Nasal myopic super-traction (or super-involute) of the optic nerve head

Related recent studies are brought together; 38% of high myopes with corrections =??5.00?D or greater exhibit separation and displacement of retina (less nerve fibre layer) and choroid from moorings on the nasal optic nerve, and the displaced tissues move onto/over the disc. This is termed ‘nasal myopic super-traction of the optic nerve head'. Increasing prevalence of myopia (particularly in East and Southeast Asia), make understanding this anomaly important! In affected subjects, OCT proved valuable. Evidence is presented of disc-related separation of retina and choroid, less nerve fibre layer. We measured vision, kinetic/static thresholds, and Stiles–Crawford I on the disc. Transient alterations in sensitivity and photoreceptor orientations were found and associated with saccades or serial OKN-induced traction. Given presence of visual functions on the disc, blood supply and neural connectivity were inferred (partially) intact. Is this a strain-relieving mechanism, or a precursor to further degenerative changes in affected myopes?     

Contribution of the cornea and internal surfaces to the change of ocular aberrations with age.

We studied the age dependence of the relative contributions of the aberrations of the cornea and the internal ocular surfaces to the total aberrations of the eye. We measured the wave-front aberration of the eye with a Hartmann-Shack sensor and the aberrations of the anterior corneal surface from the elevation data provided by a corneal topography system. The aberrations of the internal surfaces were obtained by direct subtraction of the ocular and corneal wave-front data. Measurements were obtained for normal healthy subjects with ages ranging from 20 to 70 years. The magnitude of the RMS wave-front aberration (excluding defocus and astigmatism) of the eye increases more than threefold within the age range considered. However, the aberrations of the anterior corneal surface increase only slightly with age. In most of the younger subjects, total ocular aberrations are lower than corneal aberrations, while in the older subjects the reverse condition occurs. Astigmatism, coma, and spherical aberration of the cornea are larger than in the complete eye in younger subjects, whereas the contrary is true for the older subjects. The internal ocular surfaces compensate, at least in part, for the aberrations associated with the cornea in most younger subjects, but this compensation is not present in the older subjects. These results suggest that the degradation of the ocular optics with age can be explained largely by the loss of the balance between the aberrations of the corneal and the internal surfaces.     

中厚板圆盘剪剪切力能参数测试及最佳剪刃间隙数学模型的建立

针对中厚板圆盘剪剪切质量差、剪切力理论计算偏差大等问题开展了生产实测、数据采集、回归拟合处理,得出现有的剪切力理论公式计算结果和实测结果相比误差在-9.56%～+56.5%之间.这些理论公式求解中未考虑随着厚度的增加剪切抗力和抗剪面积的非线性变化,导致剪切力计算结果大幅减小.这些公式适宜于薄规格钢板的剪切力计算,但用于厚板剪切力计算还要进一步完善.同时,建立了一个综合剪切钢板厚度、材料属性、累积剪切面积的圆盘剪剪刃间隙调整模型,并且考虑了刀盘装置在剪切受力过程中的变形对剪刃间隙影响.因此,针对不同的圆盘剪设备,要在该模型中考虑刀轴载荷-变形值的影响,对模型进行修正完善,就可获得适合于自己的间隙调整工艺参数.     

Cardiac autonomic dysfunction in hemodialysis patients: The value of heart rate turbulence

Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are likely to have cardiac autonomic dysfunction, which is related with an increased risk of sudden death. The aim of this study is to detect cardiac autonomic dysfunction in patients with ESRD and to evaluate the possible acute effects of hemodialysis (HD) on cardiac autonomic functions measured by heart rate variability (HRV) and heart rate turbulence (HRT). Thirty-one (mean age 50 ± 13 years, 15 males) with ESRD on regular HD program and 31 healthy volunteers (mean age 51 ± 12 years, 15 males) were included in the study. Twenty-four-hour ambulatory electrocardiogram recordings were taken from the subjects before and after HD and from the control group. Heart rate variability and HRT parameters were calculated from these recordings. All of the HRV and HRT parameters were found to be significantly blunted in patients in comparison with healthy individuals. There were significant differences in HRV after HD, but similar differences were not observed in HRT parameters. Cardiac autonomic functions were significantly altered in patients with ESRD. Heart rate turbulence parameters seemed to be less affected from HD and may be more useful in the evaluation of cardiac autonomic functions in the ESRD population.     

