bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Septal Perforation Repair Using Bilateral Rotational Flaps With Interposed Mastoid Periosteal Graft
Authors: Wang Weitao , Vincent Aurora , Shokri Tom , Hilger Peter , Ducic Yadranko 
Published: December 2020

Objectives/HypothesisTo evaluate the outcomes of endonasal repair of septal perforations utilizing opposing bilateral rotational flaps and a periosteum interposition graft.MethodsRetrospective review of a single surgeon, tertiary referral center experience of patients who underwent septal perforation repair. Patient demographics, etiology of perforation, closure rate, and complication data were obtained. Patients screening positively for cocaine use or anti‐neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) were not offered repair.ResultsA total of 104 patients were included, 65 male and 39 female with mean age of 45.4 years. Etiology of perforations included prior surgery in 45, trauma in 15, and unknown in 44, and the average perforation size in each etiologic group were 1.35 cm, 1.25 cm, and 1.30 cm, respectively. The greatest dimension of perforations repaired ranged from 0.5 cm to 1.5 cm. The overall success rate was 87.5% at 6 month follow‐up. Successful closure was achieved in 95.6%, 86.7%, and 79.5%, respectively (χ2 = 5.264, P = .0218).ConclusionOur described technique is a reliable endonasal approach with predictable outcomes in septal perforations up to 1.5 cm in size. Having an unknown etiology of septal perforation may be a risk factor for failure.Level of Evidence4 Laryngoscope, 131:1497–1500, 2021
Space Qualification of Ultrafast Laser‐Written Integrated Waveguide Optics
Authors: Piacentini Simone , Vogl Tobias , Corrielli Giacomo , Lam Ping Koy , Osellame Roberto 
Published: December 2020

AbstractSatellite‐based quantum technologies represent a possible route for extending the achievable range of quantum communication, allowing the construction of worldwide quantum networks without quantum repeaters. In space missions, however, the volume available for the instrumentation is limited, and footprint is a crucial specification of the devices that can be employed. Integrated optics could be highly beneficial in this sense, as it allows for the miniaturization of different functionalities in small and monolithic photonic circuits. This article reports on qualification of waveguides fabricated in glass by femtosecond laser micromachining for their use in a low Earth orbit space environment. In particular, different laser‐written integrated devices, such as straight waveguides, directional couplers, and Mach–Zehnder interferometers, are exposed to suitable proton and γ‐ray irradiation. This experiment shows that no significant changes have been induced to their characteristics and performances by the radiation exposure. These results, combined with the high compatibility of laser‐written optical circuits to quantum communication applications, pave the way for the use of laser‐written integrated photonic components in future satellite missions.
Micropatterned Smart Culture Surfaces via Multi‐Step Physical Coating of Functional Block Copolymers for Harvesting Cell Sheets with Controlled Sizes and Shapes
Authors: Nakayama Masamichi , Toyoshima Yuki , Kikuchi Akihiko , Okano Teruo 
Published: December 2020

AbstractCell micropatterning on micropatterned thermoresponsive polymer‐based culture surfaces facilitates the creation of on‐demand and functional cell sheets. However, the fabrication of micropatterned surfaces generally includes complicated procedures with multi‐step chemical reactions. To overcome this issue, this study proposes a facile preparation of micropatterned thermoresponsive surfaces via a two‐step physical coating of two different diblock copolymers. Both copolymers contain poly(butyl methacrylate) blocks as hydrophobic anchors for water‐stable polymer deposition. At first, thermoresponsive polymer layers are constructed on cell culture dishes via spin‐coating block copolymers containing poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) blocks that exhibit a transition temperature of ≈30 °C in aqueous media. To create polymer micropatterns on the thermoresponsive surfaces, microcontact printing of block copolymers containing hydrophilic poly(N‐acryloylmorpholine) (PNAM) blocks is performed using polydimethylsiloxane stamps. Stamped PNAM‐based block polymers are adsorbed to the outermost thermoresponsive surfaces, and increase the surface hydrophilicity with decreasing protein adsorption. Cells adhere and proliferate on the thermoresponsive domains at 37 °C, whereas the stamped hydrophilic domains remain cell‐repellent for 7 days. At 20 °C, cell sheets with controlled sizes and shapes are harvested from the surfaces with the desired micropatterns. This technique is useful for the preparation of micropatterned polymer surfaces for various biomedical applications.
Usnic‐Acid‐Functionalized Silk Fibroin Composite Scaffolds for Cutaneous Wounds Healing
Authors: Zha Xiaoying , Xiong Xingliang , Chen Cheng , Li Yang , Zhang Lingqin , Xie Haojiang , Jiang Qifeng 
Published: December 2020

