ZnO-based thin film transistors employing aluminum titanate gate dielectrics deposited by spray pyrolysis at ambient air.

The replacement of SiO2 gate dielectrics with metal oxides of higher dielectric constant has led to the investigation of a wide range of materials with superior properties compared with SiO2. Despite their attractive properties, these high-k dielectrics are usually manufactured using costly vacuum-based techniques. To overcome this bottleneck, research has focused on the development of alternative deposition methods based on solution-processable metal oxides.

Intra- and inter-observer variation during femoral jig rotational alignment in knee arthroplasty.

Introduction/aims: Rotational alignment of the femoral prosthesis is important in total knee arthroplasty to improve performance and reduce complications. This study investigates the differences between two popular referencing methods and evaluates the variability of surgeons' techniques (inter-observer) and their reproducibility (intra-observer) of femoral alignment.

Methods: Eight surgeons each established the femoral rotational alignment on four duplicate sets of six cadaveric femoral bone casts, referencing from the epicondylar axis and from the posterior femoral condyles.

Perception and education of unilateral weightbearing amongst health care professionals.

Studies have shown that healthy individuals cannot accurately judge the degree of weightbearing through one lower extremity [Bohannon R, Waters G, Cooper J. Perception of unilateral lower extremity weightbearing during bilateral upright stance. Percept Mot Skills 69;1989:875-80].

Early polyethylene wear and osteolysis with ABG acetabular cups (7- to 12-year follow-up).

We reviewed 81 consecutive ABG I primary total hip replacements implanted in 72 patients between January 1993 and December 1998. The mean follow-up was 8.2 (range 7-12) years.

Osteochondritis dissecans patellae : Is there a genetic predisposition?

The aetiology of Osteochondritis Dissecans Patellae remains controversial. We present a family suffering from the condition in all members of one generation. Clinical data support the hypothesis that the aetiology of the disorder in this family is recurrent subluxation of the patella, the inherited predisposing factor being an abnormality of the mechanics of the knee.