Average Gap Size Research Articles

Post-Operative Evaluation of Masquelet Technique for Treating Infected Non-Union of Femoral Shaft Fracture

Background: Femoral shaft fracture, particularly those complicated by infected non-union, poses significant challenges in orthopedic surgery. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the Masquelet Technique (MT) in treating such fractures, focusing on patient demographics, fracture characteristics, management strategies, and post-treatment outcome. Material & Methods: This prospective experimental study included 12 patients treated at the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation, Dhaka, from May 2019 to August 2021. Participants predominantly comprised of young adults, with a male majority. The study assessed the type of fractures, fixation methods used (primarily the SIGN Nail), and the interval for applying the MT. Bone gap size, limb length discrepancy (LLD), complications, and bone and functional outcomes were meticulously recorded and analyzed. Results: In this study, 75% of the fractures were closed and predominantly resulted from road traffic accidents, which accounted for 83.33% of the cases. The most frequent bone gap range was 2.51-3.0 cm, observed in 41.67% of the participants, with an average gap size of 3 cm. Limb Length Discrepancy (LLD) ranging from 1 to 2.4 cm was experienced by 58.33% of the participants. While two-thirds (66.67%) of the participants did not develop any post-treatment complications, 33.33% experienced knee stiffness and 16.67% suffered from pin tract infections. A significant majority, 66.67%, achieved ‘Excellent’ outcomes in both bone union and functional recovery. Conclusions: The study demonstrates the effectiveness of the Masquelet Technique in managing femoral shaft fractures, particularly in achieving satisfactory bone and functional outcomes. Despite the challenges in managing large bone gaps and LLD, the technique showed promising results in terms of minimizing complications and enhancing recovery.

Time-dependent properties of run-and-tumble particles: Density relaxation.

We characterize collective diffusion of hardcore run-and-tumble particles (RTPs) by explicitly calculating the bulk-diffusion coefficient D(ρ,γ) for arbitrary density ρ and tumbling rate γ, in systems on a d-dimensional periodic lattice. We study two minimal models of RTPs: Model I is the standard version of hardcore RTPs introduced in [Phys. Rev. E 89, 012706 (2014)10.1103/PhysRevE.89.012706], whereas model II is a long-ranged lattice gas (LLG) with hardcore exclusion, an analytically tractable variant of model I. We calculate the bulk-diffusion coefficient analytically for model II and numerically for model I through an efficient Monte Carlo algorithm; notably, both models have qualitatively similar features. In the strong-persistence limit γ→0 (i.e., dimensionless ratio r_{0}γ/v→0), with v and r_{0} being the self-propulsion speed and particle diameter, respectively, the fascinating interplay between persistence and interaction is quantified in terms of two length scales: (i) persistence length l_{p}=v/γ and (ii) a "mean free path," being a measure of the average empty stretch or gap size in the hopping direction. We find that the bulk-diffusion coefficient varies as a power law in a wide range of density: D∝ρ^{-α}, with exponent α gradually crossing over from α=2 at high densities to α=0 at low densities. As a result, the density relaxation is governed by a nonlinear diffusion equationwith anomalous spatiotemporal scaling. In the thermodynamic limit, we show that the bulk-diffusion coefficient-for ρ,γ→0 with ρ/γ fixed-has a scaling form D(ρ,γ)=D^{(0)}F(ρav/γ), where a∼r_{0}^{d-1} is particle cross sectionand D^{(0)} is proportional to the diffusion coefficient of noninteracting particles; the scaling function F(ψ) is calculated analytically for model II (LLG) and numerically for model I. Our arguments are independent of dimensions and microscopic details.