AbstractDespite the progress in chronic wound treatment, antibacterial cutaneous scaffold with high efficiency in wound healing is still the hot spot in the field. In present study, a functionalized silk fibroin (SF) cutaneous scaffold incorporated with natural medicine usnic acid (UA) is investigated, in which UA is used as an antibacterial and wound‐healing reagent. Via electrospinning, UA–SF mixture is fabricated into UA–SF composite scaffold (USCS), which is composed of uniform nanofibers with average diameters of around 360 ± 10 nm. The interwoven nanofibers form mesh structure providing sufficient moisture permeability for scaffold. With methanol treatment, USCS presents improved mechanical properties and stability to protease XIV. In the presence of USCS, the growth rate of both Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococci pyogenes, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, is significantly inhibited in plate culture and suspension assays. In a cutaneous excisional mouse wound model, USCS presents a significant increase of wound closure rate, compared with pure SF scaffold and commercial dressing, Tegaderm Hydrocolloid 3M. The histological assessments further prove that USCS can enhance re‐epithelialization, vascularization, and collagen deposition in wound site to promote the wound‐healing process, which indicates the potential application of USCS in chronic wound treatment.
The Synergistic Effect of Rare‐Earth Complex Nucleating Agent and Graphene Oxide on the Non‐Isothermal Crystallization Behavior of iPP Originating From the Diverse Self‐Assembly Morphology
Authors: He Man , Shi Honghui , Chang Baobao , Zheng Guoqiang , Cao Wei , Liu Chuntai , Shen Changyu 
Published: December 2020

