OBJECTIVES To evaluate the ability of the expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) cervical sling to improve results of surgery on the aging neck in the short term as well as its ability to achieve long-term cosmesis through its secondary adjustability. DESIGN A retrospective analysis. SETTING A private facial plastic surgery practice. Patients The first 100 consecutive patients who underwe...

An idea of adjustable gain in order to obtain controllable features is very useful for design of tunable oscillators. Several active elements with adjustable properties (current and voltage gain) are discussed in this paper. Three modified oscillator conceptions that are quite simple, directly electronically adjustable, providing independent control of oscillation condition and frequency were d...

This paper provides a theoretical framework for explaining counterintuitive behaviors of a university choosing an unfavorable consequence in the long term while attempting to optimally allocate its resources in the short term. Our analysis demonstrates the process through which conflicting interests among different departments within an institution may lead to an internal allocation arrangement...

A method that identifies the optimal components set, joint designs and corresponding subassembly partitioning for a Body-In-White (BIW) made of the aluminium space frame (ASF) is presented where the structural stiffness, dimensional integrity and components manufacturing / assembly cost are considered as the objectives. The optimization problem is posed as a simultaneous determination of the lo...

This paper provides an overview of speciication and implementation of an ASIC running under the acronym UTCLIENT that supports external clock synchronization by hardware. It incorporates an adder-based clock to maintain local time, facilities to timestamp packets containing synchronization data, interfaces to GPS receivers and provides moderate application support. This novel clock is distingui...

Automated fiber placement (AFP) systems accommodate complex-shaped structures by pressing fibers against the non-planar surfaces of mandrels, in which compaction mechanisms are crucial significance. A conventional mechanism utilizes an independent actuator with compacting rollers to conform surfaces. Compared these mechanisms, underactuated can improve self-adjustability and functionality. This...