In vivo optic nerve head biomechanics: performance testing of a three-dimensional tracking algorithm

Measurement of optic nerve head (ONH) deformations could be useful in the clinical management of glaucoma. Here, we propose a novel three-dimensional tissue-tracking algorithm designed to be used in vivo. We carry out preliminary verification of the algorithm by testing its accuracy and its robustness. An algorithm based on digital volume correlation was developed to extract ONH tissue displacements from two optical coherence tomography (OCT) volumes of the ONH (undeformed and deformed). The algorithm was tested by applying artificial deformations to a baseline OCT scan while manipulating speckle noise, illumination and contrast enhancement. Tissue deformations determined by our algorithm were compared with the known (imposed) values. Errors in displacement magnitude, orientation and strain decreased with signal averaging and were 0.15 µm, 0.15° and 0.0019, respectively (for optimized algorithm parameters). Previous computational work suggests that these errors are acceptable to provide in vivo characterization of ONH biomechanics. Our algorithm is robust to OCT speckle noise as well as to changes in illumination conditions, and increasing signal averaging can produce better results. This algorithm has potential be used to quantify ONH three-dimensional strains in vivo, of benefit in the diagnosis and identification of risk factors in glaucoma.     

Improved automated detection of glaucoma by correlating fundus and SD-OCT image analysis

Glaucoma is a multifactorial ocular disease. Ophthalmologists mostly use fundus or optical coherence tomography (OCT) for diagnosis of glaucoma. In this study, a hybrid computer-aided-diagnosis (H-CAD) system has been proposed that integrates both fundus and OCT imaging technologies for reliable diagnosis of glaucoma. Fundus module inspects the outer layer of eye's posterior part. It considers a variety of structural and textural features and makes a decision using support vector machine (SVM). In OCT module, the cup to disc ratio (CDR) has been computed by examining the internal layers of the retina. The cup contour has been extracted from inner-limiting-membrane (ILM) layer using a set of novel techniques for the calculation of cup diameter. Similarly, in the disc diameter calculation the retinal-pigment-epithelium (RPE) layer termination points have been identified by a number of innovative strategies to locate disc margin. Furthermore, a new criterion based on the mean value of RPE-layer end points has been proposed for the determination of cup edges. A local-dataset annotated by four ophthalmologists has been used for evaluation of proposed H-CAD system. The evaluations and results have shown that the final result of H_CAD system is more trustable than its contemporary automated models.     

Walk-off near optic axes of spatially dispersive media of fluorite symmetry: the case of conical points

Experimental evidence of the influence of the so-called intrinsic birefringence of fluorite in 2001 has revived interest in spatial dispersion effects, whereby the index surface of fluorite and crystals with the same symmetry shows seven optic axes, of which four intersect this surface at pairs of conical points. Nevertheless it has been shown that conical internal refraction never happens—so near all the optic axes the walk-off angle is small. I provide first-order expansions of the walk-off angles near the two types of optic axes. For those associated with conical points the result is striking: near them the walk-off angle, far from being greater than near the other optic axes, is much smaller because its first-order approximation is null! This result could become useful for the correction of birefringence effects in lenses designed for the vacuum ultraviolet, where fluorite is one of the very few materials available.     

The extraction of heat from a bulk medium through a thin,highly-conducting disc

The steady conduction of heat is examined as it flows from an infinite medium into a slender highly-conducting disc and then into a line sink at the disc centre. The temperature distribution is affected by the ratio of thermal conductivities in the bulk medium and disc, and by the shape of the disc. An analytical solution is obtained for the first perturbation approximation to the temperature when both the ratio of thermal conductivities in bulk medium and disc, and the ratio of disc thickness-to-diameter are small parameters of similar magnitude. The disc shape is arbitrary within the general constraints of the perturbation scheme. Singular perturbation solutions are required at the disc centre and rim. An example application of the results is included.     

