Photo-polymerization kinetics of a dental resin at a high temporal resolution.

Objectives: This study: 1) aims to measure with high temporal resolution the intrinsic rate of the degree of conversion (DC) of a dental resin-based composite (RBC) photo-cured at two irradiances; 2) aims to determine the transition time at which the DC rate is maximum; 3) used two different irradiances to measure the shift in transition time; 4) aims to compare transition times measured using DC and shrinkage strain.

Methods: Samples (n = 20) 1 mm thick by 10 mm diameter of Filtek One bulk-fill restorative A2 shade (3M Oral Care) were photocured for 20 s with a single emission peak (wavelength centered at 455 nm) light-emitting-diode-based light-curing unit at irradiance levels of 890 mW/cm and 209 mW/cm, and initial sample temperature of T = 23 °C. The DC was measured in real-time using Attenuated Total Reflection (ATR) FTIR spectroscopy with a sampling rate of 13 DC data points per second.

Real-time intracochlear imaging of automated cochlear implant insertions in whole decalcified cadaver cochleas using ultrasound.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the feasibility of combining high-frequency ultrasound imaging, automated insertion, and force sensing to yield more information about cochlear implant insertion dynamics.

Methods: An apparatus was developed combining these aspects along with software to control implant and imaging probe positions. Decalcified unfixed human cochleas were implanted at various speeds, insertion sites, and implant models while imaging near the implant tip throughout insertion and recording force data from the cochlea mounting stage.

Transmission of a novel sonotubometry acoustic click stimulus in healthy and patulous eustachian tube subjects: a retrospective case -control study.

Background: Eustachian tube (ET) dysfunction can be very difficult to diagnose accurately. Our aim is to determine whether a newly developed sonotubometric test using clicks can reliably detect ET opening during swallowing in normal ET subjects, and patulous ET (PET) in subjects with ET dysfunction.

Methods: Sixteen subjects (19 normal ET ears and 6 PET ears) were individually placed in a sound-isolated audiometry booth and subjected to a 1000Hz click train stimulus, played through the nose.

Acoustic Transmission Characteristics of a Eustachian Tube Volitionally Opened in Two Living Subjects.

Objective: To assess the acoustic transmission characteristics of the Eustachian tube (ET) in living subjects in verified patent and closed ET states to facilitate the detection and quantification of ET function using acoustic measures such as sonotubometry.

Patients: The two subjects in this study had no history of ear disease nor previous ear surgery and were capable of volitionally opening and closing their ET.

Interventions: Tympanometry and otologic examinations were used to confirm ET patent and closed states by observing tympanic membrane movement with respiration and by acoustic immitance measurements during forced respiration.

Precise instructions determine participants' memory search strategy in judgments of relative order in short lists.

Memory often requires knowledge of the order of events. Previous findings about immediate judgments of relative order in short, subspan lists are variable regarding whether participants' strategy is to search memory in the forward direction, starting from the first list item and progressing toward the end item, or in the backward direction, starting from the end item and progressing toward the start. We asked whether wording of the instructions influences participants' search direction.