bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dermatoses of the External Ear
Authors: Kennedy Cameron
Published: August 2023

The complex embryological origin of the external ear explains developmental anomalies and some hearing abnormalities. The structure of the pinna, a cartilaginous framework beneath thin skin, contributes to some of these conditions, such as chondrodermatitis nodularis and pseudocyst of the auricle. Ear piercing has complications that present to the dermatologist. External otitis, particularly when chronic, is often multifactorial, reflecting the special environment of the skin of the ear canal. The pinna is sometimes the site of predilection for systemic diseases, such as alcaptonuria, leprosy and relapsing polychondritis. The pinna is a sun‐exposed site where squamous carcinoma is often more aggressive than when it arises at sites nearby.
Dermatoses of the Eye, Eyelids and Eyebrows
Authors: Saw Valerie P. J. , Leonard Jonathan N.
Published: August 2023

When managing patients with skin disease it is important not to overlook associated ocular conditions or side effects of dermatological therapies, which may result in blindness or permanent sight impairment if not managed promptly and appropriately. This chapter focuses on conditions that commonly occur in clinical practice and that present a management problem, including rosacea/blepharitis, allergic eye disease, cicatrizing conjunctivitis, infections and eyelid tumours. Conditions that could threaten visual acuity and require urgent referral to an ophthalmologist are highlighted. Finally, systemic diseases affecting both the skin and eyes, in which ophthalmic assessment can help to make the diagnosis, are outlined.
Dermatoses of Pregnancy
Authors: Jones Samantha Vaughan
Published: August 2023

The specific dermatoses of pregnancy, which have been renamed and reclassified several times, represent a heterogenous group of pruritic skin diseases presenting in pregnancy. They comprise the following: pemphigoid gestationis, polymorphic eruption of pregnancy, atopic eruption of pregnancy and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. There are also a number of other skin diseases that can be influenced by pregnancy (infections, inflammatory skin diseases, skin tumours) and a number of physiological skin changes that occur in pregnancy. This chapter will discuss the presentation and management of common skin diseases in pregnancy with potential implications for both mother and child.
Dermatoses Induced by Illicit Drugs
Authors: Creamer Daniel , Gossop Michael
Published: August 2023

Illicit drugs are readily available and are used relatively commonly. Since illicit substances may adversely affect many organ systems, drug taking causes a range of health problems and physicians in all specialties, including dermatologists, can expect to see patients who use illegal drugs. Damage to health may be caused both directly by the drugs and indirectly by associated drug‐taking behaviours.
Dermatological Manifestations of Metal Poisoning
Authors: Nambi Rabindranath
Published: August 2023

Skin manifestations from poisoning by metals and metalloids are varied. The spectrum of metallodermatoses includes pigmentary changes, inflammatory dermatoses, urticarial eruptions, pre‐cancers, malignancies and anaphylaxis. The toxic effects of metal poisoning are often unrecognized and delayed diagnosis is common. The metals and metalloids discussed in this chapter include antimony, arsenic, gold, lead, mercury, selenium, silver, thallium, beryllium, molybdenum and platinum.
Mechanical Injury to the Skin
Authors: Bashir Saqib J. , Chew Ai‐Lean
Published: August 2023

Healthy skin is able to withstand the effects of a variety of mechanical forces, such as friction, pressure, contusion and vibration. However, when the force is of sufficient intensity or duration, mechanical injury may occur. Phenomena such as the isomorphic (Koebner) response and Nikolsky sign are of interest to dermatologists when considering the underlying pathology. Other conditions are important to recognize, as they may potentially be confused with skin cancers (black heel, spectacle frame acanthoma) or important dermatological diseases (foreign body reaction, friction blisters, sclerodermiform reaction, semicircular lipoatrophy). Mechanical insult to the skin may reflect an occupational hazard, such as the diverse skin reactions to musical instruments, traumatic effects of sports, hypothenar hammer syndrome and hand–arm vibration syndrome. The diverse presentations of cutaneous mechanical injury are discussed in this chapter.
Cutaneous Reactions to Cold and Heat
Authors: Bashir Saqib J. , Chew Ai‐Lean
Published: August 2023

Human exposure to cold and warm environments has occurred throughout millennia. Human skin responds physiologically to environmental temperature; however, pathological responses may occur to extremes of temperature in those who have an underlying predisposition. This chapter details the pathophysiological responses to cold and heat, the resultant disease processes and the treatment plans used to manage patients injured by cold or heat.
Stings and Bites
Authors: Tyring Stephen , Downing Christopher
Published: August 2023

This chapter provides an overview of dermatoses caused by organisms that can sting or bite humans. Skin pathology in stings is usually induced by venom (envenomation), while bites cause problems from both tissue damage and the introduction of infection. The type and distribution of lesions produced by individual species are discussed.
Kaposi Sarcoma
Authors: Tsai Kenneth Y.
Published: August 2023

Kaposi sarcoma (KS), first described by Moritz Kaposi in 1872, is a multifocal endothelial proliferation of low‐grade malignant potential that is caused by human herpesvirus 8 infection. Debate remains as to whether this is a true neoplasm or a reactive process, although there is evidence of monoclonality, and its precise histogenesis is thought to be lymphatic. A strong predisposition among immunocompromised individuals reflects a dependence upon host immune status, with an over 20‐fold global variation in incidence. There are four distinct clinicopathological subtypes: classic, endemic, iatrogenic and AIDS associated. The most distinguishing clinical features are the rate of progression and the degree of non‐cutaneous involvement. Disease outcome depends heavily upon tumour extent and systemic involvement, and no single approach is definitively curative. KS is highly radiosensitive and immunomodulators are frequently effective, and co‐treatment of HIV infection or reduction of immunosuppression often results in the regression of KS.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma and its Precursors
Authors: Gupta Girish , Madan Vishal , Lear John T.
Published: August 2023