Accessible hotspots for single-protein SERS in DNA-origami assembled gold nanorod dimers with tip-to-tip alignment

The label-free identification of individual proteins from liquid samples by surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy is a highly desirable goal in biomedical diagnostics. However, the small Raman scattering cross-section of most (bio-)molecules requires a means to strongly amplify their Raman signal for successful measurement, especially for single molecules. This amplification can be achieved in a plasmonic hotspot that forms between two adjacent gold nanospheres. However, the small (≈1−2 nm) gaps typically required for single-molecule measurements are not accessible for most proteins. A useful strategy would thus involve dimer structures with gaps large enough to accommodate single proteins, whilst providing sufficient field enhancement for single-molecule SERS. Here, we report on using a DNA origami scaffold for tip-to-tip alignment of gold nanorods with an average gap size of 8 nm. The gaps are accessible to streptavidin and thrombin, which are captured at the plasmonic hotspot by specific anchoring sites on the origami template. The field enhancement achieved for the nanorod dimers is sufficient for single-protein SERS spectroscopy with sub-second integration times. This design for SERS probes composed of DNA origami with accessible hotspots promotes future use for single-molecule biodiagnostics in the near-infrared range.

Infestation Phases and Impacts of Dryocoetes confusus in Subalpine Fir Forests of Southern British Columbia

Subalpine fir mortality and stand decline are increasingly evident in British Columbia (B.C.). This long-term study confirmed Dryocoetes confusus to be the major disturbance agent in high-elevation subalpine forests, killing over two-thirds of subalpine fir in eleven one-hectare study plots. D. confusus infestations in mature stands can be described as early-, mid-, or late-phase. The transition from the early- through late-phase is characterized by a lowered stem density as high levels of D. confusus attack and remove the largest trees, while other mortality factors kill smaller trees. Initially, live subalpine fir density and D. confusus activity varied among plots. By a final assessment, very little difference was observed in live stems per hectare. Mortality from all factors ranged from 0.5% to 5% annually, reaching as high as 80% in-stand mortality with >6 times more dead than live volume. When subalpine fir density was reduced to <400 sph, the D. confusus attack rate declined. Cumulative mortality increased the average gap size in plots from 11 m2 to 18 m2. Our study also showed that D. confusus might be able to switch to a univoltine life cycle, taking advantage of warmer and longer growing seasons that, in part, could explain the rapid increase in mortality in stands.

Resource-based growth models reveal opportunities to mitigate climate change effects on beech regeneration by silvicultural measures

Successful European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) regeneration is both of great ecological and economical importance in European forest ecosystems and severely threatened by climate change impacts. To increase our knowledge of beech regeneration dynamics under climate change and the potential for controlling it through forest management, we studied interactive effects of solar radiation (PHAR), water and nutrient availability on the height growth of artificially (AR) and naturally regenerated (NR) beech seedlings. The study was conducted in the framework of experimental canopy gaps, under the influence of the 2018/19 drought and heatwaves. We measured PHAR by means of hemispherical photography, approximated water availability based on the inverse of modeled fine root density distributions of overstorey beech (BGRB) and oak (BGRO) and approximated nutrient availability based on soil fertility (SF), derived from forest site mapping. Results indicate that seedling resource availability and resulting growth responses increase with canopy gap size and vary among locations within the gap. Multiplicative non-linear mixed models suggest that AR and NR relative height growth (RI) was best explained by interactive effects of PHAR, BGRB, BGRO and SF, which reflect complementary resource use patterns of beech seedlings. At optimal resource availability, AR reached a potential RI of 174%, which is about 20% higher compared to NR. While the low light growth responses of AR and NR both reflect saturation at 5 to 15% PHAR, depending on individual size and the availability of the remaining resources, NR showed a higher RI than AR at intermediate and high PHAR levels in cases of limited BGR and SF. In contrast to AR, NR growth was affected to a lesser extent by SF and BGRB and not significantly affected by BGRO. These results suggest that overstorey oaks have a lower effect on water availability of beech seedlings than overstorey beeches. Additionally, NR showed higher tolerance to water and nutrient limitation than AR, probably due to better root system development. In conclusion, site-specific potential for mitigating the effects of climate change on beech regeneration through forest management lies in the adaptation of silvicultural systems, i.e., the creation of canopy gaps larger than 200 m2, thus significantly exceeding the average gap size of the natural disturbance regime, and the choice of the regeneration method.