In vitro and in silico investigations of disc nucleus replacement

Currently, numerous hydrogels are under examination as potential nucleus replacements. The clinical success, however, depends on how well the mechanical function of the host structure is restored. This study aimed to evaluate the extent to and mechanisms by which surgery for nucleus replacements influence the mechanical behaviour of the disc. The effects of an annulus defect with and without nucleus replacement on disc height and nucleus pressure were measured using 24 ovine motion segments. The following cases were considered: intact; annulus incision repaired by suture and glue; annulus incision with removal and re-implantation of nucleus tissue repaired by suture and glue or plug. To identify the likely mechanisms observed in vitro, a finite-element model of a human disc (L4–L5) was employed. Both studies were subjected to physiological cycles of compression and recovery. A repaired annulus defect did not influence the disc behaviour in vitro, whereas additional nucleus removal and replacement substantially decreased disc stiffness and nucleus pressure. Model predictions demonstrated the substantial effects of reductions in replaced nucleus water content, bulk modulus and osmotic potential on disc height loss and pressure, similar to measurements. In these events, the compression load transfer in the disc markedly altered by substantially increasing the load on the annulus when compared with the nucleus. The success of hydrogels for nucleus replacements is not only dependent on the implant material itself but also on the restoration of the environment perturbed during surgery. The substantial effects on the disc response of disruptions owing to nucleus replacements can be simulated by reduced nucleus water content, elastic modulus and osmotic potential.     

Effect of the sterilization method on the properties of Bombyx mori silk fibroin films

We have compared the effects of different sterilization techniques on the properties of Bombyx mori silk fibroin thin films with the view to subsequent use for corneal tissue engineering. The transparency, tensile properties, corneal epithelial cell attachment and degradation of the films were used to evaluate the suitability of certain sterilization techniques including gamma-irradiation (in air or nitrogen), steam treatment and immersion in aqueous ethanol. The investigations showed that gamma-irradiation, performed either in air or in a nitrogen atmosphere, did not significantly alter the properties of films. The films sterilized by gamma-irradiation or by immersion in ethanol had a transparency greater than 98% and tensile properties comparable to human cornea and amniotic membrane, the materials of choice in the reconstruction of ocular surface. Although steam-sterilization produced stronger, stiffer films, they were less transparent, and cell attachment was affected by the variable topography of these films. It was concluded that gamma-irradiation should be considered to be the most suitable method for the sterilization of silk fibroin films, however, the treatment with ethanol is also an acceptable method.     

Numerical modelling of small disc creep test

Abstract

The small disc creep test is described. The disc creep curves observed need to be related to the creep properties of the material obtained by conventional testing. This relationship should include a means of assessing the creep damage which is initially present in the material and therefore to an estimate of remanent life. There are difficulties with such correlations and these are shown to be related to an imperfect understanding of the complex nature of the small punch test. This understanding can be improved by suitable physical modelling of the deformation occurring. The present paper describes a suitable finite element model and verifies the model against experimental observations of disc creep tests. The model uses a realistic creep deformation law which includes strain hardening, thermal softening and damage accumulation for 0·5Cr0·5Mo0·25V steel. It is shown that the results obtained from the test are sensitive not only to the initial condition of the specimen but also to the conditions of the test (e.g. the values of frictional forces at the punch/specimen interface). The paper makes suggestions of how the model may be used to optimise the disc creep test.     

