Is the French Paradox cementing philosophy superior to the standard cementing? A randomized controlled radiostereometric trial and comparative analysis

Aims Highly polished stems with force-closed design have shown satisfactory clinical results despite being related to relatively high early migration. It has been suggested that the minimal thickness of cement mantles surrounding the femoral stem should be 2 mm to 4 mm to avoid aseptic loosening. The line-to-line cementing technique of the femoral stem, designed to achieve stem press-fit, challenges this opinion. We compared the migration of a highly polished stem with force-closed design by standard and line-to-line cementing to investigate whether differences in early migration of the stems occur in a clinical study. Methods In this single-blind, randomized controlled, clinical radiostereometric analysis (RSA) study, the migration pattern of the cemented Corail hip stem was compared between line-to-line and standard cementing in 48 arthroplasties. The primary outcome measure was femoral stem migration in terms of rotation and translation around and along with the X-, Y-, and Z- axes measured using model-based RSA at three, 12, and 24 months. A linear mixed-effects model was used for statistical analysis. Results Results from mixed model analyses revealed a lower mean retroversion for line-to-line (0.72° (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.38° to 1.07°; p < 0.001), but no significant differences in subsidence between the techniques (-0.15 mm (95% CI -0.53 to 0.227; p = 0.429) at 24 months. Radiolucent lines measuring < 2 mm wide were found in three and five arthroplasties cemented by the standard and line-to-line method, respectively. Conclusion The cemented Corail stem with a force-closed design seems to settle earlier and better with the line-to-line cementing method, although for subsidence the difference was not significant. However, the lower rate of migration into retroversion may reduce the wear and cement deformation, contributing to good long-term fixation and implant survival. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(1):19–26.

PECVD SiNx Thin Films for Protecting Highly Reflective Silver Mirrors: Are They Better Than ALD AlOx Films?

Protection of silver surface from corrosion is an important topic, as this metal is highly susceptible to damage by atomic oxygen, halogenated, acidic and sulfur-containing molecules. Protective coatings need to be efficient at relatively small thicknesses, transparent and must not affect the surface in any detrimental way, during the deposition or over its lifetime. We compare PECVD-deposited SiNx films to efficiency of ALD-deposited AlOx films as protectors of front surface silver mirrors against damage by oxygen plasma. Films of different thickness were deposited at room temperature and exposed to O2 ECR-plasma for various durations. Results were analyzed with optical and SEM microscopy, pulsed GD-OES, spectroscopic ellipsometry and spectrophotometry on reflection. Studies indicate that both films provide protection after certain minimal thickness. While this critical thickness seems to be smaller for SiNx films during short plasma exposures, longer plasma treatment reveals that the local defects in PECVD-deposited films (most likely due to erosion of some regions of the film and pinholes) steadily multiply with time of treatment and lead to slow drop of reflectance of SiNx-protected mirrors, whereas we showed before that ALD-deposited AlOx films reliably protect silver surface during long plasma exposures.

Mechanically reconfigurable multi-functional meta-optics studied at microwave frequencies

Metasurfaces advanced the field of optics by reducing the thickness of optical components and merging multiple functionalities into a single layer device. However, this generally comes with a reduction in performance, especially for multi-functional and broadband applications. Three-dimensional metastructures can provide the necessary degrees of freedom for advanced applications, while maintaining minimal thickness. This work explores mechanically reconfigurable devices that perform focusing, spectral demultiplexing, and polarization sorting based on mechanical configuration. As proof of concept, a rotatable device, a device based on rotating squares, and a shearing-based device are designed with adjoint-based topology optimization, 3D-printed, and measured at microwave frequencies (7.6–11.6 GHz) in an anechoic chamber.

Multistep Incremental Forming beyond 100°

While Incremental Sheet Forming (ISF) is approaching accuracy levels suitable for industrial take-up for specific applications, limited forming angles are still a great concern, leaving many applications out of reach. In this paper a two sided strategy for multistep incremental forming is presented, aiming at increased uniform wall thickness. By sequentially forming steeper wall angles, alternating passes between front and back side of the sheet, wall angles up to 105.5° were successfully reached in AA3103 with a blank thickness of 1.5mm. A resulting minimal thickness of 0.4mm and thickness range of 0.2mm was achieved for the 105.5°part.

Restoring a fractured incisor of a teenager with partial veneer

Since trauma is a common incident that adolescents are faced with, the post-traumatic therapeutic solution presents a challenge for the clinicians .This case report demonstrates how a young patient with minimal extended fracture of incisor was rehabilitated with non-invasive adhesive restoration known as partial veneer or chip with Feld spathic porcelain. Those restorations fit into the anatomy and shape of the teeth perfectly and restore only the fractured part which integrates in tissue economy dynamic. Feldspathic porcelain is the material that best reproduces the characteristics of enamel, in terms of surface properties, modulus of elasticity, resistance to fracture and the reproduction of the optical properties of the dental structure, especially at minimal thickness. In this paper we describe the details of the treatment and the final result which was aesthetic and surpass the patient’s expectation.

Effect of carbon and nitrogen double vacancies on the improved photocatalytic hydrogen evolution over porous carbon nitride nanosheets

Porous carbon nitride nanosheets with carbon and nitrogen double vacancies have been synthesized by soft template-supported one-pot method. Besides a highly defined and unambiguous structure, it also shows minimal thickness...

Исследование механических свойств материалов на основе графена C-=SUB=-62-=/SUB=-H-=SUB=-20-=/SUB=- и полиэтилена (-CH-=SUB=-2-=/SUB=--CH-=SUB=-2-=/SUB=--)-=SUB=-n-=/SUB=-

In the paper, the mechanical properties of the materials based on graphene С62Н20 and polyethylene (-СН2-СН2-)n have been investigated by using semiempirical PM3 method, and the visual models of molecules have been constructed (-СН2-СН2-)n. The calculated values of mechanical parameters show that these materials possess a high elasticity and strength. The orbital energies, potentials of ionization, full energies of electrons, strengths, etc. for given material have been calculated. Opportunity of using these light materials in engineering industry for making of superstrong protective thin coating on car bumpers have been considered. The necessary minimal thickness of protective coating during two cars collision with given mass and speed has been calculated that bumpers do not damage.

Mechanically reconfigurable multi-functional meta-optics studied at microwave frequencies

Metasurfaces advanced the field of optics by reducing the thickness of optical components and merging multiple functionalities into a single layer device. However, this generally comes with a reduction in performance, especially for multi-functional and broadband applications. Three-dimensional metastructures can provide the necessary degrees of freedom for advanced applications, while maintaining minimal thickness. This work explores 3D mechanically reconfigurable devices that perform focusing, spectral demultiplexing, and polarization sorting based on mechanical configuration. As proof of concept, a rotatable device, auxetic device, and a shearing-based device are designed with adjoint-based topology optimization, 3D-printed, and measured at microwave frequencies (7.6-11.6 GHz) in an anechoic chamber.

Investigation into the Flanging Process with Minimal Thickness Variation

In this paper the mechanic of forming the parts is investigated by conducting the experiments, performed using the device for the implementation of the novel method based on flanging process.