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second commonest skin cancer and arises from epidermal keratinocytes or its appendages. The incidence of SCC has increased over the last five decades and is predicted to rise significantly by 2030. SCC is predominantly a disease of white populations and is especially prevalent in this group in areas of high ambient sun exposure. Predisposing factors include male sex, immune suppression (particularly those who are organ transplant recipients), sun exposure and advanced age. There is an excess risk of SCC associated with all β human papillomavirus types. Precursor lesions such as actinic keratosis or Bowen disease may often be present and patients are more susceptible to developing other UV radiation‐induced skin cancers. SCC has a low rate of metastasis but this increases with SCCs displaying high‐risk features. All SCCs should undergo full clinicopathological correlation and high‐risk SCCs should be managed within a multidisciplinary setting with adequate tumour clearance as the main outcome.
Cutaneous Markers of Internal Malignancy
Authors: Emtestam Lennart , Sartorius Karin
Published: August 2023

Different types of skin change are associated with internal malignancy. Tumour may spread to the skin from adjacent tissues, or may be deposited in the skin by metastasis. More typically dermatologists are called upon to assess paraneoplastic phenomena involving the skin, or to comment on dermatoses which are known, in some cases, to be markers of internal malignancy. Certain rare, inherited conditions, which have skin manifestations, carry a risk for the development of internal neoplasia. In other paraneoplastic settings, dysfunction of physiological activities, such as flushing or clotting, can lead the dermatologist to suspect an associated cancer. Potential cutaneous markers of internal malignancy vary in their reliability for predicting underlying neoplasia. The extent and intensity of the investigations for malignancy should therefore be tempered by a general assessment of the patient.
The Skin and Endocrine Disorders
Authors: Paus Ralf
Published: August 2023

Given that the skin is a major target organ of numerous hormones for which it expresses functional receptors, it is not surprising that excessive or insufficient systemic levels of these hormones induce clinically relevant cutaneous responses. These can manifest as general skin symptoms and signs such as pruritus, skin dryness, seborrhoea, hair loss, hypertrichosis, hirsutism, hyperhidrosis and/or hyperpigmentation, any of which prompts consideration of an underlying endocrine disease. In addition, characteristic skin lesions such as palmar erythema, gingival hyperpigmentation, stretch marks (striae distensae), acanthosis nigricans, pretibial myxoedema, necrobiosis lipoidica, melasma and acneform eruptions provide invaluable diagnostic clues to the possibility of unrecognized endocrine disease. More recently, the field has been revolutionized by the recognition that human skin is also a major endocrine and neuroendocrine organ which produces and/or metabolizes not only all classes of steroid hormones but also multiple peptide (neuro‐) hormones, neuropeptides and neurotransmitters. These impact profoundly on skin physiology and pathology at multiple levels, ranging from skin barrier function and neurogenic skin inflammation via wound healing to cutaneous stress responses. This has important implications for future dermatological therapy.
The Skin and Disorders of the Digestive System
Authors: Molin Sonja , Ruzicka Thomas
Published: August 2023

This chapter concentrates on bowel, hepatic and pancreatic diseases in which cutaneous signs or symptoms are prominent. It also discusses situations either where the skin and the digestive system are affected by the same disease process or where a skin disease itself has an effect on the digestive system. Special attention is paid to cutaneous involvement in inflammatory bowel disease and skin signs of liver disease.
The Skin and Disorders of the Kidney and Urinary Tract
Authors: Molin Sonja , Ruzicka Thomas
Published: August 2023

The skin and the renal system may be affected by the same disease processes. This chapter on skin and disorders of the kidney and urinary tract concentrates on hereditary syndromes involving both the skin and kidney, skin manifestations of renal disorders, cutaneous problems in renal transplant recipients, and skin disorders with renal involvement.
Chemical Peels
Authors: Goh Chee‐Leok , Teng Ee Lim Joyce
Published: August 2023

Chemical peels are a popular aesthetic treatment, combining efficacy with minimal downtime and low cost. Indications include skin rejuvenation, photoageing, pigmentary dyschromias, acne vulgaris and scarring. Currently, the most commonly used chemical peeling agents are glycolic acid 20–70%, trichloroacetic acid 10–35% and Jessner's solution. Chemical peeling causes controlled skin destruction which is classified according to the depth of the wound created and the corresponding histological level of necrosis. These include: (i) very superficial (exfoliation): destruction of the stratum corneum but no wound below the stratum granulosum; (ii) superficial (epidermal): necrosis of part or all of the epidermis; (iii) medium (papillary dermal): necrosis of the epidermis and part or all of the papillary dermis; and (iv) deep (reticular dermal): necrosis of the epidermis and papillary dermis with extension into the reticular dermis. Generally speaking, treatment benefits correlate with the level of tissue destruction, as do the potential risks.
Lasers and Energy‐Based Devices
Authors: Saedi Nazanin , Zachary Christopher B.
Published: August 2023