Study on the contact and size of radial and flank leakage gaps of scrolls in a scroll compressor with CFD/CSM simulations

The leakage gaps in scroll compressors are crucial to the performance and the correction of scrolls to reduce these gaps needs a better understanding of the deformation and contact of scrolls under actual operating conditions. In this study, the Computational Fluid Dynamics model of the scroll compressor is established to obtain the temperature and pressure loads on scrolls. The comprehensive deformation of scrolls under loads and contact behaviors with given orbiting radii are calculated by Computational Structural Mechanics. Results show the significant space-time inhomogeneity of both flank and radial leakage gaps. Although the average flank leakage gap size can be reduced to a certain value if orbiting scroll operated under the ideal orbiting radius at the cost of the large radial contact force. The deformation unevenness and the contact of the scrolls retards the further decrease of flank leakage gaps. The radial leakage gap in specific scroll tips fluctuates during one cycle, but the more stable downward trend along the scroll wrap makes it easier to compensate the gap by gradually reducing the scroll height from outer to inner.

Nanoscale refractory doped titanium nitride field emitters

Refractory materials exhibit high damage tolerance, which is attractive for the creation of nanoscale field-emission electronics and optoelectronics applications that require operation at high peak current densities and optical intensities. Recent results have demonstrated that the optical properties of titanium nitride, a refractory and CMOS-compatible plasmonic material, can be tuned by adding silicon and oxygen dopants. However, to fully leverage the potential of titanium (silicon oxy)nitride, a reliable and scalable fabrication process with few-nm precision is needed. In this work, we developed a fabrication process for producing engineered nanostructures with gaps between 10 and 15 nm, aspect ratios larger than 5 with almost 90° steep sidewalls. Using this process, we fabricated large-scale arrays of electrically-connected bow-tie nanoantennas with few-nm free-space gaps. We measured a typical variation of 4 nm in the average gap size. Using applied DC voltages and optical illumination, we tested the electronic and optoelectronic response of the devices, demonstrating sub-10 V tunneling operation across the free-space gaps, and quantum efficiency of up to 1 × 10−3 at 1.2 μm, which is comparable to a bulk silicon photodiode at the same wavelength and three orders of magnitude higher than with nearly identical gold devices. Tests demonstrated that the titanium silicon oxynitride nanostructures did not significantly degrade, exhibiting less than 5 nm of shrinking of the average gap dimensions over few-μm2 areas after 10 h of operation. Our results will be useful for developing the next generation of robust and CMOS-compatible nanoscale devices for high-speed and low-power field-emission electronics and optoelectronics applications.

Canopy gap characteristics and spatial patterns in a subtropical forest of South China after ice storm damage

The divergent gap characteristics and spatial patterns of canopy gaps created by natural or artificial disturbances can exert a dominant influence on forest structure and composition. However, little research has been conducted on the effects of ice storm damage on canopy gaps in subtropical mature forests of South China. In this study, one semi-natural site was dominated by a broad-leaf forest and two managed sites were representative of plantations with coniferous forests. Based on airborne laser scanning data and field evidence across sites, statistical analyses were used to examine gap characteristics following ice storms of moderate severity. Generalized Ripley’s K-function analysis was applied to test gap spatial patterns at a range of scales, and spatial point pattern analysis was used to quantitate the relative importance of specific influences on patterns of gap occurrence. The results revealed that the average gap size was 75.7 m2 and that 12.2 gaps occurred per hectare. Most gaps were single-tree fall events. In addition to more gaps, the mean gap size was smaller and the shape was more complex in the semi-natural site than in two managed sites. Large differences in gap characteristics were observed among snapped, uprooted, snag, and artificial gap damage types. Gaps generally showed a clustered distribution at large scales (e.g. 70m), whereas spatial patterns varied with gap damage types at different sites. The occurrence of gaps was strongly related to slope and topographic position at the semi-natural site, whereas slope, stem density, and human accessibility (proximity to pathways) were the most important factors affecting gap occurrence at the managed sites. We suggest that gap-based silvicultural treatments and natural disturbances regimes conjoin, highlighting interactions with other factors such as microsite conditions, non-tree vegetation and more.

