Light propagation is analyzed in thermally expanded core (TEC) fibers with graded-index profile. Used as power mixers among others, their core structure at the boundary between the heated and non-heated regions is represented by linear taper. Ray optics is used as the transverse taper dimensions are large relative to the wavelength of propagating light. Trajectories of meridian rays are derived...

Assessment of the head-stem taper junction requires the estimation of material loss from the taper surfaces of both femoral head and stem. This paper describes a method for the measurement and analysis of material loss from the modular taper junction of hip replacements, in particular femoral stem tapers where generally the entire taper surface has been engaged. In such cases no direct unengage...

BACKGROUND No documentation in the literature about taper of cast posts. This study was conducted to measure the degree of cast posts taper, and to evaluate its suitability based on the anatomy aspects of the common candidate teeth for post reconstruction. METHODS Working casts for cast posts, prepared using Gates Glidden drills, were collected. Impressions of post spaces were made using poly...

OBJECTIVES Dependence on prescription opioids (PO) is a growing problem. Although most research with buprenorphine has focused on heroin-dependent populations, we hypothesize that individuals dependent on PO display characteristics that may predict different outcomes in treatment, particularly in short-term taper procedures in which comorbidities such as pain conditions may complicate taper. ...

OBJECTIVES An ongoing prospective study to investigate failing metal-on-metal hip prostheses was commenced at our centre in 2008. We report on the results of the analysis of the first consecutive 126 failed mated total hip prostheses from a single manufacturer. METHODS Analysis was carried out using highly accurate coordinate measuring to calculate volumetric and linear rates of the articular...

A modular femoral head-neck junction has practical advantages in total hip replacement. Taper fretting and corrosion have so far been an infrequent cause of revision. The role of design and manufacturing variables continues to be debated. Over the past decade several changes in technology and clinical practice might result in an increase in clinically significant taper fretting and corrosion. T...

This study examines how taper design affects corrosion and fretting at the head trunnion surface. All hip prostheses retrieved between 1999 and 2013 with 28mm/+0 heads were selected, resulting in 44 cobalt-chrome-on-polyethylene implants, representing six taper designs. Mean implantation time: 8.9±3.7years. The femoral head tapers were scored for fretting and corrosion using the Goldberg scale ...

Vertebrate photoreceptors are commonly distinguished based on the shape of their outer segments: those of cones taper, whereas the ones from rods do not. The functional advantages of cone taper, a common occurrence in vertebrate retinas, remain elusive. In this study, we investigate this topic using theoretical analyses aimed at revealing structure-function relationships in photoreceptors. Geom...

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To examine the effects of an opioid taper algorithm on the length of taper, pain levels, withdrawal symptoms, and satisfaction with pain management in hematopoietic progenitor cell transplant (HPCT) recipients and nurse documentation of patient response to taper. DESIGN Quasi-experimental. SETTING A 32-bed HPCT unit in a large tertiary U.S. healthcare center. SAMPLE 106...