The spina musculi recti lateralis (SMRL) is often visible along the lateral rim of the superior orbital fissure (SOF). Aim of this study is to characterize SMRL morphology and topography relative to ...known bony landmarks.
Orbits from 291 adult dry skulls and from 60 CT scans were analyzed to measure the distance between the SMRL and the SOF or the inferior orbital fissures (IOF) as well as its height, width and orientation. Processes other than SMRLs were also recorded. Fetal skulls were observed for comparison with adult samples.
Forty-one per cent of orbits on dry skulls and 43.3% by CT showed an SMRL. Additional 31.9% of orbits on dry skulls had processes with a different shape. On average, SMRL were orientated almost along the transverse plane and showed implant bases as wide as 141.9° or as narrow as 36.8°. SMRLs were close to the infero-posterior angle of the orbital plate of the sphenoid, 1.21 ± 0.84mm in front of the SOF, 5.8 ± 1.9mm above the IOF and 12 ± 2.3mm from the anterior end of the SOF. They were 1.58 ± 0.64mm high and did not show any age or sex-related prevalence. By CT, the SMRL appeared as the insertion site for the lateral rectus, tendinous ring and, sometimes, inferior rectus.
The SMRL is a process of the sphenoidal orbital plate rather than of the SOF. It is also a reliable landmark for the insertion of the tendinous ring and lateral rectus. Orbital surgeons should be aware of this common variant of the orbital apex.
Abstract
Gravitational wave detectors (GWDs) are designed to detect the elusive signals produced by spacetime ripples, the GWs. The key to improving GWD sensitivity relies on the reduction of the ...thermal noise introduced by the mirrors. The high refractive index component of the high-reflectance mirrors installed in the current generation GWDs, such as Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo, is made of a mixture of ∼27% TiO
2
and ∼73% Ta
2
O
5
. Such a coating plays a fundamental role in the GWD performance. The 27:73 TiO
2
:Ta
2
O
5
ratio ensures high structural, optical, and mechanical performances, which allowed for the first ever detection of GWs, but might not be enough for new generation GWDs. Here, we investigate the potential of TiO
2
:Ta
2
O
5
coatings, in a wider range of Ti/(Ta + Ti) cation ratio. Our research spans over the morphological and structural coating characteristics, and their correlation with optical and mechanical properties. On one hand, we unveil the profound influence of substrate selection and TiO
2
content on the quality of coating morphology. On the other, we pinpoint the effect of TiO
2
content on the structural properties of the coating, as increasing TiO
2
content leads to lower temperature amorphous-to-crystalline transition, and we show that internal strain may arise due to the coexistence of TiO
2
and Ta
2
O
5
crystalline phases. Finally, substrate choice, TiO
2
concentration, and crystallization characteristics emerge as pivotal factors in the pursuit of precision optics.
Gravitational wave detectors (GWDs) are designed to detect the elusive signals produced by spacetime ripples, the GWs. The key to improving GWD sensitivity relies on the reduction of the thermal ...noise introduced by the mirrors. The high refractive index component of the high-reflectance mirrors installed in the current generation GWDs, such as Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo, is made of a mixture of ∼27% TiO$_{2}$ and ∼73% Ta$_{2}$O$_{5}$. Such a coating plays a fundamental role in the GWD performance. The 27:73 TiO$_{2}$:Ta$_{2}$O$_{5}$ ratio ensures high structural, optical, and mechanical performances, which allowed for the first ever detection of GWs, but might not be enough for new generation GWDs. Here, we investigate the potential of TiO$_{2}$:Ta$_{2}$O$_{5}$ coatings, in a wider range of Ti/(Ta + Ti) cation ratio. Our research spans over the morphological and structural coating characteristics, and their correlation with optical and mechanical properties. On one hand, we unveil the profound influence of substrate selection and TiO$_{2}$ content on the quality of coating morphology. On the other, we pinpoint the effect of TiO$_{2}$ content on the structural properties of the coating, as increasing TiO$_{2}$ content leads to lower temperature amorphous-to-crystalline transition, and we show that internal strain may arise due to the coexistence of TiO$_{2}$ and Ta$_{2}$O$_{5}$ crystalline phases. Finally, substrate choice, TiO$_{2}$ concentration, and crystallization characteristics emerge as pivotal factors in the pursuit of precision optics.
