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The lifetime of Si bond coatings in environmental barrier coatings is constrained by phase-transition-induced cracking of the SiO2 scale. In this study, Si–HfO2 dual-state duplex composite materials are proposed to address this issue by partially forming HfSiO4 and minimizing the SiO2 content. The as-prepared composite exhibited a structure comprising discrete HfO2 “bricks” embedded in a continuous Si “mortar”, while the oxidized state transformed into discrete HfSiO4 “bricks” within continuous thin SiO2 “mortars”. The results indicate that continuous thin SiO2 contributes to reducing the oxidation rate to a level comparable to that of pure Si, and discrete HfSiO4 particles aid in relieving phase transition-induced stress and inhibiting crack propagation, thereby enhancing oxidation and cracking resistance simultaneously. Consequently, the composite with 20 mol% HfO2 and a mean particle size of ~500 nm at 1370 ℃ exhibited a service lifetime 10 times greater than that of pure Si. This research provides valuable insights for designing Si-based bond coatings with improved service lifetime.

Abstract Background The use of donated oocytes (DO) for in vitro fertilization(IVF) treatment in patients with infertility is generally recognized, and females with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) can participate in oocyte donation programs as donor patients. However, the pregnancy outcomes and offspring follow-up in patients with PCOS as the recipients are unclear. This study was to compare the pregnancy outcomes and follow-up of offspring in PCOS and non-PCOS receptor. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of 62 patients undergoing the oocyte reception program were separated into 2 groups: Group I, PCOS oocyte recipients (n = 30); Group II, non-PCOS recipients (n = 32). Medical records were reviewed, and rates of fertilization, cleavage, high-quality embryos and blastocysts were compared between PCOS and non-PCOS groups. Rates of implantation, pregnancy, ectopic pregnancy, early abortion, multiple pregnancies, and offspring outcomes were calculated using the first single vitrified-warmed blastocyst transfer (SVBT) analysis between the groups. Results The average recipient age and body mass index (BMI) of PCOS and non-PCOS patients was (36.3 ± 2.6 vs. 36.2 ± 2.8, and 23.4 ± 3.9 vs. 23.7 ± 4.0), respectively (P > 0.05). The fertilization, cleavage, high-quality embryos and blastocyst rates were not significantly different between the PCOS and non-PCOS groups. Rates of implantation, pregnancy, ectopic pregnancy, early abortion, and multiple pregnancies were not significantly different in SVBT between the PCOS and non-PCOS groups. The incidence of complications, such as pre-eclampsia or gestational diabetes, between PCOS and non-PCOS groups was similar (11.8% vs.11.1%, 5.9% vs.5.5%; P > 0.05). Preterm births were also similar (11.8% vs.16.7%, P > 0.05). Donor oocytes are more likely to be delivered via cesarean Sect. (80.0% vs. 86.7%: P > 0.05). The mean gestational age, birth weight, and height were comparable between the 2 groups during full-term delivery. Conclusion There was no difference in the pregnancy outcomes and follow-up of the offspring between the PCOS and non-PCOS groups.

Waste incinerator components suffer sever high temperature corrosion damage in working condition due to the corrosion of the waste and the corrosion of incineration products. In order to alleviate the high temperature corrosion of the incinerator, Cr3C2 - NiCr coatings were deposited via high velocity oxy - fuel spraying method, and the high temperature corrosion resistance of the coatings was studied. The prepared coatings were tested under high temperature oxidation, molten salt corrosion and atmosphere corrosion environments, and both the corrosion behavior and corresponding products of the above-mentioned cermet coatings were evaluated. The corrosion test results showed that under the high temperature oxidation and molten salt corrosion conditions, with the increase of corrosion temperature from 450 ℃ to 650 ℃, the corrosion rates of the coatings increased. Under the atmosphere corrosion condition, the corrosion rates of the coatings increased with the rising of corrosion temperature from 550 ℃ to 650 ℃.

Waste incinerators are faced with a problem of sever high temperature erosion in service, and applying a protective coating is an effective method to protect them from erosion damage. To research the service performance of Cr3C2-NiCr coatings in the high temperature erosion environment in waste incinerator, Cr3C2-NiCr coatings were prepared using high velocity oxy-fuel spraying, the influence of spraying distance on coatings' microstructure was studied, and the high temperature erosion resistance of coatings was examined. Results indicated that with the increase of spraying distance, both the amount of unmelted particles on the coating surface and the porosity of coating increased. The coating had the highest proportion of melted particles when the spraying distance was 225 mm. In the high temperature erosion test, the erosion rate of coating increased and the high temperature erosion resistance decreased while the spraying distance increased. Besides, the high temperature erosion resistance of coating decreased when the temperature of erosion test increased from 450 ℃ to 550 ℃.