Laser and light therapies have offered significant advances in dermatological therapy in the past several decades, having evolved significantly from the early use of the ruby laser in 1960 to the current time when such technologies have become a mainstay of treatment for a host of medical and surgical conditions. The chapter covers laser‐, light‐ and energy‐based devices and their applications for aesthetic purposes. Given the large number of devices available, it is essential for the laser surgeon to understand their capabilities and limitations. In order to provide patients with optimal treatments, the laser surgeon needs to accurately identify the target structure, select an appropriate laser‐ or light‐based system, and then tailor the specific parameters for the intended target.
Economy of Attention and Attention Capital
Authors: van Krieken Robert
Published: August 2023

Theories of the attention economy and the economy of attention are outlined, with a particular focus on the concept “attention capital.” Key writers examined include Gabriel Tarde, Herbert Simon, Michael Davenport, Richard Lanham, Georg Franck, and Yves Citton. The significance of the economy of attention for the analysis of the mass media, advertising, marketing and public relations, celebrity, social media, and politics is explained.
Bernstein, Eduard (1850–1932)
Authors: Steger Manfred B.
Published: August 2023

Eduard Bernstein was a leading German socialist politician and theorist. His life is a microcosmic reflection of the early history of the German Social Democratic Party. Like the German labor movement itself, Bernstein started out as a philosophical eclectic, then he “converted” to Marxist orthodoxy only to return to an eclectic position which, enriched by Marxist theory, nonetheless espoused a nonrevolutionary, democratic socialism that recognized Marx only as one among several important theoretical sources.
Queerness, Argument from
Authors: Lillehammer Hallvard
Published: August 2023

The so‐called argument from queerness is one of two arguments against the existence of objective values put forward by J. L. Mackie in hisEthics: Inventing Right and Wrong, the other being his argument from relativity. By the term “objective value” Mackie primarily means moral goodness, rightness and wrongness, and duties and obligations, but he also takes his argument to affect certain nonmoral values. In a nutshell, his argument goes as follows: If there were objective values, they would be things of a very strange sort, utterly different from anything else in the universe. Yet, we have no philosophically satisfying account of either the existence of such things or of how we could come to know about them. Therefore, we should not believe in objective values.
Companions in Guilt Strategy
Authors: Lillehammer Hallvard
Published: August 2023

Philosophers often seek to defend the credentials of one set of disputed claims by comparing them to other claims with which they are said to have important features in common. Some arguments of this kind have a “companions in guilt” form. Companions in guilt arguments are designed to defend the credentials of one set of claims, A, by showing that some of the features of A‐claims that are thought to be problematic are either shared or implied by another set of claims, B, the credentials of which are less problematic. With respect to these features, A‐claims and B‐claims are said to be companions in guilt. In other words, if the credentials of A‐claims are undermined by possessing these features, then so are the credentials of B‐claims, all other things being equal. On the assumption that the credentials of B‐claims are not undermined by the fact that they possess these features, then neither are the credentials of A‐claims.
Kantian Business Ethics
Authors: Bowie Norman
Published: August 2023

This entry highlights the way Kantian ethics can be successfully applied to business ethics at all three levels of research: individual, organizational, and societal. The first two formulations of the categorical imperative work best at the individual level, while the third formulation is especially useful at the organizational level. Featured is a discussion of Kant's insistence on the purity of a moral motive and on the manager's obligation to seek a profit. The entry includes a number of common criticisms of a Kantian approach to business ethics and a set of replies.
Ransom
Authors: Howard Jeffrey
Published: August 2023

The term
ransom
refers to something demanded in exchange for the release of something else held hostage. The paradigmatic ransom is some quantity of money, and it is paradigmatically demanded in exchange for the release of a person who has been kidnapped. While criminal organizations, especially terrorist organizations, have long used ransoms as sources of revenue, the topic has attracted virtually no philosophical scrutiny. Nevertheless, it raises important ethical questions, regarding both the moral permissibility of paying ransoms and the permissibility of taking hostages to exact ransoms. This entry demonstrates that the evaluation of these questions, while largely ignored in the philosophical literature, depends upon an array of deeper questions across political and moral philosophy.
Slurs
Authors: Anderson Luvell
Published: August 2023

Slurs are a type of insult that derogates targets along sundry dimensions. Since the mid‐2000s, there has been a significant uptick in theoretical investigations of slurs by philosophers and linguists. In this entry, a brief sketch is provided of the main views appearing in the philosophical literature. The entry concludes with a gesture toward work done by political philosophers, legal theorists, and philosophers of art and aesthetics that investigates the role of slurs in law and expressive objects.
Sufficiency Principle
Authors: Shields Liam
Published: August 2023

The sufficiency principle is a normative principle that offers guidance and assessment of the distribution of benefits and burdens in societies. The principle embodies the thought that it is important for people to have enough and that individual actions and public policies should respect the importance of securing enough of some things, such as healthcare, education, wealth, and happiness. Although the idea is a simply one, it raises significant and difficult philosophical questions, which have been debated for decades. For example, how much is enough? Enough of what? How should we prioritize those who do not have enough? And how should we regard those who have enough already? In this entry I outline those debates and explain how these questions have been answered by philosophers to shed light on the nature of sufficiency principles as well as their attractiveness and limits.
Vulnerability
Authors: Jenkins David , Brownlee Kimberley
Published: August 2023

Vulnerability is a feature of our lives and, indeed, of all life. This entry explores different ways in which we experience vulnerability, including the fact that we have bodies and minds and are sociable creatures who live on a planet which is itself a vulnerable system of life. In each of these domains, vulnerability proves to be more complex than mere susceptibility to harm. It connects importantly to the value and meaning of life. The impulse tolimitour vulnerabilities can threaten that very value and meaning.
Abkürzungsverzeichnis
Authors: Litz Norbert
Published: August 2023