Among all transition metal oxides, titanium dioxide (TiO2) is one of the most intensively investigated materials due to its large range of applications, both in the amorphous and crystalline forms. ...We have produced amorphous TiO2 thin films by means of room temperature ion-plasma assisted e-beam deposition, and we have heat-treated the samples to study the onset of crystallization. Herein, we have detailed the earliest stage and the evolution of crystallization, as a function of both the annealing temperature, in the range 250–1000 °C, and the TiO2 thickness, varying between 5 and 200 nm. We have explored the structural and morphological properties of the as grown and heat-treated samples with Atomic Force Microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy, X-ray Diffractometry, and Raman spectroscopy. We have observed an increasing crystallization onset temperature as the film thickness is reduced, as well as remarkable differences in the crystallization evolution, depending on the film thickness. Moreover, we have shown a strong cross-talking among the complementary techniques used displaying that also surface imaging can provide distinctive information on material crystallization. Finally, we have also explored the phonon lifetime as a function of the TiO2 thickness and annealing temperature, both ultimately affecting the degree of crystallinity.
Electrochemically mediated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of N,N‐dimethylacrylamide (DMAA) catalyzed by copper complexes with polydentate amine ligands was studied systematically in ...water, investigating several reaction parameters such as applied potential, catalyst concentration, ligand structure, monomer and initiator concentrations. Electropolymerizations were successfully performed under both potentiostatic and galvanostatic conditions; in both eATRP modes, reactions were fast (monomer conversion >90 % in less than 1 h) and well‐controlled, providing polymers with narrow molecular weight distributions. Despite the low dispersity, chain extension attempts of the obtained polymer were not successful because of partial loss of C−Br chain‐end functionality, due to an intramolecular nucleophilic attack. This is an intrinsic drawback of ATRP of acrylamides and although the electrochemical approach allowed preparation of well‐defined polymers in a very short time (down to ca. 15 min), loss of chain‐end functionality was unavoidable.
Galvanostatic or potentiostatic? Electrochemically mediated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of N,N‐dimethylacrylamide (DMAA) catalyzed by copper complexes with polydentate amine ligands was studied systematically in water, investigating several reaction parameters such as applied potential, catalyst concentration, ligand structure, monomer, and initiator concentrations. Electropolymerizations were successfully performed under both potentiostatic and galvanostatic conditions.
Congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia (CPT) is a rare disorder affecting the skeletal system in pediatric population with an estimated incidence of 1:140,000 to 1:250,000 newborns. It is ...characterized by deformity of the tibia, including anterolateral bowing of the bone diaphysis and/or narrowing of the medullary canal, leading to instability or fracture. CPT can be either idiopathic or associated with underlying conditions such as type 1 neurofibromatosis (NF1), fibrous dysplasia, or Campanacci's osteofibrous dysplasia. Diagnosis is based on clinical and imaging findings, using conventional radiography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The disorder is characterized by recurrent pathological fractures of the tibia or fibula during childhood, often beginning by the age of 2 years. Treatment options include surgical and nonsurgical management.
In recent years, metamaterials have emerged as a crucial technology for designing sub-wavelength thick optical components capable of performing various optical functions. Among the others, these ...nanostructures could be employed to tune the refractive index, making them useful in various fields (from optoelectronic applications to gravitational wave detectors). In this work, nanostratified structures composed of alternating layers of silica (SiO2) and titania (TiO2) were proposed and fabricated using plasma-assisted electron beam deposition. The quality of the deposition was demonstrated using Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM), revealing 38 titania/silica doublets with a total thickness compatible with the nominal one of 125.4 nm. X-ray Reflectivity (XRR) and Spectroscopic Ellipsometry (SE) confirmed that the average thicknesses of the titania and silica layers are in good agreement with the expected nominal values even after annealing at 500 °C. Finally, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) revealed a very flat surface, both in the as-deposited sample and in the thermally processed one.
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•Metamaterials composed of alternating layers of TiO2 and SiO2 are proposed.•These metastructures were fabricated using plasma-assisted electron beam deposition.•The quality of the deposition was demonstrated using STEM (38 TiO2/SiO2 doublets).•AFM revealed a very flat surface in both the deposited and heat-treated sample.•XRR and SE confirmed the nominal thicknesses of TiO2 and SiO2.
To adequately manage oral anticancer agents (OAAs) therapy, appropriate self-care behaviours must be implemented. Informal caregivers could support and contribute to patient self-care. This study ...aimed to explore and describe the caregiver contribution to self-care and their related experience of caring among informal caregivers of patients on OAAs.
