We perform large-scale Monte Carlo simulations of orientational ordering in nematic shells and study the type and position of topological defects when an external electric field (homogeneous or quadrupolar) is applied. The field-induced variation of the defect number (and strength) can be used to change the valence of colloidal particles coated with a nematic layer.

Introduction: Schwannoma, or neurilemmoma, is a benign neoplasm of Schwann cells that is extremely rare in the soft palate. Herein we present a case of a soft palate schwannoma presenting with an ulcerated surface and purplish colour in a 12 year-old girl. This report also introduces a successful surgical technique for coverage of the defect left by surgery.

Defect sinks, such as grain boundaries and phase boundaries, have been widely accepted to improve the irradiation resistance of metallic materials. However, free surface, an ideal defect sink, has received little attention in bulk materials as surface-to-volume ratio is typically low. Here by using in situ Kr ion irradiation technique in a transmission electron microscope, we show that nanoporo...

patients and methods previously recorded data of 231 patients who underwent surgical closure of vsd between january 2009 and january 2012 at the rajaie cardiovascular medical and research center were retrospectively reviewed. vsd surgical repair was performed using continues suturing technique in group a patients (n = 163, 70.6%) and interrupted suturing technique in group b patients (n = 68, 2...

Rail surface defects such as the abrasion, scratch and peeling often cause damages to the train wheels and rail bearings. An efficient and accurate detection of rail defects is of vital importance for the safety of railway transportation. In the past few decades, automatic rail defect detection has been studied; however, most developed methods use optic-imaging techniques to collect the rail su...

Defects and heterogeneities degrade the strength of glass with different surface and subsurface properties. This study uses surface nanostructures to improve the bending strength of glass and investigates the effect of defects on three glass types. Borosilicate and aluminosilicate glasses with a higher defect density than fused silica exhibited 118 and 48 % improvement, respectively, in bending...

Al2O3 films were prepared using electron beam evaporation at room temperature. The samples were irradiated with oxygen plasma under different energy. The variations in average surface defect density and root mean square (RMS) surface roughness were characterized using an optical microscope and an atomic force microscope. Surface average defect density increased after plasma treatment. The RMS s...