[A COMPARISON OF RESULTS BETWEEN HOOK PLATE AND TIGHTROPE FOR ACUTE ACROMIOCLAVICULAR JOINT DISLOCATION].

Purpose the study - despite of this fact that there are different surgical techniques to treat acromioclavicular dislocation and also the surgery remains controversial, the purpose of our study is to compare the results of surgery treatment to acromioclavicular joint dislocation on the condition of surgical method: Hook Plate versus TightRope. Between 2015 and 2019, 30 patients were with acute Rockwood type III-VI acromioclavicular dislocation at the age of 23-54. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the surgical methods (Hook plate: n=15; TightRope: n=15)to compare the functional outcome after using either Hook plate and TightRope stabilization. Patients were evaluated using Constant Score and radiography. Comparing the functional results, were observed some differences between the two groups. According to Constant Score the results were: Hook plate - 78.5, TightRope - 81.4. 14 patients in the hook plate group were reoperated to remove the device, except 1 patient who refused to be reoperated. There was insignificant difference between both groups regarding severity pain. The majority of tightrope group (70%) regained their normal functional activities, whereas only 40% of the hook plate patients did (р<0.001)/ About half (50%) of the tightrope group in comparison with 30% of hook plate group had active forward flexion more than 150° (р<0.01). Both groups showed no significant differences regarding degree of muscle strength, patients' satisfaction, and total outcome. Both operative methods are effective techniques and could be recommended to treat an acute acromioclavicular joint dislocation. Between the two groups are no significant differences. However, TightRope fixation provides a low rate of failure and complications and avoids the need for second surgery to remove the implant.

Effect of Light Intensity on the Free-Radical Photopolymerization Kinetics of 2-Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate: Experiments and Simulations.

The effect of UV light intensity on the kinetics of free-radical polymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) triggered with the phenylbis(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)phosphine oxide (BAPO) photoinitiator was investigated experimentally and theoretically. The temporal evolution of the conversion yield and polymerization rate was followed by Raman spectroscopy. The experimental data were treated with a kinetic model, which takes into account significant diffusion-controlled processes and termination pathways including bimolecular reaction and primary radical termination. This model showed very good agreement with the experiment in a large range of UV light intensities and shed light on the termination process. In particular, it was shown that the primary radical termination is dominant for relatively low light intensities below 1 mW/cm2, when the photoinitiator is weakly consumed during the polymerization process.

Synthesis of organic-inorganic hybrids via a high-pressure-ramp process: the effect of inorganic nanoparticle loading on structural and photochromic properties.

Organic polymerization remains a limiting step in the preparation of organic-inorganic hybrid materials with a strong concentration of the inorganic component. In this work, a high-pressure-ramp process was applied to achieve pHEMA-TiO2 nanoparticulate solids with an unprecedentedly high concentration (12 mol l-1) of the inorganic component, which is four times higher than that obtained after radical polymerization induced thermally or by photons. The inorganic nanoparticles underwent morphological and structural changes with an increase of Ti concentration above 1.5 mol l-1: they slightly coarsen and crystallize into an anatase polymorph. The material possesses a strong photochromic response related to the electron-hole separation at the organic-inorganic interface and can store 1e- per 5 Ti atoms. The electron storage capacity of the titania nanoparticles decreases upon crystallization.

Transport-based model for turbulence-corrupted imagery.

A new model for turbulence-corrupted imagery is proposed based on the theory of optimal mass transport. By describing the relationship between photon density and the phase of the traveling wave, and combining it with a least action principle, the model suggests a new class of methods for approximately recovering the solution of the photon density flow created by a turbulent atmosphere. Both coherent and incoherent imagery are used to validate and compare the model to other methods typically used to describe this type of data. Given its superior performance in describing experimental data, the new model suggests new algorithms for a variety of atmospheric imaging and wave propagation applications.

Imaging through extreme scattering in extended dynamic media.

