can offer some information on the thermal state but such data is based on the surface temperatures. This paper describes computational models that can simulate the internal temperatures within each component of an assembly including the critical region between the chip and substrate. The results obtained demonstrate that due to the small mass of adhesive used in the joints, the temperatures reached are highly dependent on the material properties of the adjacent chip and substrate.

Heat and mass transfer in two-phase porous materials under intensive microwave heating

Computational results for the intensive microwave heating of porous materials are presented in this work. A multi-phase porous media model has been developed to predict the heating mechanism. Combined finite difference time-domain and finite volume methods were used to solve equations that describe the electromagnetic field and heat and mass transfer in porous media. The coupling between the two schemes is through a change in dielectric properties which were assumed to be dependent both on temperature and moisture content. The model was able to reflect the evolution of both temperature and moisture fields as well as energy penetration as the moisture in the porous medium evaporates. Moisture movement results from internal pressure gradients produced by the internal heating and phase change.

A new computational approach to microwave heating of two-phase porous materials

Computational results for the microwave heating of a porous material are presented in this paper. Combined finite difference time domain and finite volume methods were used to solve equations that describe the electromagnetic field and heat and mass transfer in porous media. The coupling between the two schemes is through a change in dielectric properties which were assumed to be dependent on both temperature and moisture content. The model was able to reflect the evolution of both temperature and moisture fields as well as energy penetration as the moisture in the porous medium evaporates. Moisture movement results from internal pressure gradients produced by the internal heating and phase change.

A framework for e-learning: a blended solution?: current developments in technology-assisted education

This paper describes a Framework for e-Learning and presents the findings of a study investigating whether the use of Blended Learning can fulfill or at least accommodate some of the human requirements presently neglected by current e-Learning systems. This study evaluates the in-house system: Teachmat, and discusses how the use of Blended Learning has become increasingly prevalent as a result of its enhancement and expansion, its relationship to the human and pedagogical issues, and both the positive and negative implications of this reality. [From the Authors]

Microwave modelling and validation in food thawing applications

Developing temperature fields in frozen cheese sauce undergoing microwave heating were simulated and measured. Two scenarios were investigated: a centric and offset placement on the rotating turntable. Numerical modeling was performed using a dedicated electromagnetic Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) module that was two-way coupled to the PHYSICA multiphysics package. Two meshes were used: the food material and container were meshed for the heat transfer and the microwave oven cavity and waveguide were meshed for the microwave field. Power densities obtained on the structured FDTD mesh were mapped onto the unstructured finite volume method mesh for each time-step/turntable position. On heating for each specified time-step the temperature field was mapped back onto the FDTD mesh and the electromagnetic properties were updated accordingly. Changes in thermal/electric properties associated with the phase transition were fully accounted for as well as heat losses from product to cavity. Detailed comparisons were carried out for the centric and offset placements, comparing experimental temperature profiles during microwave thawing with those obtained by numerical simulation.

Variable frequency microwave curing of polymer materials in microelectronics packaging applications

The use of variable frequency microwave technology in curing of polymer materials used in microelectronics applications is discussed. A revolutionary open-ended microwave curing system is outlined and assessed using experimental and numerical approaches. Experimental and numerical results are presented, demonstrating the feasibility of the system