Dieser Beitrag enthält eine Liste mit den wichtigsten Abkürzungen aus dem Bereichen: Bodenkunde, Analytik, Bodenschutz.
Benzen
Authors: Litz Norbert
Published: August 2023

Benzen (veraltet Benzol, CAS 71‐43‐2) ist eine monozyklische aromatische Verbindung, welche farblos, leicht entflammbar und potenziell explosiv ist. Benzen findet man in fossilen Kohle‐ und Petroleumvorkommen, es wird dort natürlich gebildet und entsteht aus organischer Masse. Es ist ein wesentlicher Grundstoff für Kraftstoffe, für Waschmittelrohstoffe, Pflanzenschutz‐ und Arzneimittel sowie für Produkte der Gummi‐ und Kunststoffindustrie. Es wird als Lösungsmittelzusatz für Farben und Lacke eingesetzt. Im Hinblick auf seine krebserregende Wirkung sind Maßnahmen getroffen wurden, die eine Emission vermeiden. Zukünftige größere Belastungen der Umwelt beschränken sich somit auf Unfälle.
Einheiten, SI‐Vorsätze und Umrechnungen
Authors: Litz Norbert
Published: August 2023

Dieser Beitrag enthält Tabellen mit den wichtigsten SI‐Einheiten, deren Vorsätzen sowie den Umrechnungsfaktoren in nicht‐SI‐Einheiten.
Selen
Authors: Claussnitzer Silvia , Wilke Berndt‐Michael
Published: August 2023

Selen tritt mit Ausnahme der Oxidationsstufe +II in verschiedensten Oxidationstufen (‐II, 0, +IV, +VI) in der Natur auf. Sechswertiges Selen ist als Selenat im alkalischen und oxidierenden Milieu stabil. Es ist außerdem die am häufigsten auftretende Wertigkeitsstufe in alkalischen Gewässern. Selenate stellen wegen ihrer Löslichkeit und Stabilität die größte potenzielle Gefahr für die Umwelt dar. Verwendung findet Selen als Selendioxid in der Glasindustrie, als Cadmiumselenid in der Halbleiterindustrie und als Pigment, in Form von Selendiethyldithiocarbonat als Fungizid und in der Pharmazie als Präparat gegen Hautkrankheiten. Aufgrund potenziell toxischer Wirkungen bereits bei niedrigen Bodengehalten, z.B. auf Weidetiere, sind trotz der Verringerung der anthropogenen Einträge seine Verbreitung und der Verbleib in der Umwelt zu überwachen.
Cyanide
Authors: Mansfeldt Tim
Published: August 2023

Cyanide (griechisch kyaneos = stahlblau; lateinisch cyanus = Kornblume) sind die Salze des farblosen Cyanwasserstoffs (HCN). Diese ist eine schwache sehr flüchtige Säure, welche eine in jedem Verhältnis mit Wasser lösliche Verbindung (Blausäure) ist. Der Name Blausäure stammt von den intensive blau gefärbten komplexen Eisensalzen wie Berliner Blau. Vom HCN leiten sich eine Vielzahl von Salzen ab. Bei einem niedrigen pH‐Wert des Bodens kann daraus vermehrt Cyanwasserstoff bzw. Blausäure gebildet werden. Die Gefahr für den Menschen besteht in der Interaktion des gebildeten HCN mit dem Hämoglobin. Es wird die Sauerstoffübertragung auf das Gewebe unterbunden. HCN ist ein Zwischenprodukt in der Chemischen Industrie. Auch werden Cyanide zur Extraktion von Silber und Gold verwendet. Die Giftigkeit von einfachen Cyaniden ist als sehr hoch einzuschätzen, komplexe Cyanide wie Eisen(II)cyanid hingegen besitzen ein geringeres Gefährdungspotenzial.
Verwertung von Bodenmaterial – Stand und Perspektiven
Authors: Bannick Claus Gerhard , Dehoust Günther , Grathwohl Peter , Kessler Hermann , Leuchs Wolfgang , Paetz Andreas , Pluta Hans‐Jürgen , Susset Bernd
Published: August 2023

Gezielt abgebaute Sande, Kiese oder Felsgesteine sowie bei Baumaßnahmen anfallendes sekundäres Bodenmaterial wird seit jeher für bau‐ und kulturtechnische Zwecke eingesetzt. Der Abbau mineralischer Rohstoffe ist zumindest temporär mit starken Eingriffen in den Naturhaushalt, wie Landschaft‐ und Flächenverbrauch, verbunden. Es ist deshalb notwendig, sekundäre Ressourcen effektiver als bisher unter Wahrung der umweltschutzbezogenen Anforderungen in den Wirtschaftskreislaufs zurückzuführen. Im vorliegenden Kapitel werden die verschiedenen Arten von Bodenmaterialien diskutiert und Anforderungen (Bodenschutzrecht, Verfüllung von Abgrabungen) an deren Verwertung erklärt.
ETBE (Ethyl‐tert‐butylether) und TAME (Tert‐Amylmethylether)
Authors: Bartling Johanna
Published: August 2023