Intervertebral disc (IVD): Structure, degeneration, repair and regeneration

Low back pain affects a large portion of the population, resulting in high care costs for therapy and treatment. One primary cause of low back pain is the degeneration of the intervertebral disc (IVD) resulting in the compression of the spinal nerves and adjacent vertebrae. Exact causes of degeneration are unknown, but it is thought that natural aging, and both biological and genetic factors may play a significant role in the degenerative process. Conventional methods to alleviate low back pain include spinal fusion and artificial disc replacement. Traditional treatments through spinal fusion may eliminate pain yet do not restore disc function and lead to further degeneration of adjacent levels by altering disc biomechanics and natural kinematics. Recently, artificial IVD replacements have started to gain interest, with two IVD implants currently approved in the United States. Although these implants facilitate the preservation of motions and disc space height, they are unable to sustain compressive forces due to their lack of elasticity. In addition, the implants may produce wear debris that can cause osteolysis and other deleterious effects. As an alternative to these conventional approaches, tissue engineered IVD constructs offer the advantage of biointegration while preserving the essential attributes of natural motion and disc space restoration. There is a great need for the development of tissue engineered scaffolds that simulate the natural 3D morphology and microenvironment of the targeted tissue. Scaffolds should facilitate biological transport to satisfy nutrition and waste removal requirements within the IVD. The discrete tissue architectures of the nucleus pulposus (NP) and annulus fibrosus (AF) have posed great challenges to IVD tissue engineering. Current attempts have not been able to satisfy the biological functions and/or mechanical properties of native tissue. Therefore, these current scaffolds are far from satisfactory. This review highlights the challenges met when tissue engineering an IVD, while offering a perspective on which biomaterials and scaffold fabrication methods have the realistic ability to serve as scaffolding constructs for IVD regeneration.     

评价光纤水听器探头的性能参数

光纤水听器声学性能的准确评价一直是人们非常关心的问题。简要叙述了相位干涉型光纤水听器的工作原理,指出了光纤水听器探头和光纤水听器系统的区别。作为光纤水听器的关键技术之一,光纤水听器探头声学性能的测试还没有明确的规范或标准。为此,提出了有关评价光纤水听器探头声学性能的参数,如相移灵敏度、加速度相移灵敏度、相对加速度相移灵敏度、指向性、相移灵敏度随静水压的变化、相移灵敏度随温度的变化等的定义,并给出了相关的表达式,对准确测量和评价光纤水听器探头的声学性能有一定的借鉴意义。并希望通过这样的讨论,促进光纤水听器探头性能测试的规范和相关标准的制定。     

Quantitative analysis of three-dimensional fibrillar collagen microstructure within the normal,aged and glaucomatous human optic nerve head

The aim of this study was to quantify connective tissue fibre orientation and alignment in young, old and glaucomatous human optic nerve heads (ONH) to understand ONH microstructure and predisposition to glaucomatous optic neuropathy. Transverse (seven healthy, three glaucomatous) and longitudinal (14 healthy) human ONH cryosections were imaged by both second harmonic generation microscopy and small angle light scattering (SALS) in order to quantify preferred fibre orientation (PFO) and degree of fibre alignment (DOFA). DOFA was highest within the peripapillary sclera (ppsclera), with relatively low values in the lamina cribrosa (LC). Elderly ppsclera DOFA was higher than that in young ppsclera (p < 0.00007), and generally higher than in glaucoma ppsclera. In all LCs, a majority of fibres had preferential orientation horizontally across the nasal–temporal axis. In all glaucomatous LCs, PFO was significantly different from controls in a minimum of seven out of 12 LC regions (p < 0.05). Additionally, higher fibre alignment was observed in the glaucomatous inferior–temporal LC (p < 0.017). The differences between young and elderly ONH fibre alignment within regions suggest that age-related microstructural changes occur within the structure. The additional differences in fibre alignment observed within the glaucomatous LC may reflect an inherent susceptibility to glaucomatous optic neuropathy, or may be a consequence of ONH remodelling and/or collapse.     

Composite disc springs

The feasibility of replacing steel with composite materials in disc springs (or Belleville washers) is investigated. The objective was to reproduce the identical load/deflection characteristics and the maximum load capacity of the steel disc spring while achieving significant mass savings. Design equations for steel disc springs were modified for a quasi-isotropic composite lay-up. Several prototype disc springs were manufactured and tested, and compared with the performance of equivalent steel springs. The results show that accurate reproducibility of the steel spring’s load–deflection characteristics can be achieved by using composites, with a corresponding mass savings of almost 80%. Other composite disc springs of different geometries were tested so that preliminary observations of the effects of geometric features on load–deflection responses could be made. The failure mode (on overloading the composite spring) consisted of radial fracture arising from the hoop stress as predicted by theory. The results of this study indicate that composites can satisfactorily replace steel in disc springs with significant mass savings.     

