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INTRODUCTION: An increased tibial tuberosity-trochlear groove (TTTG) distance is used for deciding a treatment plan in patello-femoral instability (PFI). The centre of the patellar tendon and the chondral trochlear groove can be directly visualised on MRI, and measured, giving the patellar tendontrochlear groove (PTTG) distance. A study was designed to compare the inter-rater and the test-retest reliabilities of PTTG and TTTG measurements in MRI of patients without PFI and in a group with PFI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional reliability study was done on archival MRI films of 50 patients without patellar instability and 20 patients with patellar instability. TTTG and PTTG distances were independently measured by two orthopaedic surgeons and two radiologists. A hybrid PTTG measurement with bony landmarks on the femoral side and the patellar tendon landmark on the tibial side, was used to estimate the influence of the differences in the femoral and tibial landmarks on the difference in reliabilities. The intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated for all four raters, as well as separately for each rater. RESULTS: The PTTG distance had a higher inter-rater reliability (ICC=0.86, 95% CI=0.79-0.92) compared to the TTTG distance (ICC=0.70, 95% CI=0.59-0.80) in patients without PFI. Similar trends were seen in patients with PFI (0.83 vs 0.66). The inter-rater reliability for the hybrid PTTG distance was found to lie in between the TTTG and PTTG. CONCLUSION: The MRI-based PTTG distance had better inter-rater reliability compared with the MRI-based TTTG distance.

In today's society, there is a growing demand for smart home solutions that not only enhance convenience but also make a significant impact on affordability and widespread adoption. This paper describes the proposed design of a Node MCU-based Home Automation system with an integrated Wi-Fi module that enables internet-based remote control of home devices. The design utilizes a basic code template to connect with the Tasmota Web interface to configure the ESP module. The system is integrated with Alexa, offering various integration options such as routines, schedules and alarms. Furthermore, it adds a manual control feature for situations where there is no internet connection and an additional level of safety through emergency controls in the event of electronic failure. A comparison of energy usage with and without the use of the proposed system is also reported. A noticeable decrease in daily electricity consumption is observed on using the designed automation system. To ensure costeffectiveness, locally available components are utilized in the design. Consequently, it ensures that enhanced comfort, convenience, and control over one's living environment are available to a wider audience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the influence of space charge region (SCR) on the electrical properties of Pb0.95La0.05Zr0.54Ti0.46O3 (PLZT) thin film based capacitor structures. The metal/PLZT/Pt capacitors were prepared by using metal electrodes (Pt, Au, Al) of varying work function as top electrodes, and Pt as a bottom electrode. The SCR formed at the top interface between the PLZT film and the metal differs from each other in three capacitor structures. The results obtained from the hysteresis, dielectric, and leakage current measurements were analyzed to understand the variation in the electrical properties of the capacitors arising from the different SCRs formed at the interfaces. Among the three, the Pt/PLZT/Pt capacitor showed highest polarization and permittivity, and lowest FCC and coercive field. The Al/PLZT/Pt capacitor showed lowest polarization and permittivity, but higher coercive field and FCC. The leakage current increased with a decrease in work function of the top electrode. The Schottky conduction mechanism was found to be dominant in all the three capacitors. Both the photovoltaic parameters (short circuit photocurrent denisty and open circuit photovoltage) increased with the increase in work function of the top electrodes. These studies suggest the existence of wider SCR and higher space charge field at the top interface in the case of capacitor designed with an Al (or Au) top electrode as compared to the capacitor designed with a Pt top electrode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the effects of illumination on the ferroelectric and photovoltaic properties of the Pb0.95La0.05Zr0.54Ti0.46O3 (PLZT) thin film based asymmetric metal/ferroelectric/metal capacitor structure, using Au as a top electrode and Pt as a bottom electrode. Conductive-AFM (atomic force microscopy) measurements demonstrate the evolution of charge carriers in PLZT films on illumination. The capacitance-voltage, the polarization-electric field, and the leakage current-voltage characteristics of the asymmetric Au/PLZT/Pt capacitor are discussed under dark and illuminated conditions. The light generates charge carriers in the film, which increase the coercive field and net remnant polarization and decrease the capacitance. The leakage current of the capacitor increases by an order of magnitude upon illumination. The leakage current data analyzed to study the conduction mechanism shows that the capacitor structure follows the Schottky emission “1/4” law. The illuminated current density-voltage curve of the capacitor shows non-zero photovoltaic parameters. An open circuit voltage (Voc) of -0.19V and a short circuit current density (Jsc) of 1.48 lA/ cm2 were obtained in an unpoled film. However, after positive poling, the illuminated curve shifts towards a higher voltage value resulting in a Voc of -0.93 V. After negative poling, the curve shows no change in the Voc value. For both poling directions, the Jsc values decrease. The photocurrent in the capacitor shows a linear variation with the incident illumination intensity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]