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Purpose To report how to manage and prevent the incomplete laser cut and following uncut tags of anterior capsular lens, performed using the selective laser capsulotomy. Methods We describe three possible approaches: peeling the anterior capsulotomy disc with forceps, breaking the tags using the cystotomy needle tip, or cutting them using a 23-G vitrectomy scissors. Results Using the 23-G vitrectomy scissors resulted in no complication. Peeling the anterior capsulotomy using the forceps instead caused zonular stress with subsequent risks of zonular dialysis, whereas using the cystotomy needle tip resulted in irregular capsulotomy rim and weakness all along the capsulotomy edge where micro tears caused a tear during the rest of cataract surgery. Conclusion Incomplete laser cut and subsequent discontinuous capsulotomy results in the presence of multiple tags which create strong adherence between the central capsulotomy disc and the peripheral capsule. Key steps of the procedure to prevent an incomplete laser cut, which are the anterior lens capsule staining and laser beam focusing, and how to correctly manage them, which may shorten the learning curve and enhance the outcomes.

Micropolar field theory represents an extension of the classical Cauchy continuum theory. In this paper, a topology optimization procedure for maximum stiffness is applied to structural elements made of micropolar (Cosserat) solids. Some special problems are dealt with and particular attention is given to models that refer to structural interfaces. The results are in good agreement with the real behavior of some biological tissues.

For a homogeneous and linearly elastic solid the general expression of Young’s modulus E(n) is given, and a constrained extremum problem is formulated for the evaluation of the directions n corresponding to stationary values of the modulus. The formulation follows that presented in [International Journal of Solids and Structures 40 (2003) 1713–1744] for the cubic and transversely isotropic elastic symmetries. In this paper the tetragonal elastic symmetry class is considered, and explicit solutions for the directions n associated to critical points of E(n) are analytically evaluated. Properties of these directions and of the corresponding values of the modulus are discussed in detail. The results are presented in terms of three material parameters, which are responsible of the degree of anisotropy. For the tetragonal system, the complete description of the directional dependence of Young’s modulus leads to the identification of 12 classes of behavior. For each of these classes several examples of real materials are shown and suitable graphical representations of the function E(n) are given as well.

The existence of the counterintuitive property for which a material laterally shrinks when compressed and expands when stretched, is shown for crystalline solids of the monoclinic symmetry class. The domains where the auxeticity property appears are shown and it is found, in some cases, the existence of domains where the Poisson’s ratio is always negative.

Homogeneous, anisotropic and linearly elastic solids, subjected to a given state of strain (or stress), are considered. The problem dealt with consists in finding the mutual orientations of the principal directions of strain to the material symmetry axes in order to make the strain energy density stationary. Such relative orientations are described through three Eulers angles. When the stationarity problem is formulated for the generally anisotropic solid, it is shown that the necessary condition for stationarity demands for coaxiality of the stress and the strain tensors. From this feature, a procedure which leads to closed form solutions is proposed. To this end, tetragonal and cubic symmetry classes, together with transverse isotropy, are carefully dealt with, and for each case all the sets of Eulers angles corresponding to critical points of the energy density are found and discussed. For these symmetries, three material parameters are then defined, which play a crucial role in ordering the energy values corresponding to each solution. 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

For a homogeneous anisotropic and linearly elastic solid, the general expression of Youngs modulus EðnÞ, embracing all classes that characterize the anisotropy, is given. A constrained extremum problem is then formulated for the evaluation of those directions n at which EðnÞ attains stationary values. Cubic and transversely isotropic symmetry classes are dealt with, and explicit solutions for such directions n are provided. For each case, relevant properties of these directions and corresponding values of the modulus are discussed as well. Results are shown in terms of suitable combinations of elements of the elastic tensor that embody the discrepancy from isotropy. On the basis of such material parameters, for cubic symmetry two classes of behavior can be distinguished and, in the case of transversely isotropic solids, the classes are found to be four. For both symmetries and for each class of behavior, some examples for real materials are shown and graphical representations of the dependence of Youngs modulus on direction n are given as well.

The existence of the counterintuitive property for which a material laterally expands when stretched, is described with reference to the orthorhombic CuAlNi alloy. In particular, it is shown that there is a set of planes for which Poisson’s ratio is always negative.