Оценка влияния неравномерности газового зазора на характеристики объемного барьерного разряда

The results from simulating the operation of ozone generators based on the volume barrier dischargeprinciple with taking into account the nonuniformity of their geometrical parameters are presented. Theeffect the gas gap nonuniformity has on the barrier discharge power performance characteristics isevaluated. The results from calculating the power density distribution along an ozone generator with amonotonically varying gas gap size are presented. The power density distribution curves versus the gap width for different degrees to which the voltage exceeds its initial value are given for four types of ozone generators. New data on modeling the discharge processes in ozone generators with a nonuniform gap and on the influence of this nonuniformity on the discharge utilization efficiency are presented. The obtained results can be used in designing real ozonators, including large-capacity ones. Recommendations on selecting the optimal average gap size depending on the electrode manufacturing quality and on the gas gap setting up and adjustment accuracy are given.

A study of the economic efficiency of the most important cereal crops and their impact on food security

Like the other developing countries whose national economies are characterized by the relative narrowness of their agricultural land area and the scarcity of their available agricultural water resources, the state has moved, since the early 1980s, to adopt an agricultural policy aimed at bringing about agricultural economic development at high rates, where the increase in the agricultural land area which has reached about 8,877 million Feddans as an average for the period (2011-2015), and thus the increase in the crop area of ​​about 15,548 million feddans during the same period, where the condensation factor reached about 1.75, not commensurate with the steady increase in the population estimated at about 90 million people and what It will be followed by an increase in consumption. It turns out that the cultivated area of ​​wheat crop has taken a general annual upward trend of statistical significance of about 56,89 thousand feddans with an annual change rate estimated at about 1.94% of the average cultivated area of ​​wheat, which is about 2940 thousand feddans during the study period. Maize yield was found to range from a minimum of about 1542 thousand feddans in 2016 AD, and a maximum of about 2259 thousand feddans in 2015 with an average estimated at 1945 thousand feddans during the study period. It was also found that the cultivated area of ​​maize crop took an annual general upward trend with no statistically significant amount of about 1902.22 thousand feddans with an annual change rate estimated at 97.8% of the average cultivated area of ​​maize, which amounted to 1945 thousand feddans during the same period. It was found that the average productive costs of maize crop according to agricultural operations amounted to about 211.5, 272.4, 282.1, 593.2, 213.2, 93.8, 258.1, 116.9, and 186.8 pounds / acre, with relative importance estimated at about 6,18 %, 7,97%, 8,24%, 17,35%, 6,23%, 2.74%, 7,55%, 3.42% and 5.46% of the average total production costs for each of the land preparation operations for agriculture, seed preparation, agriculture, irrigation, fertilization, and serviceYield, pest resistance, harvest, crop transfer and other expenses for each respectively, during the period (2000-2017). It turns out that the average production costs of wheat, according to agricultural operations, are about 174.8, 234.6, 241.9, 486.5, 76.91, 138.2, 458.7, 134.3 and 196.3 pounds / acre, and with relative importance estimated at about 4.82 %, 6,47%, 6,67%, 13,41%, 2,12%, 3,81%, 12,64%, 3,7% and 5,41% of the average total production costs for each of the land preparation operations for agriculture, seed preparation, agriculture, irrigation, fertilization, and service Yield, pest resistance, harvest, crop transfer and other expenses, respectively, during the period (2000-2017). It turned out that the average percentage of self-sufficiency in wheat reached about 60.3% during the study period, and it ranged between a minimum of about 47.89% in 2010, with a decrease of about 12.41% of the average gap size during the same period, and a maximum It reached about 77,17% in 2005, an increase of about 16,87% over its annual average during the same period. It also turned out that the average percentage of self-sufficiency in corn was 54.51% during the study period, and it ranged between a minimum of 36.16% in 2016, with a decrease of about 18.35% of the average gap size during the same period. A maximum of about 83.12% in 2002, an increase of about 28.61% over its annual average during the same period.

