Swelling effects on localized adhesion of an elastic ribbon.

We investigate the adhesion mechanism between an elastic strip of vinylpolysiloxane bent in a racquet-like shape, and a thick elastomeric substrate with the aim to understand how local swelling modifies adhesion. Using a modified loop-tack adhesion test, we place a droplet of silicone oil in between the two materials, vary the dwell time and measure the force required to separate the two interfaces. The experiments are then compared with an analytical model that describes how the critical peel force is modified as the interfacial surface energy changes over time. Our study reveals that in certain circumstances swelling can enhance adhesion. More specifically, strong adhesion is obtained when most of the droplet is absorbed by the solid. By contrast, when the droplet remains at the interface a small adhesive force is measured.

Do the ornamented osteoderms influence the heat conduction through the skin? A finite element analysis in Crocodylomorpha.

In order to assess the implication of the crocodylomorph ornamented osteoderms on the skin conduction during basking, we have performed three dimensional modeling and finite element analyses on a sample which includes both extant dry bones and well-preserved fossils tracing back to the Early Jurassic. In purpose to reveal the possible implication of the superficial ornamentation on the osteoderm heat conduction, we repeated the simulation on an equivalent set of smoothed 3D-modeled osteoderms. The comparison of the results evidenced that the presence of the apical sculpture has no significant impact on the osteoderm global conduction. Furthermore, as we also aimed to assess the influence of the inner bone porosity on the osteoderm conduction, we modified the heat equation parameters so that the 3D-modeled osteoderms successively score the compact and the cancellous bone properties (i.e. mass density, heat capacity, thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity). Finally, we repeated the analyses using the soft-dermis properties which lead to outline that neither the degree of porosity nor the presence of the osteoderms (in itself) significantly modifies the heat conduction through the crocodylomorph skin. Consequently, as hypothesized by previous authors, if the dermal shield happens to be involved into heat capture during basking for crocodylians, this process must mainly rely on a convective effect based on the osteoderm relative degree of vascularization. This last assumption could thus explain why the crocodylians which produce little metabolic heat would carry an entire vascularized osteoderm shield.

Mathematical model for isometric and isotonic muscle contractions.

A new mathematical model is presented to describe both the active and passive mechanics of muscles. In order to account for the active response, a two-layer kinematics that introduces both the visible and rest lengths of the muscle is presented within a rational mechanics framework. The formulation is based on an extended version of the principle of virtual power and the dissipation principle. By using an accurate constitutive description of muscle mobility under activation, details of microscopic processes that lead to muscle contraction are glossed over while macroscopic effects of chemical/electrical stimuli on muscle mechanics are retained. The model predictions are tested with isometric and isotonic experimental data collected from murine extensor digitorum muscle. It is shown that the proposed model captures experimental observations with only three scalar parameters.

The conceptual framework of ontogenetic trajectories: parallel transport allows the recognition and visualization of pure deformation patterns.

Ontogeny is usually studied by analyzing a deformation series spanning over juvenile to adult shapes. In geometric morphometrics, this approach implies applying generalized Procrustes analysis coupled with principal component analysis on multiple individuals or multiple species datasets. The trouble with such a procedure is that it mixes intra- and inter-group variation. While MANCOVA models are relevant statistical/mathematical tools to draw inferences about the similarities of trajectories, if one wants to observe and interpret the morphological deformation alone by filtering inter-group variability, a particular tool, namely parallel transport, is necessary. In the context of ontogenetic trajectories, one should firstly perform separate multivariate regressions between shape and size, using regression predictions to estimate within-group deformations relative to the smallest individuals. These deformations are then applied to a common reference (the mean of per-group smallest individuals). The estimation of deformations can be performed on the Riemannian manifold by using sophisticated connection metrics. Nevertheless, parallel transport can be effectively achieved by estimating deformations in the Euclidean space via ordinary Procrustes analysis. This approach proved very useful in comparing ontogenetic trajectories of species presenting large morphological differences at early developmental stages.

Non-invasive assessment of functional strain lines in the real human left ventricle via speckle tracking echocardiography.

A mechanics-based analysis of data from three-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography is proposed, aimed at investigating deformations in myocardium and at assessing shape and function of distinct strain lines corresponding to the principal strain lines of the cardiac tissue. The analysis is based on the application of a protocol of measurement of the endocardial and epicardial principal strain lines, which was already tested on simulated left ventricles. In contrast with similar studies, it is established that endocardial principal strain lines cannot be identified with any structural fibers, not even along the systolic phase and is suggested that it is due to the capacity of the endocardial surface to contrast the dilation of the left ventricle.

