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Background: Sepsis is the most common cause of death in hospitals, and intra-abdominal infection (IAI) accounts for a large portion of the causes of sepsis. We investigated the clinical outcomes and factors influencing mortality of patients with sepsis due to IAI. Methods: This post-hoc analysis of a prospective cohort study included 2126 patients with sepsis who visited 16 tertiary care hospitals in Korea (September 2019–February 2020). The analysis included 219 patients aged > 19 years who were admitted to intensive care units owing to sepsis caused by IAI. Results: The incidence of septic shock was 47% and was significantly higher in the non-survivor group (58.7% vs 42.3%, p = 0.028). The overall 28-day mortality was 28.8%. In multivariable logistic regression, after adjusting for age, sex, Charlson Comorbidity Index, and lactic acid, only coagulation dysfunction (odds ratio: 2.78 [1.47–5.23], p = 0.001) was independently associated, and after adjusting for each risk factor, only simplified acute physiology score III (SAPS 3) (p < 0.001) and continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) (p < 0.001) were independently associated with higher 28-day mortality. Conclusions: The SAPS 3 score and acute kidney injury with CRRT were independently associated with increased 28-day mortality. Additional support may be needed in patients with coagulopathy than in those with other organ dysfunctions due to IAI because patients with coagulopathy had worse prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Korean government implemented a 52-h workweek policy for employees' welfare. Consequently, companies face workforce availability reduction with the same number of employees. That is, labor-dependent companies suffer from workforce shortage. To handle the workforce shortage, they increase irregular employees who are paid relatively less. However, the problem of 'no-show', due to the stochastic characteristics of irregular employee's absence, happens. Therefore, this study aims to propose a staff scheduling strategy considering irregular employee absence and a new labor policy by using linear programming. By deriving a deterministic staff schedule through system parameters derived from the features and rules of an actual company in the numerical experiment, the practicality and applicability of the developed mathematical model are proven. Furthermore, through sensitivity analysis and simulation considering the stochastic characteristics of absences, various proactive cases are provided. Through the proactive cases, the influence of the change of the average percent of irregular employees' absences on the total labor costs and staff schedules and the expected number who would not come to work could be given when assuming the application in practice. This finding can help decision-makers prepare precautious measures, such as assigning extra employees in case of an irregular employee's absence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to investigate the difference in physiological loading on the spine in three different motions (flexion–extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation) between osteoporotic and normal spines, using finite element modelling. A three-dimensional finite element (FE) model centered on the lumbar spine was constructed. We applied two different material properties of osteoporotic and normal spines. For the FE analysis, three loading conditions (flexion–extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation) were applied. The von Mises stress was higher on the nucleus pulposus at all vertebral levels in all movements, in the osteoporosis group than in the normal group. On the annulus fibrosus, the von Mises stress increased at the level of L3–L4, L4–L5, and L5–S in the flexion–extension group and at L4–L5 and L5–S levels in the lateral bending group. The values of two motions, flexion–extension and lateral bending, increased in the L4 and L5 cortical bones. In axial rotation, the von Mises stress increased at the level of L5 of cortical bone. Additionally, the von Mises stress increased in the lower endplate of L5–S and L4–L5 in all movements, especially lateral bending. Even in the group with no increase, there was a part that received increased von Mises stress locally for each element in the three-dimensional reconstructed view of the pressure distribution in color. The von Mises stress on the lumbar region in the three loading conditions, was greater in most components of osteoporotic vertebrae than in normal vertebrae and the value was highest in the nucleus pulposus. Considering the increase in the measured von Mises stress and the local increase in the pressure distribution, we believe that these results can contribute to explaining discogenic pain and degeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The treatment options for basal ganglia intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), either surgical or conservative, remain controversial. A previous study developed "A new modified ICH (MICH) score" that suggests which treatment option will be better for basal ganglia ICH. According to this scoring system, a MICH score of 0 or 1 indicates that conservative treatment is better than surgical treatment. The purpose of this study was to determine whether conservative treatment is still a better option for a basal ganglia hemorrhage in patients with MICH scores of 0 and 1, with initial poor motor grades. Methods: This retrospective study was comprised of 41 patients with a spontaneous basal ganglia hemorrhage. These patient groups had no previous brain lesions, their initial MICH score was 0 or 1, and the manual muscle test (MMT) of their hand was grade 2+ or lower in the initial evaluation. All patients were transferred to the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and received rehabilitation treatment. Ten patients had an operative intervention, which was burr-hole aspiration or craniotomy with hematoma removal. The control group included 31 patients who underwent conservative treatment. Outcome evaluations used the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Modified Barthel Index (MBI), and Brunnstrom recovery stage (BRS) which were evaluated at initial and regular follow-ups after 1, 3, and 6 months. We defined an improvement state if the BRS of their hand became 4 or more in 6 months, which means an escape from the synergic pattern. Results: Demographic characteristics showed no significant differences in age, sex, hemiplegic side, initial GCS score, presence of IVH and hydrocephalus, or distribution of MICH scores 0 and 1. There was only a significant difference in the distribution of hematoma volume between groups of less than 20 mL and groups from 21 to 50 mL (p = 0.049). There were no significant differences in MBI values in 1 month or improvement of BRS of their hand in 6 months between the two groups. Conclusions: Even in the group classified as predominantly conservative in basal ganglia hemorrhage patients, if the initial muscle strength is low, it is necessary to reconsider whether conservative treatment is superior to surgical treatment in terms of functional improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a debilitating condition characterized by sudden, excruciating facial pain due to neurovascular compression of the trigeminal nerve. Stent deployment can change the course of the superior cerebellar artery upwards, possibly releasing the root entry zone of the trigeminal nerve. We developed a novel stent, the Transform stent, for TN treatment, and evaluated its mechanical properties using benchtop and in vitro hemocompatibility tests. We compared the performance of Transform and Enterprise stents in treating TN because they share similar self-expanding closed-cell features in the manufacturing