ETBE (CAS‐Nr.: 637‐92‐3, auch 1,1‐Dimethylethylether) und TAME (CAS‐Nr.: 994‐05‐8, auch 1,1‐Dimethylpropyl‐methylether) sind tertiäre Alkyl‐Ether und gehören zu den leichtflüchtigen Kohlenwasserstoffen. ETBE und TAME sind farblose, charakteristisch nach Ether riechende Flüssigkeiten, die sehr leicht entflammbar sind. Beide Substanzen haben sehr niedrige Geruchsbzw. Geschmacksschwellenwerte mit 1‐2 µg/L (ETBE) und 7‐16 µg/L (TAME). In Europa werden beide Stoffe als Kraftstoffzusatz eingesetzt und sind in zunehmendem Maße in der Umwelt nachweisbar. Sie breiten sich aufgrund ihrer physikochemischen Eigenschaften in der Luft und in Grund‐ und Oberflächenwasser aus. Schon bei Normaltemperatur ist die Bildung von explosionsfähigen Gemischen mit Luft möglich.
Nitrierte polyzyklische aromatische Kohlenwasserstoffe (Nitro‐PAK)
Authors: Bandowe Benjamin A. Musa , Meusel Hannah
Published: August 2023

Nitrierte PAK (Nitro‐PAK) sind PAK‐Derivate, die mindestens eine Nitro‐Gruppe (‐NO2) enthalten. Diese Stoffe wurden in verschiedenen Umweltproben gefunden und sollten wegen ihrer hohen Toxizität unter Beobachtung stehen. Im Folgenden werden die Eigenschaften, Quellen, Umweltbelastung, Analytik, Verbreitungswege und Gefahrenpotentiale diskutiert.
Machine learning‐based radiotherapy time prediction and treatment scheduling management
Authors: Xie Lisiqi , Xu Dan , He Kangjian , Tian Xin
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The utility efficiency of medical devices is important, especially for countries such as China, which have a large population and shortage of medical care resources. Radiotherapy devices are among the most valuable and specialized equipment categories and carry enormous treatment loads. In this study, a novel method is proposed to improve the efficiency of a radiotherapy device (linac). Although scheduling management with accurate prediction of the entire treatment time included in each appointment, arrange a reasonable time duration for appointments and save time between patient shifts effectively. Tasks belonging to the treatment and non‐treatment groups can be assigned more flexibly based on the availability of time.

Material and methods

Data from 1665 patients, including patient positioning time (PT) and treatment time (TT), were collected in collaboration with the Radiotherapy Center of the Department of Oncology at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University from November 2020 to August 2021. The features related to PT and TT were extracted and used to train the machine learning‐based model to predict PT and TT in independent patients. The prediction results were subsequently applied to a minute‐based scheduling tool.

Conclusion

Artificial intelligence is a promising approach to solve abstract problems with a specialized knowledge background. The results of this study show encouraging prediction outcomes in relation to effective scheduling management and could improve the efficiency of the linac. This successful trial broadens the meaning of medical data and potential future research directions in radiotherapy.
Quantitative study on dose distribution of Freiburg flap for keloid high‐dose‐rate brachytherapy based on MatriXX
Authors: Ni Jie , Gan Guanghui , Xu Xiaoting
Published: August 2023

Purpose

To quantify the dose distribution effect of insufficient scattering conditions in keloid HDR brachytherapy with Freiburg fFlap (FF) applicator.

Materials and Methods

A phantom composed of FF applicator, MatriXX and solid water slices was designed and scanned for treatment planning. Bolus with different thicknesses were covered to offer different scatter conditions. Planar dose distributions were measured by MatriXX. The maximum value (Max), average value (Avg) and γ passing rate (3 mm/3%) were evaluated by the software MyQA Platform.

Results

The maximum and average doses measured by MatriXX were lower than the calculated values. The difference increased as field size decreased. The Max value, found at 0.86 cm level in the two tube case, was ‐20.0%, and the avg value was ‐11.9%. All the γ values were less than 95%. This difference gradually decreased with increasing bolus thickness and the γ values were significantly improved.

Conclusion

MatriXX could be used for dose verification of HDR brachytherapy with an FF applicator. When the FF applicator was applied for keloid, insufficient scattering conditions would cause an insufficient target dose. This difference could be reduced by covering the bolus with different thicknesses on the applicator. The smaller the field, the thicker the bolus required.
Quantized H∞$$ {H}_{\infty } $$ output feedback control for uncertain impulsive switched systems via a hybrid control approach
Authors: Mao Xinya , Zhu Yufei , Zheng Qunxian
Published: August 2023

This article investigates the quantized dynamical output feedback (DOF) control problem for uncertain impulsive switched systems (ISSs) with multiple state impulsive jumps, where the static quantization strategy is applied to quantize the control input to improve the signal transmission capacity of ISSs. First, to correspond the abrupt changes for states of ISSs at switching moments, the controller states are also allowed to jump besides the system state jumps of ISSs, which increases the universality of the impulsive behavior in ISSs. Second, the multiple Lyapunov functions approach and the average dwell time switching strategy are applied to derive the sufficient conditions that guarantee the stability and weighted performance of the closed‐loop uncertain ISSs. The desired hybrid controllers comprising of DOF controllers for every subsystem and controller state update rules at switching instants can be constructed by solving a set of linear matrix inequalities. Finally, a numerical example is provided to verify the effectiveness of the obtained results.
Stabilizing Antiferroelectric‐Like Aluminum‐Doped Hafnium Oxide for Energy Storage Capacitors
Authors: Viegas Alison Erlene , Kuehnel Kati , Mart Clemens , Czernohorsky Malte , Heitmann Johannes
Published: August 2023

