Residual Image Reduction Using Electric Field Shield Metal in Plastic Organic Light-Emitting Diode Display.

A plastic organic light-emitting diode display is a device that emits light in an organic layer in proportion to the amount of current applied from a thin film transistor, which constitutes a pixel. However, it was confirmed that the residual image was shown by the operation of the thin film transistor. To suppress residual image, the effect of electric field was studied in operation of a-IGZO thin film transistor. The a-IGZO thin film transistor, in which a polyimide film was used as a substrate, was applied as a driving thin film transistor for pixel circuits in a plastic organic light-emitting diode display, and the effect of the electric field behavior inside the film on residual images was studied. Residual images were strongly connection with the electric field distribution characteristics inside the polyimide substrate, and they were reduced by introducing an electric field shield metal layer in the a-IGZO thin film transistor. The correlation between residual image generation and the operation of the a-IGZO thin film transistor was further explained through technology computer-aided design simulation (Silvaco Group Inc.).

Prospective evaluation of the effectiveness of a home-based program of isometric strengthening exercises: 12-month follow-up.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this prospective randomized clinical trial was to investigate the efficacy of a home-based program of isometric strengthening exercises for the treatment of the lateral epicondylitis (LE) of the distal humerus. We hypothesized that 1) use of isometric strengthening exercises would result in clinical benefits similar to those provided by medication and pain relief and 2) functional improvements after exercise would be time-dependent. METHODS: Patients were assigned to one of two groups: 1) an immediate physical therapy group (group I), or 2) a delayed physical therapy group (group D). Group I patients (n = 16) were instructed how to do the exercises at their first clinic visit and immediately carried out the exercise program. Group D patients (n = 15) learned and did the exercises after being on medications for 4 weeks. RESULTS: Outcomes at the 1-month clinic visit indicated that pain (measured using a visual analogue scale [VAS]) had been significantly reduced in group I compared to group D (p < 0.01). However, significant differences between groups were not found at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up for either VAS scores or Mayo elbow performance scores. For modified Nirschl/Pettrone scores, a significant difference between groups was found only at the 1-month follow-up visit. By then, the number of participants who returned to all activities with no pain or occasional mild pain was six (37%) in Group I and two (13%) in Group D (p = 0.031). At the final follow-up visit, 88% of all participants performed physical activities without pain. CONCLUSIONS: Isometric strengthening exercises done early in the course of LE (within 4 weeks) provides a clinically significant improvement.

Comparison of the clinical outcomes of single- and double-row repairs in rotator cuff tears.

BACKGROUND: Although research has demonstrated the superiority of double-row rotator cuff repair over single-row methods from a biological and mechanical point of view, few studies have compared clinical outcome of the 2 methods, and no articles have been published describing the superiority of double-row methods in clinical aspects. HYPOTHESIS: Arthroscopic double-row repair of a rotator cuff tear has superior clinical outcome to single-row repair. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: The study included 78 patients operated on for full-thickness rotator cuff tears between May 2002 and May 2004. A single-row fixation method was used in the first consecutive 40 patients, and a double-row fixation method was used in the next consecutive 38 patients. The mean age at surgery was 56 years. At 2 years after surgery, final evaluation was done with American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons and Constant scoring systems and the Shoulder Strength Index. The Shoulder Strength Index is a new evaluation method to estimate relative shoulder strength compared with the unaffected shoulder. RESULTS: At final follow-up, the average American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores were 91.6 in the single-row group and 93.0 in the double-row group. The Constant score was 76.7 in the single-row group and 80.0 in the double-row group. Functional outcome was improved in both groups after surgery, but there was no significant difference between the 2 groups. When the patients were further divided by size of tear, there was still no difference between the repair techniques in the patients with small to medium (<3 cm) tears. However, in patients with large to massive tears (>3 cm), the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons and Constant scores and Shoulder Strength Index were all significantly better in the group that had double-row repair. CONCLUSION: Small to medium rotator cuff tears should be repaired with the single-row method, and large to massive tears should be repaired with the double-row method.

Radial nerve palsy after arthroscopic anterior capsular release for degenerative elbow contracture.

Because the use of arthroscopy has increased recently for the treatment of elbow lesions, reports of complications have become more common. Nerve injury after arthroscopic anterior capsular release is an extremely rare complication, with 4 reported cases worldwide. We usually use a sharp-tipped electrocautery device with a 0.5-mm diameter during arthroscopic capsular release. In this case, because the former was not prepared, we used a ball-tipped electrocautery device with a 3-mm diameter. Herein, we experienced a case of radial nerve palsy after arthroscopic anterior capsular release using a ball-tipped electrocautery device on a degenerative elbow contracture. We supposed that the electrocautery device caused transiently thermal injury of the radial nerve despite proper portal entry site, intra-articular distension, and gentle arthroscopic manipulation. Elbow arthroscopy remains a technically difficult procedure with the potential for neurologic complications. To perform surgery safely, knowledge of the regional neuroanatomy and a thorough understanding of proper instrument usage are required.