process, are derived from nitinol tubes, and are fabricated through a laser-cutting process, but also because only the safety of Enterprise stents deployed in intracranial arteries has been reported clinically. All benchtop measurements, including radial force, trackability, bending stiffness, and conformability, were performed thrice for each stent model, and their average values are presented. Transform stents showed higher radial forces in vessels of diameters ranging from 1.0 mm than Enterprise stents. The trackability of the Transform stent was better than that of the Enterprise stent in a neurovascular model. Bending stiffness was stronger in the Transform stent whereas conformability was superior in the Enterprise stent. No significant thrombogenic issues were observed in the in vitro hemocompatibility tests. This study demonstrated the Transform stent as a potential option and paved the way for innovative endovascular approaches for the future TN treatment. Namely, the study confirmed that the characteristics of Transform stents at benchtop and in vitro evaluations may be used as a first step for studies such as in vivo pre- and clinical studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Delayed hemothorax after thoracic trauma is a rare type of thoracic injury that may require angioembolization and surgical treatment. We report a case of a 59-year-old man with a delayed massive hemothorax from a fall-induced blunt thoracic trauma, causing multiple right lower rib fractures. The patient fell from a chair while standing on and working from it. He was diagnosed with right 7th–11th rib fractures, scanty hemothorax and liver contusion. The patient was hospitalized and received conservative treatment, and a delayed massive hemothorax was present on the fourth day after the injury. Chest tube drainage and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery were performed, and the patient was discharged 16 days after the surgery without bleeding or other complications. Delayed hemothorax should be considered when thoracic trauma patients complain of chest discomfort, dyspnea, cold sweating or fatigue. Early recognition, appropriate diagnosis and rapid intervention can improve prognosis and lead to successful patient treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: In the present report, the fatty acid alkyl esters and fatty acid amides were synthesized from natural triglycerides by highly selective solvent‐free one‐step methods using 3.5‐CaO@KC‐400 nanocrystals as a heterogeneous catalyst. A modified wetness chemical impregnation method was used to prepared potassium carbonate‐doped CaO, ZnO, and MgO nanocrystals. The prepared 3.5‐CaO@KC‐400 nanocrystals were found as the most efficient heterogeneous catalyst (5%, w/w) for amidation (6:1 M ratio of diethanolamine/oil, 110°C) and transesterification (12:1 M ratio of methanol/oil, 65°C) of waste cooking oil and took 30 minutes for the completion of both the reactions. The 3.5‐CaO@KC‐400 nanocrystals were found to be efficient at room temperature also and reused for 10 reaction cycles for both reactions. The pseudo‐first‐order kinetic model was applied and the first‐order rate constant was calculated as 0.15 minute−1 and 0.103 minute−1 for the amidation and transesterification reactions of waste cooking oil, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Aminolyzed PLLA microcylinders were introduced to a GelMA-based bioink for a better printing experience. • The printed microcylinder-laden bioink proved to have higher resolution than pure GelMA ink. • The pre-osteoblasts printed with the novel bioink exhibited increased viability compared to the conventional bioink. Abstract Developing bioinks for 3D bioprinting that are easy to print and highly biocompatible is essential for the growth of the tissue engineering field. Here, a gelatin methacryloyl-based (GelMA) bioink that is loaded with aminolyzed poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) microcylinders is developed. The bioink showed better printing capabilities compared to pure GelMA, which exhibited a smaller window of high quality printability. The addition of microcylinders makes the bioink more forgiving to print by increasing its minimum viscosity while keeping its structural integrity after printing. Cell viability of printed constructs was compared to non-printed constructs to see the effects of shear stress in the new bioink. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A bimodal grain structure consisting of fine grains ( d ~ 1–2 µm) and coarse grains ( d ~ 10–20 µm) was achieved in the biomedical Co–20Cr–15W–10Ni alloy via medium cold rolling (area reduction of 50%) followed by short-term annealing (15 min) at relatively low temperatures (950–1100 °C). The medium cold rolling induced a heterogeneous microstructure featuring the coexistence of severely deformed regions and weakly deformed domains. With short-term annealing at low temperatures, fine and coarse grains were preferentially recrystallized in severely deformed regions and weakly deformed domains, respectively, resulting a bimodal grain size distribution. During tension, dislocations were more rapidly generated in the fine grains, thus increasing the strain hardening, while they glided longer on the {111} planes in the coarse grains, contributing a high ductility. The combination of these two factors provided well-balanced strength–ductility behavior with an ultimate tensile strength of 1278 MPa, a yield strength of 787 MPa, and an elongation to fracture of 53%, making the alloy suitable for surgical implant and stent applications where the strength and ductility are both important to ensure mechanical reliability in a human body. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aims to evaluate the method of Thermal Response Tests (TRTs) in assessing in-situ residual saturation of CO 2 storage in saline aquifers. Similar to TRTs, mathematically the same type of an exact analytical solution presented by Theis is well-established for the transient drawdown in an infinite uniform confined aquifer. With the change of supercritical CO 2 and saline water in pore space, the inverse models of temperature change over time either heating or cooling may lead to the detection of a change in thermal properties of fluids and sold matrix. In assessing the overall thermal conductivity using the three inverse models, the Wang model describes the saline aquifer of the interest structurally well among the chosen four conductivity models. The results of the Wang model and the arithmetic model showed almost insensitivity to the residual CO 2 saturation up to 50 percents in the estimation of the overall thermal conductivity, while they did a sensitivity to porosity variation of the same range. Accuracy analysis of the three inversion models showed that a developed nonlinear least square inverse model produces the least error in the estimation consistently with the wide range of the residual saturation variation of CO 2 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, nitrogen-doped tin oxide intercalated activated carbon nanocomposite (N-AC/SnO 2 ) were prepared using hydrothermal strategy and explored as an electrode for capacitive desalination and disinfection. Although tin oxide (SnO 2 ) has good characteristics, the nitrogen must be carefully considered for modifying the characteristics of the carbonaceous materials to improve the performance as an electrode in the CDI process. The characterization of the proposed materials which investigated by XRD, TEM, FE-SEM, XPS and FT-IR affirmed the formation of the nanocomposite. The electrosorption behavior investigated by electrochemical techniques demonstrates that, compared to the specific capacitance of the AC and AC/SnO 2 (207.46 F g −1 and 233.21 F g −1 ), that of the N-AC/SnO 2 is higher at 408.8 F g −1 , and N-AC/SnO 