Testing convergent and parallel adaptations in talpids humeral mechanical performance by means of geometric morphometrics and finite element analysis.

The shape and mechanical performance in Talpidae humeri were studied by means of Geometric Morphometrics and Finite Element Analysis, including both extinct and extant taxa. The aim of this study was to test whether the ability to dig, quantified by humerus mechanical performance, was characterized by convergent or parallel adaptations in different clades of complex tunnel digger within Talpidae, that is, Talpinae+Condylura (monophyletic) and some complex tunnel diggers not belonging to this clade. Our results suggest that the pattern underlying Talpidae humerus evolution is evolutionary parallelism. However, this insight changed to true convergence when we tested an alternative phylogeny based on molecular data, with Condylura moved to a more basal phylogenetic position. Shape and performance analyses, as well as specific comparative methods, provided strong evidence that the ability to dig complex tunnels reached a functional optimum in distantly related taxa. This was also confirmed by the lower phenotypic variance in complex tunnel digger taxa, compared to non-complex tunnel diggers. Evolutionary rates of phenotypic change showed a smooth deceleration in correspondence with the most recent common ancestor of the Talpinae+Condylura clade.

Torsion of the human left ventricle: experimental analysis and computational modeling.

We set a twofold investigation: we assess left ventricular (LV) rotation and twist in the human heart through 3D-echocardiographic speckle tracking, and use representative experimental data as benchmark with respect to numerical results obtained by solving our mechanical model of the LV. We aim at new insight into the relationships between myocardial contraction patterns and the overall behavior at the scale of the whole organ. It is concluded that torsional rotation is sensitive to transmural gradients of contractility which is assumed linearly related to action potential duration (APD). Pressure-volume loops and other basic strain measures are not affected by these gradients. Therefore, realistic torsional behavior of human LV may indeed correspond to the electrophysiological and functional differences between endocardial and epicardial cells recently observed in non-failing hearts. Future investigations need now to integrate the mechanical model proposed here with minimal models of human ventricular APD to drive excitation-contraction coupling transmurally.

Elastic energies for nematic elastomers.

We discuss several elastic energies for nematic elastomers and their small strain expansions both in the regime of large director rotations, and in the case that director changes are small. We propose two fully non-linear model anisotropic energies and compare the behavior they predict with the currently available experimental evidence.

An electromechanical model of cardiac tissue: constitutive issues and electrophysiological effects.

We present an electromechanical model of myocardium tissue coupling a modified FitzHugh-Nagumo type system, describing the electrical activity of the excitable media, with finite elasticity, endowed with the capability of describing muscle contractions. The high degree of deformability of the medium makes it mandatory to set the diffusion process in a moving domain, thereby producing a direct influence of the deformation on the electrical activity. Various mechano-electric effects concerning the propagation of cylindrical waves, the rotating spiral waves, and the spiral breakups are discussed.

Critical voltages and blocking stresses in nematic gels : dynamics of director rotation for nematic elastomers under electro-mechanical loads.

We present a model of the dynamics of director rotation in nematic gels under combined electro-mechanical loading. Focusing on a model specimen, we describe the critical voltages that must be exceeded to achieve director reorientation, and the blocking stresses that prevent alignment of the nematic director with the applied electric field. The corresponding phase diagram shows that the dynamic thresholds defined above are different from those predicted on the sole basis of energetics. Multistep loading programs are used to explore the energy landscape of our model specimen, showing the existence of multiple local minima under the same voltage and applied stress. This leads us to conclude that hysteresis should be expected in the electro-mechanical response of nematic gels.

Magnetic resonance imaging of bioabsorbale polylactic acid interference screws during the first 2 years after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Bioabsorbable screws composed of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLA) were used for graft fixation and studied prospectively with serial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans at 8, 16, and 24 months after autogenous patellar tendon anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in 10 patients. Conventional spin echo, proton density, and T2-weighted double echo sequences were obtained, as well as T2-weighted fat-saturated fast spin echo sequences. All but one of the screws (19 of 20) were evident in all serial scans. These showed minimal decrease in size over time. The one screw that had completely disappeared 8 months after reconstruction had cracked during insertion. None of the reconstructed ACL grafts showed clinical instability, persistent effusions, or detectable adverse reactions to the screws. Two patients developed abnormal signal in the tibial tunnel: one developed fluid anterior to the graft, and the other developed increased signal within the graft. The abnormal signal resolved with time in both patients. Other than the preceding changes, no abnormalities were detected on conventional sequences. Fat-saturated fast spin echo sequences showed a variable amount of increased signal around the tunnels, suggesting edema or fibrovascular marrow changes. The changes noted near the tunnels on the fat-suppressed scans most probably represent a general reaction to surgical insult rather than a reaction to the bioabsorbable screws, as similar changes were noted at the patellar harvest site.

