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Background: Surgeons tend to associate pseudoparesis with massive rotator cuff tears. However, little is known about the degree to which isolated subscapularis tears might be associated with pseudoparesis of the shoulder. Question/purpose: Is the extent of subscapularis tears associated with pseudoparesis? Methods: A retrospective analysis identified all patients with subscapularis tears from 2010 to 2021 in the longitudinally maintained shoulder arthroscopy archive of one university hospital's shoulder section of the orthopaedic department. After exclusion, 106 of 152 patients with isolated subscapularis tears who underwent arthroscopic surgery were included in the study. Sixty percent of the patients were women, and the mean ± SD age was 52 ± 11 years. Patients who were scheduled for arthroscopic surgery were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of pseudoparesis preoperatively. Pseudoparesis was considered to be active forward elevation > 45º but < 90º, which is a simple and reproducible measurement that can be taken using a goniometer, and demonstrated complete passive forward elevation. Pseudoparesis was present in 41% (43 of 106) of patients with an isolated subscapularis tear. Data on tear severity (according to Lafosse type, noted during arthroscopy), integrity of the subscapularis tendon (noted during arthroscopy), fatty degeneration (using the Goutallier grading system on MRI), arthroscopic findings of biceps disorder, superior labrum anterior to posterior (SLAP) lesions, and pain severity (measured by VAS score) were recorded. We used logistic regression analysis to examine the relationship between pseudoparesis and disruption of the tendinous part of the subscapularis. Results: After accounting for potentially confounding factors such as biceps disorders and muscle atrophy, we found that pseudoparesis was associated with decreased tear severity according to the Lafosse classification (adjusted OR 0.2 [95% CI 0.1 to 0.7]; p = 0.01) and with disruption of the tendinous portion of the subscapularis (adjusted OR 21 [4 to 128]; p = 0.001). Patients with less severe tears (Lafosse type I) have lower odds of experiencing pseudoparesis compared with those with more severe tears (Lafosse types II, III, and IV), and patients with disruption of the tendinous portion of the subscapularis have substantially higher odds of pseudoparesis compared with those with an intact tendinous portion. No association was found between pseudoparesis and subscapularis fatty degeneration, biceps disorder, or SLAP lesions. Conclusion: This study provides initial evidence suggesting that isolated subscapularis tears are associated with pseudoparesis. The main finding of this study is that isolated subscapularis tears that involve the tendon extending to the inferior part of the subscapularis have higher odds of being found with pseudoparesis. These findings highlight the importance of maintaining the integrity of the superior tendinous part of the subscapularis for active forward elevation > 90°. Level of Evidence: Level III, therapeutic study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Computer assisted orthopedic surgery is used to improve precision. Electro‐magnetic tracking has been shown to improve precision in mono‐planar derotational osteotomies. However, studies are lacking to investigate its use in multiplanar osteotomies. For this purpose, 60 complex (derotation and extension) osteotomies were performed in standardized sawbones. Correction amount was randomly planned before the procedures. In 30 bones, the amount of correction was determined intraoperatively using conventional goniometric measurement while in the other 30 bones electro‐magnetic tracking was used to guide the amount of correction. CT‐scans were done before and after the procedures in all bones and the amount of correction was determined to compare the precision of the two techniques. Electromagnetic tracking resulted in a precision of 2.25° ± 1.77° for derotation and 1.38° ± 1.29° for extension, while precision for the conventional method was significantly lower. There was a significant relationship between goniometer measurement deviation and the absolute angle change for derotation and extension measurements with larger deviations for greater angle changes. For the electro‐magnetic tracking, this correlation was observed only for derotation measurement. Electro‐magnetic tracking represents an accurate method to control complex, multiplanar corrective osteotomies with superior precision in comparison to conventional goniometric measurement. Further research is needed to investigate the in‐vivo accuracy and the effects on clinical outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lengthening of the extensor hallucis longus (EHL) is performed to address various forefoot pathologies. The retraction of this tendon is strongly associated with the Hallux Abductus Valgus (HAV) deformity. Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) lengthening of the EHL is carried out in combination with other surgical techniques for HAV bone realignment. It is performed without ischemia, using local anesthesia and sedation if required by the patient. One of the advantages of this technique is immediate ambulation with a postoperative shoe without the need for a cast. The objective of the research was to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of the minimally invasive technique for lengthening the tendon in patients with HAV. Materials and methods: The procedures were performed on 11 fresh cryopreserved cadaveric feet. HAV surgery was performed through dorsomedial and dorsolateral portals for Reverdin-Isham, Akin and adductor tenotomy. In addition, EHL tendon elongation was performed using the Beaver 67 MIS scalpel through an incomplete zigzag tenotomy. The specimens used did not present any type of disease nor had they undergone previous surgeries that could affect the technique. First, the plantar flexion of the metatarsophalangeal joint was measured with a goniometer to establish the degrees of this joint before proceeding with the technique, the tenotomy was performed and remeasured and finally the osteotomy was performed. In addition, an anatomical dissection of cadaveric specimens was performed and various anatomical and surgical relationships were analyzed and measured. Results: The data indicate that, after performing zigzag tenotomy, there is an average improvement of 13.91 degrees in plantar flexion. Conclusions: The study confirms the effectiveness and safety of elongating the extensor hallucis longus tendon of the hallux using minimally invasive surgery. The zigzag technique for tendon elongation may be considered a viable minimally invasive treatment option for addressing tendon hyperextension in patients with HAV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An original procedure is proposed to refine unit cell parameters (UCPs) of single crystals in Bond's scheme. The procedure involves the use of a modern laboratory diffractometer equipped with a 2D detector and a three-circle goniometer. At the first stage, preliminary UCPs, diffraction class, and crystal orientation relative to goniometer axes are determined. Then φ and ω angles are calculated to bring an appropriate (occurrence of a well-resolved doublet, intensity) reflection hkl on the equatorial plane. The measurement in Bond's scheme is carried out at two symmetric positions of the detector ±2θD ≈ 2θhkl. The principal difference from the measurement on a single crystal spectrometer consists in refusing to plot the reflection profile I(ω) and passing to ω-scans with a width of 3-4°, which allows the measurement of the Kα1/Kα2 doublet profile. After its processing by two independent 2D functions, coordinates of the maxima are determined, and then the 4θhkl. Angle is found based on angular sizes of the detector pixel and the difference in the coordinates of X Kα1-component reflections obtained in symmetric positions. In this approach, measurement errors are related to the accuracy of placing the detector in two symmetric positions and the correctness of processing 2D reflection profiles. In the study of reference Si and Ge single crystals in the range of 2θD angles close to 100°, UCP deviations from the theoretical values are found to not exceed 0.0004 Å, and the relative measurement accuracy is 6·10–5. The refinement of UCPs of single crystals grown in the Y2O3–Eu2O3 system by the melt-solution technique indicates the formation of the (Y1–xEux)2O3 solid solution with the x value range of 0.27-0.40. A scheme is proposed to improve the measurement accuracy when the procedure is transferred to the diffractometer with synchrotron radiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laboratory measurements of reflectance spectra of rocks and minerals at multiple viewing geometries are important for interpreting spacecraft data of planetary surfaces. However, efficiently