2 exhibits better electrical conductivity. The CDI performance evaluated by batch mode experiments through an applied voltage of 1.2 V in a 50 mg L −1 NaCl aqueous solution shows that the N-AC/SnO 2 electrode introduces a higher electrosorptive capacity of 3.42 mg g −1 , an enhanced desalination efficiency of 61.13%, and good antibacterial performance. Overall, the present study demonstrates that N-AC/SnO 2 has considerable potential as an electrode material for CDI application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tensile test criterion to obtain a reliable stress-strain curve from load-displacement data of metallic materials exhibiting twinning or phase transformation was developed especially for environments that do not allow the use of an extensometer. The study shows that neither ASTM E8 / E8M standard specimen nor strip-shaped specimen geometry was appropriate for converting load-displacement data to an actual stress-strain curve; the former exhibited an undesired two-stage yield, while the latter revealed premature fracture. To solve these problems, the relationship between the specimen geometries and load-displacement data was carefully analyzed for dog-bone type specimens having a minimized fillet radius; it was found that the ratio of grip width W gr to gauge width W ga should be higher than the ratio of fracture stress to the first yield stress σ 1 . Otherwise, a second yield always occurred when the stress reached a value close to σ 1 W gr / W ga , obstructing the data analysis to reconstruct the actual stress-strain curve from load-displacement data. Finally, a methodology to verify whether the tensile test satisfied the criterion was suggested in terms of a nominal strain hardening rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of the solution treatment and aging (STA) conditions on the tensile properties of Ti–4 mass%Fe–4 mass%Al–0.25 mass%Si alloy has been investigated in this work. The obtained results revealed that varying the solution temperature affected the stability of the β phase due to the Fe partitioning (which inhibited the β→α′/α″ reaction during water quenching), while the magnitude of the aging temperature determined the predominant products of the β→isothermal ω→secondary α rich →secondary α lean +TiFe phase transformation with distinct tensile characteristics. In addition, the relationship between the alloy microstructure and its tensile properties was discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microstructure, mechanical properties as well as phase transformation behavior of newly developed Ni 49 Ti 36 Hf 15-x Ta (x=0, 3, 6, 9, 12) high temperature shape memory alloys has been investigated. Ni 49 Ti 36 Hf 15 alloy consists of (Ti,Hf) 2 Ni phase which is brittle and incoherent with the martensite matrix. However, addition of Ta in place of Hf suppresses the brittle (Ti,Hf) 2 Ni phase formation with white Ta rich phase. More than 70% reduction in area has been observed in Ta added Ni 49 Ti 36 Hf 15 high temperature shape memory alloys. The austenitic transformation temperature is well above 200 °C (473 K) for lower Ta concentrations with up to 6 at. %; however; at higher Ta concentrations (i.e. above 9 at. %) decreases significantly. Overall, the addition of Ta greatly influences the hot deformation behavior and high temperature shape memory properties of Ni 49 Ti 36 Hf 15 alloy. The present paper discusses the detailed investigation on Ni 49 Ti 36 Hf 15-x Ta (x=0, 3, 6, 9, 12) high temperature shape memory alloys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanisms of dynamic recrystallization (DRX) in a 50Ti-47Ni-3Fe alloy are studied using compression tests at temperatures of 1023–1323 K with strain rates of 0.01–10 s −1 , and the resulting stress-strain curves are used to construct an Arrhenius equation with a Zener-Hollomon parameter (Z). The relationship between this Z parameter and stress, and its effect on the subgrain size are discussed. With the help of electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), the development of recrystallizing grain boundaries is tracked in deformed grains with different grain orientation spread (GOS) values. Continuous dynamic recrystallization (CDRX) is subsequently confirmed by evidence of the conversion of low-angle boundaries (LAGBs) into high-angle boundaries (HAGBs). Grain boundary sliding (GBS) and HAGB migration are therefore considered secondary mechanisms under high-Z (ln Z > 29) and low-Z (ln Z < 23.5) conditions, but CDRX is confirmed as the dominant DRX mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study develops and characterizes a fiber-optic monitoring system for the key environment variables of the spent nuclear fuel pool (SNFP) at a nuclear power plant. The three key environmental variables indicating the SNFP status directly are its water temperature, water level, and radiation level. First, this study develops and characterizes the individual fiber-optic sensors for measuring the three key environmental variables and then assembles them into an integrated monitoring system. The individual fiber-optic sensors commonly use optical fibers to transmit the signals delivered from their sensing probes despite their different characteristics. For the fiber-optic temperature sensor (FOTS), two types of FOTS are developed: contact and non-contact types, which are distinguished by whether their sensing probes are in direct contact with water. The contact-type FOTS uses a copper metal cap as its sensing probe, and the non-contact-type FOTS uses an infrared optical fiber, whose peripheral surface is coated with an anti-fog solution as its sensing probe. The fiber-optic water level sensor (FOWS) consists of optical fibers with their ends connected to the sensing probes fabricated with a NaCl solution and stainless steel. The FOWS measures the water level using the Fresnel reflection phenomenon, i.e., reflection of a portion of incident light at a discrete interface between two media having different refractive indices. The FOWS identifies the water level by measuring the amount of light reflected at the interface between the sensing probe and its outside medium, which varies according to whether the sensing probe is in contact with water. The fiber-optic radiation sensor (FORS) measures the gamma radiation in the SNFP. The sensing probe of FORS is a cylindrical-shaped LYSO:Ce scintillator, whose peripheral is wrapped with aluminum foil as the reflector. After characterizing the three individual sensors developed in this study, they are assembled and tested at a model water pool, 500 mm × 500 mm × 500 mm in size. The performance test results shows that individual sensors can measure the changes in each environmental variable in real-time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

B Introduction: b Sepsis is the most common cause of death in hospitals, a large proportion of which may be attributed to intra-abdominal infection (IAI). B Conclusions: b Considering the independent risk factors affecting 28-day mortality, more intensive care may be needed in patients with coagulopathy than in those with other organ dysfunction due to IAI. [Extracted from the article]