Background: Previous cases reported that oocytes were characterized by indented zone pellucida (ZP) and narrow perivitelline space (PVS) with low oocyte maturity or all metaphase I (MI) like oocytes which usually be abandoned. These MI-like oocytes can be fertilized and develop embryo. The genetic analysis of blastocyst from MI-like oocytes with indented ZP and narrow PVS is still unknown. Methods: In this report, patient collected all immature MI-like oocytes with indented ZP and narrow PVS. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) proceed to these oocytes directly. The MI-like oocytes can fertilization, and developed blastocyst. The patient got pregnant after transfer 2 embryo on day 3. Blastomere biopsy, genome amplification, copy number variation (CNV) and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis was performed. Results: CNV analysis showed that genotype was 46,XX, with mosaic of multiple chromosomes and SNP results showed that part of the chromosomes belong to triploids, and some belong to quadruplicate copies based on the B-allele frequency (BAF) value combined with the LogR Ratio. It is speculated that the cell is in the early stage of the first meiosis. Conclusion: MI like oocytes with indented ZP and narrow PVS can developed blastocyst and pregnancy after ICSI. Genetic analysis of blastocyst showed mosaic of multiple chromosomes.

Objective To achieve the anatomical evaluation of spinal nerve and cervical intervertebral foramina in anterior controllable antedisplacement and fusion (ACAF) surgery, a novel surgical technique with the wider decompression, through a cadaveric and radiologic study. Methods Radiographic data of consecutive 47 patients (21 by ACAF and 26 by anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion [ACCF]) who have accepted surgery for treatment of cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament(OPLL) and stenosis from March 2017 to March 2018 were retrospectively reviewed and compared between an ACAF group and ACCF group. Three postoperative radiographic parameters were evaluated: the decompression width and the satisfaction rate of decompression at the entrance zone of intervertebral foramina on computed tomography (CT), and the transverse diameter of spinal cord in the decompression levels on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In the anatomic study, three fresh cadaveric spines (death within 3 months) undergoing ACAF surgery were also studied. Four anatomic parameters were evaluated: the width of groove, the distance between the bilateral origins of ventral rootlets, the length of ventral rootlet from their origin to the intervertebral foramina, the descending angle of ventral rootlet. Results The groove created in ACAF surgery included the bilateral origins of ventral rootlets. The rootlets tended to be vertical from the rostral to the caudal direction as their takeoff points from the central thecal sac became higher and farther away from their corresponding intervertebral foramina gradually. No differences were identified between left and right in terms of the length of ventral rootlet from the origin to the intervertebral foramina and the descending angle of ventral rootlet. The decompression width was significantly greater in ACAF group (19.2 ± 1.2 vs 14.7 ± 1.2, 21.3 ± 2.2 vs 15.4 ± 0.9, 21.5 ± 2.1 vs 15.7 ± 1.0, 21.9 ± 1.6 vs 15.9 ± 0.8, from C3 to C6). The satisfactory rate of decompression at the entrance zone of intervertebral foramina tended to be better in the left side in ACAF group (significant differences were identified in the left side at C3/4, C4/5, C6/7 level, and in the right side at C4/5 level when compared with ACCF). And decompression width was significantly greater than the transverse diameter of spinal cord in ACAF group. Comparatively, there existed no significant difference in the ACCF group besides the C5 level. Conclusion ACAF can decompress the entrance zone of intervertebral foramina effectively and its decompression width includes the origins and massive running part of bilateral ventral rootlets. Due to its wider decompression range, ACAF can be used as a revision strategy for the patients with failed ACCF.

STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineer and Mathematics + Art/Design) education is presented to broaden interest in STEM fields, enhance the creativity of STEM students, and spur innovation. Although studies have explored the environment factors that influence individual creativity, few researches have investigated the role of students' savoring which might drive the demand-pull innovation in creativity cultivation. Therefore, this study aims to explore the effects of perceived support for creativity and the multiple mediation of savoring capacity on individual creativity in the context of undergraduate Design education. The instruments were administered to 851 Design-majored students in Taiwan. The collected data were tested against the research model using a path analysis-based procedure of multiple-mediators analysis. Research findings include: (1) Both students' perceived support for creativity and their ability to savor (through anticipation, enjoying the moment, and reminiscence) have significant positive effects on their individual creativity; (2) Among the three methods of savoring, savoring the moment alone has significant positive effects on individual creativity; (3) Students' perceived support for creativity mediated by their ability to savor the moment has significant positive effects on their individual creativity. The findings provide several important theoretical and practical implications regarding fostering students' creativity in the context of STEAM education.