acquiring such measurements is challenging, as it requires a custom goniometer that can accommodate multiple, bulky samples beneath a movable light source and detector. Most spectrogoniometric laboratory work to date has focused on mineral mixtures and particulates, yet it is also critical to characterize natural rock surfaces to understand the influence of texture and alteration. We designed the Three‐Axis N‐sample Automated Goniometer for Evaluating Reflectance (TANAGER) specifically to rapidly acquire spectra of natural rock surfaces across the full scattering hemisphere. TANAGER has its light source and the spectrometer's fiber optic mounted on rotating and tilting arcs, with a rotating azimuth stage and six‐position sample tray, all of which are fully motorized and integrated with a Malvern PanAnalytical ASD FieldSpec4 Hi‐Res reflectance spectrometer. Using well‐characterized color calibration targets, we have validated the accuracy and repeatability of TANAGER spectra. We also confirm that the system introduces no discernible noise or artifacts. All design schematics and control software for TANAGER are open‐source and available for use and modification by the larger scientific community. Plain Language Summary: To interpret spacecraft data sets of planetary surfaces, it is important to have similar data sets of rocks and minerals from Earth for comparison. Reflectance spectroscopy is a common technique in planetary science, and spacecraft make spectral reflectance measurements at multiple viewing geometries (with different positions of the sun relative to the planet's surface); therefore, it is important for laboratory spectral reflectance measurements to use multiple viewing geometries as well. However, such measurements are difficult, as they require custom instrumentation (a "goniometer") to control the angles of the light source and spectrometer detector. Most goniometers are designed for measuring small quantities of grains and particulates, but we have designed a new goniometer specifically for measuring the surfaces of bulky, natural rocks: the Three‐Axis N‐sample Automated Goniometer for Evaluating Reflectance (TANAGER). Using motorized, rotating and tilting arcs, TANAGER allows us to rapidly acquire reflectance spectra for multiple samples across a full range of viewing geometries. We have validated the accuracy and repeatability of TANAGER data, and we confirm that the system introduces no discernible noise or artifacts. All design schematics and control software for TANAGER are open‐source and available for use and modification by the larger scientific community. Key Points: Three‐Axis N‐sample Automated Goniometer for Evaluating Reflectance (TANAGER) is an automated goniometer designed to rapidly acquire reflectance spectra of rock surfaces across the full scattering hemisphereWe validated the accuracy and repeatability of TANAGER spectra and confirm that the system introduces no discernible noise or artifactsTANAGER's design schematics and control software are open‐source and available for use and modification by the scientific community [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frozen shoulder patients complains of pain, as well as a restriction or complete loss of mobility in all directions. The purpose of this pilot study is to find out the short term effects of virtual reality exergaming in frozen shoulder patients. 30 patients underwent virtual reality exergaming and conventional physiotherapy for 40 minutes. The total duration was 3 session in a week. Measurement were obtained at baseline and after one week of intervention. Pain and range of motion were measured using visual analogue scale and universal goniometer. Four goniometric measurements were taken encompassing shoulder flexion, abduction, internal rotation and external rotation. The subjects improved with pain and range of motion after 3 session using virtual reality exergaming and conventional Physiotherapy. In conclusion, the result suggest further investigation is needed using virtual reality exergaming for the longer period as an effective treatment for frozen shoulder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to test the validity and reliability of the KFORCE Sens® (electrogoniometer) in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) patients. Thirtyone volunteers (aged 32-60 years) diagnosed with unilateral CTS were included in this study. Each of the two raters evaluated the participants' wrist range of motion (ROMs) (flexion, extension, radial deviation, and ulnar deviation) twice, for a total of four times, using an electrogoniometer. In addition, wrist ROMs were evaluated once with a universal goniometer. According to the study findings, both the inter-rater and test-retest reliability of the electrogoniometer device in all ROMs of the wrist were excellent (ICC>0.80). In addition, the ROM values of the electrogoniometer device and the ROM values of the universal goniometer in the same joint were highly correlated (r>0.80, p<0.05). The electrogoniometer is a valid, reliable, and practical device for evaluating wrist ROMs in patients with CTS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This pilot study aims to evaluate concurrent validity using the goniometer as a reference tool and test–retest reliability of flexion of metacarpal phalangeal joint (MCP) measurements taken from a finger training device (air-guitar system) in healthy participants. There were ten self -reported asymptomatic participants recruited to test the devices. The measurements of all metacarpophangeal joints of the dominant hands were conducted using a finger goniometer and the air-guitar system. Two measuring sessions were conducted on the same day. The concurrent validity of the air-guitar indicated by strong concordance correlation coefficient (0.62–0.90) with the goniometer and mean difference (approximately 1°) between the two instruments are well below the limit of 5°. The test–retest reliability of MCP measurements from the air-guitar glove (0.82–0.99) was acceptable as a clinically meaningful measurement tool as the intraclass correlation coefficients were higher than 0.7. The standard error of measurement and minimal detectable change of the air-guitar are similar to those of the goniometer. The air-guitar tracking features, when used as a home-based therapy tool, may assist in monitoring change of MCP flexion over a time course with good reliability and strongly associated with the measurements from the goniometer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Space cameras play a pivotal role in various fields, such as astronomical exploration. When operating in orbit, these cameras encounter the relative motion between the target and the camera during the exposure, resulting in image motion, which affects the imaging quality. Therefore, it is necessary to compensate for this image motion. This paper investigates the in-orbit image motion compensation (IMC) method for space cameras with a long integration time based on a two-axis pointing platform. Firstly, the mechanical design of the camera is introduced. Secondly, the in-orbit IMC model for the camera is analyzed, and the angular motion needed for compensating for the image motion by the two-axis pointing platform are derived. Factors influencing the compensation accuracy are also analyzed. The effectiveness of the IMC model is verified through simulations. Finally, the in-orbit experimental results indicate that the energy concentration of the target star images obtained exceeded 70%, demonstrating excellent performance in space cameras and effectively enhancing imaging quality using IMC technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An objective of a total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is to restore native (i.e. healthy) function, and a crucial step is determining the correct insert thickness for each patient. If the insert is too thick, then stiffness results, and if too thin, then instability results. Two methods to determine the insert thickness are by manually assessing the joint laxity and by using a trial insert with goniometric markings that measures the internal-external rotation of the trial with respect to a mark on the femoral component. The former is qualitative and depends on the surgeon's experience and 'feel' and while the latter is quantitative, it can be used only with an insert with medial ball-in-socket conformity. An unexplored method is to measure the force required to push a trial insert into position. To determine whether this method has merit, the push force was measured in 30 patients undergoing unrestricted kinematically aligned TKA using an insert with ball-in-socket medial conformity, a flat lateral surface, and retention of the posterior cruciate ligament. During surgery, the surgeon determined three appropriate thicknesses to test from a selection ranging from 10 mm to 14 mm in 1 mm increments. The peak push forces going from an