• Instantaneous current residual map (ICRM) is proposed for CNN-based fault diagnosis. • ICRM highlights fault-related physical behaviors of stator motor current signals. • A motor fault type can be figured out by using ICRM as the 2D input to a CNN model. • The effectiveness of ICRM for fault diagnosis of a PMSM is experimentally validated. To take full advantage of a convolutional neural network (CNN) for deep learning-based fault diagnosis, many studies have examined the transformation of sensory signals into a two-dimensional (2D) input image. An important question to consider is: how can fault-related signatures in motor stator current signals be incorporated into the 2D input image to a CNN model for fault diagnosis of a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM)? To answer the question, this study newly proposes a novel health image, namely instantaneous current residual map (ICRM). Inspired by the idea that the phase and amplitude modulations in motor stator current signals are related to faulty states of a PMSM, the overall procedure for constructing ICRM includes two key steps: (1) to calculate current residuals (CRs); and (2) to spread the scaled CR pairs into a 2D matrix. A type of faults can be figured out by analyzing a degree or shape of spreading of the CRs in ICRM. Moreover, ICRM is robust to variable operating conditions in practical settings because the scaled CRs that the effects of the operating conditions are reduced can highlight fault-induced irregularities. To demonstrate the effectiveness of ICRM, it was experimentally validated using a surface mounted PMSM, operated under variable-speed and different load torque conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: With the availability of retrospective pharmacovigilance data, the common data model (CDM) has been identified as an efficient approach towards anonymized multicenter analysis; however, the establishment of a suitable model for individual medical systems and applications supporting their analysis is a challenge. Objective: The aim of this study was to construct a specialized Korean CDM (K-CDM) for pharmacovigilance systems based on a clinical scenario to detect adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Methods: De-identified patient records (n = 5,402,129) from 13 institutions were converted to the K-CDM. From 2005 to 2017, 37,698,535 visits, 39,910,849 conditions, 259,594,727 drug exposures, and 30,176,929 procedures were recorded. The K-CDM, which comprises three layers, is compatible with existing models and is potentially adaptable to extended clinical research. Local codes for electronic medical records (EMRs), including diagnosis, drug prescriptions, and procedures, were mapped using standard vocabulary. Distributed queries based on clinical scenarios were developed and applied to K-CDM through decentralized or distributed networks. Results: Meta-analysis of drug relative risk ratios from ten institutions revealed that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) increased the risk of gastrointestinal hemorrhage by twofold compared with aspirin, and non-vitamin K anticoagulants decreased cerebrovascular bleeding risk by 0.18-fold compared with warfarin. Conclusion: These results are similar to those from previous studies and are conducive for new research, thereby demonstrating the feasibility of K-CDM for pharmacovigilance. However, the low quality of original EMR data, incomplete mapping, and heterogeneity between institutions reduced the validity of the analysis, thus necessitating continuous calibration among researchers, clinicians, and the government. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A tissue engineering composite scaffold serves as a temporary skeleton to accommodate and stimulate new tissue growth. Here we report the development of a biodegradable porous composite scaffold made from the bioactive chitosan (CHN) and hyaluronic acid (HYA) with graphene oxide (GO). The CHN–HYA–GO composite scaffold was successfully prepared and compared with CHN-HYA composite scaffold and found that CHN–HYA–GO significantly improved mechanical and biological properties. Moreover, the CHN–HYA–GO composite scaffold possessed an adequate porosity, swelling behavior and degradation rate to mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM) with a favorable cell attachment and proliferation. The cells in contact with CHN–HYA–GO composite scaffolds remained viable and exhibited a high growth potential. Therefore the uniquely fabricated CHN–HYA–GO composite scaffolds possess great potential for various tissue engineering applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bulk nanocrystalline ( d = 20–40 nm) Ni–Ti shape memory alloy was produced via cold marforming, followed by optimum post-heat treatment. The total accumulative strain ( ε ∼ 0.7) during the process was much lower than that typically imposed during severe plastic deformation operations (i.e., 5 ≤ ε ≤ 12). In-situ heating transmission electron microscopy revealed that the present process was effective in promoting static recrystallization and limiting grain growth. The nanocrystalline alloy exhibited enhanced shape memory behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastic anisotropy and associated deformation mechanisms of rolling textured high purity alpha phase titanium were investigated by carrying out uniaxial compression tests along the three featured directions, the rolling direction (RD), normal direction (ND) and transverse direction (TD), in combination with an electron backscatter diffraction measurement and a Schmid factor (SF) analysis. The results revealed that the specific crystallographic feature of the material, caused by rolling texture, influences the activities of dislocation slips and twinning by affecting their SF, and this significantly varies with the loading direction, consequently leading to anisotropic deformation. The material yielding was dominated by dislocation slips, and the change of yielding mechanism with the loading direction (prismatic slip for the RD and TD, and basal slip for the ND) gave rise to yielding anisotropy. As the material deformed beyond the yielding point, deformation twins took place and played a decisive role in the deformation. The twinning characteristics including types of twins, morphology, twin area fraction with strain and related texture modification significantly varied with the loading direction, and this had a completely different effect on strain hardening behavior, thereby causing deformation anisotropy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An analytical model is developed to evaluate airtightness, which is one of the most important requirements of vacuum tube transportation systems. The main objective of the model is to anticipate the pressure inside a closed structure, which initially decreases and then rises with time owing to the inflow of the air outside. The model is formulated by using Darcy’s law and by solving the differential equations that consider the air permeability of the material and physical configuration of the tube. Equations are derived for a tube section in two cases: one with constant thickness and another with variable thickness. Although the developed model must be verified experimentally, results simulated by using the model with several assumed sections were consistent with the findings of a previous study. The mathematical model developed here to predict the behavior of the pressure inside a vacuum tube structure could be effectively used to evaluate the airtightness of vacuum tube transportation systems. Such data could provide background technical information for the practical design of the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We developed a geothermal monitoring system with an open-source Internet of Things (IoT) system. The study's objective is to achieve an economical alternative solution to the expensive commercial data loggers, local PC-based control, data storage limitation, the number of sensor connections, and secure data transmission over the Internet in a decentralized renewable energy system. The developed system consists of hardware and software customized with open-source support that helps resolve the conventional limitations that the commercial system inherently has. We have applied the system to a geothermal energy system deployed at a residential care facility for the elderly in Chuncheon, South Korea. The proposed system enabled us to acquire the data of temperature and fluid flow in real-time