PURPOSE Direct visualization of pancreatic ductal tissue is critical for early diagnosis of pancreatic diseases and for guiding therapeutic interventions. A novel, ultrathin (5 Fr) scanning fiber endoscope (SFE) with tip-bending capability has been developed specifically to achieve high resolution imaging as a pancreatoscope during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). This dev...

the spline finite strip method (s.f.s.m.) for buckling analysis of plates and plate assemblies subjected to longitudinal compression and bending, transverse compression as well as shear is described. the method allows for the boundary conditions. local buckling coefficients of plates with different boundary conditions under compression, bending and shear are calculated. convergence studies with...

Neural tube closure is a fundamental embryonic event whose molecular regulation is poorly understood. As mouse neurulation progresses along the spinal axis, there is a shift from midline neural plate bending to dorsolateral bending. Here, we show that midline bending is not essential for spinal closure since, in its absence, the neural tube can close by a 'default' mechanism involving dorsolate...

In order to improve the performance of various flexible electronic devices, the research on the transparent conductive thin films becomes very intensive in the recent years. In this work, we studied mechanical and thermal behaviors of two types of transparent conductive thin films, Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) as an example on polymer conductive thin film, and indium tin oxide (ITO)...

How to understand the erectile function? How to define erectile dysfunction? In general, erectile function is evaluated by the quality of penile erection. If penis shows good erection, we think erectile function is normal. Otherwise, erectile dysfunction occurs. This concept is reflected in the definition of erectile dysfunction (ED). ED is defined as the persistent inability to attain and main...

In the present study, we demonstrate the performance of Zinc oxide thin film transistors (ZnO TFTs) array subjected to the strain under high bending test and the reliability of TFTs was confirmed for the bending fatigue test of 2000 cycles. Initially, ZnO TFTs were fabricated on Si substrate and subsequently transferred on flexible PET substrate using transfer printing process. It was observed ...

Sheet-metal parts typically follow a unidirectional flow in the sheet-metal shop. In the first cutting stage, a large sheet is cut to different unfolded parts with a laser cutting machine. To avoid waste material different parts are combined on a sheet. Next, the 2D parts are transformed to 3D products with air bending. In this bending stage, timeconsuming set-ups between production layouts are...

in this study, the microstructure and properties of foam glass obtained as a result of the interaction of the waste glass with sic as the foaming agent and fe2o3 as the oxidizing agent have been investigated using scanning electron microscopy (sem), as well as three-point bending and pycnometery tests. first, the temperature and optimized amount of sic for making foam glass was determined. the ...

How to understand the erectile function? How to define erectile dysfunction? In general, erectile function is evaluated by the quality of penile erection. If penis shows good erection, we think erectile function is normal. Otherwise, erectile dysfunction occurs. This concept is reflected in the definition of erectile dysfunction (ED). ED is defined as the persistent inability to attain and main...

Hyper-elongated structures and their penetration are widespread among insects, for example, intromittent organs, ovipositors, and piercing-sucking mouthparts. The penetration of thin structures with high aspect ratio without buckling and rupturing is mechanically very challenging. However, this problem is economically solved in nature, and the solutions might be helpful for, for example, in the...