Critical to navigation, situational awareness, and object identification is the ability to image through turbid water and fog. To date, the longest imaging ranges in such environments rely on active illumination and selection of ballistic photons by means of time gating. Here we show that the imaging range can be extended by using time-gated holography in combination with multi-frame processing. Instead of simply summing the intensity of the frames, we use the complex fields retrieved through digital holographic processing and coherently add the frames. We demonstrate imaging through extended bodies of turbid water and fog at one-way attenuation lengths of 13 and 13.6, respectively. Compared to equivalent traditional time-gated systems, gated holography and coherent processing require 20× less laser illumination power for the same imaging range.

[Biooxidation of gold-bearing sulfide ore and subsequent biological treatment of cyanidation residues].

The percolation biooxidation parameters of ore from the Bakyrchik deposit were studied. An investigation of the technological parameters (such as the concentration of leaching agents, irrigation intensity, and pauses at various stages of the leaching) revealed the optimal mode for precious metal extraction. The stages of the ore processing were biooxidation, gold extraction by cyanidation or thiosulfate leaching, and biological destruction of cyanide. The gold and silver recovery rates by cyanidation were 64.0 and 57.3%, respectively. The gold and silver recovery rates by thiosulfate leaching were 64.0 and 57.3%, respectively. Gold and silver recovery rates from unoxidized ore (control experiment) by cyanidation were 20.9 and 26.8%, respectively. Thiosulfate leaching of unoxidized ore allowed the extraction of 38.8 and 24.2% of the gold and silver, respectively. Cyanidation residues were treated with bacteria of the genus Alcaligenes in order to destruct cyanide.

A New Route for High-Purity Organic Materials: High-Pressure-Ramp-Induced Ultrafast Polymerization of 2-(Hydroxyethyl)Methacrylate.

The synthesis of highly biocompatible polymers is important for modern biotechnologies and medicine. Here, we report a unique process based on a two-step high-pressure ramp (HPR) for the ultrafast and efficient bulk polymerization of 2-(hydroxyethyl)methacrylate (HEMA) at room temperature without photo- and thermal activation or addition of initiator. The HEMA monomers are first activated during the compression step but their reactivity is hindered by the dense glass-like environment. The rapid polymerization occurs in only the second step upon decompression to the liquid state. The conversion yield was found to exceed 90% in the recovered samples. The gel permeation chromatography evidences the overriding role of HEMA2(••) biradicals in the polymerization mechanism. The HPR process extends the application field of HP-induced polymerization, beyond the family of crystallized monomers considered up today. It is also an appealing alternative to typical photo- or thermal activation, allowing the efficient synthesis of highly pure organic materials.

Imaging with multi-spectral mosaic-array cameras.

The emerging class of multi-spectral mosaic-array cameras combines opportunities of spectral data processing and full-motion video color display. We explore capabilities of such sensors and propose the novel demosaicking algorithm capable of enhancing resolution of equally sampled multi-spectral mosaic imagery. We present experimental results of the proposed processing using the imagery acquired with a nine-band short-wave infrared mosaic-array camera.

[Physiological Properties of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans Strains Isolated from Sulfide Ore Deposits in Kazakhstan].