and for a prolonged period (i.e., years) at an affordable price compared to installing a conventional data-acquisition system. The real-time multi-year-long data helped confirm seasonality in heating and cooling. We can also apply the same proposed system to the other renewable energy systems monitoring temperature, pressure, wind speed, displacement, noise, seismicity, etc. • Development of a geothermal monitoring system with an open-source IoT system. • The system was applied to a geothermal system deployed at a residential care facility. • The real-time multi-year-long data helped confirm seasonality in heating and cooling. • We can also apply the same proposed system to the other renewable energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functional graded nanobiomembranes (FGMs) with multiple layers were created by a single process using a novel electrospinning system equipped with a generator and a PCI type motion board as a controller in order to control the drug release rate. By varying physical apparatus-related parameters such as nozzle-to-collector distance via a robot and the collector moving velocity the FGMs were formed. For the membrane base layer, poly-(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) with paclitaxel (PTX) was dissolved in a solvent (dichloromethane, N,N-dimethylformamide) and electrospun. For the top layers, the PCL solution was electrospun according to the distance and FGM system parameters, which can move the collector location at a constant ratio. It was observed that pore size, porosity, and permeability were higher when the membrane was spun at the far distance. The top surface of FGM is more porous, rougher, more permeable, and more hydrophilic so as to be active to the surrounding tissue cells. Meanwhile, the porous inside membrane was as low as the membrane spun at a close distance. Thus it induced a slow drug release due to the internal structure of FGM, which is considered to be very effective for slow drug release as well as bioactivity and bioconductivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Feature selection based on an ensemble classifier has been recognized as a crucial technique for modeling high-dimensional data. Feature selection based on the random forests model, which is constructed by aggregating multiple decision tree classifiers, has been widely used. However, a lack of stability and balance in decision trees decreases the robustness of random forests. This limitation motivated us to propose a feature selection method based on newly designed nearest-neighbor ensemble classifiers. The proposed method finds significant features by using an iterative procedure. We performed experiments with 20 datasets of microarray gene expressions to examine the property of the proposed method and compared it with random forests. The results demonstrated the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed method, especially when the number of features exceeds the number of observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study developed a noncontact fiber-optic temperature sensor that can be installed in a spent nuclear fuel pool. This fiber-optic temperature sensor was fabricated using an infrared optical fiber to transmit the infrared light emitted from water at a certain temperature. To minimize the decrease in the detection efficiency of the fiber-optic temperature sensor due to vapor generation, its surface was coated by spraying an antifog solution and drying several times. The measurement data of the fiber-optic temperature sensor was almost linear in the range of 30~70°C. This sensor could be used as an auxiliary temperature monitoring system in a spent nuclear fuel pool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we investigated the effect of laser polishing at different treatment times on the surface roughness and corrosion resistance of a biliary nickel-titanium (NiTi or Nitinol) stent. A specific area of the stent wire surface was checked for changes in roughness by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and a noncontact profilometer. The corrosion resistance was assessed by potentiodynamic polarization test and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The surface characterization revealed that laser polishing reduced the surface roughness of stent by 34-64% compared to that of the as-received stent surface condition depending on the treatment time (i.e., 700-1600 μm). Measurements using potentiodynamic polarization in simulated body fluid solution showed better anti-corrosion performance of laser-polished stent compared to magnetically-polished stent and has comparable corrosion resistance with the as-received stent condition. In this paper, we have shown a preliminary study on the potential of laser polishing for the improvement of surface roughness of stent without affecting much its corrosion resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of particle size and other injection factors on the skin penetration of nanoparticles delivered with a needle-free injector. Experimental and simulation tests were carried out at various parameters. In addition to testing different sizes of nanoparticles, we also observed the effects of several injection pressures and syringe orifice diameters (SOD) on the dispersion pattern of the nanoparticles after injection. Our results showed that as the nanoparticle size increased from 45 nm to 452 nm, the resulting puncture opening, channel diameter, and depth of the nanoparticle dispersion decreased, but the width of the dispersion increased. Conversely, as the SOD increased, the puncture opening, channel diameter, and depth of the dispersion increased, but width of the dispersion decreased. Increasing the injection pressure also decreased the size, depth, and width of the puncture opening. These results identify how these three parameters affect nanoparticle delivery from a needle-free injector; therefore, our findings will be beneficial for optimization and further study of needle-free injectors as a mechanism for transdermal delivery of nanoparticles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] We have investigated the effect of cold working on the martensitic transformation. [•] The TiNi wire showed multiple-stage martensitic transformation behavior. [•] The multiple-stage transformations originated from microstructural instability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is a tertiary bile acid synthesized by the liver and has various functions such as promoting bile secretion, antibacterial effect, inflammatory treatment, cholesterol reduction, and degradation. UDCA seems to be a material that can be applied in many aspects, such as adding it to implant coating materials or wound coatings. However, until now, only experiments and studies have been conducted to administer UDCA orally as a drug. In this paper, research was conducted to serve as a foothold for the application of UDCA to in vitro research. In this study, polymer fibers were prepared using electrospinning technology by mixing UDCA with Polycaprolactone(PCL), a biocompatible polymer. Through various analyses, it was confirmed that UDCA was contained in the electrospun membrane. In addition, it was confirmed that UDCA functions properly through the appearance of antimicrobial properties in antimicrobial experiments. The PCL/UDCA electrospun fiber prepared in this study and the analysis results using it show that UDCA can be applied not only to oral drugs but also to various fields such as wound coverings and stent coating membranes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis of ideal bioceramics to guide the fate of cells and subsequent bone regeneration within the chemical, biological, and physical microenvironment is a challenging long-term task. This study developed amorphous calcium magnesium phosphate (ACMP) bioceramics via a simple co-precipitation method. The role of Mg2+ in the formation of ACMP is investigated using physicochemical and biological characterization at different Ca/Mg molar ratio of the initial reaction solution. Additionally, ACMP bioceramics show superior cytocompatibility and improved osteogenic differentiation of co-cultured MC3T3-E1 cells. Regulation of the microenvironment with Mg2+ can promote early-stage bone regeneration. For this, bioprinting technology is employed to prepare ACMP-modified 3D porous structures. Our hypothesis is that the incorporation of ACMP into methacrylated gelatin (GelMA) bioink can trigger the osteogenic differentiation of encapsulated preosteoblast and stimulate bone regeneration. The cell-laden ACMP composite structures display stable printability and superior cell viability and cell proliferation. Also, constructs loading the appropriate amount of ACMP bioceramic showed significant osteogenic differentiation activity compared to the pure GelMA. We demonstrate that the dissolved Mg2+ cation microenvironment in ACMP-modified composite constructs plays an effective biochemical role, and can regulate cell fate. Our results predict that GelMA/ACMP bioink has significant potential in patient-specific bone tissue regeneration. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, titanium dioxide nanoparticles were synthesized employing a simple sol-gel method followed by calcination at four different temperatures (450 °C, 650 °C, 850 °C, and 1050 °C). Effect of calcination temperature on surface morphology, particle shape and size, phase transitions, optical properties, and osteogenic differentiation were then studied. Phase changes (anatase, anatase-rutile, and rutile) of TiO 2 nanoparticle were observed as the calcination temperature increased to 450 °C, 650 °C, 850 °C, and 1050 °C. The surface morphology also transformed from smooth to granular as the calcination temperature increased from 450 °C to 1050 °C. The particle size of titanium dioxide nanoparticles was found to be about ∼ 300 nm. It remained almost the same as the calcination temperature increased from 450 °C to 850 °C. Optical spectra of TiO 2 nanoparticles prepared at 450, 650, and 850 °C showed maximum absorbance in the visible-NIR region whereas TiO 2 nanoparticles prepared at 1050 °C displayed maximum absorbance in the UV region with a distorted morphology. TiO 2 nanoparticles prepared at 450 °C and 650 °C were found to have excellent biocompatibility as suggested by cell viability analysis using fibroblasts. In addition, hBM-MSCs were used to evaluate osteogenic differentiation of different structural phases of TiO 2 nanoparticles calcined at various temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Bronsted and Lewis mixed base 2.5-Li@CaO-Ca(OH) 2 -450 nanocatalyst. • High surface area and high basic strength of prepared nanocatalyst. • One-step and two-step amidation of non-edible high free fatty acid containing triglycerides with 99 % yield. • The prepared catalyst showed excellent reusability and structural stability. • The amide derivative was found as a dual functional diesel fuel additive. In the present study, the 2.5-Li@CaO-Ca(OH) 2 -450 nanocatalyst (a mixture of Bronsted base Ca(OH) 2 and Lewis base CaO) of 30−50 nm size nanoparticles was prepared by a simple wet-chemical method and utilized as a heterogeneous solid catalyst for the one-step and two-step amidation of non-edible high free fatty acids containing triglycerides (TGR) such as waste cooking oil (CO), Karanja oil (KO) and jatropha oil (JO). The 2.5-Li@CaO-Ca(OH) 2 -450 nanocatalyst took 45 min, 75 min, and 120 min for the complete one-step amidation (99 % yield) of CO, KO, and JO, respectively. In two-step amidation, the prepared nanocatalyst took 30 min and 45 min in the first step to prepare fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) and fatty acid ethyl ester (FAEE) from CO and then took 20 min and 30 min for complete amidation of FAME and FAEE. The first-order rate constants for the amidation of TGR, FAEE, and FAME were calculated as 0.10 min−1, 0.151 min−1, and 0.225 min−1, respectively. The 2.5-Li@CaO-Ca(OH) 2 -450 nanocatalyst was recycled and reused for ten reaction cycles for amidation and also found to complete amidation at room temperature (25−30 °C). The prepared amide derivative acted as a dual functional diesel fuel additive and found to improve the cetane number from 52.6 to 56.1 and lubricity from 460 to 247 μm of diesel fuel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing mechanical energy harvesters for electrical stimulation (ES) needed to augment cell behavior is a burgeoning area of interest. Mechanical energy harvesters that can generate electrical energy in electrolyte‐containing aqueous environments offer a unique solution for delivering ES to cells. In this work, a fully integrated ES assembly (FESA) is introduced that comprises coiled polydopamine (PDA) containing carbon nanotube yarn (CNT) harvesters, serving as ES generators, and poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) coated carbon nanotube (PEDOT/CNT) sheets employed as a conductive scaffold. The PDA containing CNT (PDA/CNT) yarn, a novel twistron electrode, achieves an enhanced electrical power at a lower matching impedance than coiled CNT yarn to efficiently transfer ES to the conductive scaffold. The PEDOT used for the scaffold provides a suitable surface for cell adhesion and low resistance for effective ES transmission. In addition, the upscaled array of coiled PDA/CNT yarns provides an ES current density range up to 75.4 µA cm−2, which is much higher than for ES systems using different mechanical energy harvesters. This FESA is designed to provide an optimal level of ES for the proliferation and differentiation of chondrocytes. The findings illuminate the potential of chemically modified twistron energy harvesters as an innovative and effective strategy to promote biological response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, Ti–4%Al–2%Fe–(1–4)%Mn alloys exhibiting transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) were investigated using electron backscattering diffraction (EBSD). Fe, Al, and Mn are all low-cost elements with low melting points, making them suitable alloying elements for next-generation α + β titanium alloys with high strength and ductility. A pronounced solution temperature and Mn content dependence of the tensile behavior was observed. The solution temperature affected the β stability i.e., the kinetics of TRIP, because the Fe and Mn atoms (strong β stabilizers) were partitioned to the retained β phase during solution treatment in the α + β region. When the Mo equivalent content was between 8.4 and 10.4, the alloys exhibited an excellent combination of strength (>1.1 GPa) and ductility (>25%). On the other hand, solution treatment in the β region bestowed the same alloys with brittleness, even though the Mo equivalence was similar. During deformation, the alloys exhibited a stress-induced martensitic transformation followed by martensite coalescence. The transformation could increase the strain hardenability, but the coalescence could not. Experiments revealed that the coalesced martensite grains were propositional in size to the prior β grains. Solution treatment in the β region resulted in β coarsening, resulting in relatively low strain hardenability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a Ti–3Mo–3Cr–2Fe–2Al alloy (α + β Ti alloy) showing twinning- and transformation-induced plasticity was investigated. The existence of α yielded fine-grained β phases. The β grains, comprising low-angle boundaries, produced a high yield strength of 737 MPa despite the low α volume percentage. Martensite and twin interactions with these boundaries induced local stress concentrations. These led to a high work-hardening rate compared to that in a full β microstructure. The α + β Ti alloy showed an excellent combination of strength (1324 MPa) and ductility (0.37). Image 1 • α+β Ti–3Mo–3Cr–2Fe–2Al alloy showed the twinning- and transformation-induced plasticity. • The existence of α developed sub-grained structure and yielded the grain refinement. • Both twin and martensite impinged the low angle boundaries resulting in local stress concentration. • The sub-grained structure caused by α exhibited an excellent tensile properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