insert 1 mm thinner than the correct thickness as determined by an insert goniometer and from the correct thickness to 1 mm thicker were measured. Mean peak forces for the different insert thicknesses were 127 ± 104 N, 127 ± 95 N, and 144 ± 96 N for 1 mm thinner, correct, and 1 mm thicker, respectively, and did not differ (p = 0.3210). As a result, measurement of peak force during trial positioning of a tibial insert cannot be used to identify the correct thickness for all insert designs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a goniometer designed for capturing spectral and angular-resolved data from scattering and absorbing media. The experimental apparatus is complemented by a comprehensive Monte Carlo simulation, meticulously replicating the radiative transport processes within the instrument's optical components and simulating scattering and absorption across arbitrary volumes. Consequently, we were able to construct a precise digital replica, or "twin", of the experimental setup. This digital counterpart enabled us to tackle the inverse problem of deducing optical parameters such as absorption and scattering coefficients, along with the scattering anisotropy factor from measurements. We achieved this by fitting Monte Carlo simulations to our goniometric measurements using a Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm. Validation of our approach was performed using polystyrene particles, characterized by Mie scattering, supplemented by a theoretical analysis of algorithmic convergence. Ultimately, we demonstrate strong agreement between optical parameters derived using our novel methodology and those obtained via established measurement protocols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Locomotor intent classification has become a research hotspot due to its importance to the development of assistive robotics and wearable devices. Previous work have achieved impressive performance in classifying steady locomotion states. However, it remains challenging for these methods to attain high accuracy when facing transitions between steady locomotion states. Due to the similarities between the information of the transitions and their adjacent steady states. Furthermore, most of these methods rely solely on data and overlook the objective laws between physical activities, resulting in lower accuracy, particularly when encountering complex locomotion modes such as transitions. To address the existing deficiencies, we propose the locomotion rule embedding long short-term memory (LSTM) network with Attention (LREAL) for human locomotor intent classification, with a particular focus on transitions, using data from fewer sensors (two inertial measurement units and four goniometers). The LREAL network consists of two levels: One responsible for distinguishing between steady states and transitions, and the other for the accurate identification of locomotor intent. Each classifier in these levels is composed of multiple-LSTM layers and an attention mechanism. To introduce real-world motion rules and apply constraints to the network, a prior knowledge was added to the network via a rule-modulating block. The method was tested on the ENABL3S dataset, which contains continuous locomotion date for seven steady and twelve transitions states. Experimental results showed that the LREAL network could recognize locomotor intents with an average accuracy of 99.03% and 96.52% for the steady and transitions states, respectively. It is worth noting that the LREAL network accuracy for transition-state recognition improved by 0.18% compared to other state-of-the-art network, while using data from fewer sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditionally, angle measurements have been performed using a goniometer, but the complex motion of shoulder movement has made these measurements intricate. The angle of rotation of the shoulder is particularly difficult to measure from an upright position because of the complicated base and moving axes. In this study, we attempted to estimate the shoulder joint internal/external rotation angle using the combination of pose estimation artificial intelligence (AI) and a machine learning model. Videos of the right shoulder of 10 healthy volunteers (10 males, mean age 37.7 years, mean height 168.3 cm, mean weight 72.7 kg, mean BMI 25.6) were recorded and processed into 10,608 images. Parameters were created using the coordinates measured from the posture estimation AI, and these were used to train the machine learning model. The measured values from the smartphone's angle device were used as the true values to create a machine learning model. When measuring the parameters at each angle, we compared the performance of the machine learning model using both linear regression and Light GBM. When the pose estimation AI was trained using linear regression, a correlation coefficient of 0.971 was achieved, with a mean absolute error (MAE) of 5.778. When trained with Light GBM, the correlation coefficient was 0.999 and the MAE was 0.945. This method enables the estimation of internal and external rotation angles from a direct-facing position. This approach is considered to be valuable for analyzing motor movements during sports and rehabilitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: The safe zone in total hip replacement was introduced many years ago. Its aim was to provide guidelines for orthopedic surgeons in order to avoid complications such as instability. With the growing interest in spinopelvic alignment, some new insights suggest that the safe zone is an obsolete concept. This study aims to show that, even outside the safe zone, the effect of total hip replacement can be satisfactory. This could be used as preliminary study for an analysis of a larger group. Materials and Methods: Fifty-nine consecutive patients with end-stage osteoarthritis treated by total hip replacement were enrolled into the study and divided into two groups: inside the safe zone and outside the safe zone. A physical examination during postoperative visits was performed; the range of movement was measured using a goniometer; and the HHS and VAS were taken to measure functional outcomes and pain, respectively. An analysis of the radiological outcomes was performed. Results: There was no significant difference in regard to changes in total offset, pain, HHS and other complications. There were no signs of instability among patients during the follow-up. Conclusions: The results of this study show that the "safe zone" is a more complicated term that was previously thought. A proper soft tissue balance and spinopelvic alignment could be factors that change the "safe zone" for each patient and make it more individual. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frontal and axial knee motion can affect the accuracy of the knee extension/flexion motion measurement using a wearable goniometer. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that calibrating the goniometer on an individual's body would reduce errors in knee flexion angle during gait, compared to bench calibration. Ten young adults (23.2 ± 1.3 years) were enrolled. Knee flexion angles during gait were simultaneously assessed using a wearable goniometer sensor and an optical three-dimensional motion analysis system, and the absolute error (AE) between the two methods was calculated. The mean AE across a gait cycle was 2.4° (0.5°) for the on-body calibration, and the AE was acceptable (<5°) throughout a gait cycle (range: 1.5–3.8°). The mean AE for the on-bench calibration was 4.9° (3.4°) (range: 1.9–13.6°). Statistical parametric mapping (SPM) analysis revealed that the AE of the on-body calibration was significantly smaller than that of the on-bench calibration during 67–82% of the gait cycle. The results indicated that the on-body calibration of a goniometer sensor had acceptable and better validity compared to the on-bench calibration, especially for the swing phase of gait. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive resource for shoulder proprioception assessment and its integration into clinical decision making as well as targeted rehabilitation protocols. Data for this review were acquired from peer-reviewed articles from computerized online databases, namely PubMed and Medline, published between 1906 and 2021. The development of digital/smart phone goniometers can improve shoulder joint range of motion (ROM) measurements and demonstrate comparable measurement accuracy to the universal standard goniometer. The inclinometer offers a portable and cost-effective method for measuring shoulder joint angles and arcs of motion in the vertical plane. Two types of dynamometers, the computerized isokinetic machine and the handheld hydraulic dynamometer, are reliable tools for objective shoulder rotator cuff strength assessment. Motion analysis systems are highly advanced modalities that create three-dimensional models of motion arcs using a series of cameras and reflective beads, offering unparalleled precision in shoulder proprioception measurement; however, they require time-consuming calibration and skilled operators. Advancements in wearable devices and compact mobile technology such as iPhone applications may make three-dimensional motion analysis more affordable and practical for outpatient settings in the future. The complex interplay between proprioception and shoulder dysfunction is not fully understood; however, shoulder proprioception can likely both contribute to and be caused by shoulder pathology. In patients with rotator cuff tears, glenohumeral osteoarthritis, and shoulder instability, clinicians can track proprioception to understand a patient's disease progression or response to treatment. Finally, rehabilitation programs targeting shoulder proprioception have shown promising initial results in restoring function and returning athletes to play. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of our novel operation technique that included radial shaft shortening plus supination producing osteotomy and transfer of the biceps brachii tendon to the brachialis tendon in patients with chronic radial head dislocation secondary to brachial plexus birth injury (BPBI). Methods: Fourteen patients with chronic radial head dislocation resulting from BPBI were included in this study, with a minimum 1-year postoperative follow-up period. All patients underwent the same surgical procedure. The range of motion of affected elbow was measured with a standard goniometer. The Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) was used to measure for evaluation of functional result of these patients. The affected elbow radiograph also obtained in the last visit for evaluation of compatibility of the radiocapitellar joint. Results: Fourteen patients (10 males and 4 females) were included in the study. The average age at the time of surgery was 7.2 (5–8) years and average follow-up was 73.2 ± 19 (36–131) months. Although the forearm active–passive pronation decreased, active–passive supination significantly improved postoperatively (p < 0.001). Ten patients had excellent MEPS results (90 and above), two patients with good results (75 and 80), one patient with fair (65) and one patient with poor result (55). Radiocapitellar reduction was achieved in 78.5% (11/14) of the patients. Conclusions: The novel surgical techniques that included radial shaft shortening plus supination producing osteotomy and transfer of the biceps brachii tendon to the brachialis tendon improved the functional outcomes of patients with chronic radial head dislocation secondary to BPBI. Level of Evidence: Level IV (Therapeutic) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Proximal femur analysis plays a vital role in orthopedic surgery, implant design, fracture care, and research. Studying this complex bone helps surgeons select the right implants, plan fracture treatment, and understand bone strength. This growing field improves clinical outcomes and enhances scientific knowledge. Our study analyzes the morphometry of proximal femur, particularly the head and neck, to further explore its implications. Aims and Objectives: To study the morphometric measurements of the proximal end of the femur quantitatively in the South Indian population from the dry femora available in the Department of Anatomy, Government Medical College, Kottayam. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 101 dry femora available in the Department of Anatomy, Government Medical College, Kottayam. The measurements were taken with digital Vernier calipers and a goniometer. All continuous variables were expressed as mean with standard deviation. Statistical differences between the right and left sides were analyzed with Student’s independent sample t-test (for parametric variables) and Mann–Whitney U test (for non-parametric variables). Results: The mean vertical and anteroposterior diameter of the femoral head, superior and inferior length of the femoral head, the anteroposterior and vertical diameter of the femoral neck, superior and inferior lengths of the femoral neck, neck-shaft angle, and intertrochanteric length were 39.61±3.29 mm, 40.17±3.14 mm, 33.01±3.6 mm, 23.88±4.32 mm, 24.22±3 mm, 29.59±3 mm, 21.75±3.81 mm, 32.03±5.58 mm, 124.11±6.37, 60.31±7.33 mm, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in the mean of neck anteroposterior diameter and neck-shaft angle between the right and left sides where the left side had the higher value. Conclusion: Notable skeletal metric variations exist amidst different populations. Proximal femoral dimensions can be acquired through either manual means or radiological information. These measurements can be used in designing orthopedic implants for the South Indian population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For two-axis electro-optical measurement equipment, there are many error sources in parts manufacturing, assembly, sensors, calibration, and so on, which cause some random errors in the final measurement results of the target. In order to eliminate the random measurement error as much as possible and improve the measurement accuracy, an active compensation technique for target measurement error is proposed in this paper. Firstly, the error formation mechanism and error transfer model establishment of the two-axis electro-optical measurement equipment were studied, and based on that, three error compensation and correction methods were proposed: the least square (LS)-based error compensation method, adaptive Kalman filter(AKF)-based error correction method, and radial basis function neural network (RBFNN)-based error compensation method. According to the theoretical analysis and numerical simulation comparison, the proposed RBFNN-based error compensation method was identified as the optimal error compensation method, which can approximate the random error space surface more precisely, so that a more accurate error compensation value can be obtained, and in order to improve the measurement accuracy with higher precision. Finally, the experimental results proved that the proposed active compensation technology was valid in engineering applicability and could efficiently enhance the measurement accuracy of the two-axis electro-optical measurement equipment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Diagnostic accuracy is one of the key considerations of telemedicine usage in orthopedic surgery. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal patient positioning to achieve accurate and reliable visual estimation of the knee joint range of motion over a digital platform for telemedicine. Methods: A single volunteer was recruited to perform a total of 120 discrete and random knee range of motion angles in three patient positions: sitting, standing and supine. The patient image was broadcast over a digital platform to six raters. The raters recorded their visual estimation of each discrete knee flexion angle independently. After each discrete knee flexion angle, a physical goniometer was used to obtain the actual flexion angle of the knee. Results: A total of 120 discrete measurements (40 measurements in the sitting, standing, and supine positions each) were recorded by each of the six raters. The supine position resulted in the highest intraclass correlation of 0.97 (95% confidence interval: 0.98, 0.99). All three patient positions achieved low absolute difference between the goniometer and the raters with 5.6 degrees (95% limits of agreement: −21.0, 9.8) in sitting, 2.7 degrees (95% limits of agreement: −10.1, 15.4), and 1.2 degrees (95% limits of agreement: −9.8, 12.3) in the supine position. The supine position had the highest accuracy and reliability. Discussion: Visual estimation of the knee joint range of motion over telemedicine is clinically accurate and reliable. Patients should be assessed in a supine position to obtain the highest accuracy and reliability for visual estimation of the knee joint range of motion during telemedicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrophobic coatings have attracted much attention due to their wide applications in various industries including electronics, textiles, and automotive. This study deals with the process of creating nanoscale coatings on a substrate achieved by plasma polymerization using plasma flow (jet) using radiofrequency discharge together with the precursor c6h18osi2 and the carrier gas Ar. In this work, we investigate the production of hydrophobic coatings using radiofrequency (RF) discharge at atmospheric pressure using a mixture of argon (Ar) and hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO). RF discharge is a versatile and efficient method of plasma generation that allows the deposition of thin films with defined properties. Here we investigate the influence of process parameters such as gas flow rate, discharge power, and substrate temperature on the morphology, chemistry, and hydrophobicity of the