Acidithiobacillus ferroxidans strains were isolated from acidophilic microbial communities of Kazakhstan sulfide ore deposits. Their biotechnologically important properties (optimal and maximal growth temperatures and resistance to NaCl) were determined. While temperature optima of the strains were the same (30-32 degrees C), temperature ranges were different. Thus, strain TFBK oxidized iron very poorly at 37 degrees C, while for strain TFV, the iron oxidation rate at this temperature was insignificantly lower than at lesser temperatures. NaCl inhibited the oxidative activity of both strains. Iron oxidation by strain TFV was inhibited at 5 g/L NaCl and was suppressed almost completely at 20 g/L. Iron oxidation by strain TFBK was inhibited by NaCl to a lesser degree, so that iron oxidation rate was relatively high at 10 g/L, while at 20 g/L NaCl the process was not suppressed completely, although the oxidation rate was low. Sulfur oxidation by these strains was less affected by NaCl than oxidation of ferrous iron. Sulfur oxidation by strain TFV was considerably inhibited only at 20 g/L NaCl, but was not suppressed completely. Sulfur oxidation by strain TFBK was more affected by NaCl. At 10 g/L NaCl the oxidation rate was much lower than at lower NaCl concentrations (sulfate concentrations after 6 days of oxidation at 5 and 10 g/L NaCl were -130 and -100 mM, respectively). While sulfur oxidation by strain TFBK was considerably inhibited at 10 and 20 g/L NaCl, similar to strain TFV it was not suppressed completely. Our results indicate the adaptation of the species A. ferrooxidans to a broad range of growth conditions.

Restoration of images degraded by underwater turbulence using structure tensor oriented image quality (STOIQ) metric.

Recent advances in image processing for atmospheric propagation have provided a foundation for tackling the similar but perhaps more complex problem of underwater imaging, which is impaired by scattering and optical turbulence. As a result of these impairments underwater imagery suffers from excessive noise, blur, and distortion. Underwater turbulence impact on light propagation becomes critical at longer distances as well as near thermocline and mixing layers. In this work, we demonstrate a method for restoration of underwater images that are severely degraded by underwater turbulence. The key element of the approach is derivation of a structure tensor oriented image quality metric, which is subsequently incorporated into a lucky patch image processing framework. The utility of the proposed image quality measure guided by local edge strength and orientation is emphasized by comparing the restoration results to an unsuccessful restoration obtained with equivalent processing utilizing a standard isotropic metric. Advantages of the proposed approach versus three other state-of-the-art image restoration techniques are demonstrated using the data obtained in the laboratory water tank and in a natural environment underwater experiment. Quantitative comparison of the restoration results is performed via structural similarity index measure and normalized mutual information metric.

Laser-assisted high-pressure-induced polymerization of 2-(hydroxyethyl)methacrylate.

We report on a successful room-temperature polymerization of 2-(hydroxyethyl)methacrylate (HEMA) under high pressure. The polymerization is observed in a limited range of pressures 0.1 to 1.6 GPa without the use of any initiator. When the compressed sample is irradiated at 488 or 355 nm by a laser, the polymerization reaction rate is increased by a factor of 10 or 30, respectively. Moreover, the shift of the laser wavelength to the UV improves the polymerization yield of the recovered sample to 84%. The catalysis of the polymerization process by light results from a one-photon-assisted electron transfer to π* antibonding states of the monomer molecule. The observed polymerization is irreversible and almost complete, which makes this synthesis process suitable for applications.

[Biooxidation of a Double-Refractory Gold-Bearing Sulfide Ore Concentrate].

The efficiency of biooxidation for treatment of a double-refractory gold-bearing sulfide ore concentrate from the Bakyrchik deposit (East Kazakhstan) was defined. The experiments were conducted in two different modes, i.e., with the standard liquid medium and the medium imitating the chemical composition of the Bakyrchik deposit groundwater and containing high concentrations of sodium, magnesium, and chloride. The concentrate contained 17.5% of organic carbon, 6% of pyrite and 13% arsenopyrite. Gold content was 57.5 g t@-1@. Direct gold recovery by cyanidation was very low (2.8%). While biooxidation was efficient in both cases (approximately 90% of sulfide sulfur was oxidized), the efficiency of cyanidation was low (39 and 32%, respectively). This fact suggests high efficiency of biooxidation is insufficient for efficient treatment of double-refractory gold-bearing sulfide ore concentrates.

Multi-frame super-resolution algorithm for complex motion patterns.