N,N-Bis(2-hydroxyethyl) alkylamide or fatty acid diethanolamides (FADs) were prepared from a variety of triglycerides using diethanolamine in the presence of different transition metal-doped CaO nanocrystalline heterogeneous catalysts. The Zn-doped Cao nanospheroids were found to be the most efficient heterogeneous catalyst, with complete conversion of natural triglycerides to fatty acid diethanolamide in 30 min at 90 °C. The Zn/CaO nanoparticles were recyclable for up to six reaction cycles and showed complete conversion even at room temperature. The amidation reaction of natural triglycerides was found to follow the pseudo-first-order kinetic model, and the first-order rate constant was calculated as 0.171 min−1 for jatropha oil aminolysis. The activation energy (Ea) and pre-exponential factor (A) for the same reaction were found to be 47.8 kJ mol−1 and 4.75 × 108 min−1, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rolling texture formed in the conventional cold rolling process of commercially pure titanium (CP-Ti) for producing a metal sheet significantly limits the potential applications of CP-Ti sheets in various industrial sectors by impairing the formability. Here, we report that by exploiting a twinning-induced crystallographic texture modification, the rolling texture can be weakened and dispersed effectively, leading to a simultaneous improvement in the formability and yield strength. A two-stage cold rolling process was designed with intermediate annealing at a late stage of the conventional cold rolling process to generate deformation twins. The intermediate annealing drove the activation of {112¯2} twin and {112¯2} - {101¯2} double twin in the second stage of the rolling process by removing the internal reaction stress developed in the first stage of the rolling process through recrystallization, and the crystallographic feature of the {112¯2} twinned region, i.e., {112¯2} twin texture, was effective for type slips and {101¯2} twinning to accommodate a through-thickness strain as well as for reducing the planar anisotropy. This enhanced thinning capability and reduced planar anisotropy in the {112¯2} twin texture led to an improvement of the formability. We demonstrated the feasibility of the suggested two-stage cold rolling process with ASTM grade 2 CP-Ti. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recent studies using single-cell transcriptomic analysis have reported several distinct clusters of neoplastic epithelial cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts in the pancreatic cancer tumor microenvironment. However, their molecular characteristics and biological significance have not been clearly elucidated due to intra- and inter-tumoral heterogeneity. Methods: We performed single-cell RNA sequencing using enriched non-immune cell populations from 17 pancreatic tumor tissues (16 pancreatic cancer and one high-grade dysplasia) and generated paired spatial transcriptomic data from seven patient samples. Results: We identified five distinct functional subclusters of pancreatic cancer cells and six distinct cancer-associated fibroblast subclusters. We deeply profiled their characteristics, and we found that these subclusters successfully deconvoluted most of the features suggested in bulk transcriptome analysis of pancreatic cancer. Among those subclusters, we identified a novel cancer cell subcluster, Ep_VGLL1, showing intermediate characteristics between the extremities of basal-like and classical dichotomy, despite its prognostic value. Molecular features of Ep_VGLL1 suggest its transitional properties between basal-like and classical subtypes, which is supported by spatial transcriptomic data. Conclusions: This integrative analysis not only provides a comprehensive landscape of pancreatic cancer and fibroblast population, but also suggests a novel insight to the dynamic states of pancreatic cancer cells and unveils potential therapeutic targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In this study, the deformation mechanism of a metastable Ti-4Al-4Fe-0.25Si-0.1O alloy was investigated via ex-situ electron backscattering diffraction (EBSD) and field-emission transmission electron microscopy (FE-TEM). A stress-induced α′-martensitic transformation occurred from the retained β phase. New variants of α′-martensite were nucleated and grew in the transformed α′-martensite under increasing levels of applied stress. Microstructural observations revealed that the orthorhombic nanodomains were sheared in the prior α′-martensite; these sheared nanodomains contributed to the formation of different variants of α′-martensite. This additional martensitic transformation resulted in an excellent combination of strength (ultimate tensile strength; UTS: 1340 MPa) and ductility (30%). Highlights • Ti-4A-4Fe-0.25Si alloy showed the stress-induced α′-martensite transformation. • Randomly distributed nano-domain was sheared by the martensite transformation. • The sheared domains were transformed to secondary martensite. • This stepwise transformation exhibited an excellent tensile properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • The electrospinning was developed for fabrication of collagen mimetic scaffold. • With addition of LA, LA assisted formation of 3D cotton-like fibrous structure. • The physicochemical properties of the as-fabricated scaffold were evaluated. Abstract The ability to mimic the topography of aligned collagen fiber bundles (A-CFB) that form the structural basis for the extracellular matrix (ECM) can be an important step in the fabrication of engineered scaffolds. Because the cell adhesion to the surface topography involve cell adhesion localized structures, topographical features, which mimics the A-CFB of the matrix can be a significant factor for cell activities. In this study, we present a novel method for the fabrication of low-density electrospun fibers mimicking A-CFB constructs. The three dimensional (3D) cotton-like A-CFB mimetic scaffold (3D-CACMS) of a mixture of lactic acid (LA) and polycaprolactone (PCL) was prepared by multiple pins rotator electrospinning (MPRES), followed by selective leaching of LA. The results of SEM, FTIR, TGA, and DSC revealed the physicochemical properties of the as-fabricated scaffold. This 3D-CACMS attempt to mimic A-CFB and can potentially meet the requirements for practical use of biomedical engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single‐atomic catalysts based on ruthenium have a balanced efficiency for water splitting, but it is necessary to control their activity and durability. In this work, a binder‐free Fe2‐xRuxNb2O6 (FRNO) hybrid catalyst is rationally designed through a facile hydrogel‐crosslinking route. The as‐prepared FRNO catalyst exhibits high electrocatalytic activity and stability when operating under acidic (0.5 m H2SO4) and alkaline (1 m KOH) media. Operando X‐ray adsorption and density functional theory calculations show that FRNO/CC, with its high intrinsic conductivity, promotes the adsorption and dissociation of water on its surface by regulating the charge distribution via charge transfer to the coordinated surface oxygen. This facilitates the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance by stabilizing *OOH adsorption on Ru and Fe. The FRNO/carbon cloth (CC) hybrid catalyst