AbstractRare‐earth nucleating agent (WBG‐II) is a kind of additive for isotactic polypropylene (iPP), which will dissolve into iPP melt during heating and re‐aggregate into diverse morphologies during cooling through self‐assembly. However, up to now, little work about the influence of graphene oxide (GO) on the self‐assembly of WBG‐II can be found. Results in this study suggest that via the hydrogen‐bond interaction, GO can provide additional nuclei for WBG‐II during self‐assembly. Consequently, during non‐isothermal crystallization, WBG‐II and GO present a synergistic effect rather than a superposition effect on the crystallization onset temperature (Tc‐on), the crystallization peak temperature (Tc‐peak), the crystallization half time (t1/2), and the relative content of β‐iPP (Kβ), especially when the final heating temperature (Tf) is higher than 240 °C. Specifically, as Tf is lower than 220 °C, Tc‐on, Tc‐peak, t1/2, and Kβ are insensitive to the weight concentration of GO‐ODA (ϕG), since that little WBG‐II is dissolved into iPP melt and the morphology of WBG‐II is changed only very slightly; as Tf is higher than 240 °C, Tc‐on, Tc‐peak, and Kβ first decrease to a minimum value with increasing of ϕG, and then increase when ϕG exceeded 0.2%.
Surface Modification of (Non)‐Fluorinated Vitrimers through Dynamic Transamination
Authors: Taplan Christian , Guerre Marc , Bowman Christopher N. , Du Prez Filip E. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractSurface modifications are typically permanent in shape and chemistry. Herein, vinylogous urethane (VU) chemistry is presented as an easily accessible and versatile platform for rapid, facile, and reworkable surface modification. It is demonstrated that both physical and chemical post‐modification of permanent, yet dynamic elastic polymer networks are achieved. Surface patterns with high regularity are created, both via a straightforward replication process using a polydimethylsiloxane stamp (resolution ca. 10–100 µm) as well as using thermally activated nano‐imprint lithography (NIL) to form hole, pillar, or line patterns (ca. 300 nm) in elastic VU‐based vitrimers. The tunable, rapid exchange allows patterning at 130 °C in less than 15 min, resulting in an increased water contact angle and surface‐structure induced light reflection. Moreover, it is also demonstrated that the use of a single dynamic covalent chemistry makes it possible to strongly adhere to fluorinated and non‐fluorinated materials based on incompatible matrices, causing cohesive failure in a peel test. In a topography scan, the visibly transparent interface is shown to possess a continuous phase without a gap, while maintaining distinctively separated (non)‐fluorinated domains. Finally, this approach allowed for a straightforward coating of a non‐fluorinated material with a fluorinated monomer to minimize the overall fluorinated content.
Rediscovering Silicones: The Anomalous Water Permeability of “Hydrophobic” PDMS Suggests Nanostructure and Applications in Water Purification and Anti‐Icing
Authors: Bian Pei , Wang Yan , McCarthy Thomas J. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractCross‐linked polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is simultaneously water‐repellent and highly permeable to water vapor. Unfilled and silica‐free cross‐linked PDMS films of variable thickness (8–160 µm) are prepared and their water vapor transmission rates and permeability values are determined. Vapor transmission rate increases as membrane thickness decreased from 160 to 15 µm, but does not increase further when the film thickness is decreased to 8 µm. Rate‐limiting sorption is implicated as the cause of this effect and substantiated by a surface modification to enhance adsorption rate. Water vapor does not macroscopically condense on films thin enough to operate in this kinetic regime, and vapor transmission rates as high as 60% of the transmission rates through air are measured. A mechanism for water permeation is offered based on those proposed for nanoscopically confined water in carbon nanotubes and aquaporins.
One‐dimensional consolidation of layered soils under ramp load based on continuous drainage boundary
Authors: Yang Xiaoyan , Zong Mengfan , Tian Yi , Jiang Guosheng , El Naggar M. Hesham , Wu Wenbing , Xu Meijuan 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe traditional drainage boundary regards the drainage boundary as completely permeable or completely impervious. However, the drainage boundary is an impeded drainage boundary between completely permeable and impervious in engineering practice. In view of this, a new drainage boundary, namely the continuous drainage boundary, is introduced in this paper to study the consolidation problem of layered soils. First, the governing equations for the one‐dimensional consolidation problem of layered soils subjected to a ramp load are established. Then, the analytical solution of excess pore water pressure and average consolidation degree is derived by means of Laplace transform and matrix transfer method. The present solution is verified by degenerating it and comparing with existing solutions. Based on the present solution, the consolidation behavior of the layered soils is investigated by conducting a detailed parametric study. The results show that, both the interface parameters of boundaries and the stratification of the layered soils can heavily affect the distribution of the excess pore water pressure along the depth, thereby influence the plane of the maximum excess pore water pressure. Therefore, the interface parameters of boundaries and the soil stratification should be comprehensively considered in the optimization for the horizontal drains.
Synthesis of PEGylated superparamagnetic dendrimers and their applications as a drug delivery system
Authors: Parham Negin , Ahmad Panahi Homayon , Feizbakhsh Alireza , Moniri Elham 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIn this work, five generations of dendrimers were grafted to magnetic nanoparticles; then, polyethylene glycol was used to modify dendrimers. The structure and morphology are systemically studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectrometer (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM), and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Batch experiments were performed to investigate the effect of solution pH and temperature. The possibility of using the nanocomposite for adsorption and release of the rivaroxaban was studied which indicated that the synthesis nanocomposite exhibited a much improved performance which allowed the 100% of the entrapped molecules to be slowly released during a much longer period time (35 h) in human blood environment, and drug release was Fickian‐diffusion‐controlled. The results revealed that the synthesized nanocomposite has an acceptable performance in drug release and will be developed for any usage of drug delivery.
Synthesis of pH and thermo‐sensitive dendrimers based on MoS2 and magnetic nanoparticles for cisplatin drug delivery system by the near‐infrared laser
Authors: Khodabakhshi Mohammad Javad , Panahi Homayon Ahmad , Konoz Elaheh , Feizbakhsh Alireza , Kimiagar Salimeh 
Published: December 2020