Theoretical analysis of the membrane parameters of the fiber optic microphone

In the membrane displacement equation of fiber optic microphone, there are, beside the pressure, two kinds of parameters: membrane parameters and damping mechanism parameters. The first kind, which consists of the membrane radius, surface density and border tension, has an effect on the sensitivity and the acoustic frequency band (sonic and ultrasonic), whereas the second kind has almost no effect. The theoretical analysis of these parameters shows that some ultrasonic frequencies can cover a band close to 100 kHz, for a radius of 0.1 mm, with the increase of the sensitivity. This analysis provides a general approach useful to design a fiber optic microphone for a particular application.     

Characterization of the nonlinear fracture resistance parameters for an aviation GTE turbine disc

The effects of crack growth rate model formulation, based on the elastic‐plastic and undamaged/damaged creep crack tip fields on the behaviour of low‐cycle fatigue and creep fracture resistance parameter behaviour, are represented by numerical calculations. The crack growth rate models include the fracture process zone size and damage parameters. An aviation gas turbine engine (GTE) rotating turbine disc is the focus of this innovative application of basic analytical and numerical solutions. For the GTE turbine disc, the constraint parameters, local fracture process zone sizes, and nonlinear plastic (K_p) and creep (K_cr) stress intensity factors are calculated by finite element analysis to characterize the fracture resistance along the semielliptical crack front as a function of the flaw aspect ratio, operation temperature, and disc rotation speed. Predictions of the creep‐fatigue crack growth rate and residual lifetime are given for different combinations of operation loading conditions and damage of the GTE turbine disc.     

On the use of Brazilian disc specimen for calculating mixed mode I-II fracture toughness of rock materials

The centrally cracked Brazilian disc specimen has been used frequently in the past for investigating mixed mode I-II fracture toughness in rock materials. However, a review of the available test results reveals that the conventional fracture criteria like the maximum tangential stress criterion always underestimate the mixed mode I-II fracture toughness data obtained from the Brazilian disc specimen. In this paper, a generalized maximum tangential stress criterion which takes into account the effects of the three fracture parameters K_I, K_II and T-stress is used for predicting the mixed mode fracture toughness data available in the literature for several types of rock materials tested with the Brazilian disc specimen. It is shown that the generalized maximum tangential stress criterion provides significantly improved predictions for the experimental results.     

叶片涂敷应变依赖性硬涂层的整体叶盘非线性振动特性研究EI北大核心CSCD

利用一种基于应变依赖性硬涂层的整体叶盘阻尼减振方案,研究了叶片涂敷应变依赖性硬涂层的整体叶盘非线性动力学特性。首先,基于离散试验数据与高阶多项式得到了非线性硬涂层的连续力学参数;然后,利用基于改进复模量理论与复合Mindlin板理论的能量有限元法,创建了考虑应变依赖性的硬涂层整体叶盘的非线性动力学模型;其次,基于Newton-Raphson计算方法提出一套非线性迭代计算流程,求解了硬涂层整体叶盘的非线性共振频率与共振响应;最后,选择叶片涂敷NiCoCrAlY+YSZ硬涂层的整体叶盘为研究实例进行数值分析与试验测试,分析了硬涂层及其应变依赖性对整体叶盘振动特性的影响。研究结果表明,整体叶盘在涂敷硬涂层后的振动响应得到有效抑制,而应变依赖性能有效增强硬涂层对整体叶盘的减振效果。     

Steady flow of a micropolar fluid due to a rotating disc

Summary Three-dimensional, axially-symmetric, steady flow of a micropolar fluid, due to a rotating disc, is considered. The resulting equations of motion are solved numerically, for four different combinations of the six parameters involved, using the Gauss-Seidel iterative procedure and Simpson's rule. Results are presented both in tabular and graphical form.