Natural colchicinoids and their semisynthetic derivatives are important active ingredients for pharmaceutical applications. Thiocolchicoside (3-demethoxy-3-glucosyloxythiocolchicine) is used in several countries as standard therapy for the treatment of diseases of the muscle–skeletal system, due to its potent antiinflammatory and myorelaxant properties. Manufacturing of thiocolchicoside requires a key step, the regioselective demethylation and glucosylation of chemically derivative thiocolchicine. High selectivity and efficiency of this transformation cannot be achieved in a satisfactory way with a chemical approach. In particular, the chemical demethylation, a part from requiring toxic and aggressive reagents, generates a complex mixture of products with no industrial usefulness. We report herein an efficient, direct and green biotransformation of thiocolchicine into thiocolchicoside, performed by a specific strain of Bacillus megaterium. The same process, with minor modifications, can be used to convert the by-product 3-O-demethyl-thiocolchicine into thiocolchicoside. In addition, we describe the B. megaterium strain selection process and the best conditions for this effective double biotransformation. The final product has a pharmaceutical quality, and the process has been industrialised.

β-D-glucopyranosides, linked to C-2 or C-3 of the glycerol aglicone moiety, were unambiguously synthesized.

Sporobolus stapfianus Gandoger is a typical desiccation-tolerant or resurrection plant, which survives almost total dehydration. Samples of fresh

β-D-glucopyranosides, linked to C-2 or C-3 of the glycerol aglicone moiety, were unambiguously synthesized.

The paper deals with elastic-plastic optimization of flexural structural systems, subjected to kinematic restrictions. A finite holonomic piecewise linear elastic-hardening constitutive law is adopted. Sensitivity analysis for the displacement field is also performed, and a suitable finite element formulation, allowing for the spreading of plasticity, is also given. Finally, some meaningful numerical applications, together with their physical interpretation, are presented.

Micropolar field theory represents an extension of the classical Cauchy continuum theory. In this paper, a topology optimization procedure for maximum stiffness is applied to two dimensional structural elements described in terms of micropolar (Cosserat) solids. The role of the characteristic length of bending on the optimal configurations is highlighted in the applications.

Stationary values of the strain energy density function are used to determine the relative position of the material symmetry axes and those of principal stress and strain. The minima and maxima would determine the directions of orthotropy for which the body would exhibit the stiffest or softest response.

In this paper some notes on recent results obtained in the field of optimal design of orthotropic bodies and components are given. After a brief recall of the mechanical behaviour of orthotropic bodies and structural elements, a general formulation of the optimization problem is given: assuming the elastic energy as a meaningful measure of the global stiffness (or flexibility) of a three dimensional elastic body, the interest is focused on the determination of those local orientations of material symmetry axes in an orthotropic solid, which correspond to extreme values of the energy density. The stationarity conditions are computed, and a mechanical interpretation is given as well. Then, the two dimensional case is dealt with in details, both for the elastic and plastic cases, defining also a unified approach for approximate optimal solutions. Some simple examples of application are given as well.

Optimal design problems for flexural systems with a nonlinear constitutive law are considered, in the presence of constraints on displacements. A general nonlinear holonomic moment-curvature relationship is assumed and a direct variational method is applied in order to obtain optimality criteria. Accordingly, a general method of solution is proposed and some examples are solved.

This work is concerned with a structural optimization problem, formulated in quite general terms, involving an elastic nonlinear isotropic three-dimensional continuum. The resolution is approached through a variational technique (Lagrange multiplier method); this technique yields, in addition to the optimality condition, a set of equations which can be interpreted as governing equations of another structural problem, ≪adjoint≫ to the given one. The constitutive law of the adjoint problem is studied in detail and the differences between the real and the adjoint constitutive laws are pointed out. In particular, it is shown that the material of the adjoint problem is orthotropic and its principal directions of orthotropy are determined. Finally, the results obtained are specialized to a ≪compliance≫ optimization problem for elastic nonlinear plates in bending; the difference between the present case and the already known case where the plate is linearly elastic is discussed.

Assuming the elastic energy as a meaningful measure of the global stiffness (or flexibility) of an elastic body, in this paper the interest is paid to the determination of those local orientations of the material symmetry axes in an orthotropic solid which correspond to extreme values of the energy density.