Joint Action in a Virtual Environment: Crossing Roads with Risky vs. Safe Human and Agent Partners

This paper examines how people jointly coordinate their decisions and actions with risky vs. safe human and agent road-crossing partners (Fig. 1 ). The task for participants was to physically cross a steady stream of traffic in a large-screen virtual environment without getting hit by a car. The computer-generated (CG) agent was programmed to be either safe (taking only large gaps) or risky (also taking small gaps). The human partners were classified as safe (taking more large gaps) or risky (also taking some small gaps) based on their average gap size selection. We found that participants in all four conditions preferred to cross with their partner. As a consequence, the riskiness of the partner (both human and agent) influenced the riskiness of participants' gap choices. We also found that participants tightly synchronized their movement with both human and agent partners. The largest differences in performance between those paired with agent vs. human partners occurred on trials when participants crossed different gaps than their partners. This study demonstrates the potential for studying how people interact with CG agents when performing whole-body joint actions using large-screen immersive virtual environments.

A Portable Device Integrated with Aligned Carbon Nanotubes for Sensitive Virus Capture and Detection.

Point-of-care virus diagnosis is highly desirable in worldwide infectious disease control. Here we report a hand-held device for capturing viruses by applying physical size based exclusion inside a point-of-care device integrated with vertically aligned carbon nanotube (VACNT) nanostructures to achieve label-free and high throughput virus capture. The microfluidic device is constructed from a VACNT channel wall synthesized bottom-up via chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The VACNT has ~117 nm average gap size and ~97& porosity. By bonding with a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) cover sealing the top, the aqueous sample containing virus particles filter through the VACNT channel wall under negative pressure applied at the outlet end. We have demonstrated that the device is capable of filtering 50 μL of PBS containing ~6.3 × 104 counts of lentivirus particles in 10 minutes with 97& of capture efficiency, quantified by the cell infectious titration technique.

Novel fabrication of extremely high aspect ratio and straight nanogap and array nanogap electrodes

We reported a reproducible, simple and novel method for fabricating electrodes with high aspect ratio and highly straight nanometer size gap. The gap size could be controlled in a wide range between several nm up to several hundreds of nm, although in this work our individual gap size was 172 nm. In this method a single nanofiber was aligned as a sacrificial structure using a secondary electrical field and its diameter lowered through thermal treatment to obtain smallest gap size. Then, after deposition of blanket metal, nanofiber was removed obtaining nano scale gap. We predict the application of these simple fabricated gaps for diverse fields. The expensive, time consuming, none-reproducible and low accuracy fabrication methods can supersede by this cost effective, facile and fast method. It can provide mass production for precisely positioned nanoscale gaps, ignoring electrode and substrate materials. The electrodes hold the advantage of maximum straightness comparing to other similar nano fabrication methods. Fabricated gaps have large aspect ratio (in the order of 106). Also array gaps with average gap size of 400 nm were fabricated. Same size gaps could be fabricated in a row by this method. Different parameters in alignment were taken into account and studied. The process shows great potential for facile and batch fabrication of parallel submicron gaps for diverse applications including gas sensing, bio-sensing and nanofluidic systems.

Phosphorous-doped TiO2 nanoparticles: synthesis, characterization, and visible photocatalytic evaluation on sulfamethazine degradation.

Mesoporous phosphorous-doped TiO2 (TP) with different wt% of P (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5) was synthetized by microwave-assisted sol-gel method. The obtained materials were characterized by XRD with cell parameters refinement approach, Raman, BET-specific surface area analysis, SEM, ICP-OES, UV-Vis with diffuse reflectance, photoluminescence, FTIR, and XPS. The photocatalytic activity under visible light was evaluated on the degradation of sulfamethazine (SMTZ) at pH8. The characterization of the phosphorous materials (TP) showed that incorporation of P in the lattice of TiO2 stabilizes the anatase crystalline phase, even increasing the annealing temperature. The mesoporous P-doped materials showed higher surface area and lower average crystallite size, band gap, and particle size; besides, more intense bands attributed to O-H bond were observed by FTIR analysis compared with bare TiO2. The P was substitutionally incorporated in the TiO2 lattice network as P5+ replacing Ti4+ to form Ti-O-P bonds and additionally present as PO43-on the TiO2 surface. All these characteristics explain the observed superior photocatalytic activity on degradation (100%) and mineralization (32%) of SMTZ under visible radiation by TP catalysts, especially for P-doped TiO2 1.0wt% calcined at 450°C (TP1.0-450). Ammonium, nitrate, and sulfate ions released during the photocatalytic degradation were quantified by ion chromatography; the nitrogen and sulfur mass balance evidenced the partial mineralization of this recalcitrant molecule.

