Measurement of head-turn in ocular torticollis

There is a need for a simple and accurate method to measure head-turn in patients who suffer from torticollis secondary to ocular disease. In the technique described here, a fixation object is moved from a point in front of the patient to a point at which the patient's face is straight. The distance that the object is moved is proportional to the amount of head-turn the patient has. With a simple mathematical calculation, the angle of head-turn can be determined, even during a routine clinical evaluation.     

Partitioning to elastic and inelastic processes of the energy deposited by low energy ions in silicon detectors

The energy partitioning into elastic and ionization collisions for low energy ions (<200 keV) slowing down in silicon is important for the prediction of the detection efficiency of silicon detectors and the calculation of the damage induced by such ions in electronic devices. The partition factor calculated using Lindhard’s theory as well as the results extracted from TRIM calculations do not agree with recent experimental data of Funsten et al. for low energy ions. A new partition factor is calculated using Monte Carlo simulations based on a model which splits the inelastic losses into local and nonlocal modes. The calculated factor is in good agreement with existing experimental data and with molecular dynamic calculations. The calculated partition factor is expressed in a form convenient for different applications.     

Line edge roughness detection using deep UV light scatterometry

Line edge roughness (LER) is one of the problems that reported to affect the final fab products and most of the time it occurs in the photo lithography process. The industry requirements call for an in-line nondestructive and very fast measuring tool. We report on a possible in-line integrated metrology solution for alarming when LER has grown out-of a specified range. The solution is based on optical scatterometry combined with new algorithms. Once the integrated metrology tool starts alarming, the operators can initiate a more accurate and time consuming procedure at offline stand alone tools to identify and quantify the problem.Wafers with structures of lines that intentionally contain roughness have been prepared by e-beam process. The structures were characterized both by direct imaging tools (SEM and AFM with high aspect ratio tip) and by a scatterometric method using NovaScan 3090. It is shown that for specific structures, scatterometry can alarm when the nominal roughness is between 7.5 and 10 nm. Further development of the method may lead to even smaller detectable range. Hence it is recommended to use this tool for process alarming by preparing few simple test structures that will be combined in scribe lines (in unused areas within the mask).     

Seismic reflection and transmission coefficients of a single layer sandwiched between two dissimilar poroelastic solids

The seismic reflection and transmission characteristics of a single layer sandwiched between two dissimilar poroelastic solids saturated with two immiscible viscous fluids are investigated. The sandwiched layer is modeled as a porous solid with finite thickness. The propagation of waves is represented with potential functions. The displacements of particles in different phases of the aggregate are defined in terms of these potential functions. Due to the presence of viscosity in pore fluids, the reflected and transmitted waves are inhomogeneous in nature, i.e., with different directions of propagation and attenuation. The closed-form analytical expressions for reflection and transmission coefficients are derived theoretically for appropriate boundary conditions. These expressions are calculated as a non-singular system of linear algebraic equations and depend on the various parameters involved in this non-singular system. Hence, numerical examples are studied to determine the effects of various properties of the sandwich layer on reflection and transmission coefficients. The essential features of layer thickness, incident direction, wave frequency, liquid saturation and capillary pressure of the porous layer on reflection and transmission coefficients are depicted graphically and discussed. The analysis shows that reflection and transmission coefficients are strongly associated with incident direction and various properties of the porous layer.     

Evidence for a sex pheromone in the hide beetle,Dermestes maculatus (De Geer) (Coleoptera: Dermestidae)

Adults of the hide beetle,Dermestes maculatus (De Geer), were shown to have a female-produced sex pheromone which excited males. Male response was positively correlated with increasing age, but females produced a higher level of pheromone at 6–8 days of age than at younger or older ages. Extractable female pheromone and male response varied over the photophase with peak values that occurred during the latter hours. Quantitative bioassay indicated that the 50% male response level (RD₅₀) would be elicited by a pheromone exposure of 0.01 female equivalents (FE). Females extracted 24 hr after mating had a lower level of extractable pheromone than did virgin females of the same age.Mention of a proprietary product does not constitute an endorsement by the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station.     

