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This study aimed to examine the mechanism of occipital condyle fractures (OCFs), their clinical symptoms, computer tomography (CT) scan findings, treatment options, and classification. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 43 patients with OCFs who were admitted to our neurosurgery center between 2017 and 2023. The investigation covered their clinical symptoms, CT scan results, and treatment outcomes. It was found that 25.6% of the patients suffered from severe craniocerebral injuries with Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores of 3–8 points, 9.3% had moderate injuries with GCS scores of 9–12 points, and 65.1% exhibited mild injuries with GCS scores of 13–15 points. Of these patients, 90.7% showed improvement upon discharge, 4.7% succumbed to their injuries, and another 4.7% developed paraplegia. Symptoms indicative of OCF in individuals with CCJ injuries included neck pain, swelling, cranial nerve palsy, and posterior pharyngeal wall swelling. Frequently observed complications in OCF patients included cerebral contusion, occipital bone fractures, and skull base fractures. Employing thin-layer CT scans of the CCJ area, along with sagittal and coronal CT reconstructions, is essential for identifying OCFs. The fractures were classified into 3 types based on the Anderson-Montesano classification, which, when modified, provides enhanced treatment guidance. OCFs are predominantly present in cases of high-energy trauma, with high-resolution thin-layer CT scans serving as the preferred diagnostic method. The application of the modified Anderson-Montesano classification, distinguishing between stable and unstable fractures, facilitates the determination of suitable treatment strategies. Stable OCFs can be managed using a rigid neck brace, while unstable OCFs may require Halo-vest frame fixation or surgical intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the size and surface properties of dimethomorph and flumorph, we used a computer simulation-assisted size exclusion hapten design strategy to develop group-specific monoclonal antibodies that can simultaneously recognize dimethomorph and flumorph. For this, we performed quantitative and visual semi-quantitative time-resolved fluorescence immunochromatography (TRFICA) to simultaneously detect dimethomorph and flumorph in potatoes and apples. In potato samples, the visual limit of detection (vLOD) for dimethomorph and flumorph was 4 ng/mL and 8 ng/mL, respectively, whereas the quantitative limit of detection (qLOD) for dimethomorph and flumorph was 0.26 and 0.33 ng/mL, respectively. The vLOD of dimethomorph and flumorph in apple samples was 8 ng/mL, whereas the qLOD of dimethomorph and flumorph was 0.17 and 0.38 ng/mL, respectively. The average recovery of potato and apple samples ranged from 77.5% to 121.7%, which indicated that the method can be used to rapidly detect dimethomorph and flumorph in food samples. [Display omitted] • A computer simulation-assisted size exclusion hapten design strategy. • A mAb simultaneously recognizes dimethomorph and flumorph was prepared. • TRFICA's qLOD was 0.26 and 0.33 ng/mL for dimethomorph and flumorph in potatoes. • TRFICA's qLOD was 0.17 and 0.38 ng/mL for dimethomorph and flumorph in apples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, phosphodiesterase type 5 enzyme inhibitors, including tadalafil, sildenafil, and their analogues have emerged as illegal ingredients in dietary supplements. It can cause serious clinical side effects in consumers, resulting in diverse symptoms. To rapidly screen illegal drugs in dietary supplements, a dual-labeled probe time-resolved fluorescence immunochromatography assay (DL-TRFICA) based on two broad-spectrum antibodies labeled with time-resolved fluorescent microspheres was established for the simultaneous qualitative and quantitative detection of nine sildenafil-like and three tadalafil-like adulterants. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC 50) of sildenafil-like and tadalafil-like adulterants were 2.49–5.88 and 2.15–2.78 ng mL−1, the limit of detection were 0.08–1.66 and 0.59–1.85 ng mL−1, and the visualization value (cut-off value) were 31.25–250 and 50–62.50 ng mL−1, respectively. Notably, the potential practical applications of DL-TRFICA evaluated by conducting a quantitative evaluation of sildenafil and tadalafil adulterants in dietary supplement samples (herbal spirit drinks, healthcare oral liquids, and herbal medicine pills) demonstrated a recovery rate ranging from 80.0% to 125.8% with a coefficient of variation of less than 15%, which concluded that the DL-TRFICA approach could be used in real sample detection. Schematic diagram of DL-TRFICA for PDE-5 inhibitors in dietary supplements. [Display omitted] • The DL-TRFICA was developed by two broad-spectrum antibodies-based time-resolved fluorescent microspheres as signal probe. • The DL-TRFICA simultaneously recognizes 12 types of PDE-5 inhibitors. • DL-TRFICA's LOD was 0.08–1.66 ng mL−1 for sildenafil-like adulterants. • DL-TRFICA's LOD was 0.59–1.85 ng mL−1 for tadalafil-like adulterants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Vertically aligned nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (NCNTs) were synthesized by the pyrolysis of acetonitrile in the presence of ferrocene catalyst (2wt.%) with water assistance. Herein, we demonstrated that water could be a special tool to shape the structure of the NCNTs and it can be injected as much as 33.3wt.% to grow NCNTs. More significantly, the nitrogen content of NCNTs and their tubular microstructures including tube diameter and wall thickness can be finely tailored by water introduction, which may further modulate their film electrical conductivity and electrocatalytic activities for oxygen reduction reactions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