Improving the diagnostic accuracy of MR in the detection of infraspinatus tendon injuries.

PURPOSE: Our goal was to determine the accuracy of MRI in the diagnosis of infraspinatus tendon injury and more specifically to determine if the antero-posterior extent of a rotator cuff tear is predictive of infraspinatus tearing. METHOD: The MR images of 41 shoulders with surgically proven supraspinatus tears at surgery were retrospectively reviewed. The following were assessed for each of the 41 studies: the number of oblique coronal images on which a tendon defect could be seen, the angle subtended by the tear on axial images (the rotator cuff "axial angle"), and the extent of signal abnormality on sagittal images. RESULTS: The rotator cuff axial angle was 75.6 degrees in patients with infraspinatus tendon tears (ITTs) versus 40 degrees in those without ITTs, and this difference was significant (p < 0.001, t = 3.06). The mean number of oblique coronal images (obtained with a 4 mm slice and 1 mm gap) showing signal abnormality was 5.4 in the ITT group versus 2.9 in those without ITTs, and this difference was also significant (p < 0.001, t = 4.45). The mean sagittal extent of the tendon abnormality was 24.6 mm in the ITT group and 11.6 mm in those without ITTs, but the difference was not significant (p > 0.05, t = 1.1364). CONCLUSION: The axial angle and the number of oblique coronal images in which signal abnormality was present were significantly related to a higher incidence of infraspinatus tears.

A comparison of MRI and clinical examination of acute lateral ankle sprains.

Because of its excellent soft tissue contrast and ability to demonstrate soft tissue structures, magnetic resonance imaging is ideally suited to the evaluation of the soft tissues surrounding the ankle, including the lateral collateral ligaments. This study was undertaken to compare the clinical evaluation of 15 patients who suffered inversion injuries of the ankle with the results found on magnetic resonance imaging within 48 hours of the injury. Physical examination was found to be 100% accurate in the diagnosis of grade III ligament injuries but only 25% accurate in the diagnosis of grade II injuries. Clinicians most often underestimate the damage with a grade II ligament tear. Furthermore, other associated injuries, such as significant capsule ruptures and tendon damage, were often overlooked at physical examination.

Patterns of contrast enhancement in the pediatric spine at MR imaging with single- and triple-dose gadolinium.

PURPOSE: To assess patterns of nerve root and spinal cord contrast enhancement in the pediatric spine at magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with single- and triple-dose gadolinium. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In three control patients with no suspected pathologic spinal condition and 19 patients with a suspected condition, spinal cords were evaluated prospectively for potential spread of tumor to cerebrospinal fluid ("drop metastases") (n = 18) or Guillain-Barré syndrome (n = 1). After enhancement with 0.1 mmol/kg gadolinium, patients without definite drop metastases (n = 8) received a booster of 0.2 mmol/kg gadolinium 30-40 minutes later; clinical follow-up was obtained 12 1/2 to 19 months later. RESULTS: Drop metastases appeared as nodular areas of enhancement in 11 patients. Vascular enhancement related to the spinal cord surface and emerging nerve roots was observed in images obtained in all control patients, as well as in patients with negative findings at lumbar puncture and at clinical or MR imaging follow-up examination (n = 6). Vascular and nerve root enhancement increased with triple-dose gadolinium and was greater in patients after radiation therapy (n = 17) than in control patients (n = 3). CONCLUSION: Use of triple-dose gadolinium did not result in detection of additional cases of drop metastases.