AbstractRecently, drug delivery systems have drawn significant interest from many researchers. In this work, the five generations of thermo‐sensitive dendrimer based on magnetic MoS2 was synthesized and used for cisplatin drug delivery. The affected important parameters such as pH, contact time, and adsorption/desorption temperature were investigated. The results showed that maximum adsorption occurred at pH 7, contact time 10 (min), and adsorption temperature 30 (°C). The synthesized nanocarrier was investigated by FT‐IR, FE‐SEM, TEM, VSM, EDS, TGA, and XRD analysis. Cisplatin releasing from nanocarrier without smart polymer and nanocarrier with smart polymer were tested at pH 5.6 (cancer cells) and pH 7.4 (body cells) and the release rate of cisplatin obtained from nanocarrier with smart polymer was higher than the release rate of cisplatin from nanocarrier without smart polymer. The result indicated that 7% of cisplatin released at pH 7.4 within 6 h at 37°C whereas at the same time with increasing the temperature to 50°C and decreasing the pH to 5.6, 87% of cisplatin was released. Also, the release of cisplatin was studied using NIR, and it indicated that 86% and 92% of cisplatin were released at pH 7.4 and 5.6, respectively.
Increased RISK for 47,XXY on cell‐free DNA screen: Not always Klinefelter syndrome
Authors: Ronzoni Luisa , Bedeschi Maria Francesca , Silibello Gaia , Accurti Veronica , Di Segni Marina , Nicotra Valeria , Vizziello Paola , Lalatta Faustina 
Published: December 2020

Key PointsWhat's already known about this topic?

Noninvasive cell‐free DNA (cfDNA) tests allow prenatal identification of high risk for Klinefelter syndrome

cfDNA test requires a prenatal or postnatal confirmation to reach a definitive diagnosis What does this study add?

In a significant number of cfDNA tests, results reporting increased risk for 47, XXY were not confirmed on diagnostic testing

Invasive procedures must always be discussed to exclude chromosomal variations with a more severe phenotype
Subungual exostosis of the finger in an 8‐year‐old girl
Authors: Li Hao , Qi Xinyu , Zhang Xuejun 
Published: December 2020

ABSTRACTIntroductionSubungual exostosis (SE) is a relatively uncommon benign bone tumor that occurs in the distal phalanges of the toes or fingers.Case presentationAn 8‐year‐old girl presented for treatment of an acquired mass on the distal right index finger. The patient was preoperatively diagnosed with a benign bone tumor. Surgical resection of the distal right index finger mass was performed under general anesthesia, and histological examination of the resected tissue supported a diagnosis of SE of the right index finger. The surgical outcome was good, with no surgical site infection. Throughout 15 months of follow‐up, the patient was asymptomatic with no recurrence.ConclusionSurgical resection of a mass on the distal right index finger resulted in absence of recurrence during 15 months of follow‐up. SE is a benign and uncommon lesion that is infrequently encountered by physicians. This infrequent occurrence may result in delays in diagnosis and treatment. Complete excision of the lesion and careful separation from underlying nail bed structures results in total resolution of the lesion, while providing the lowest risk of recurrence.
Organic coatings from acetylene at atmospheric pressure: UV light versus plasma
Authors: Watson Sean , Legrand Ulrich , Arrachepied Robin , Nisol Bernard , Girard‐Lauriault Pierre‐Luc , Tavares Jason R. , Wertheimer Michael R. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractA versatile pilot‐scale reactor has been designed in such a way that it can be readily converted from a dielectric barrier discharge “PECVD” operating mode into a photoinitiated “PICVD” one; in the latter, low‐pressure mercury (Hg) lamps replace the high‐voltage glow discharge plasma. Both processes operate at ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure, 100 kPa, using acetylene (C2H2) monomer. In both sets of experiments, it was found that efficient gas‐to‐solid conversion can occur in the form of a nanoparticulate amorphous hydrocarbon polymer‐like material. It was found that in the PICVD case, great care was required to exclude even traces of O2 contamination, because it not only reduced the growth rate of solid, but the latter then became highly oxidized ([O] ~50 at.%) and water‐soluble.
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Finite‐time control via hybrid state feedback for uncertain positive systems with impulses
Authors: Hu Meng‐Jie , Park Ju H. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIn this study, the finite‐time control for uncertain positive systems with impulses using a hybrid state feedback control mechanism is investigated. The hybrid state feedback double control strategy is utilized, which includes impulsive state control scheme and continuous state feedback control scheme. A type of time‐varying Lyapunov copositive function is constructed. Considering different impulsive effects, the finite‐time boundedness criterion is obtained by applying the average impulsive interval approach. In addition, sufficient conditions are proposed for finite‐time characterization analysis and the hybrid state feedback controller design. All the criteria can be checked by the linear programming approach succinctly. The relationships among the upper bound of the finite‐time interval, the frequency and intensity of impulses, and the minimum allowable ‐gain level are revealed. Numerical examples are used to illustrate the usefulness of the theoretical results.
Synthesis, Thermal, Optical and Electrochemical Properties of Acridone and Thioxanthone Based Push‐Pull Molecules
Authors: Le Huong T. , Saleah Rusrina , Kungwan Nawee , Nghiem Mai‐Phuong , Goubard Fabrice , Bui Thanh‐Tuân 
Published: December 2020