Herein, a systematic study of aluminum‐doped hafnium oxide to utilize its antiferroelectric‐like (AFE) properties for energy storage applications is done. The doping concentration of aluminum is optimized to obtain the AFE‐like phase. In addition, the impact of the postmetallization annealing temperature on the energy storage properties of the materials is studied. Metal–insulator–metal capacitors are fabricated by varying the doping concentration of the Al in HfO2 from 1.9 to 6.2 at% with a constant thickness of 10 nm by atomic layer deposition. The devices are rapid thermal annealed by varying the annealing temperature from 650 to 800 °C for 20 s. Polarization measurements indicate a clear phase transformation from ferroelectric (FE) to AFE to paraelectric phase with the increase of doping concentration in the polarization measurements. The planar antiferroelectric devices have an energy storage density of 30 J cm−3 with 76% efficiency after 105 cycles. The storage density can be further increased by a factor of 16.5 using area‐enhanced substrates to 500 J cm−
3 at 73% efficiency. The endurance characteristics are studied for both planar and 3D capacitors which are found to be stable up to 108 cycles.
3D Printing of Ceramics with Controllable Green‐Body Configuration Assisted by the Polyvinyl Alcohol‐Based Physical Gels
Authors: Chen Jyun-Yi , Lo Tzu-Hsuan , Feng Chaio , Lai Po-Cheng , Ruan Jian-Long , Wu Chun-Te , Yu Sheng-Sheng
Published: August 2023

Additive manufacturing of ceramics has received intense attention. In particular, 3D‐printed ceramics with customized shapes are highly desirable in the chemical industry, aerospace, and biomedical engineering. Nevertheless, developing a simple and cost‐effective process that shapes dense ceramics to complex geometries remains challenging because of the high hardness and low ductility of ceramic materials. Extrusion‐based printing, such as direct ink writing (DIW), often requires supporting materials that pose additional difficulties during printing. Herein, a simple approach is developed to produce stretchable ceramic green bodies of zirconia and alumina for DIW. The ink is composed of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and an aqueous suspension of ceramic powders. Besides the colloidal network formed by the ceramic particles, PVA plays an important role in tuning the printability of the aqueous ink. Through a freeze‐thaw process, PVA crystallizes to form physical networks. This strategy provides highly stretchable hydrogel green bodies that can be reprogrammed to complex geometries difficult for common DIW printing. The subsequent drying, debinding, and sintering processes produce ceramics with dense structures and fine mechanical properties. In short, this work demonstrates an efficient method for the DIW of ceramic parts that can be reprogrammed to complex geometries.
Abnormal Grain Growth: A Spontaneous Activation of Competing Grain Rotation
Authors: Liss Klaus-Dieter , Xu Pingguang , Shiro Ayumi , Zhang Shuoyuan , Yukutake Eitaro , Shobu Takahisa , Akita Koichi
Published: August 2023

Unconventional white‐beam Laue synchrotron X‐ray diffraction is used on fine‐grained, as‐rolled magnesium alloy during an in situ heating experiment. At high temperatures, reflections of single grains are superimposed on the halo stemming from matrix grains. Some unique grain reflections spontaneously move, indicating grain rotations in response to torque expedited at grain boundaries. When a grain boundary spontaneously activates, it can begin to rotate, allowing diffusive mass transport and activating the boundaries of its other neighbors. Now the given grain can freely rotate toward coalescence; however, the multitude of grain boundaries compete in torque orientation and magnitude, resulting in zigzag rotations. After coalescence, the larger grain is still active and continues this scenario of growth, while the majority of the matrix grains remain inactive. The first‐time experimental observation of such erratic grain behavior supplies the missing puzzlestone leading to anomalous grain growth, long postulated in literature. The method of white beam Laue diffraction on fine‐grained polycrystalline materials delivers a novel experimental method to study the erratic behavior of grain reorientation, as requested long ago by the scientific community. Such findings apply to wide ranges of materials undergoing grain growth, creep, and superplasticity, including those in metal engineering, ceramics, and geophysical disciplines.
Exploring the Potential of Wire Fed Direct Energy Deposition of Aluminum–Boron Nitride Nanotube Composite: Microstructural Evolution and Mechanical Properties
Authors: Mohammed Sohail M. A. K. , Aleman Aleksander Angel , John Denny , Paul Tanaji , Agarwal Arvind
Published: August 2023

Recent advancements have shown great promise in utilizing wire‐fed direct energy deposition (DED) for building aluminum alloy structures. However, utilizing the wire‐fed DED approach for fabricating metal matrix composite structures remains a significant challenge. Herein, a wire‐based additive manufacturing process is used to successfully produce a 1D boron nitride nanotube (BNNT)‐reinforced aluminum composite with high strength. Al‐BNNT electrode is developed in house. The microstructural changes that occur during layer‐by‐layer deposition are investigated. The grain morphology changes from equiaxed grains in the bottom layer to columnar grains in the top layer. BNNTs act as nuclei to promote the formation of equiaxed grains and interfacial compounds (AlN and AlB2) during solidification. This results in improved strength, with Al‐BNNT composite exhibiting a tensile strength of 47 MPa, 2.3 times higher than its pure Al. Higher strength is attributed to the retention and uniform distribution of BNNT reinforcement in the melt pool, leading to effective load transfer. This study demonstrates the potential of additive manufacturing for producing high‐performance metal matrix composites with novel 1D reinforcements and improved multifunctional properties.
Microstructure Evolution and Recrystallization of Ti6246 Alloy in Hot‐Rolling and Annealing Processes
Authors: Lu Bing , Xue Jiayu , Fan Cuntie , Li Feng , Ding Jie , Chang Hui
Published: August 2023