deposited coatings. The formation of these coatings was carefully studied under atmospheric pressure conditions, varying the number of cycles of experiments while maintaining optimal plasma parameters. The properties and elemental composition of the coatings were thoroughly studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDS). In addition, the obtained coatings were found to possess hydrophobic properties. The hydrophobicity of these coatings was evaluated by measuring the contact angle with a goniometer with respect to cycles of experiments and long-term durability. This study contributes to a better understanding of the synthesis, structure, and hydrophobic characteristics of nanoscale coatings, opening promising perspectives for various applications. The results show that the hydrophobicity of the coatings can be optimized by tuning the process parameters, resulting in coatings with water contact angles greater than 160 degrees. Additionally, the durability and stability of the hydrophobic coatings are evaluated under different environmental conditions, allowing an assessment of their potential for practical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Madelung deformity consists of excessive ulnar and palmar angulation of the distal radius. It may also involve the radiocapitellar joint and the sagittal bow of the radius. Commonly, the disease becomes clinically apparent in young adolescents with wrist deformity, pain and limited range of movement. There are multiple options for operative treatment. We retrospectively assessed a 14-year-old-girl treated in our department. The patient required treatment due to exacerbating pain in both wrists. The left hand underwent resection of the distal ulna; however, persistent pain led to the decision to perform the radiolunate arthrodesis (RL). The right hand was treated according to the Sauvé-Kapandji procedure. Three years post-surgery, the patient was called for a follow-up examination. The assessment included measuring the range of motion using a goniometer, grip strength with a dynamometer, and evaluating follow-up wrist X-rays in lateral and posteroanterior views. The patient has also been evaluated using the Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaires. Three years post-operation, the patient reported the absence of rest pain and occasional pain during loading. With the Sauvé-Kapandji procedure, a greater range of palmar flexion of the wrist and improved strength was achieved. The patient scored 5.83 points on the DASH scale, 9.5 points on the left hand, and 8.5 points on the right hand on the PRWE scale. In this patient’s case, better outcomes were achieved by employing the Sauvé-Kapandji procedure. The patient’s right-handedness may have influenced the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents a redesign of the custom disc-on-disc-type tribometer intended for the experimental characterization of the friction and wear of automotive dry clutch friction lining. The redesign is aimed at expanding the operating range at which the machine is not sensitive to shudder vibrations. This is achieved through a set of hardware and software upgrade measures. First, the natural frequency of the normal load-generation linear axis of the machine is increased by enlarging its bending stiffness and reducing the suspended mass. The former is realized by replacing the single, two-axial force/torque piezoelectric sensor with a set of three three-axial piezoelectric force sensors, adding a set of stiff linear guides, and reducing the lengths of the cantilevers of lateral forces acting on the linear axis guide system. The latter is accomplished by reducing the overall dimensions of the cooling disc and redesigning the thermal insulation components. The shudder sensitivity resistance is further reduced through individual normal force-readings-based adjustment of parallelism between friction contact surfaces and the increase in the stiffness of eccentrically positioned water-cooling pipes. Finally, the stability of the coefficient of friction and, consequently, the wear process are boosted by adjusting the control routines to minimize the circumferential and/or radial temperature gradients. These adjustments include the introduction of a clutch lock-up interval at the end of the clutch closing cycle, a minimum cooling delay inserted between two closing cycles, and maximum normal force demand of the clutch torque controller. The performance gain of the upgraded tribometer is demonstrated through a study of the dry clutch friction plate static wear experimental characterization for a wide range of operating conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Neck dissection (ND) operations are performed to treat known metastatic neck illness. These operations have been associated with chronic neck and shoulder problems. In patients who have had a ND, adhesive capsulitis (AC) is one of the causes of shoulder dysfunction. Methods. Forty patients with AC following modified radical neck dissection (MRND) surgeries were chosen at random and divided into two groups of equal size. The low-level laser therapy (LLLT) group (group A) received LLLT with: wavelength - 830 nm, output - 50 mw, maximum frequency - 5000 Hz, pulse duration - 50 ns, and average dose - 9 J/cm2 for 20 min, plus traditional physical therapy (mobilisation technique, myofascial release, range of motion (ROM), and strengthening exercises) for 30 min. The proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) group (group B) received PNF for 25-30 min in addition to traditional physical therapy. The treatment period was 3 times each week and lasted for eight weeks. The discomfort in the shoulder was measured using the visual analogue scale (VAS). Shoulder impairment and pain were assessed by the SPADI scale and the shoulder ranges of motion were assessed using the universal goniometer technique. All measures were taken before and after the intervention. Results. The findings reveal that there was a significant enhancement in all variables in both groups A and B after therapy compared to before the treatment (p < 0.001). After therapy, there were no obvious changes in the VAS and SPADI values among the groups (p > 0.05). However, statistical analysis showed significant improvement in the PNF group (group B) in shoulder flexion, abduction and external rotation in comparison to that of the LLLT group (group A) after treatment (p < 0.001). Conclusions. PNF proved to be more effective than LLLT in increasing ROM but was as effective as LLLT in decreasing shoulder pain and dysfunction in AC post ND surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims The anterior cruciate ligament injury in athletes is associated with disorders related to balance and postural control. Poor balance is a predictor of lower limb injury in athletes. This study aims to investigate the different neuromuscular parameters that affect the static and dynamic balance in adolescent male football players with Dynamic Knee Valgus (DKV). Methods This is a correlational study. Participants were 83 adolescent male football players with DKV (age: 12.63±0.72 years, height: 1.69±0.07 meters, weight: 23.23±7.74 58 kg, BMI: 20.32±2.38 kg/m2), who were selected using a purposive sampling method. The presence of DKV was assessed by the squat test. The strength of the trunk and hip muscles was assessed by manual muscle testing (MMT), trunk endurance by the McGill test, and range of motion (ROM) of hip and ankle joints by a goniometer. Moreover, the static and dynamic balances were evaluated by the Bass Stick test and Y balance test, respectively. The Pearson correlation test was used to examine the relationships at a significance level of 0.05. All statistical operations were performed by SPSS software, version 24. Results The results of the present study showed a significant relationship between static balance and the study parameters (P≤0.05) except for trunk flexion strength (P=0.16) and ROM (P<0.05), hip flexion ROM (P=0.83), hip extension ROM (P=0.96), hip abduction ROM (P=0.77) and ankle dorsiflexion ROM (P=0.94). The dynamic balance at anterior-posterior direction had a significant relationship with trunk endurance and left-side plank (P=0.07) and strength (P=0.05), but not with plank test score (P=0.45). The dynamic Y balance at posteromedial direction had a significant relationship with all variables except for 60° flexion (P=0.40), plank (P=0.53), left-side plank (P=0.09), and trunk extension strength (P=0.23). The results of the study also showed the significant relationship of dynamic balance at posterolateral direction and the total score of Y balance test with total trunk endurance test score (P=0.03, P=0.003) and right-side plank (P=0.005, P=0.001). Moreover, trunk extension strength and hip strength variables had a significant relationship with posterolateral dynamic balance and total Y balance test score (P≤0.05). Furthermore, the ROM of ankle dorsiflexion had a