AbstractTwo series of eight visible‐light‐absorbing redox active molecules derived from 9(10H)‐acridone and thioxanthen‐9‐one were designed and synthetized. The different dyes were characterized by UV‐vis absorption and fluorescent spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) for their thermal, optical and electrochemical properties, respectively. Theoretical calculations DFT were also carried out to support the experimental results. These molecules are thermally stable with Td (decomposition temperature) range from 290 °C to 418 °C and have glass forming properties with Tg (glass transition temperature) varying from 44 °C to 134 °C. These chromophores strongly absorb and emit in the visible spectral range (400–550 nm for absorption and 450–650 for fluorescence). Their frontier orbitals’ energy levels as well as optical bandgaps can be tuned by changing the nature and the number of the arylamine electron‐donating groups. These compounds have been found to be promising candidates for photo‐initiators for photo‐polymerization process applied in 3D printing technique. They could also be potentially applied as hole transporting materials for hybrid perovskite photovoltaics.
Diastereoselective Synthesis of Spirodihydrobenzofuran Analogues of the Natural Product Filifolinol
Authors: Becerra‐Ruiz Martin , Galdámez Antonio , Modak Brenda , Vilches‐Herrera(s) Marcelo 
Published: December 2020

AbstractFilifolinol is a natural occurring spirodihydrobenzofuran isolated from the resinous exudates of Heliotropium filifolium, a Chilean endemic shrub. Filifolinol and some of its derivatives have shown interesting biological activities against pathogens that attack salmonid species. Whereas the synthesis of spirodihydrobenzofurans has been limited to the use of an ortho allylphenol unit herein we report a different approach based on a C−H activation/C−O cyclization reaction for the synthesis of analogues of Filifolinol. Moreover, a diastereoselective approach was developed using the different facial preference of hydride species and organolithium compounds towards cyclic ketones.
Doped Bilayer Tin(IV) Oxide Electron Transport Layer for High Open‐Circuit Voltage Planar Perovskite Solar Cells with Reduced Hysteresis
Authors: Ye Jiajiu , Li Yuze , Medjahed Asma Aicha , Pouget Stéphanie , Aldakov Dmitry , Liu Yueli , Reiss Peter 
Published: December 2020

AbstractTin oxide (SnO2) is an emerging electron transport layer (ETL) material in halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Among current limitations, open‐circuit voltage (VOC) loss is one of the major factors to be addressed for further improvement. Here a bilayer ETL consisting of two SnO2 nanoparticle layers doped with different amounts of ammonium chloride is proposed. As demonstrated by photoelectron spectroscopy and photophysical studies, the main effect of the novel ETL is to modify the energy level alignment at the SnO2/perovskite interface, which leads to decreased carrier recombination, enhanced electron transfer, and reduced voltage loss. Moreover, X‐ray diffraction reveals reduced strain in perovskite layers grown on bilayer ETLs with respect to single‐layer ETLs, further contributing to a decrease of carrier recombination processes. Finally, the bilayer approach enables the more reproducible preparation of smooth and pinhole‐free ETLs as compared to single‐step deposition ETLs. PSCs with the doped bilayer SnO2 ETL demonstrate strongly increased VOC values of up to 1.21 V with a power conversion efficiency of 21.75% while showing negligible hysteresis and enhanced stability. Moreover, the SnO2 bilayer can be processed at low temperature (70 °C), and has therefore a high potential for use in tandem devices or flexible PSCs.