3D efficient heat dissipation is essential and critical to the high-performance thermal management systems. However, challenges remain pertaining to manufacturing controllability and consistency, as well as 3D interconnected highly thermally conducive networks. Herein, a novel heat conduction architecture featuring high uniformity and condensity was constructed by tailoring aligned and densified carbon nanotube (CNT)@graphene oxide (GO) coaxial yarn assembled via a facile and controllable roll-dip-coating strategy into an integral whole, with extraordinary 3D interconnection of aligned highly crystalline graphene nanosheets. The unique architectural features of the resulting CNT-graphene film (CGF) guaranteed adequate pathways acting as "superhighways" for rapid 3D heat transfer, thereby enabling a high-efficiency 3D heat dissipation behavior, with the in-plane and through-plane thermal conductivities reached as high as 804.9 and 63.8 W m−1 K−1, respectively. This work has shed light on new strategies for designing and fabricating 3D highly thermally conducive microstructures toward high-efficiency thermal management systems. Highly uniform and condense heat conduction architecture with extraordinary 3D interconnection of aligned highly crystalline graphene nanosheets, which is constructed by tailoring aligned and densified carbon nanotube (CNT)@graphene oxide (GO) coaxial yarn assembled via a facile and controllable roll-dip-coating strategy into an integral whole, enables adequate pathways acting as "superhighways" for rapid 3D heat transfer, thereby featuring a high-efficiency 3D heat dissipation behavior. [Display omitted] • Aligned and densified CNT@GO coaxial yarn was assembled via a facile and controllable roll-dip-coating strategy. • Highly uniform and condense CGF with extraordinary 3D interconnection of aligned highly crystalline graphene nanosheets was constructed by tailoring coaxial yarn into an integral whole. • The unique architecture of CGF enabled adequate pathways acting as "superhighways" for rapid 3D heat transfer. • CGF exhibited a high-efficiency 3D heat dissipation behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We describe an improved synthetic approach to access tripodal compounds with variable footprints and anchor groups. Two ruthenium(II) bipyridine tripodal complexes with three carboxylic acid groups in meta (Ru- m -COOH, 1) and para (Ru- p -COOH, 2) positions, and with large (180–250Å2) footprints were synthesized and bound to the surface of nanostructured TiO2. Selected properties of 1 and 2 in solution and bound are reported. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Macro-assembled carbon-based materials have demonstrated great potential for high-performance electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding. However, how to enable a combined feature of superior foldability and high-efficiency shielding, which is crucial for the high-performance realization, still remains challenging. Here, an effective and facile strategy to solve the problem was proposed by developing a lightweight single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs)/graphene film (SGF) with an interconnected porous layered sandwich structure, via welding SWCNTs between graphene layers as the skeleton. The special structure endowed SGF with a prominent folding-resistant performance under repeated folding over 1000 times, without any remarkable variation in structure, and mechanical and electrical properties. Simultaneously, an outstanding EMI shielding effectiveness of ca. 80 dB was achieved for the resultant SGF owing to the high conductivity of SWCNTs and graphene network, as well as multi-reflections built up in the interlayers of SGF. This study provides useful guidelines for the designing and fabrication of carbon-based EMI shielding materials with high folding and shielding properties toward future uses. Lightweight SWCNTs/graphene films (SGFs) with an interconnected porous layered sandwich structure, which are fabricated by welding SWCNTs between graphene layers as the skeleton via an effective and facile strategy, show prominent folding-resistant and EMI shielding performance. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accurate and rapid detection of trace small molecules such as pesticides and veterinary drug residues, illegal additives, mycotoxins, and antibiotics is significant in current food chemistry research. Developing efficient sample pretreatment and rapid detection techniques for trace small molecules follows the development goals of on-site food detection. In recent years, emerging advanced materials with their unique physicochemical properties are being gradually used for sample pretreatment and the rapid detection of trace small molecules in food, offering great potential for application. In this review, we present a comprehensive review of the research progress of metal-organic frameworks, covalent organic frameworks, molecularly imprinted polymers, carbon-based nanomaterials (carbon nanotubes, graphene and its derivatives, and graphitic carbon nitride), and aerogels, which have been widely reported in recent years, for the pretreatment and rapid detection of trace small molecules in applications such as food safety and nutrition. This review highlights and advances the existing problems of applying various advanced materials and potential solutions. Key findings and conclusions: In the field of trace small-molecule rapid detection in food, advanced materials have been mainly used as functional carriers, electrode modification materials, recognition groups, nano-bionic enzymes, and bionic antibodies in common rapid detection techniques such as immunoassays, electrochemical analysis, and fluorescence sensing analysis, effectively improving the sensitivity and sensing performance of the analysis technique. Further application of effective pretreatment techniques for the front-end processing of rapid detection techniques is a significant breakthrough for realizing rapid on-site detection of trace small molecules in foods. [Display omitted] • The first systematic review of the applications of advanced materials in the pretreatment and rapid detection of small molecules in foods. • Advantages and limitations of advanced materials and enhancing the sensitivity of the analysis techniques are discussed. • Emerging pretreatment and rapid detection techniques can enhance the analytical performance of trace small molecules. • Advancements, challenges, and perspectives of advanced materials in trace small-molecule detection in foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study developed a new method of enhancing the mechanical and electrical properties of laminated composites by interleaving continuous carbon nanotube (CNT) film between laminae. CNT film was fabricated using the floating catalytic chemical vapor deposition method and directly deposited onto the fiber fabric surface. The content of CNT film in the laminate was well controlled by the number of CNT film layers deposited. The flexural strength and interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of the composites initially increased with CNT film content, and then decreased. Meanwhile, the in-plane and out-of-plane conductivities of laminated composites were effectively enhanced after CNT film interleaving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Floating catalyst chemical vapor deposition (FCCVD) has been widely used for the growth of various carbon nanotube (CNT) macrostructures, mainly including vertically aligned CNT (VACNT) arrays and none-woven CNT films. However, it is still unclear for the reason why these CNT macrostructures with largely different morphologies were received via the similar method. In this research, it revealed that the growth temperature largely affected the nucleation status of floating catalysts and thus controlled the morphologies of CNT macrostructures from VACNT arrays to none-woven CNT films. In low temperatures (below 800 °C), VACNTs were grown by bottom-up mechanism with several CNTs, but not one individual from bottom to up along the array height direction. Furthermore, VACNT arrays were only grown on some substrates that can induce iron atoms aggregating to catalyst particles with a suitable size. When increasing the growth temperature higher than 800 °C, more catalyst particles were nucleated in the gas flow, which induced the formation of none-woven CNT films composed of thin CNTs (single-walled CNTs and double-walled CNTs). This research was significative for understanding CNT growth mechanism via FCCVD process and the synthesis of different CNT macrostructures by this strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Direct writing technology of graphene-based fibers has drawn riveting attention in recent years owing to its outstanding production of complex structure with arbitrary geometry. Dexterous writing and precise regulation of structure are dependent on the writing inks and coagulation baths, especially the movement modes and combination types of the writing needle. Controlling these factors properly, graphene-based fibers with different structure and their assemblies can be constructed directly. However, there is still a lack of classified review papers that cover the controlling factors for fibers/assemblies and the corresponding functional properties, which is exactly the purpose of this review. Here, we systematically summarize the controllable factors of the direct writing technology in the fabricating process and tease the relationship between controllable factors and fiber structures. Furthermore, we discuss applications of the prepared fibers and their assemblies as well as the development prospect of this method. This review may provide an idea for the direct preparation of complex fiber structures for other materials. [Display omitted] Various factors of direct writing technology for fabricating