A novel anatomical thin titanium mesh plate with patient-matched bending technique for orbital floor reconstruction

This study developed an anatomical thin titanium mesh (ATTM) plate for Asian orbital floor fracture based on the medical image database. The computer aided stamping analysis was performed on four hole/slot patterns included the control type without hole design, circular hole pattern, slot pattern and hole/slot hybrid patterns within the ATTM plate with upper/lower dies of averaged orbital cavity reconstruction models. The curved-fan ATTM plate with 0.4 mm thickness was manufactured and pre-bent using a patient matched stamping process to verify its feasibility and the interfacial fitness between the plate and bone on the orbital floor fracture model. The stamping analysis found that the hole/slot hybrid patterns design resulted in the most favorable performance among all designs owing to the lowest maximum von-Mises stress/strain and spring-back value. The interfacial adaption results test showed that the average patient-matched stamping bending gap size was only 0.821 mm and the operative time was about 8 s. This study concluded that the curved-fan ATTM plate with hole/slot hybrid pattern design and patient-matched pre-bent technique can fit the ATTM plate/orbital cavity interface well, decrease unstable fracture segment mobility and improve the overall reduction efficiency.

Influence of Material Selection on the Marginal Accuracy of CAD/CAM-Fabricated Metal- and All-Ceramic Single Crown Copings.

This study evaluated the marginal accuracy of CAD/CAM-fabricated crown copings from four different materials within the same processing route. Twenty stone replicas of a metallic master die (prepared upper premolar) were scanned and divided into two groups. Group 1 (n = 10) was used for a pilot test to determine the design parameters for best marginal accuracy. Group 2 (n = 10) was used to fabricate 10 specimens from the following materials with one identical CAD/CAM system (GAMMA 202, Wissner GmbH, Goettingen, Germany): A = commercially pure (cp) titanium, B = cobalt-chromium alloy, C = yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), and D = leucite-reinforced glass-ceramics. Copings from group 2 were evaluated for the mean marginal gap size (MeanMG) and average maximum marginal gap size (AMaxMG) with a light microscope in the “as-machined” state. The effect of the material on the marginal accuracy was analyzed by multiple pairwise comparisons (Mann–Whitney, U-test, α = 0.05, adjusted by Bonferroni-Holmes method). MeanMG values were as follows: A: 46.92 ± 23.12 μm, B: 48.37 ± 29.72 μm, C: 68.25 ± 28.54 μm, and D: 58.73 ± 21.15 μm. The differences in the MeanMG values proved to be significant for groups A/C (p = 0.0024), A/D (p = 0.008), and B/C (p = 0.0332). AMaxMG values (A: 91.54 ± 23.39 μm, B: 96.86 ± 24.19 μm, C: 120.66 ± 32.75 μm, and D: 100.22 ± 10.83 μm) revealed no significant differences. The material had a significant impact on the marginal accuracy of CAD/CAM-fabricated copings.