Abstract Long noncoding RNAs are a group of more than 200 nt, nonprotein coding RNAs, some of which are dysregulated in many pathophysiological processes including endometriosis. This study aims to clarify the roles of dysregulated growth arrest‐specific 5 (GAS5) in patients with endometriosis, and unveil the underlying mechanisms. We obtained endometrium samples from 37 patients with endometriosis and 23 controls without endometriosis. Primary endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) and endothelial cells were separated from the endometrium. Levels of GAS5 were quantified using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction, and levels of p27, cleaved caspase‐3, cleaved poly (ADP‐Ribose) polymerase 1, vascular endothelial growth factor A, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 3 (TIMP3), and trypsin‐modified soy protein 10 were assessed by immunoblotting. Cell viability was examined using MTT assays, and the cell cycle and apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry. Endothelial cell tube formation capacity was assayed in vitro. GAS5 and p27 levels were found lower in the endometrium samples from patients with endometriosis. Primary ESCs from patients with endometriosis had increased viability, reduced apoptosis, and a relatively uncontrolled cell cycle. Gain‐ and loss‐of‐function studies confirmed that GAS5 regulated p27 expression in ESCs. Furthermore, GAS5 level was relatively low in primary endothelial cells from patients with endometriosis and GAS5 acted as an angiogenesis inhibitor by regulating the miR‐181c‐TIMP3 axis. Thus, lower GAS5 level in endometrium might be related to endometriosis by regulating cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle, and angiogenesis.

PurposeTo investigate whether the K-line classification in different cervical dynamic position of patients with Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament (OPLL) affects clinical outcome after Anterior Controllable Antedisplacement and Fusion (ACAF) surgery.MethodsA total of 93 patients who suffered from cervical spondylosis caused by OPLL underwent ACAF surgery between June 2015 and December 2017 in a single institution. Neutral, neck-flexed and neck-extended cervical radiographs were obtained from every patient. Subsequently they were classified into K-line (+) and K-line (−) with reference to the K-line classification criteria. Clinical outcomes were assessed by the JOA score, improvement rate (IR) and visual analogue scale (VAS). Radiological assessment included Cobb angle and occupation ratio (OR) of OPLL. Correlations between the long-term surgical outcomes and classification of K-line in different dynamic position were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance.ResultsSignificant improvements were shown in all postoperative clinical and radiographic assessments (P 0.05). However, the OR of extension K-line (−) (16.13% ± 11.58%) was higher than that of extension K-line (+) (9.00% ± 10.27%) and flexion K-line (+) subgroup (9.47% ± 9.97%) (P

Environmental barrier coatings (EBCs) are indispensable for the service of SiC‐based turbine engines. The Si‐bond coating is a critical layer that prevents oxidants from penetrating SiC substrates and determines the service lifetimes of EBCs. In this study, the oxidation behaviors and failure mechanisms of Si‐based bond coatings were reviewed. The large growth rate and phase transformation of thermally grown oxides (TGOs, SiO2) seriously deteriorate the service of Si‐bond coatings. The low melting point of Si further limits its application in next‐generation engines above 1 427°C. The results show that an isolated particle healing (IPH) treatment decreased the oxidation rate of the Si‐bond coating by ∼24% at 1 300°C. Moreover, the Si–HfO2 and Si‐stabilizer (Si–Al2O3 or Si‐mullite) composite/duplex bond coatings can eliminate SiO2 phase transitions, thus improving the service lifetime. In addition, rare earth silicide (RESi), SiC and SiO2–HfO2 composite show potential for use in next‐generation EBCs above 1 427°C. This review provides guidance for designing Si‐based bond coatings with improved service lifetime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To compare the clinical outcomes of anterior controllable antedisplacement fusion (ACAF), a new surgical technique, with laminoplasty for the treatment of multilevel severe cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) based on a 2‐year follow‐up. Methods Clinical data of 53 patients (21 by ACAF and 32 by laminoplasty) who have accepted surgery for treatment of cervical myelopathy caused by multilevel severe OPLL (occupying rate ≥ 50%) from March 2015 to March 2017 were retrospectively reviewed and compared between ACAF group and laminoplasty group. Operative time, blood loss, and complications of the two groups were recorded. Radiographic parameters were evaluated pre‐ and postoperatively: cervical lordosis on X‐ray, space available for the cord (SAC) and the occupying ratio (OR) on computed tomography (CT), and the anteroposterior (AP) diameter of the spinal cord at the narrowest level and the spinal cord curvature on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scoring was used to evaluate neurologic recovery. Statistical analysis was conducted to analyze the differences between two groups. The Mann–Whitney U test and chi square test were used to compare categorical variables. unpaired t test was used to compare continuous data. Results All patients were followed up for at least 24 months. The operative time was longer in ACAF group (286.5 vs 178.2 min, P 0.05). Less complications were observed in ACAF group than in laminoplasty group (one case [4.7%] of C5 palsy and one case [4.7%] of cerebrospinal fluid [CSF] leakage in ACAF group; four cases [12.5%] of C5 palsy, two cases [6.3%] of CSF leakage, and four cases [12.5%] of axial symptoms in laminoplasty group). The mean JOA score at last follow‐up (14.6 vs 12.8, P