significant relationship with balance at the posteromedial (P=0.03), posterolateral (P=0.02) directions and the total Y balance score (P=0.02). Conclusion Static balance of adolescent male soccer players with DKV has a significant relationship with trunk endurance, trunk strength and thigh strength. There is a significant relationship between dynamic balance and trunk endurance, trunk strength, hip strength, and ankle dorsiflexion ROM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents a simple method of measuring the luminous flux value dedicated to LED light sources. This method uses information about a spatial radiation pattern of the lighting source under test and the results of illuminance measurements at the axis of this source. The method is described and the results of the measurements obtained using this method and the classical method are compared and discussed. Tests have been carried out for LED modules of different geometries. The measurement error of the considered method is analysed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a wide variety of tools and measures for rehabilitation outcomes in post-stroke patients with impairments in the upper limb and hand, such as paralysis, paresis, flaccidity, and spasticity. However, there is a lack of general recommendations for selecting the most appropriate scales, tests, and instruments to objectively evaluate therapy outcomes. Reviews on upper limb and hand measurements reveal that clinicians' choices of tools and methods are highly varied. Some clinicians and medical teams continue to employ non-standard and unverified metrics in their research and measurements. This review article aims to identify the key parameters, assessed by outcome measures and instruments, that play a crucial role in upper limb and hand rehabilitation for post-stroke patients, specifically focusing on the recovery of hand function. The review seeks to assist researchers and medical teams in selecting appropriate outcome measures when evaluating post-stroke patients. We analyze the measured factors and skills found in these outcome measures and highlight useful tools that diversify assessments and enhance result objectivity through graphical representation. The paper also describes trends and new possibilities in hand outcome measures. Clinicians frequently use proven devices, such as EMG, goniometers, and hand dynamometers. Still, there is a growing trend towards incorporating technologies, such as pose and position estimation, using artificial intelligence, or custom hand grip measurement devices. Researchers are increasingly adopting scales previously successful in orthopedic and surgical patients, recognizing their potential for objectivizing outcomes in neurological patients with post-stroke hand complications. The review included only adults over the age of 18. Outcome measures were tested for usefulness in the rehabilitation of stroke patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bridge inspections are critical for maintaining structural integrity and must be inspected on a regular basis to ensure their dependability. Aerial vehicles provide a safer, costefficient, and time-saving method for inspection. However, UAVS (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) are limited from flying near the bridge structure due to their exposed propellers. Using shelled UAVs addressed the collision problem while giving a good visual condition and increasing motion effectiveness. In this study, a shelled UAV system that structural inspectors can use to perform a close visual inspection of the bridge was developed. The newly developed shelled UAV features a passive rotating shell with a two-axis gimbal. This shelled UAV is waterproof, modular, capable of water takeoff and landing, and integrated with a crack detection system. A functional shelled UAV was fabricated, and test flights were successfully conducted. The results of the computational simulations and actual flight tests showed that the shelled UAV is overall safe and effective in terms of its strength-to-weight consideration, drag force, and stability performance. Moreover, crack detection systems and software applications were developed. A curated dataset was also produced for the purpose of training the crack detection system. The U-Net architecture was used as the segmentation model trained on the dataset. The trained model was effective and could predict and segment cracks in the gathered dataset images. The functionality of the Data Acquisition App, Damage Detection App, and Inspection Details App was tested and verified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: In a woman who experienced menopause, there is a decrease in the strength of the muscle due to hormonal changes and because of several changes related to the hormones that occur in the body, it affects the body's BMI which then affects to daily life. Physiotherapy is an effective way of reducing the majority of difficulties while doing daily activities and thereby improving overall health. The study aims to determine how the structured exercise protocol affects a muscle imbalance of hamstrings and quadriceps in postmenopausal obese women. Methodology: This research study was carried out on 50 females who experienced menopause and were between the age group 50-60 years the inclusion criteria were satisfied by them and they were divided into 2 groups randomly. Pre-interventional and post-interventional measurements were taken by Modified Sphygmomanometer, by 90-90 SLR test, Range of knee joints by goniometer also pain was assessed. Group A (the Control group) received the treatment which included hot moist therapy along with hamstrings active stretching, isometric exercises for both hamstrings and quadriceps and quadriceps strengthening and Group B received the treatment which included mulligans technique for hamstrings and for quadriceps muscle, MET technique was used. Both groups received the treatment for 6 weeks. Results: Statistically significant changes (with p-value <0.05) were seen in the pre and post-interventional measurements. But the value of the mean shows more progress in group B compared to group A. Research Conclusion: Both protocols are useful in the treatment of muscle imbalance in quadriceps and hamstrings in postmenopausal obese women but the Structured exercise protocol is more effective than the conventional protocol for muscle imbalance of quadriceps and hamstrings in postmenopausal obese women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The proximal ulna has a complex and unique architectural anatomy, therefore, its fractures are difficult to manage. This paper aimed to evaluate proximal ulnar angulations that contribute to the fixation and restoration of proximal ulna fractures in the Turkish population. Materials and Methods: This study was performed on 107 Turkish adult ulnae (55 right, 52 left) whose age and sex were unknown. The ulnar length (UL), proximal distance of varus angulation (PDVA), and widths at the point of varus angulation were measured with a digital caliper. The proximal ulna torsion angle (PUTA), varus angulation (VA), proximal ulna dorsal angulation (PUDA), articular angle (AA), and olecranon-diaphysis angle (ODA) were measured with a goniometer. The statistical analysis was carried out at the SPSS 21.0 program (IBM Corporation, Armonk, NY, USA). Results: The median UL was 251.97 mm (minimum: 196.84 - maximum: 497.76 mm), median PDVA was 82.7 mm (minimum: 16.21 - maximum: 108.62 mm), mean total width was 15.04±1.84 mm, mean posterior-interosseous width was 13.72±2.37 mm and mean posterior-anterior width was 15.15±1.93 mm. The mean PUTA was 27.10°±9.04°, the median VA was 14° (minimum: 5° - maximum: 23°), the median PUDA was 8° (minimum: -3° - maximum: 20°), the median AA was 25° (minimum: 19° - maximum: 39°), and the mean ODA was 17.39°±5.33°. A moderate negative correlation was detected between the PUDA and ODA (rs= -0.50, p<0.001). Conclusion: The mean proximal ulnar angulations in this study can be beneficial during surgery for the fixation of proximal ulna fractures. This study revealed the correlation between proximal ulnar angulations in the Turkish population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Evaluation of the working postures and development of new techniques are paramount in reducing the awkward postures and occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). The Kinect sensor, a portable and cost-effective device, appears to be a promising alternative to study work postures. OBJECTIVE: The current study aimed to evaluate the validity of Kinect against the gold-standard instrument (electro-goniometers) for body joint angle measurements. METHODS: A unique software application was developed to measure the critical body joint angles for postural evaluation by using the Kinect's skeletal tracking feature. The body joint angle data of ten volunteers were measured simultaneously by both Kinect and