Two reconstructive techniques for flatfoot deformity comparing contact characteristics of the hindfoot joints

The effect of two different methods of reconstruction of flatfoot deformity and the role of the posterior tibial tendon on the contact characteristics of the hindfoot joints were quantified using pressure-sensitive film. Each of 10 cadaver feet was loaded quasi-statically by an axial compressive force to simulate varying loads. First, a specimen was tested intact, then it was tested after sectioning the spring ligament and loading the specimen cyclically to create one type of flatfoot deformity. It was then tested again after reconstructing the deformity. Reconstructions used were the Dillwyn-Evans procedure (bone graft in osteotomy of the calcaneus) or the calcaneocuboid distraction arthrodesis (CCDA). We found that surgically produced flatfoot deformity altered mainly the talonavicular joint, by decreasing its contact area. The Dillwyn-Evans method had less effect on the talonavicular joint (altering 2 of 6 measured parameters) than the CCDA (3 of 6) and more effect on the anteriomedial facet (altering 3 of 6 parameters) than the CCDA (1 of 6). The Dillwyn-Evans method had more effect on the posterior facet (altering 2 of 6 measured parameters) than the CCDA (1 of 6). Function of the posterior tibial tendon had no effect on contact characteristics of the hindfoot joints after either type of reconstruction. These findings are based on measurements using a quasi-statically-loaded foot model at three selected positions, and results may be different with dynamic loading.     

Ideality and noise figure characteristics of r.f. sputtered millimetre GaAs diodes

Refractory Schottky barriers have been incorporated in millimetre GaAs mixer diodes to improve r.f. performance and burnout resistance. It is shown that low power r.f. sputter deposition of TiW and Ti-Mo refractories results in degradation of noise temperature ratio and to a first approximation does not affect d.c. parameters, especially the ideality factor.     

The effects of ion implantation and pulsed electron beam anneal on Ge films grown epitaxially on ◃100▹ GaAs

Ge films deposited by vacuum deposition at 425?C are generally p-type. This paper discusses the use of pulsed-electron beam annealing and ion implantation to modify the carrier concentration of such films. Electron beam annealing has been used to reduce the carrier concentration by more than a factor of 30 and n-type films have been obtained by phosphorus implantation and subsequent thermal annealing. TEM, RBS and Hall measurements have been used to characterize the films. The electrical properties of the as-grown films are believed to be defect dominated.     

Electrical properties of ferromagnetic Gd3−xS4 near its Curie temperature

Nonstoichiometric $\text{Gd}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>3?</mtext><mtext>x</mtext>}}\text{S}{}_4\text{(0 <}\text{x}\text{<}\text{1}\text{3}\text{)}$, which exhibits a metallic behavior, was obtained by heating an insulating Gd₂S₃ at various temperatures under a vacuum. Electrical and magnetic properties of the samples obtained have been investigated from 4.2 K to 300 K. A maximum in resistivity was observed in the curve of resistivity vs. temperature. The temperature T_P, at which the maximum emerged, was very close to the Curie temperature T_C for the sample. An increase in resistivity at T_P, Δ_?, is proportional to ?_P exp ($\text{E}\text{k}{}_{\mathrm{B}}\text{T}{}_{\mathrm{P}}$), where ?_P is the resistivity obtained by the extrapolation from the linear portion to T_P in the ? vs. T curve. Using the relationship obtained, a model based on the formation of magnetic polaron was proposed for this system.     

Antioxidant action of a lipophilic nitroxyl radical,cyclohexane-1-spiro-2′-(4′-oxyimidazolidine-1′-oxyl)-5′-spiro-1″-cyclohexane,against lipid peroxidation under hypoxic conditions

Nitroxyl radicals are known to act as radical scavenging antioxidants. In the present study, a lipophilic nitroxyl radical, cyclohexane-1-spiro-2′-(4′-oxyimidazolidine-1′-oxyl)-5′-spiro-1″-cyclohexane (nitroxyl radical I) was synthesized and its antioxidant capacity was assessed in comparison with a hydrophilic nitroxyl radical, 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl (Tempol). Both nitroxyl radical I and Tempol inhibited methyl linoleate oxidation induced by free radicals, and the efficacy increased with decreasing partial pressure of oxygen, the effect being more pronounced for nitroxyl radical I than Tempol. Their hydroxylamines inhibited lipid peroxidation more effectively than their corresponding parent nitroxyl radicals. In liposomal membranes, a synergistic effect was observed in the combination of nitroxyl radical I with ascorbic acid, whereas only an additive effect was observed between Tempol and ascorbic acid. The present study suggests that nitroxyl radical I and its hydroxylamine may act as potent antioxidants, especially in combination with ascorbic acid under hypoxic conditions.     

