Lorentz Symmetry and High-Energy Neutrino Astronomy

The search of the violation of Lorentz symmetry, or Lorentz violation (LV), is an active research field. The effects of LV are expected to be very small, and special systems are often used to search it. High-energy astrophysical neutrinos offer a unique system to search signatures of LV, due to the three factors: high neutrino energy, long propagation distance, and the presence of quantum mechanical interference. In this brief review, we introduce tests of LV and summarize existing searches of LV, using atmospheric and astrophysical neutrinos.

Extraarticular joint ankylosis: a rare presentation

Pseudoankylosis is a rare condition that causes inability to open the mouth due to condition related to outside of the temporomandibular joint. Most literature refers to this hypomobility disorder, a result of fusion of the zygomatic bone to the coronoid process, and very rarely is insidious coronoid hyperplasia causing mechanical interference with the posterior maxilla has been reported. We present a case of a 45-year-old woman, who presented with coronoid malformation and overgrowth resulting in progressive decrease in mouth opening. She was managed with coronoidectomy, following which good mouth opening was obtained. In this paper we discuss about the diagnosis and management of this rare disorder.

The Use of Ultrasounds in the Preparation of Chemosensory Microstructures

In many fields, the goal is to obtain structures with small dimensions in the order of micro/nanometers. Small-sized systems can have countless applications in various industries such as cosmetology, medicine, and nutrition technology. Many techniques are used to obtain the most miniature possible spheres, such as interference with the composition, use of surfactants, or mechanical interference: rapid mixing, increased pressure, and ultrasound. The use of ultrasound in the development of colloidal systems can be an effective method of reducing the size of particles of dispersed phase and influencing the functions they represent. An important aspect here is the time during which the ultrasound is used. In this work, the influence of ultrasound on the chemosensory properties and size of produced ion-sensitive microspheres was investigated and compared. The chemosensory response of the developed microspheres was studied using spectrophotometry and spectrofluorimetry, while the size of the microsphere optodes was estimated by confocal microscopy.

Electrofusion Stimulation Is an Independent Factor of Chromosome Abnormality in Mice Oocytes Reconstructed via Spindle Transfer

Oocytes reconstructed by spindle transfer (ST) are prone to chromosome abnormality, which is speculated to be caused by mechanical interference or premature activation, the mechanism is controversial. In this study, C57BL/6N oocytes were used as the model, and electrofusion ST was performed under normal conditions, Ca2+ free, and at room temperature, respectively. The effect of enucleation and electrofusion stimulation on MPF activity, spindle morphology, γ-tubulin localization and chromosome arrangement was compared. We found that electrofusion stimulation could induce premature chromosome separation and abnormal spindle morphology and assembly by decreasing the MPF activity, leading to premature activation, and thus resulting in chromosome abnormality in oocytes reconstructed via ST. Electrofusion stimulation was an independent factor of chromosome abnormality in oocytes reconstructed via ST, and was not related to enucleation, fusion status, temperature, or Ca2+. The electrofusion stimulation number should be minimized, with no more than 2 times being appropriate. As the electrofusion stimulation number increased, several typical abnormalities in chromosome arrangement and spindle assembly occurred. Although blastocyst culture could eliminate embryos with chromosomal abnormalities, it would significantly decrease the number of normal embryos and reduce the availability of embryos. The optimum operating condition for electrofusion ST was the 37°C group without Ca2+.

Pragmatic approach to neuraxial anesthesia in obstetric patients with disorders of the vertebral column, spinal cord and neuromuscular system

Neuraxial anesthesia provides optimal labor analgesia and cesarean delivery anesthesia. Obstetric patients with disorders of the vertebral column, spinal cord and neuromuscular system present unique challenges to the anesthesiologist. Potential concerns include mechanical interference, patient injury and the need for imaging. Unfortunately, the existing literature regarding neuraxial anesthesia in these patients is largely limited to case series and rare retrospective studies. The lack of practice guidance may lead to unwarranted fear of patient harm and subsequent avoidance of neuraxial anesthesia for cesarean delivery or neuraxial analgesia for labor, with additional risks of exposure to general anesthesia. In this narrative review, we use available evidence to recommend a framework when considering neuraxial anesthesia for an obstetrical patient with neuraxial pathology.

Two-finger exoskeleton with force feedback for a mobile robot teleoperation

In this work, the design, manufacturing, instrumentation, and application of a two-finger exoskeleton with force feedback are presented. The exoskeleton is based on remote center of motion mechanisms in order to avoid mechanical interference with the user’s fingers and is manufactured by three-dimensional printing. The developed exoskeleton is applied in a mobile robot teleoperation by mapping the finger movements in forward and turning commands for the robot. The presence of obstacles detected by the robot is sensed by the user by means of a feedback force. The problem of simultaneously communicating a data acquisition card and the robot hardware by MATLAB ® Simulink® was solved by using an external Wi-Fi module. The result is a lightweight exoskeleton which is able to communicate bidirectionally with a mobile robot by a personal computer for teleoperation tasks. The success of the system implementation is proven by a set of experiments presented in the final part of the article.

Determination methodology of the subsidence speed of small-dispersed particles of different ranges of storage facilities by visual recording

Was researched a small-dispersed dust from storage facilities in differend ranges. Was carried out acomparative analysis of the subsidence speed of the obtained particle sizes. The laboratory installation was upgraded and was installed the automatic sample dumping, and video recorder with the possibility of enlarging the image and manual focusing. Due to implementation of additional elements in the design of the installation, it was possible to exclude mechanical interference and simplify the design of the equipment. At the same time, it was possible to minimize coverage error during the experiment. The mainaim was to determine the dispersal composition with a recording on video equipment with subsequent processing of the obtained data.

Experimental Investigation of Residual Ultimate Strength of Damaged Metallic Pipelines

The ultimate strength of metallic pipelines will be inevitably affected when they have suffered from structural damage after mechanical interference. The present experiments aim to investigate the residual ultimate bending strength of metallic pipes with structural damage based on large-scale pipe tests. Artificial damage, such as a dent, metal loss, a crack, and combinations thereof, is introduced to the pipe surface in advance. Four-point bending tests are performed to investigate the structural behavior of metallic pipes in terms of bending moment–curvature diagrams, failure modes, bending capacity, and critical bending curvatures. Test results show that the occurrence of structural damage on the pipe compression side reduces the bending capacity significantly. Only a slight effect has been observed for pipes with damage on the tensile side as long as no fracture failure appears. The possible causes that have introduced experimental errors are presented and discussed. The test data obtained in this paper can be used to further quantify damage effects on bending capacity of seamless pipes with similar D/t ratios. The comparison results in this paper can facilitate the structural integrity design as well as the maintenance of damaged pipes when mechanical interference happens during the service life of pipelines.