electro-goniometers. The validation analysis was conducted in both static and dynamic domains of application. RESULTS: Minimal variation was observed between the two techniques, and the Kinect correlated well for upper-arm joint angles of 45 ∘ , 60 ∘ and 90 ∘ ; lower-arm joint angles of 30 ∘ , 45 ∘ , 60 ∘ , and 90 ∘ ; straight neck position, neck joint angle at maximum possible flexion; straight trunk position, trunk bend angle at full flexion. In dynamic analysis, four out of five ICC values were > 0.75 except for the upper arm. Discrepancies in the results indicated the disapproval of Kinect for only wrist measurements. CONCLUSION: The results of the static and dynamic studies gave a sufficient basis to consider the Kinect tool as an alternative to contemporary posture-based ergonomic evaluation methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The functional capacity of the cervical spine plays a central role in healthy living. The aim of this study was to examine the sex-related effect on cervical strength, range of motion (ROM), and the musculoskeletal pain profile in young physically active individuals. A total of 30 males and 30 females (21.53 ± 1.15 years old), without injury or chronic pain at the cervical joint, participated in the study. ROM (forward flexion, extension, lateral flexion-rotation), maximal isometric strength (forward flexion, extension, lateral flexion), and musculoskeletal pain were assessed using an electronic goniometer, a handheld dynamometer, and the Nordic questionnaire, respectively. The results revealed that: (a) females had higher ROM during extension and lateral flexion than males (p < 0.05); (b) males had higher absolute strength than females in all movement directions, and higher relative strength/body mass (at forward flexion) and flexion/extension ratio (p < 0.05); (c) ROM and strength were not significantly different between right and left sides (p > 0.05); (d) a large proportion (43.3%) of the participants had cervical pain; and (e) cervical strength showed a significant small negative correlation with pains (p < 0.05; r = −0.225 to −0.345). In conclusion, the derived reference values may be used by health and fitness professionals to extensively evaluate the cervical spine and to design specific exercise programs for injury prevention and rehabilitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tor is now using a centralized measurement system called Sbws to measure the bandwidth of relays to guide clients in selecting relays to balance traffic. Sbws has been proven to be vulnerable to multiple attacks because of the centralized structure and exposed measurements. We present SmartMeasurer, a secure and decentralized system for bandwidth measurement. Combining smart contract, Oracle Chainlink and ECC technology, we achieve decentralization while hiding the measurement circuits among the general circuits by exploiting the dual identity of randomly dynamic measurers and guards. We analyze the security of our system and demonstrate that it defends against three types of attacks. Our experiments on both private and public Tor networks show that our system is decentralized while keeping the error and the average of our measurements converges to a small interval of 0.30 Mbps. Compared to other existing methods, our system reduces trust assumptions and the costs of using smart contract, and enhances the practical feasibility of the solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The accuracy of intraoperative control of correction commonly is achieved by K-wires or Schanz-screws in combination with goniometer in de-rotational osteotomies. The purpose of this study is to investigate the accuracy of intraoperative torsional control in de-rotational femoral and tibial osteotomies. It is hypothesized, that intraoperative control by Schanz-screws and goniometer in de-rotational osteotomies around the knee is a safe and well predictable method to control the surgical torsional correction intraoperatively. Methods: 55 consecutive osteotomies around the knee joint were registered, 28 femoral and 27 tibial. The indication for osteotomy was femoral or tibial torsional deformity with the clinical occurrence of patellofemoral maltracking or PFI. Pre- and postoperative torsions were measured according to the method of Waidelich on computed tomography (CT) scan. The scheduled value of torsional correction was defined by the surgeon preoperatively. Intraoperative control of torsional correction was achieved by 5 mm-Schanz-screws and goniometer. The measured values of torsional CT scan were compared to the preoperative defined and intended values and deviation was calculated separately for femoral and tibial osteotomies. Results: The surgeon's intraoperative measured mean value of correction in all osteotomies was 15.2° (SD 4.6; range 10–27), whereas the postoperatively measured mean value on CT scan was 15.6 (6.8; 5.0–28.5). Intraoperatively the femoral mean value measured 17.9° (4.9; 10–27) and 12.4° (1.9; 10–15) for the tibia. Postoperatively the mean value for femoral correction was 19.8 (5.5; 9.0–28.5) and 11.3 (5.0; 5.0–26.0) for tibial correction. When considering a deviation of plus or minus 3° to be acceptable femorally 15 osteotomies (53.6%) and tibially 14 osteotomies (51.9%) fell within these limits. Nine femoral cases (32.1.%) were overcorrected, four cases undercorrected (14.3%). Four tibial cases of overcorrection (14.8%) and 9 tibial cases of undercorrection (33.3%) were observed. However, the observed difference between femur and tibia regarding the distribution of cases between the three groups did not reach significance. Moreover, there was no correlation between the extent of correction and the deviation from the intended result. Conclusion: The use of Schanz-screws and goniometer in de-rotational osteotomies as an intraoperative control of correction is an inaccurate method. Every surgeon performing derotational osteotomies must consider this and include postoperative torsional measurement in his postoperative algorithm until new tools or devices are available to guarantee a better intraoperative accuracy of torsional correction. Study design: Observational study. Level of evidence: III. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was designed as a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) on pain, range of motion, function, muscle strength, and femoral cartilage thickness in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Sixty patients who were admitted between November 2021 and April 2022 and diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis based on anamnesis, physical examination, and imaging methods were included in the study. The patients observed during the research were randomly divided into two groups with 30 patients in each group. Hotpack, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), exercise (5 days a week for a total of 15 sessions), and HILT (analgesic mode with a power of 10.0 w, energy density of 12 j/cm2, and 2 min for every 25 cm2, biostimulant mode with a power of 5.0 W, energy density of 120 j/cm2, and 10 min for each 25 cm2; total 9 sessions 3 days a week) were applied for 3 weeks for the first group, and hot pack, TENS, exercise (5 days a week for a total of 15 sessions), and sham laser treatment (0 W total 9 sessions 3 days a week) was applied for 3 weeks for the second group. The patients were evaluated with the determined scales before the treatment, at the end of the treatment, and at the third month. A goniometer was used to measure joint range of motion measurement, a visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, WOMAC Osteoarthritis Index to assess pain and function, Biodex System 3 isokinetic device for knee flexion–extension muscle strength measurement, and ultrasonography to measure femoral cartilage thickness. There was no statistically significant difference in VAS, range of motion, WOMAC, muscle strength, and femoral cartilage thickness measurement between the groups, whether before treatment, after treatment or at the third-month follow-up (p > 0.05). There was a statistically significant decrease in pain intensity, an increase in flexion range of motion, WOMAC, and femoral cartilage thickness in both groups (p < 0.005). A statistically significant increase was found in the average peak torque flexion muscle strength measurements at isokinetic 60°/s angular velocities in the post-treatment and third-month checkup compared to the pre-treatment analysis in both groups (p < 0.05). In conclusion, there was no statistically significant difference between HILT + exercise and placebo laser + exercise observed. However, the exercise program performed under the supervision of a physiotherapist has been shown to be effective in improving all parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spin coating is used by several industries to apply thin but uniform liquid films to a given substrate. While this method produces very uniform