The desorption of C12E8 out of an overcrowded interface due to the sudden shrinkage of a pendant bubble in a quiescent surfactant solution is studied. A video-enhanced pendant bubble tensiometry is utilized for the measurement of the relaxation in surface tension due to the desorption of surfactant. The desorption process is found to be diffusive−kinetic mixed controlled. Rate constants of adsorption/desorption are computed by comparing these tension profiles with numerical solutions, which consider both bulk diffusion and kinetic desorption processes. The values of the kinetic rate constants of C12E8 obtained from the desorption experiment are nearly the same as that obtained from the clean adsorption study (Lin, S. Y., et al., Langmuir 1996, 12, 6530). The concept that there exists a shift in controlling mechanism from diffusion control at dilute concentration to mixed diffusion−kinetic control at more elevated bulk concentration for C12E8 is therefore confirmed.

The design of a fitted socket is a fundamental critical issue in ameliorating the disability of an amputee. In this study, an evaluation protocol integrated finite element analysis with the pain-pressure-tolerance (PPT) of soft-tissue, is proposed to provide a quantitative socket design guideline prior to the socket being fabricated. A subject using a Kondylen-Bettung-Münster socket was selected in this study. Two FE models (the original Kondylen-Bettung-Münster and a newly designed total-surface bearing socket) were established based on computer tomography images. The surface-to-surface contact elements were employed to simulate the contact and sliding behaviors at the stump-socket interface. The PPT of the soft-tissue was measured by a hand-held indentor system. Comparing the simulated peak interface pressure with the PPT, both sockets demonstrated a safe margin (PPT / peak interface pressure) greater than two. These large safe margin values were consistent with the subjective assessment, as acceptable, of the amputee on both sockets. To conclude, using a nonlinear contact finite element simulation integrated with the PPT of each individual, it is possible to evaluate the socket fitness prior to the fabrication of the socket. Based on the results, for a fitted socket design the peak interface pressure under single leg standing should be much less than the PPT value. The acceptable range of safe margin value for a fitted socket should further be justified by more subjects.

In this paper, we present static thermal analysis of stress and strain on a thin-film transistor liquid-crystal display (TFT-LCD) panel and their correlation with light leakage phenomena under high-temperature durability test. Three-dimensional (3D) finite element analysis (FEA) is coupled with experimental parameters of key components of the TFT-LCD panel for the analysis. A strong correlation exists between light leakage and retardation difference induced by stress on triacetyl cellulose (TAC) films. Moreover, shrinkage in stretched poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) film and modulus of the adhesive layer are key factors affecting stress distribution and displacement of polarizer stack. An increase in Young's modulus (E) of the adhesive layer effectively reduces polarizer shrinkage and light leakage at the center of the panel. A TAC film with lower Young's modulus and/or coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) is also an effective solution.

The consensus of the normal magnitude of lumbosacral curve has not been achieved. The Cobb's angle cannot depict the whole contour of this curve. For practical applications, a clearer image of these curves and their aging changes should be further investigated. This study aimed to provide a more consolidate concept of normal lumbosacral curves for clinician through a computerized reconstruction method. Standing lateral radiographs of lumbosacral spine in 82 normal adults were used for reconstructing the sagittal lumbosacral curves. The geometric characteristics of these curves according to the gender and age groups were studied. Using standing lateral radiographs, reconstruction of the lumbosacral curves was performed through digitization, programming and computation. These curves and related parameters were normalized and averaged for analyzing the differences of gender and age. The most anteriorward and horizontal vertebrae usually occurred on the L4 and L3 in any gender and age groups. The sacral inclination angle did not change obviously with the increasing ages. A tendency of L1 shifting backward was noted in the age groups of 40 to 60 and above 60 years old. The sagittal lumbosacral curves can be easily reconstructed by digitizing lateral radiographs, The aging changes of lumbosacral curves could be qualitatively described as the flattening of lower lumbar curve and the rearward inclination of upper lumbar curve. The changes occurred obviously above 40 years old. Although individual variations existed, the aging changes and the geometric characteristics such as the most anteriorward or horizontal vertebrae could be used as an important guideline during therapy or surgical correction.