graphene-based fibers, including movement of needle, type of writing ink, structure of needle, writing environment, and other factors, result in fibers with different structures and properties. By adjusting one or more factors, graphene-based fibers with various designed patterns can be written directly for different fields. • Summarizes the factors influencing direct writing in the comprehensible terms: movement mode and structure of writing needle, writing ink, writing environment and other factors • Discusses the effect of controlling factors on structures and properties of graphene-based fiber in detail • Reveals the synergistic relation between multiple controlling factors • Presents the application fields of the prepared fibers and assemblies [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We report herein a rational approach to increase the proportion of metallic carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in horizontally aligned ultralong CNT arrays by electric field-assisted chemical vapor deposition. In a gas flow-directed growth mode, the buoyancy caused by temperature differences near the substrate can lift catalyst particles or CNTs from the substrate into the laminar flow so that ultralong CNT arrays with mixed metallic (m-) and semiconducting (s-) CNTs can be obtained. It was verified that the percentage of m-CNTs was about 47% for pristine CNTs. When an electric field was introduced during CNT growth, the grown CNTs were polarized and the generated electric field force assisted them into the laminar flow. The greater polarizability of m-CNTs compared to s-CNTs resulted in more m-CNTs lifted and an increased m- to s-CNT ratio in the array. Measurements of CNT electrical properties showed that the percentage of m-CNTs could reach 80% when the electric field intensity was set at 200V/cm. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Light-weight materials have been holding great potentials and practical usages in floating functional platforms, while it remains in great needs in developing novel ultra-light foam materials towards future applications. Herein, we demonstrated the fabrication and self-floating application of an ultra-lightweight, robust and amphiphobic carbon nanotube (CNT) foams. The foams were prepared by a facile, fast and scalable CVD process, where alcohol vapor was used as carbon source at 1100 °C to weld the CNTs together in the original CNT aerogels and the reaction time was greatly reduced from hours to 30 min, several times faster than reported results. The compressive strength of foams was remarkably enhanced by 250 times and the contact angle to water increase from ∼100° to 132°. Further vapor modification by 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorodecyltrichlorosilane (FDTS) enabled the foams both super-hydrophobic (162° to water) and oleophobic (138° to oil), which also show excellent long-term stability in strong acid and alkaline solutions. Most importantly, such robust and amphiphobic CNT foams exhibited superb self-floating performance in water and oil, which could bear more than 300 times its own weight, nearly 10 times higher than conventional polymer-based buoyant materials, such as EVA, PVC, PU, providing great promise for marine applications. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flexible fiber-shaped microelectrode biosensors have aroused intensive attention due to the promising use for monitoring personal healthcare. However, challenges still exist in the pursuit of combination of high sensitivity and selectivity. Herein, a facile and effective strategy to solve these problems was proposed by developing a novel fiber-shaped photoelectrochemical urea biosensor (PUB) based on highly flexible graphene (G) fiber. The remarkable combined features of the resulting PUB with high surface roughness, good transmittance and superior molecular recognition could contribute to good adsorption capacity, convenient light absorption and selective detection, thus boosting a wide linear range from 0.01 to 1500 μM and a low detection limit of 1 nM. Meanwhile, rapid response, outstanding selectivity and perfect working performance during bending were available as expected. This research provides useful guidelines for designing and fabricating flexible microelectrode biosensors with high sensing performance toward future uses. Flexible fiber-shaped microelectrode biosensors with high surface roughness, significant transmittance and superior molecular recognition, which are fabricated by the uniform intercalation of TiO 2 nanoparticles between graphene sheets and molecular imprinting strategy, show high sensitivity, selectivity and bending stability. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Graphene fiber with superb properties poses an important role in future functional fibers and devices. However, the fibers made of neat graphene sheets remain brittle and the electrical conductivity of graphene/polymer fibers is very poor, which all together hiders wide use of graphene fibers. It remains a big challenge to obtain functional graphene fibers with combined electrical and mechanical properties. Here, we demonstrate a simple wet spinning of stretchable conductive graphene fibers through uniform intercalation of TiO 2 nanoparticles between graphene sheets. The TiO 2 nanoparticles induce formation of numerous winkles on graphene sheets which all together makes the composite fibers show combined superb mechanical, electrical and photoelectric performances. With increasing of TiO 2 from 0 to 50%, the fibers still have comparable electrical conductivities, while the breakage elongation greatly increases from less than 6% to higher than 20%, and the fibers with 50% TiO 2 have excellent tensile recovery within 15% strain. With TiO 2 combined, the fibers have extra functional properties in photoelectric response, which can be further improved by oxygen plasma etching, and no obvious decay is observed even after 100 bending cycles. This study provides useful guidelines for designing of functional conductive graphene fibers with highly stretchable performance towards future uses. Graphical abstract Stretchable conductive graphene fibers with highly wrinkled architecture, which are fabricated by the uniform intercalation of TiO 2 nanoparticles between graphene sheets via a simple wet spinning technique, show high breaking elongation and excellent photoelectric properties. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphite films have excellent in-plane thermal conductivity but extremely low through-thickness thermal conductivity because of their intrinsic inter-layer spaces. To improve the inter-layer heat transfer of graphite films, we developed a simple interfacial modification with a short duration mixed-acid treatment. The effects of the mixture ratio of sulfuric and nitric acids and treatment time on the through-thickness thermal properties of graphite films were studied. The modification increased the through-thickness thermal conductivity by 27% and 42% for the graphite film and its composite, respectively. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy results indicated that the acidification process had two competing effects: the positive contribution made by the enhanced interaction between the graphite layers induced by the functional groups and the negative effect from the destruction of the graphite layers. As a result, an optimal acidification method was found to be sulfuric/nitric acid treatment with a mixture ratio of 3:1 for 15 min. The resultant through-thickness thermal conductivity of the graphite film could be improved to 0.674 W/mK, and the corresponding graphite/epoxy composite shows a through-thickness thermal conductivity of 0.587 W/mK. This method can be directly used for graphite films and their composite fabrication to improve through-thickness thermal conductivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emerging fiber-shaped supercapacitors have motivated tremendous research interest in energy storage devices. However, obtaining thin gel electrolyte interlayers with small thickness and large contact interface area of electrodes, which are crucial for the high-performance realization, still remains challenging. Here, we demonstrate the facile and direct spinning of three-ply core-sheath graphene fiber supercapacitors with thin and continuous wrinkling gel electrolyte interlayer by a wet spinning approach through coaxial three-channel spinneret. The architectural feature of gel electrolyte interlayer can remarkably increase electrode/electrolyte contact interface area and facilitate transport of charges and ions. The resulting flexible core-sheath graphene fiber supercapacitors exhibit a high specific capacitance of 249 mF cm −2 , perfect cycling stability (96% retentions after 10000 cycles), and almost unaltered capacitance performance during repeated bending to 180°. The maximum power and energy densities are estimated to be 4.81 mW cm −2 and 44 μWh cm −2 , respectively. The energy density was further improved to 59 μWh cm −2 , when polyaniline was used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon nanotube (CNT) macroscopic assembly, as a promising candidate for the protective and anti-collision materials, has attracted lots of researchers to explore its mechanical behavior under different loading rates. In this paper, the loading-rate dependent mechanical behavior of CNT film and its composite with bismaleimide (BMI) matrix is investigated. The pristine CNT film shows decreased tensile strength by 33.8% when the loading rate increases from 0.05 mm/min to 40 mm/min. An obvious necking extending phenomenon is observed in the CNT film during the tensile test under lower tensile rates, e.g. 0.05 mm/min and 0.5 mm/min. However, the random composite film and the oriented composite film both display increased tensile strength, by 58.2% and 35.7% respectively, with the increasing loading rate from 0.05 mm/min to 40 mm/min. The different loading-rate dependence of tensile behavior is ascribed to the different tensile-induced motions of CNTs and CNT bundles in composite film. Moreover, strain rate sensitivity coefficients of different film are calculated according to a simplified Johnson-Cook model. The results suggest that the pristine CNT film with the strain rate sensitivity coefficient of − 0.0941 has a high loading-rate sensitivity, meanwhile polymer infiltration and oriented alignment can weaken the loading-rate sensitivity of CNT film. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]