Herein, the Ti‐6Al‐2Sn‐4Zr‐6Mo (Ti6246)‐casted alloy is treated with two different hot‐rolling processes (3‐pass and 5‐pass), and the as‐rolled alloy is subsequently annealed at different temperatures (780 and 850 °C). During hot rolling, obvious changes in the morphology and microstructure of the Ti6246 alloy occur. A large number of dislocations are generated in the rolling process, and their movement plays an important role in the microstructure evolution of the alloy. The 3‐pass hot rolling results in a smaller grain size (0.43 μm) than that of the 5‐pass rolled sample (0.68 μm), which can be attributed to the larger deformation degree of the single pass in the 3‐pass rolling process. However, the larger deformation degree of the 3‐pass rolling leads to higher dislocation density (34.29% of LM above 1) and more microstructure defects in the Ti6246 alloy, which further result in easier initiation of the prismatic and pyramidal slips of the alloy. The 5‐pass procedure can provide more deformation passes to promote the dynamic recrystallization (DRX) of the Ti6246 alloy and the fraction of DRX can reach 33.27%. In contrast, with the increase of the annealing temperature, the degree of recrystallization increases and the number of microstructure defects decreases.
Immuno‐Nanozymes Mediated Synergistic Chemodynamic/Immuno‐Therapy with Potentiated Anti‐Tumor Efficacy
Authors: Yin Yuying , Wang Hao , Xue Jingqiang , Yin Chenlu , Xing Yixin , Gu Wei
Published: August 2023

Nanozymes mediated chemodynamic therapy (CDT) is a newly developed therapeutic modality with high specificity. The efficacy of CDT, however, still confronts challenges from the immune inhibitory tumor microenvironment (TME). It is thus of great significance to synergize CDT with immunotherapeutic interventions. Herein, this work reports the design and preparation of CpG loaded, Cu2+ doped double layered hydroxides nanosheets (CpG/Cu‐LDHs) as immuno‐nanozymes to potentiate overall anti‐tumor efficacy by synergizing CDT with immunogenic cell death (ICD)‐activated local and systemic immune responses. Such cooperative CDT‐immuno effect together with immunosuppressive TME remodeling capacity conferred by CpG/Cu‐LDHs led to effective suppression of both treated primary tumor and untreated distant tumor on a mouse tumor model. Thereby, synergizing CDT with ICD‐driven, in situ vaccine‐like immunotherapy by immuno‐nanozymes provides a novel and generalized paradigm for devising highly efficient and specific anti‐tumor strategy without the use of external stimulations.
Biomimetic Fibers Based on Equidistant Micropillar Arrays Determines Chondrocyte Fate via Mechanoadaptability
Authors: Zhou Chenchen , Yang Yueyi , Duan Mengmeng , Chen Cheng , Pi Caixia , Zhang Demao , Liu Xiaoheng , Xie Jing
Published: August 2023

It is recognized that the changes in the physical properties of extracellular matrix (ECM) result in fine‐tuned cell responses including cell morphology, proliferation and differentiation. In this study, a novel patterned equidistant micropillar substrate based on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is designed to mimic the collagen fiber‐like network of the cartilage matrix. By changing the component of the curing agent to an oligomeric base, micropillar substrates with the same topology but different stiffnesses are obtained and it is found that chondrocytes seeded onto the soft micropillar substrate maintain their phenotype by gathering type II collagen and aggrecan more effectively than those seeded onto the stiff micropillar substrate. Moreover, chondrocytes sense and respond to micropillar substrates with different stiffnesses by altering the ECM‐cytoskeleton‐focal adhesion axis. Further, it is found that the soft substrate‐preserved chondrocyte phenotype is dependent on the activation of Wnt/β‐catenin signaling. Finally, it is indicated that the changes in osteoid‐like region formation and cartilage phenotype loss in the stiffened sclerotic area of osteoarthritis cartilage to validate the changes triggered by micropillar substrates with different stiffnesses. This study provides the cell behavior changes that are more similar to those of real chondrocytes at tissue level during the transition from a normal state to a state of osteoarthritis.
Tuning Carbon Material Modified Commercial Sponge Toward Pragmatic Oil Spill Cleanup
Authors: Vo Thi To Nguyen , Yu Dong In , Ahn Ho Seon
Published: August 2023

A practical approach to designing 3D porous materials with new functionalities for oil spill clean‐up attracts widespread attention. The carbonized seaweed‐coated melamine sponge (CMS) can selectively absorb oil immediately due to its countless pores using capillary‐driven force to absorb oil. The microstructure and behaviors of the CMS are thoroughly investigated in relation to the unique porous structure, mechanical stability, wetting response, and in‐depth processing of the high‐speed visualization experiment to determine its promising abilities. For the special CMS structure with a unit cell size of 1 × 1 × 1 cm, the total volume of oil inside the capillary tube is drawn inward after 56 ms, and the absorption rate is estimated to be ≈15 200 liters per spare metre hour without any external power inputs. According to the results, theoretical models are proposed to estimate the oil absorption rate as a function of time by continuity of the oil column in the capillary tube based on quantitative analysis of the optically analyzed oil interface phenomena. It is first shown to be a reliable approach for describing volumetric absorption rate and effective CMS thickness by visualizing the capillary spreading flow. It is expected that this research will hold tremendous potential strategies for environmental remediation.
Recent Progress in Polymeric Flexible Surface Acoustic Wave Devices: Materials, Processing, and Applications
Authors: Lamanna Leonardo
Published: August 2023