Factors associated with distressing electronic harassment and cyberbullying

Electronic harassment and cyberbullying can take various forms and involve a range of perpetrators. This study utilised survey results from 1673 New Zealand students aged 12–19 years to explore electronic harassment on the internet and mobile phones and the distress associated with it. Overall, a third of participants reported electronic harassment in the prior year, with half (53.7%) rating it as distressing. Specific hypotheses and findings were that: mobile phone harassment would be more common and distressing than internet harassment, this was supported with 7% more participants reporting mobile phone harassment and 5.5% more reporting distress from it compared to internet harassment; females would report more harassment than males, this was supported for mobile phone harassment as females’ odds of harassment was approximately twice that of males (however the hypothesis did not hold for internet harassment); females would report more distress from harassment, this was supported for both internet and mobile phone harassment, with females’ odds of distress approximately twice as high as males; that some forms and perpetrators would be associated with more distress than others, again this was supported with the most distressing form of mobile phone harassment being direct verbal aggression and for harassment on the internet being rumour spreading. The study also found a preponderance of harassment from school peers. As predicted there were multiple interactions between the harassment forms and perpetrators and gender. These results highlight important differences in how harassment is delivered and experienced across the mobile phone and internet modalities. The findings point to the need to explicitly consider mobile phone harassment, as well as better ways to tailor interventions to address distressing harassment. Schools are well placed to address electronic harassment alongside other bullying interventions.     

The Effects of P-Poisoning of CexZr1−xO2 on the Transient Oxygen Storage and Release Kinetics

The present work reports on the investigation of the effects of chemical poisoning of Ce_xZr_1?xO₂ solids by phosphorous (P) on the kinetics of oxygen storage and release (OSR) of the thus derived P-contaminated solids, as a function of Ce_xZr_1?xO₂ solid composition (x = 0.3, 0.5 and 0.7) for the first time. Phosphorous deposition on the surface of Ce_xZr_1?xO₂ particles followed by calcination in air at 850 °C forms nano-crystals of CePO₄, which lead to a drastic decrease in the population of surface and subsurface reactive and mobile oxygen species due to the formation of P–O–Ce bonding. The concentration (μmol/g) of exchangeable ¹⁶O in the solid with ¹⁸O from the gas phase was found to increase, and the degree of reduction in the Oxygen Storage Capacity (OSC) to decrease with increasing Ce content in the Ce_xZr_1?xO₂ solid after P-poisoning. The increase in the Ce content of Ce_xZr_1?xO₂ makes its OSR properties more resistant against P-poisoning due to the increasing number of poison-free Ce atoms, which are able to participate in the Ce³⁺ ? Ce⁴⁺ redox cycle.     

The control of major accident hazards: the land-use planning issue.

Land-Use Planning with respect to major accident hazards constitutes one of the new requirements of the 'Seveso II Directive'. The paper discusses the rationale and the requirements set by the Directive for the operators of the plants and the planning authorities to take into account the major accident hazards in the land-use planning procedure. Then, the paper focuses on approaches and criteria applied in the European Union, and gives information on procedures in other countries, wherever available. The approaches analysed are grouped into three broad categories, namely, establishing 'generic distances', 'consequence based', and 'risk based'. Finally, two illustrative examples facilitate understanding and comparison of the analysed approaches.     

Prebiotic potential of barley derived β-glucan at low intake levels: A randomised,double-blinded,placebo-controlled clinical study

This randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical study aimed to evaluate the in vivo prebiotic potential of barley β-glucan. Fifty-two healthy volunteers aged 39–70 years were randomly assigned to consume daily a cake containing 0.75 g of barley β-glucan or a placebo for 30 d. Stool samples were collected before, during and 2 weeks after the intervention for bacterial enumeration. Gastrointestinal side effects were recorded during the treatment period. In older subjects (?50 years old), barley β-glucan induced a strong bifidogenic effect and an increase of bifidobacteria into traceable range in cases of no detectable baseline levels. A concurrent significant increase in bacteroides was also observed in this age group. Ingestion of the experimental food resulted in no undesirable gastrointestinal side effects in older subjects. We concluded that the daily intake of a cake containing barley β-glucan is well-tolerated and demonstrated significant bifidogenic properties in older healthy volunteers consuming their usual diets.