Sex-related differences in foot shape

The purpose of the study was to investigate sex-related differences in foot morphology. In total, 847 subjects were scanned using a 3-D-footscanner. Three different analysis methods were used: (1) comparisons were made for absolute foot measures within 250-270 mm foot length (FL); (2) and for averaged measures (% FL) across all sizes; (3) the feet were then classified using a cluster analysis. Within 250-270 mm FL, male feet were wider and higher (mean differences (MD) 1.3-5.9 mm). No relevant sex-related differences could be found in the comparison of averaged measures (MD 0.3-0.6% FL). Foot types were categorised into voluminous, flat-pointed and slender. Shorter feet were more often voluminous, longer feet were more likely to be narrow and flat. However, the definition of 'short' and 'long' was sex-related; thus, allometry of foot measures was different. For shoe design, measures should be derived for each size and sex separately. Different foot types should be considered to account for the variety in foot shape. Improper footwear can cause foot pain and deformity. Therefore, knowledge of sex-related differences in foot measures is important to assist proper shoe fit in both men and women. The present study supplements the field of knowledge within this context with recommendations for the manufacturing of shoes.     

Effectiveness of participatory ergonomic interventions on health outcomes: a systematic review

The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the literature on the effectiveness of participatory ergonomic (PE) interventions for improving workers' health. The search strategy targeted six electronic databases and identified 442 potential articles. Each article was examined by pairs of reviewers for relevance (assessed a participative ergonomic workplace intervention, with at least one health outcome, published in English in peer reviewed literature). Twenty-three articles met relevance criteria and were then appraised for methodological strength. Using a best evidence synthesis approach, 12 studies that were rated as 'medium' or higher provided partial to moderate evidence that PE interventions have a positive impact on: musculoskeletal symptoms, reducing injuries and workers' compensation claims, and a reduction in lost days from work or sickness absence. However, the magnitude of the effect requires more precise definition.     

Shiley saga leads to improved communication

Certain heart valves manufactured by Shiley, Inc., turned out to have increased fracture rates. Alerting doctors and patients to this problem has changed the way FDA expects manufacturers to communicate significant risks with medical devices.     

Antitumor Organometallics. IV. The Mutagenic Potential of Some Diphenylantimony(III) Dithiophosphorus Derivatives

Two diphenylantimony(III) derivatives of dithiophosphorus ligands, i.e. Ph(2)SbS(2)PPh(2) and Ph(2)SbS(2)P(OPr-i)(2), which were previously found to exhibit antitumor properties, have been now investigated for potential mutagenic effects in healthy and Ehrlich ascites tumor-bearing mice. Two short-term tests, i.e. the micronucleus test and the cytogenetic analysis, were used as end-points for mutagenicity. The results are consistent with a mutagenic potential for both organoantimony(III) compounds tested, the effect being higher for the phosphorodithioato derivative.     

Quasi three-dimensional, n-bit optical memory based on the ellipsometric principle: model calculations

Model calculations on the ellipsometric memory are presented. The ellipsometric memory is an n-bit optical memory whose information is extracted by use of the ellipsometric principle. The memory cells of the device consist of thin-film multilayer structures, and the information of each memory cell is contained in the optical properties of the thin films. Several thin-film multilayer structures were examined in order to find out how different choices of layer materials and other system parameters such as layer thicknesses and wavelength affect resolutions and limitations of the ellipsometric memory. Such calculations are also useful for optimizing the readout resolution. It was found that it is possible to use memory cells having up to at least eight layers, which would permit 8-bit words to be stored at each location. It was also found that, in principle, several types of materials can be used as layer materials, and various aspects of different choices of materials are discussed.     

Ring resonator for lasers with annular gain media

A ring resonator for lasers with annular gain media is presented. The resonator consists of two annular mirrors. While the radiation is reflected back and forth between the two annular mirrors, diffraction effects induce an additional azimuthal radiation flux. Output coupling is obtained through a decentered coupling aperture on the circumference of one of the two mirrors. The azimuthal radiation flux permits the extraction of optical power from the whole gain volume through the coupling aperture. The azimuthal radiation flux can revolve in two directions. The associated modes are degenerate, and random jumping between unidirectional and bidirectional operation is observed. Unidirectional operation has been stabilized but remains very sensitive to mirror alignment. High extraction efficiencies have been demonstrated experimentally with this resonator with a diffusion-cooled CO(2) laser and 2 times diffraction-limited beams have been obtained. An empty resonator model that shows the effect of edge diffraction at the coupling aperture on the resonator modes is also given.     

Experimental tests of a novel Raman cell for vacuum ultraviolet generation to below Lyman-α

A novel-type Raman cell especially suitable for the generation of tunable vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) radiation with pump radiation from a frequency-doubled dye laser is described. This hydrogen-filled Raman cell permits the generation of narrow-bandwidth radiation to below 114 nm. Absolute VUV energies in the various anti-Stokes orders and measurements of pulse durations and pressure dependences are given.     

One-dimensional collimation of laser array outputs

We consider a computer-generated hologram for the one-dimensional collimation in x of the output from a linear laser-diode array in y. Our concern is to produce one-dimensional pencil beams from each laser diode with small cross talk between the output from the separate laser diodes. Such outputs can be used in matrix-vector, neural net, and interconnection applications. The efficiency and the design of the computer-generated hologram are detailed, and initial optical laboratory results with an electron-beam recorded computer-generated hologram are presented.