Multi-frame super-resolution algorithms offer resolution enhancement for sequences of images with sampling limited resolution. However, classical approaches have been constrained by the accuracy of motion estimation while nonlocal approaches that use implicit motion estimation have attained only modest resolution improvement. In this paper, we propose a new multi-frame optical flow based super-resolution algorithm, which provides significant resolution enhancement for image sequences containing complex motion. The algorithm uses the standard camera image formation model and a variational super-resolution formulation with an anisotropic smoothness term adapting to local image structures. The key elements enabling super-resolution of complex motion patterns are the computation of two-way optical flow between the images and use of two corresponding uncertainty measures that approximate the optical flow interpolation error. Using the developed algorithm, we are able to demonstrate super-resolution of images for which optical flow estimation experiences near breakdown, due to the complexity of the motion patterns and the large magnitudes of the displacements. In comparison, we show that for these images some conventional super-resolution approaches fail, while others including nonlocal super-resolution technique produce distortions and provide lower (1-1.8 dB) image quality enhancement compared to the proposed algorithm.

Characteristics of nanostructured ZnO layers deposited in spray plasma device.

ZnO and Al doped ZnO thin film have been deposited on glass substrate by "spray plasma" process using an aqueous solution of Zn(NO3)2. XRD patterns revealed polycrystalline character with the typical hexagonal würtzite structure. The preferential c-axis orientation of crystallites depends highly on the operating conditions. Willamson-Hall method and AFM photographs showed a size of crystallites ranging between 20 and 80 nm and a roughness between 6 and 50 nm. Films exhibit a transmittance between 65 and 90% in the visible region. XPS revealed that the stoichiometry of deposited ZnO is Zn/O = 0.93. Fluorescence spectroscopy showed the presence of two bands at 360 nm (UV) and at 410 nm (Blue). The UV band can be attributed to exiton emission. Another important result concerns the non-existence of a "green" band at 500 nm.

Object level HSI-LIDAR data fusion for automated detection of difficult targets.

Data fusion from disparate sensors significantly improves automated man-made target detection performance compared to that of just an individual sensor. In particular, it can solve hyperspectral imagery (HSI) detection problems pertaining to low-radiance man-made objects and objects in shadows. We present an algorithm that fuses HSI and LIDAR data for automated detection of man-made objects. LIDAR is used to define a set of potential targets based on physical dimensions, and HSI is then used to discriminate between man-made and natural objects. The discrimination technique is a novel HSI detection concept that uses an HSI detection score localization metric capable of distinguishing between wide-area score distributions inherent to natural objects and highly localized score distributions indicative of man-made targets. A typical man-made localization score was found to be around 0.5 compared to natural background typical localization scores being less than 0.1.

TiO(2) doping by hydroxyurea at the nucleation stage: towards a new photocatalyst in the visible spectral range.

We report an original method of preparation of OCN-doped TiO(2) for photocatalysis in the visible spectral range. The preparation is achieved by a sol-gel route using titanium tetraisopropoxide precursor. Special attention was paid to fluid micromixing, which enables homogeneous reaction conditions in the reactor bulk and monodispersity of the produced clusters/nanoparticles. The dopant hydroxyurea (HyU, CH(4)N(2)O(2)) is injected into the reactive fluid at the nucleation stage, which lasts tens of milliseconds. The doping results in a strong yellow coloration of the nanocolloids due to the absorption band in the spectral range 380-550 nm and accelerates the aggregation kinetics of both nuclei at the induction stage and sub-nuclei units (clusters) at the nucleation stage. FTIR, Raman and UV-visible absorption analyses show the formation of a stable HyU-TiO(2) complex. EXAFS spectra indicate no appreciable changes of the first-shell Ti atom environment. The doping agent takes available surface sites of TiO(2) clusters/nanoparticles attaining ∼10% molar loading. The reaction kinetics then accelerates due to a longer collisional lifetime between nanoparticles induced by the formation of a weak [double bond, length as m-dash]OTi bond. The OCN-group bonding to titanium atoms produces a weakening of the C[double bond, length as m-dash]O double bond and a strengthening of the C-N and N-O bonds.