coatings over much of the substrate, near the periphery of the substrate, defects in the coating, sometimes referred to as edge beading, often occur. This paper explores the usage of a two-axis spin coating technology that leads to a more uniform film thickness near the edge of the substrate. By rotating the substrate on an axis parallel to the substrate, centrifugal forces are generated that act both normal and parallel to the substrate. These forces are known as elevated gravity and act to even out any existing coating irregularities and also to drain liquid toward the edge of the substrate. This study investigates the effect of elevated gravity on the coating dynamics of a photoresist liquid film on a circular silicon wafer. Using lubrication theory, we derive a modified evolution equation that includes the effects of elevated gravity. We solve this equation numerically using implicit finite differences. Four layers of a photoresist film are spin coated on 3-inch circular wafers using a two-axes spin technology under various elevated gravity conditions. The thickness of the dried coating layers near the periphery of the substrate is measured using a SEM device. Both the experiments and the simulations show that edge beading defects can be substantially reduced for the 500g elevated gravity case compared to the normal 1g gravity case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contact angle is a physical quantity used to evaluate the interaction between a solid surface and a liquid. However, many research laboratories or educational institutions with budget constraints have limited access to a commercial contact-angle goniometer with a high-resolution imaging system. In this study, we fabricated a custom-made contact angle goniometer with a smartphone and quantified the contact angles of water on various surfaces. We found that the receding contact angles on the surfaces were sensitive to the change in flow rates. The receding angle sharply decreases when the flow rate exceeds 50 µl/min, indicating that accurate flow control is required in contact angle measurements. The dynamic contact angles could also be quantified by the developed goniometer in an extremely low-capillary number regime. The dynamic advancing and receding contact angles on tested surfaces followed the molecular-kinetic theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New techniques for the calibration of single-crystal diffractometers equipped with a 2D detector are proposed to improve the accuracy of measuring the unit cell parameters. According to these methods, reflection profiles are processed using the original SearchXY-2θ program, and the detector position is refined by recording an external reference. Details of the calibration of diffractometers equipped with a three- or four-circle goniometer are discussed. The use of reflections with 2θ ≈ 100° when refining the unit cell parameters of a test InSb single crystal allowed measuring parameter a of the cubic unit cell with a relative error of 7·10–5. The possibilities of the techniques are also demonstrated on the measurements of the a(T) dependence for InSb in the range of 90-490 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contact angle measurements are a widely used method for evaluating surface wettability, but their accessibility is limited by the high cost of commercial goniometers. To address this issue, we developed a low-cost prototype goniometer using locally available materials and a smartphone-based image analysis system to measure contact angles. We validated our approach by comparing its results with those of a standard goniometer for both organic and inorganic materials. For organic samples, the accuracy is greater than 86%, and for inorganic samples, it is greater than 94%. The good agreement between the two methods demonstrates the feasibility of our proposed method for accurate contact angle measurements at a lower cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Substantial advancements in markerless motion capture accuracy exist, but discrepancies persist when measuring joint angles compared to those taken with a goniometer. This study integrates machine learning techniques with markerless motion capture, with an aim to enhance this accuracy. Two artificial intelligence-based libraries—MediaPipe and LightGBM—were employed in executing markerless motion capture and shoulder abduction angle estimation. The motion of ten healthy volunteers was captured using smartphone cameras with right shoulder abduction angles ranging from 10° to 160°. The cameras were set diagonally at 45°, 30°, 15°, 0°, −15°, or −30° relative to the participant situated at a distance of 3 m. To estimate the abduction angle, machine learning models were developed considering the angle data from the goniometer as the ground truth. The model performance was evaluated using the coefficient of determination R2 and mean absolute percentage error, which were 0.988 and 1.539%, respectively, for the trained model. This approach could estimate the shoulder abduction angle, even if the camera was positioned diagonally with respect to the object. Thus, the proposed models can be utilized for the real-time estimation of shoulder motion during rehabilitation or sports motion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Biomechanical studies have shown that flexion contracture leads to higher patellofemoral compressive forces with potentially poorer outcomes. We studied the outcome of primary knee arthroplasty with or without patella resurfacing in patients presenting with postoperative flexion contracture to determine if patella resurfacing improves the outcome. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the registry data at the Singapore General Hospital from 1998-2014. Of 18074 primary knee replacements carried out, 665 knees were identified with postoperative flexion contracture greater than 10 degrees at two years follow-ups, out of which 562 knees were included in the study. One hundred and three patients were lost to follow-up. All infected cases were excluded from the study. Knees with patella resurfaced (n =227) were compared with knees with patella non-resurfaced (n= 335) using the Oxford Knee Score, Knee Society Clinical Scoring System, and SF-36. A hand-held goniometer was used for measurements by an independent assessor and a physiotherapist. Analysis of factors for prognostic importance was performed using R statistics. Results: At two years follow-ups, the non-resurfaced patella group had significantly higher median knee flexion compared to the resurfaced group. Age, male gender, preoperative flexion, and patella resurfacing were found to be significant predictors for knee flexion at two years. Outcome scores did not differ significantly between the two groups. Conclusion: No significant difference in outcome scores was observed in resurfaced versus non-resurfaced patella groups in patients with more than 10 degrees' postoperative flexion contracture after primary knee arthroplasty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The cervical and lumbar spines are the more mobile parts of the spinal column than the thoracic spine. Reference range of motion (ROM) measurements is one of the important clinical outcome measures used in patient assessment and follow-up of treatment efficacy. The aim of this study was to obtain normative values of cervical and lumbar ROM in young adults. Materials and Methods: The sample comprised 300 healthy volunteers (198 female, 102 male, mean age: 21.4±1.9 years, range, 18-29 years). Cervical (C) and lumbar (L) ROM values were measured in three planes with a two-arm digital goniometer according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) criteria. The mean ROM measurements were analyzed according to gender using the Mann-Whitney U test. Results: Cervical ROM values were determined to be: cervical flexion 57.7±8.2º, extension 59.1±10.2º, right-left lateral flexion 42.1±7.9º-41.4±7.7º, and right-left rotation 71.1±10.5º-70.2±9.7º. There was no statistically significant difference between the genders with respect to the cervical ROM (p>0.05). The lumbar ROM values were determined to be lumbar flexion 69.9±14.5º, extension 40±10.2º, right-left lateral flexion 36.3±6.4º-36.2±6.6º, and right-left rotation 38.4±8.7º-38.6±9.4º. The lumbar flexion ROM values were statistically significantly higher in females than in males (p=0.043). Conclusion: The flexion and extension angles of the lumbar spine in the sagittal plane were higher in females than in males, and there was no difference between the genders regarding all the other cervical and lumbar joint ROM values. These goniometrically measured cervical and lumbar ROM values were found to be generally similar to the widely used reference values of AAOS and Kendall McCreary. Further research is needed on the effects of individual differences such as physical activity or inactivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]