Conspicuity of tumors of the head and neck on fat-suppressed MR images: T2-weighted fast-spin-echo versus contrast-enhanced T1-weighted conventional spin-echo sequences.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the conspicuity of tumors of the head and neck on MR images acquired with T2-weighted fat-suppressed fast-spin-echo and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted fat-suppressed conventional spin-echo sequences. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The MR images of 29 patients with 36 pathologically proved tumors of the head and neck were retrospectively analyzed. The conspicuity of these tumors was assessed on the T2-weighted sequence (4700/108 [TR/TE]) and on the contrast-enhanced T1-weighted sequence (500/16) with a 1.5-T system. Qualitative tumor-to-background contrast was graded separately against background muscle, fat, and mucosa (0 = not visualized, 1 = poorly visualized, 2 = fairly well visualized, 3 = well visualized), and the best overall sequence was noted for each tumor. Quantitative tumor-to-background ratios were measured for 10 of the tumors by using the same background markers. RESULTS: The mean overall qualitative tumor-to-background contrast grades for the T2-weighted sequence were tumor/muscle = 2.84, tumor/fat = 2.20, and tumor/mucosa = 1.23, and for the contrast-enhanced T1-weighted sequence, they were tumor/muscle = 2.02, tumor/fat = 1.58, and tumor/mucosa = 0.73. Overall, 86% of the tumors were better or equally well visualized on the T2-weighted images. The mean overall quantitative tumor-to-background ratios for the T2-weighted sequence were tumor/muscle = 7.93, tumor/fat = 3.34, and tumor/mucosa = 0.68, and for the contrast-enhanced T1-weighted sequence, they were tumor/muscle = 2.43, tumor/fat = 2.28, and tumor/mucosa = 0.85. CONCLUSION: The T2-weighted fat-suppressed fast-spin-echo sequence offers better contrast between tumors and adjacent muscle, fat, and mucosa than does the contrast-enhanced T1-weighted fat-suppressed spin-echo sequence and thus improves overall tumor conspicuity. In addition, the T2-weighted sequence does not require IV contrast material and can be performed more rapidly than can the contrast-enhanced T1-weighted sequence. The contrast-enhanced T1-weighted sequence may offer complementary information on the precise characterization of complex tumors and on the potential determination of tumor extent.

Magnetic resonance angiography.

Magnetic resonance (MR) angiography is a broad and expanding field. The technology of MR angiograms is evolving to produce higher spatial resolution, faster acquisition times, and reduced artifact. Rather than a straight, linear evolution, this progress is going forward in a number of areas inherent to the MR imaging process. Considerable progress has been demonstrated in such diverse areas as flow-sensitized radiofrequency pulses, reduced background signal with off-resonance pulses, improved vessel depiction with reduced echo times via improved hardware and reconstruction techniques, and improved display with more powerful computer algorithms. This review is a brief survey and comparison of available techniques for the visualization of blood vessels within the human body.

Bone contusions of the knee: increased lesion detection with fast spin-echo MR imaging with spectroscopic fat saturation.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate that T2-weighted fast spin-echo (FSE) imaging with spectroscopic fat saturation (FS-FSE) increases the conspicuity between normal marrow and bone contusions in posttraumatic knees. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-six magnetic resonance (MR) studies of the knee were prospectively evaluated in 73 consecutive patients with knee pain. Conspicuity of regions of microtrabecular trauma (bone contusions) was evaluated with conventional T2-weighted imaging in the sagittal plane, T2-weighted FSE imaging in the coronal plane, T2-weighted FS-FSE imaging in the sagittal plane, and conventional T1-weighted imaging in the sagittal plane. RESULTS: Twenty-six foci of bone contusion were identified in 21 knees with the FS-FSE technique. Only 16 foci were demonstrated with conventional T2-weighted imaging. Six of the sites of bone contusion were not demonstrated with the FSE technique alone (without fat saturation). Four of the bone contusions were not seen on T1-weighted images; these sites of bone contusion were substantially more conspicuous on the FS-FSE images. In addition, FS-FSE imaging was more sensitive in demonstrating the extent of microtrabecular trauma. CONCLUSION: T2-weighted FS-FSE imaging is a sensitive and rapid method of identifying and assessing the extent of microtrabecular trauma about the knee.

Effect of arm rotation on MR imaging of the rotator cuff.

The effect of humeral rotation on the appearance of the rotator cuff tendon in oblique coronal magnetic resonance images was evaluated in 70 such images. Internal rotation produced overlap of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendons with soft-tissue interposition or apparent discontinuity of the tendon in 22 cases, including 14 of 15 shoulders positioned in the first 30 degrees between extreme internal and external rotation. Imaging in internal rotation makes assessment of the tendon difficult and should be avoided.

MR of hemorrhagic acoustic neuromas.

The magnetic resonance (MR) appearance of hemorrhagic acoustic neuromas has not previously been reported. Four patients with surgically proven acoustic neuromas containing spontaneous hemorrhage were preoperatively evaluated with MR imaging. All patients presented with new onset of symptoms and three had subarachnoid hemorrhage. Signal changes on T1- and T2-weighted spin echo sequences were characteristic for acute, subacute and chronic intraparenchymal hemorrhage. Recognition of hemorrhagic changes on MR is important since more rapid surgical intervention is required in this patient subgroup.