Electrical and optical properties in reverse mode polymer stabilized liquid crystal (LC) cells have been investigated. We proposed a light scattering model between LC domains with different domain sizes to describe low driving voltage. The reorientation large small was numerically investigated by fitting the measured relative permittivity of cell as function applied Transmittance considering tw...

BACKGROUND Embryo transfer, a crucial step for achieving pregnancy after in vitro fertilization, is an operator-dependent technique but the number of procedures required for a trainee to reach proficiency is unknown. We set out to evaluate the learning curve (LC) of embryo transfer using a specifically designed statistical tool. METHODS The first embryo transfers performed by five trainees we...

Pharmacokinetics of sildenafil and its metabolite, N-desmethylsildenafil, in humans and rats with liver cirrhosis (LC) and diabetes mellitus (DM), alone and in combination (LCD) did not seem to be reported. Sildenafil was administered intravenously (10 mg/kg) and orally (20 mg/kg) to control, LC, DM, and LCD rats. Expression of intestinal CYP isozymes in those rats was also measured. In LC, DM,...

Since the liver plays a key metabolic role, volatile organic compounds in the exhaled breath might change with type and severity of chronic liver disease (CLD). In this study we analysed breath-prints (BPs) of 65 patients with liver cirrhosis (LC), 39 with non-cirrhotic CLD (NC-CLD) and 56 healthy controls by the e-nose. Distinctive BPs characterized LC, NC-CLD and healthy controls, and, among ...

BACKGROUND Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, in which obvious curves are visible in radiographic images, is also seen in combination with lumps in the back. These lumps contribute to inclination, which can be measured by a scoliometer. To the authors' knowledge, there are no previous formulas combining thoracic and lumbar scoliometer values simultaneously to predict thoracic and lumbar Cobb angl...

PURPOSE To determine photopic and mesopic distance high-contrast visual acuity (HC-VA) and low-contrast visual acuity (LC-VA) in eyes with early age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS Measurements were made in 22 subjects with early AMD and 28 healthy control subjects. Inclusion criteria included a photopic HC-VA of 20/25 or better. Distance VA was measured using HC (96%) and LC (10%...

Accurately modeling the land surface phenology based on satellite data is very important to the study of vegetation ecological dynamics and the related ecosystem process. In this study, we developed a Sigmoid curve (S-curve) function by integrating an asymmetric Gaussian function and a logistic function to fit the leaf area index (LAI) curve. We applied the resulting asymptotic lines and the cu...

BACKGROUND The development of a video assisted thoracic surgery lobectomy (VATS-L) program provides a dedicated surgical team with a recognized learning curve (LC) of 50 procedures. We analyse the results of our program, comparing the LC with subsequent cases. METHODS From June 2012 to March 2015, we performed n = 146 VATS major pulmonary resections: n = 50 (Group A: LC); n = 96 (Group B). Pr...

Objectives. We report the single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) learning experience of 2 hepatobiliary surgeons and the factors that could influence the learning curve of SILC. Methods. Patients who underwent SILC by Surgeons A and B were studied retrospectively. Operating time, conversion rate, reason for conversion, identity of first assistants, and their experience with previou...