Structure and Gas Transport Behavior of Polysulfone/ Polyacrylonitrile–carbon Molecular Sieve Mixed Matrix Membrane

Mixed matrix membrane (MMM) comprising of polyacrylonitrile based carbon molecular sieve (PAN–CMS) and polysulfone (PSF) Udel® P–1700 were synthesized and characterized as an alternative material for gas separation. The structure and the gas transport behavior of this hybrid system was investigated by thorough analysis using thermal gravimetry analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), field emission scanning microscopy (FESEM) and single gas permeation test. The thermal analysis based on TGA and DSC results indicated that Tgs and Tds of PSF have been extended to higher temperatures. These findings suggest that PAN–CMS have improved the thermal property of PSF in the MMM system. FESEM micrographs revealed that the PSF/ PANCMS MMMs possess an acceptable PSF and PAN–CMS interfacial adhesion with the average interfacial gap size of less than 1ìm. The excellent gas separation capability of the PSF/ PAN–CMS MMM was proven as the hybrid film with 20 wt% PAN–CMS loading exhibited higher O2/N2 selectivity (5.80) than that of pure PSF film (5.45).

Uniaxially Stretched Flexible Surface Plasmon Resonance Film for Versatile Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering Diagnostics.

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy affords a rapid, highly sensitive, and nondestructive approach for label-free and fingerprint diagnosis of a wide range of chemicals. It is of great significance to develop large-area, uniform, and environmentally friendly SERS substrates for in situ identification of analytes on complex topological surfaces. In this work, we demonstrate a biodegradable flexible SERS film via irreversibly and longitudinally stretching metal deposited biocompatible poly(ε-caprolactone) film. This composite film after stretching shows surprising phenomena: three-dimensional and periodic wave-shaped microribbons array embedded with a high density of nanogaps functioning as hot-spots at an average gap size of 20 nm and nanogrooves array along the stretching direction. The stretched polymer surface plasmon resonance film gives rise to more than 10 times signal enhancement in comparison with that of the unstretched composite film. Furthermore, the SERS signals with high uniformity exhibit good temperature stability. The polymer SPR film with excellent flexibility and transparency can be conformally attached onto arbitrary nonplanar surfaces for in situ detection of various chemicals. Our results pave a new way for next-generation flexible SERS detection means, as well as enabling its huge potentials toward green wearable devices for point-of-care diagnostics.

Developing Customized Dental Miniscrew Surgical Template from Thermoplastic Polymer Material Using Image Superimposition, CAD System, and 3D Printing.

This study integrates cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT)/laser scan image superposition, computer-aided design (CAD), and 3D printing (3DP) to develop a technology for producing customized dental (orthodontic) miniscrew surgical templates using polymer material. Maxillary bone solid models with the bone and teeth reconstructed using CBCT images and teeth and mucosa outer profile acquired using laser scanning were superimposed to allow miniscrew visual insertion planning and permit surgical template fabrication. The customized surgical template CAD model was fabricated offset based on the teeth/mucosa/bracket contour profiles in the superimposition model and exported to duplicate the plastic template using the 3DP technique and polymer material. An anterior retraction and intrusion clinical test for the maxillary canines/incisors showed that two miniscrews were placed safely and did not produce inflammation or other discomfort symptoms one week after surgery. The fitness between the mucosa and template indicated that the average gap sizes were found smaller than 0.5 mm and confirmed that the surgical template presented good holding power and well-fitting adaption. This study addressed integrating CBCT and laser scan image superposition; CAD and 3DP techniques can be applied to fabricate an accurate customized surgical template for dental orthodontic miniscrews.

The relationship between air layers and evaporative resistance of male Chinese ethnic clothing

In this study, the air layer distribution and evaporative resistances of 39 sets of male Chinese ethnic clothing were investigated using a sweating thermal manikin and the three-dimensional (3D) body scanning technique. Relationships between the evaporative resistance and air layers (i.e., air gap thickness and air volume) were explored. The results demonstrated that the clothing total evaporative resistance increases with the increasing air gap size/air volume, but the rate of increase gradually decreases as the mean air gap size or the total air volume becomes larger. The clothing total evaporative resistance reaches its maximum when the average air gap size and the total air volume are 41.6 mm and 69.9 dm3, respectively. Similar general trends were also found between local mean air gap size and clothing local evaporative resistance at different body parts. However, different body parts show varied rates of increase and decrease in the local evaporative resistance. The research findings provide a comprehensive database for predicting overall and local human thermal comfort while wearing male Chinese ethnic clothing.