Recently, there has been a remarkable increase in interest in piezoelectric thin films, particularly zinc oxide (ZnO) and aluminum nitride (AlN), deposited on flexible polymeric substrates. This is due to the rapid expansion of fields such as robotics, wearable devices, and the Internet of Things (IoT). These thin‐film layered structures have a wide range of applications, such as energy harvesting, sensing and biosensing, microfluidic sorting, pumping and mixing, and telecommunications. One of the most promising platforms is piezoelectric acoustic‐based thin‐film devices on inexpensive, recyclable, or disposable polymeric substrates. Their reliability, reproducibility, conformability, small size, and wireless control capabilities make them a leading candidate for the development of new wireless, fully automated, and digitized microsystems for IoT and wearable devices. This review examines recent advancements in the engineering of ZnO and AlN thin films on polymeric, flexible, and conformable surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices. Topics covered include the materials used, piezoelectric film deposition, device fabrication, and the latest applications of this technology as sensors and actuators.
Design of Nano‐Composite Structured Electrode for High‐Performance and Stability of Metal‐Supported Solid Oxide Cells
Authors: Park Dayoung , Kang Dahee , Kim Yo Han , Park Chan‐ho , Myung Jae‐ha
Published: August 2023

Solid oxide cells are reversible energy‐conversion devices for electric power generation and fuel production with high efficiency. However, robust cell structures and multifunctional electrodes must be provided to achieve high cell performance under multifuel conditions. Herein, a precisely controlled metal‐supported structure and dual‐nanocomposite catalyst is presented. The thermal and shrinkage behaviors of the metal supports play a crucial role in determining the interconnectivity between cell components. Compared to micron‐sized cermets, the dual‐nanocomposite electrode with tremendous three‐phase boundaries drastically improves cell performance by increasing the electrochemical activity for diverse fuel reactions. The developed cells exhibited outstanding maximum power densities of 1.1 and 1.0 W cm−2 in fuel‐cell mode using H2 and CO fuels, and current densities of −0.61 and −0.5 A cm−2 in electrolysis‐cell mode (1.3 V) under H2O/H2 and CO2/CO conditions at 650 °C. These findings suggest fundamental techniques for improving the structural stability and activity of cell components to operate in diverse fuel systems.
Compact Electrolytic Hydrocapacitor for Direct Harvesting and Storing Energy from Water Droplet Achieving High Voltage
Authors: Trung Vuong Dinh , Le Phuoc‐Anh , Natsuki Jun , Natsuki Toshiaki
Published: August 2023

As a renewable and low‐carbon emission energy source, water‐droplet‐based devices are attracting increasing interest. However, the uncertain mechanistic explanation, output shortage, and lack of storability remain huge barriers to their large‐scale applications. Herein, a compact quasi‐solid‐state electrolytic hydrocapacitor (HCelect) is successfully designed and fabricated with dual‐function of self‐charging and storage by employing novel bilayer graphene oxide/graphite flake composite films symmetrically sandwiched by poly(vinyl alcohol)–phosphoric acid electrolyte. The sandwich‐like HCelect can achieve a high‐level and repetitive self‐generation voltage of 0.94 V for over a month under a small‐scale water droplet. A possible model is proposed to explain the operating principle in detail based on the capillarity, ion diffusion, and streaming potential mechanisms. Simultaneously, the generated energy is continuously stored for ≈2.1 h due to water evaporation. In addition, unlimited output extension can be realized by integrating hydrocapacitors in an array for powering commercial devices. Interestingly, it is ascertained that prolonged finger touches on the HCelect can produce a high voltage. Therefore, this novel hydrocapacitor has notable potential applications in small portable and wearable devices owing to its compactness, low cost, environmental friendliness, safety, and flexibility, thereby providing a design idea for new innovative electronic devices.
Liquid‐Metal/Nd2Fe14B/Ecoflex Composite Soft Robots and Their Electric Signal Transmission using Non‐Contact Tentacles
Authors: Zhang Shanfei , Yue Yamei , Xu Yizhuo , Wang Qi , Li Zhuofan , Su Bin
Published: August 2023

Signal transmission between rigid robots is usually realized through rigid electronic components like coil or circuit board. However, these rigid electronic units are difficult to be used in fully flexible soft robots because of the mismatch of Young's modulus. Liquid metal (LM), as a flexible fluid with superior electric conductivity, can be served as the alternative material for rigid electronic units to realize signal transmission in fully flexible soft robots. Herein, a fully flexible soft robot is fabricated, which is mainly consists of two functional units: the soft tentacle integrated with liquid metal spiral wire and the body prepared by Nd2Fe14B magnetic powders/Ecoflex composites. The fully flexible soft robot can not only transmit electric signals based on electromagnetic induction but also be actuated by an external magnetic field to form diverse signal transmission pathways. Related mechanisms of transmitting electric signal and driving are studied by Maxwell numerical simulation. Driven by an external magnetic field, three soft robots are capable to constitute two different pathways to transmit electric signals to the oscilloscope. It is believed that the integration of LM into the magnetic composites provides an open perspective to realize the signal transmission in fully flexible soft robot and favors the development of multifunctional soft robot.