Objective To propose a novel technique of free‐hand pedicle screw placement in cervicothoracic spine (snake‐eye method) and evaluate the preliminary effects and safety in clinical practice. Methods This is a retrospective study and we defined the period of this study as from December 2017 to April 2019 in our institution. Forty patients were included in this study who underwent cervicothoracic internal fixation in our hospital, and all patients undergoing implantation of 200 pedicle screws were divided into two groups. Twenty‐two patients (108 screws) had screw placement using traditional method, while 18 patients (92 screws) had screw placement using snake‐eye method. To reduce the possible selection bias, the patients we recruited in this study was originally performed on by one radiological doctor who was blind to the objective of this study. Patient demographics, including patient age, sex, obesity, smoking, and hypertension, were evaluated to figure out baseline differences between groups. Medical information was recorded including time, accuracy, and immediate (within 30 days after surgery) postoperative complications of pedicle screw placement (including pulmonary embolism or other thromboembolic events, surgical site infection, neurovascular injury, and mortality). Results There were 24 males and 16 females, with an average age of 52.2 years (range, 24–77). Finally, a total of 200 screws were successfully inserted in these patients, including fifteen patients with four pedicle screws, four patients with six screws, three patients with eight screws in traditional method group, and 12 patients with four pedicle screws, two patients with six screws, four patients with eight screws in snake‐eye method group. Patient demographic and comparison of two surgery methods are shown in Tables 1 and 2. The data baselines of the two groups were comparable because no impact of the two groups on population characteristics was demonstrated in the presented experiment. Also, we noticed that time and accuracy of the two groups were different with statistical significance at the level of P = 0.05. We observed that immediate (within 30 days after surgery) postoperative complications, including pulmonary embolism (PE), surgical site infection (SSI), neurovascular injury (NI), and mortality, in the two groups did not differ. Conclusion This study highlights a safe and effective technique for pedicle screw placement in cervicothoracic spine named snake‐eye method, and this technique may be particularly useful in emergency conditions with limited resources.

Out-of-plane deformation in graphene is unavoidable during both synthesis and transfer procedures due to its special flexibility, which distorts the lattice and eventually imposes crucial effects on the physical features of graphene. Nowadays, however, little is known about this phenomenon, especially for zero-dimensional bulges formed in graphene. In this work, employing first-principles-based theoretical calculations, we systematically studied the bulge effect on the geometric, electronic, and transport properties of graphene. We demonstrate that the bulge formation can introduce mechanical strains (lower than 2%) to the graphene's lattice, which leads to a significant charge redistribution throughout the structure. More interestingly, a visible energy band splitting was observed with the occurrence of zero-dimensional bulges in graphene, which can be attributed to the interlayer coupling that stems from the bulged structure. In addition, it finds that the formed bulges in graphene increase the electron states near the Fermi level, which may account for the enhanced carrier concentration. However, the lowered carrier mobility and growing phonon scattering caused by the formed bulges diminish the transport of both electrons and heat in graphene. Finally, we indicate that bulges arising in graphene increase the possibility of intrinsic defect formation. Our work will evoke attention to the out-of-plane deformation in 2D materials and provide new light to tune their physical properties in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]