Laser-induced photopatterning of organic-inorganic TiO2-based hybrid materials with tunable interfacial electron transfer.

Hybrid organic-inorganic materials based on TiO(2) gels demonstrate high photosensitivity. Associated with their stable photochromic behavior, these make them suitable for laser-induced photopatterning. We show that the electronic coupling along the extended interface between the inorganic, TiO(2)-based gel, and the organic, poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) networks allows (i) a rapid scavenging of the photo-excited holes by the polymer, (ii) an efficient trapping of the photo-exited electrons as small polarons (Ti(3+)) that develop "dark" absorption continuum covering the spectral range from 350 nm (UV) to 2.5 microm (IR), and (iii) long-term (over months) conservation of trapped charges at high number density. Furthermore, we give the proof that the electron transfer depends on the material microstructure, which can be affected by the material chemistry and processing. Undeniably, a delay between the gelation of the system and the organic polymerization step allows tuning the photochromic responses of the resulting nanocomposites. A comparison is made between the prepared gel-based samples and a reference sample, which is obtained by the organic copolymerization of functional precondensed inorganic building units, titanium oxo-clusters, Ti(16)O(16)(OEt)(24)(OEMA)(8) with hydroxyethyl methacrylate. The experiments show the highest values of quantum yield (12%) and Ti(3+) concentration (1.7 x 10(20) cm(-3) or 14% of titanium atoms) attained in samples where the organic polymerization is induced after gelation. This behavior is explained by a strong coupling between the organic and the inorganic components of the hybrid towards the hole exchange and a poor coupling towards the electron exchange.

Raman study of oriented ZnO thin films deposited by sol-gel method.

ZnO films with preferred orientation along the (0 0 2) plane were successfully deposited by the sol-gel method using Zn(CH3COO)2.2H2O as starting material and inorganic precursor. A homogeneous and stable solution was prepared by dissolving the zinc acetate in a solution of ethanol and monoethanolamine. Thin films are obtained by spin-coating on glass substrates. ZnO films were obtained by preheating the spin-coated films at 300 degrees C for 10 min after each coating and postheating upto 550 degrees C for 2h. The as-deposited films are transformed into mono-oriented ZnO upon thermal treatment. The films consist of spongy particles aggregates with an uniform size and homogenous surface. The films aim to be used in optoelectronic devices. Raman spectroscopy from ZnO films and deposit solutions has been investigated. New Raman results of the deposit solution suggest that Zn-O bond forms first in solution and that these entities play the role of germs initiating the crystallization mechanisms during films annealing. Raman spectra of the annealed films show the presence of a compressive stress within the film structure.

TOMBO sensor with scene-independent superresolution processing.

One approach to flat sensor design is to use a lenslet array to form multiple subimages of a scene and then combine the subimages to recover a fully sampled image by using a superresolution algorithm. Previously, superresolution image assembly has been based on information derived from the observed scene. For lenslet arrays, we propose a new scene-independent approach based only on known imager properties in which relative subimage shifts are accurately estimated with a calibration procedure using point source imaging. Thus, the relative resolution enhancement provided by the scene-independent superresolution algorithm is impervious to changes in subimage content, contrast, sharpness, and noise.

Analysis and application of multiframe superresolution processing for conventional imaging systems and lenslet arrays.

Low-cost compact sensors for ultrasmall systems are a pressing need in many new applications. One potential solution is a shallow aspect ratio system using a lenslet array to form multiple undersampled subimages of a scene on a single focal plane array, where processing techniques then produce an upsampled restored image. We have investigated the optimization and theoretical limits of the performance of such arrays. We have built a hardware simulator and developed algorithms to process imagery similar to that of a full lenslet imaging sensor, which allowed us to quickly test optical components, algorithms, and complete system designs for future lenslet imaging systems.