Effect of Compositional Variation of Gluten Proteins and Rheological Characteristics of Wheat Flour on the Textural Quality of White Salted Noodles

Protein quality parameters of wheat flour, as well as protein content, showed significant relationship with hardness, cohesiveness, springiness, adhesiveness, chewiness, and gumminess of the cooked noodles. A significant positive correlation (0.54) was observed between glutenins and hardness of noodles. Chewiness of the noodles increased with the protein content, sodium dodecyl sulfate sedimentation volume, dough development time, dough stability, and glutenins. Hardness, springiness, cohesiveness, gumminess, and chewiness of the noodles were negatively affected by gliadin to glutenin ratio. Multiple regression analysis depicted significant relationships of the various noodle quality parameters with wheat flour characteristics. The results revealed that the relative composition of the gliadins and glutenins had a considerable effect on the textural profile of noodles indicating their defining contribution on the noodle quality. The resulting information could be useful in predicting the noodle-quality potential of the varieties.     

Effects of certain counselor behaviors on perceived expertness and attractiveness.

Examined the effects and the relative contribution of 3 counselor behaviors (nonverbal behavior, jargon, and attire) on perceived expertness and attractiveness. In a factorial design, 120 undergraduates observed an interview with a counselor performing in 1 of 8 combinations of responsive or unresponsive nonverbal behavior, professional or layman's jargon, and formal or casual attire. Ss rated the perceived expertness and attractiveness of the counselor using the Counselor Rating Form. ANOVAs revealed that all 3 independent variables significantly affected the 2 rated dimensions. Nonverbal behavior accounted for most of the variance and differentially affected ratings of expertness and attractiveness, while jargon and attire were much inferior in their relative contribution to Ss' perceptions. (32 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Anti-Bacterial Effect of Cannabidiol against the Cariogenic Streptococcus mutans Bacterium: An In Vitro Study

Dental caries is caused by biofilm-forming acidogenic bacteria, especially Streptococcus mutans, and is still one of the most prevalent human bacterial diseases. The potential use of cannabidiol (CBD) in anti-bacterial therapies has recently emerged. Here we have studied the anti-bacterial and anti-biofilm activity of CBD against S. mutans. We measured minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration (MBIC). The bacterial growth and changes in pH values were measured in a kinetic study. The biofilm biomass was assessed by Crystal Violet staining and 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) metabolic assay. Spinning Disk Confocal Microscopy (SDCM) was used to assess biofilm structure, bacterial viability and extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) production. CBD inhibited S. mutans planktonic growth and biofilm formation in a dose-dependent manner, with similar MIC and MBIC values (5 µg/mL). CBD prevented the bacteria-mediated reduction in pH values that correlated with bacterial growth inhibition. SDCM showed a decrease of 50-fold in live bacteria and EPS production. CBD significantly reduced the viability of preformed biofilms at 7.5 µg/mL with an 80 ± 3.1% reduction of metabolic activity. At concentrations above 20 µg/mL, there was almost no bacterial recovery in the CBD-treated preformed biofilms even 48 h after drug withdrawal. Notably, precoating of the culture plate surfaces with CBD prior to incubation with bacteria inhibited biofilm development. Additionally, CBD was found to induce membrane hyperpolarization in S. mutans. Thus, CBD affects multiple processes in S. mutans including its cariogenic properties. In conclusion, we show that CBD has a strong inhibitory effect against cariogenic bacteria, suggesting that it is a potential drug adjuvant for reducing oral pathogenic bacterial load as well as protecting against dental caries.     

Photoluminescence of Doped YAG Transparent Ceramics Fabricated by Spark Plasma Sintering

Doped transparent ceramics have potential for a wide range of optical applications derived from their easily controllable fluorescence properties. The aim of this contribution is to present and discuss an effective fabrication method for doped transparent yttrium aluminum garnet ceramics. The powder synthesis route was adapted from common co-precipitation methods and the powder densification was performed by spark plasma sintering. Parameters of the fabrication process were optimized for different lanthanide dopants in order to obtain highly transparent single- and multi-doped ceramics. The photoluminescence properties of the samples were measured and discussed. The use of lithium fluoride as a sintering additive was confirmed to be favorable and post-sintering heat treatments were shown to be necessary for certain dopants. Finally, the photoluminescence lifetime of dopants in a multi-doped sample were measured and the energy transfer efficiency between dopants was determined.