also delivers excellent activity and stability for both hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and OER in pH‐universal electrolytes with low overpotentials of 30 mV per 82 mV for HER and 200 mV per 260 mV for OER at a current density of 10 mA cm‐2 in acidic/basic medium. Ultimately, the FRNO/CC hybrid catalyst shows good water‐splitting performance, and it is expected to help contribute to the creation of various hybrid electrocatalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The electrospun membrane added with βCD/GA inhibits the growth of bacteria. • The content of GA determined the antibacterial activity of the electrospun membranes. • The developed membrane is expected to be used for the development of wound treatment. Licorice contains glycyrrhizic acid, an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory component widely used as an ingredient for disinfection and trauma treatment since ancient times. In this study, antibacterial capsules were prepared by conjugating glycyrrhizic acid as a natural antibacterial substance with β-cyclodextrin. In addition, after mixing it with a polymer solution, it was successfully manufactured into fibers using an electrospinning technology. Through several analyzes, it was confirmed that the antibacterial capsule was well distributed within the prepared electrospinning membrane. The antibacterial test confirmed that glycyrrhizic acid encapsulated with β-cyclodextrin maintains its antibacterial properties. If such electrospun fiber containing an antibacterial capsule is manufactured, it can be applied to trauma treatment such as wound dressing due to its antibacterial effect. In addition, it can be used in various fields such as infection prevention and disease treatment by utilizing the anti-inflammatory and antiviral effects of glycyrrhizic acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study introduces a new design of electromagnetic manipulation (EMM) system for wireless control of magnetic robots and magnetic nanoparticles for biomedical applications. It can generate a high-gradient magnetic field in the desired direction and forms the ponderomotive force distribution which allows the motion of magnetic robots in the specified direction. The real time microscopic-video supported by the LabVIEW vision system, the detection of object function through NI-Vision Assistant and tracking function through Math-Script node in the LabVIEW simulation. The motion speed and direction of the magnetic robotics/nanoscale material can also be manipulated using EMM system and Joystick controller. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we report the synthesis of multimetallic core–satellite nanodendrites (Pt@Au@rGO) composed of nano-sized reduced graphene oxide (50–60 nm) wrapped gold nanoparticles (30 nm) as the core and ultra-small platinum nanoparticles as the satellites. These were then used as a highly active catalyst for CO2 photoreduction to HCOOH (quantum yield = 1.95%, chemical yield = 3.31%) with excellent reusability and colloidal stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Well-dispersed TiO 2 /ZrO 2 nanofibers-doped activated carbon (AC/TiZr) were successfully synthesized as an electrode for the capacitive deionization (CDI) technique via electrospinning that was followed by a hydrothermal treatment. SEM, TEM, XRD, XPS and EDX measurements were employed to characterize the morphology, crystal structure and chemistry composition of the as-synthesized material. The electrochemical performance of the AC/TiZr nanocomposite modified electrode was measured using systematic cyclic voltammetry (CV) experiments. The highest specific capacitance for the AC/TiZr-based electrode is 251.3 Fg/g, which is higher than those of the AC (207.4 Fg/g) and TiO 2 /ZrO 2 NFs (0.4 Fg/g)-based electrodes, and the interior resistance was also reduced. A desalination performance enhancement was obtained in the case of the AC/TiZr and the electrosorptive is 2.96 mg g −1 . The implementation of the AC/TiZr nanocomposite provided a high potential for improving the efficiency of CDI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a fatal disease often detected late in unresectable stages. Currently, there are no effective diagnostic methods or biomarkers to detect CCA early with high confidence. Analysis of tumor-derived extracellular vesicles (tEVs) harvested from liquid biopsies can provide a new opportunity to achieve this goal. Here, an advanced nanoplasmonic sensing technology is reported, termed FLEX (fluorescence-amplified extracellular vesicle sensing technology), for sensitive and robust single EV analysis. In the FLEX assay, EVs are captured on a plasmonic gold nanowell surface and immunolabeled for cancer-associated biomarkers to identify tEVs. The underlying plasmonic gold nanowell structures then amplify EVs' fluorescence signals, an effective amplification process at the single EV level. The FLEX EV analysis revealed a wide heterogeneity of tEVs and their marker levels. FLEX also detected small tEVs not detected by conventional EV fluorescence imaging due to weak signals. Tumor markers (MUC1, EGFR, and EPCAM) are identified in CCA, and this marker combination is applied to detect tEVs in clinical bile samples. The FLEX assay detected CCA with an area under the curve of 0.93, significantly better than current clinical markers. The sensitive and accurate nanoplasmonic EV sensing technology can aid in early CCA diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The deformation mechanisms of an α″-martensitic Ti–8Mo alloy were investigated by ex-situ electron microscopy tensile tests. Two deformation twins, { 110 } 〈 1 1 ¯ 0 〉 α ″ and { 130 } 〈 3 ¯ 10 〉 α ″ were simultaneously generated by two pathways: (1) direct from primary laths and (2) via reorientation twins. The generation of deformation twinning is strongly dependent on orientation and follows Schmid's law. The dominant twinning in α″ martensite was determined by comparing the shuffle magnitudes calculated from the lattice parameter and the magnitude of lattice modulation. { 110 } 〈 1 1 ¯ 0 〉 α ″ and { 130 } 〈 3 ¯ 10 〉 α ″ twins are activated simultaneously in Ti alloys with a low β-stabilizer content, such as Ti–8Mo alloy. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The poor performance of conventional techniques used in cardiovascular disease patients requiring hemodialysis or arterial bypass grafting has prompted tissue engineers to search for clinically appropriate off-the-shelf vascular grafts. Most patients with cardiovascular disease lack suitable autologous tissue because of age or previous surgery. Commercially available vascular grafts with diameters of < 5 mm often fail because of thrombosis and intimal hyperplasia. Result: Here, we tested tubular biodegradable poly-e-caprolactone/polydioxanone (PCL/PDO) electrospun vascular grafts in a rat model of aortic interposition for up to 12 weeks. The grafts demonstrated excellent patency (100%) confirmed by Doppler Ultrasound, resisted aneurysmal dilation and intimal hyperplasia, and yielded neoarteries largely free of foreign materials. At 12 weeks, the grafts resembled native arteries with confluent endothelium, synchronous pulsation, a contractile smooth muscle layer, and co-expression of various extracellular matrix components (elastin, collagen, and glycosaminoglycan). Conclusions: The structural and functional properties comparable to native vessels observed in the neoartery indicate their potential application as an alternative for the replacement of damaged small-diameter grafts. This synthetic off-the-shelf device may be suitable for patients without autologous vessels. However, for clinical application of these grafts, long-term studies (> 1.5 years) in large animals with a vasculature similar to humans are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]