Qualitative descriptive design. We conducted semi-structured interviews, which were transcribed, read in depth, and analysed with deductive and inductive content analysis, according to Mayring. Adult informal caregivers (>18 years) of elderly patients (>65 years) with solid malignancies undergoing OAAs therapy for at least 3 months were included.
Twenty-three caregivers were interviewed with mean age of 57,2 (SD ± 15,8). A total of 18 codes from the qualitative content analysis were found, of which ten were referred to caregiver contribution and classified into the three dimensions of self-care maintenance (i.e. behaviours to maintain illness stable), self-care monitoring (i.e., tracking symptoms and side effects), and self-care management (i.e., management of worsening symptoms), according to the Middle Range Theory of Self-Care of Chronic Illnesses. The eight codes on caregiver experience were aggregated into two main themes: negative aspects (i.e., burden, emotional state, self-denial, social isolation) and positive aspects of caregiving.
Healthcare professionals should consider the importance of caregiver role in supporting their loved one treated with OAAs, also taking into account their needs to prevent burdensome situations. A holistic view in which a patient-centred approach is established should be encouraged through the communication and education of the dyad.
•Caregivers contribute to the patient's self-care mainly with actions to keep the disease stable (self-care maintenance).•Caregiver contribution may involve negative outcomes for the caregiver, such as burden, anxiety, or social problems.•Healthcare professionals should consider the importance of caregivers in supporting their loved one, in a dyad perspective.
A new “in situ” sol–gel synthesis procedure was exploited to produce silica/epoxy nanocomposites with 6 wt.% maximum silica content. 3-Aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTS) was used as a coupling agent. ...The experimental results (fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, FTIR, small-angle X-ray scattering, SAXS, transmission electron microscopy, TEM, nuclear magnetic resonance, NMR, and dynamic mechanical analysis, DMA) support that the structure consists of nanosized silica particles (maximum 1.25 nm in size) embedded in a hybrid co-continuous network. A post cure non-isothermal heating from 15 to 100 °C (beyond the Tg of the neat epoxy) caused Tg and storage modulus to increase. The fire behavior, that, owing to severe regulations (i.e., in aerospace engineering), often prevents composites applications, was also studied. The formed silica domains prevented melt dripping phenomena during vertical flame spread tests. Cone calorimetry tests showed a remarkable decrease of the heat release rate (HRR) for all the hybrid systems with respect to the neat cured resin, even at very low silica loadings (i.e., 2 wt.%). This decrease was much more pronounced for the hybrid structures that were not subjected to the post cure thermal treatment. The use of multiple structural investigation techniques allowed to choose among multiple hypothesis and conclude that nanoparticles clustering is the main reason of the effects of the post curing treatments.
SAXS of the samples before (EPO) and after (EPO_t) post cure thermal treatment in the glass transformation range. Effect of the post cure on the glass transformation temperature (Tg) and heat release rate (HRR) Photos of samples EPO and EPO 2%Si after vertical flame spread tests
Highlights
A hybrid co-continuous network embedding nanoparticles (maximum 1.25 nm in size) was obtained;
A post-cure was performed above the glass transformation temperature, T
g
, of neat epoxy;
The post cure makes T
g
, storage modulus and Heat Release Rate (HRR) to increase;
No dripping in flame test and up to 40% HRR reduction for only 2 wt.% silica content is observed;
The post cure effects depend on nanoparticles clustering in the glass transformation range.
The Central Italy earthquake sequence nominally began on 24 August 2016 with a M6.1 event on a normal fault that produced devastating effects in the town of Amatrice and several nearby villages and ...hamlets. A major international response was undertaken to record the effects of this disaster, including surface faulting, ground motions, landslides, and damage patterns to structures. This work targeted the development of high-value case histories useful to future research. Subsequent events in October 2016 exacerbated the damage in previously affected areas and caused damage to new areas in the north, particularly the relatively large town of Norcia. Additional reconnaissance after a M6.5 event on 30 October 2016 documented and mapped several large landslide features and increased damage states for structures in villages and hamlets throughout the region. This paper provides an overview of the reconnaissance activities undertaken to document and map these and other effects, and highlights valuable lessons learned regarding faulting and ground motions, engineering effects, and emergency response to this disaster.
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