Predictive Methods and Probabilistic Mapping of Subcortical Brain Components in Fossil Carnivora.

Paleoneurology reconstructs the evolutionary history of nervous systems through direct observations from the fossil record and comparative data from extant species. Although this approach can provide direct evidence of phylogenetic links among species, it is constrained by the availability and quality of data that can be gleaned from the fossil record. Here, we sought to translate brain component relationships in a sample of extant Carnivora to make inferences about brain structure in fossil species.

Effect of Glass Transition Temperature on Enhanced Dielectric Breakdown Strength and Lifetime of Multilayer Polymer Films.

High temperature, high energy density, and low loss dielectric films are promising candidates for miniaturized capacitors in electric vehicles and high-speed trains. However, single-component polymers could not achieve these desired properties simultaneously. Polymer multilayer films (MLFs), which combine a high dielectric constant polymer [e.

Mechanical compressive behavior of pomelo peel and multilayer polymeric film/foam systems.

The study of natural cellular materials offers valuable insights into the superior properties and functions underlying their unique structure and benefits the design and fabrication of advanced biomimetic materials. In this study, we present a systematic investigation of the mechanical behavior of fresh and oven-dried pomelo peels. Density measurements revealed the gradient structure of the pomelo peel, which contributed to its mechanical properties.

Evidence-based individual psychotherapy for complex posttraumatic stress disorder and at-risk groups for complex traumatization: A meta-review.

Background: The current meta-review of meta-analyses on psychotherapy research for complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) and samples at risk of complex traumatization has three aims: first, to provide an overview of efficacy of individual psychotherapies; second, to compare the quality of the meta-analyses; and third, to assess statistical power.

Methods: The literature search was conducted until August 2020. Meta-analyses providing individual treatment effect estimates focusing on CPTSD or samples at risk of complex traumatization (i.

Achieving Flat-on Primary Crystals by Nanoconfined Crystallization in High-Temperature Polycarbonate/Poly(vinylidene fluoride) Multilayer Films and Its Effect on Dielectric Insulation.

To meet the stringent requirements of next-generation film capacitors for power electronics, multilayer films (MLFs) are fabricated with the advantage of achieving high temperature rating, high energy density, and reasonably low loss simultaneously. In this study, a high permittivity polar polymer, poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), is multilayered with a linear, low loss dielectric polymer such as high-temperature polycarbonate (HTPC). However, the dielectric loss of these MLFs was still high as compared with current state-of-the-art biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) films.

Comparison of a topical surfactant and a topical antibiotic in the rat comb burn model.

Background: Burn injury progression in the secondary zone of ischemia is common leading to delayed healing and increased scarring. We hypothesized that a topical surfactant, would reduce burn injury progression in a validated rat comb burn model compared with topical antibiotic ointment.

Methods: We created 40 comb burns on 20 rats which were randomized to daily topical application of the surfactant or a triple antibiotic ointment.

Perifascial plane versus perineural approaches for ultrasound-guided axillary block: go to the simplest?

Background: Ultrasound-guided axillary block is widely used in daily practice for upper limb orthopedic surgery. A simple, safe, efficacious and time-saving technique is mandatory to optimize surgical turnover and costs. In this perspective, we compared, in a randomized, single-blinded study, a standardized perifascial technique and the selective perineural technique.

Antimicrobial LDPE/EVOH Layered Films Containing Carvacrol Fabricated by Multiplication Extrusion.

This work describes the fabrication of antimicrobial multilayered polymeric films containing carvacrol (used as a model essential oil) by co-extrusion and multiplication technique. The microlayering process was utilized to produce films, with up to 65 alternating layers, of carvacrol-containing low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH). Carvacrol was melt compounded with LDPE or loaded into halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) in a pre-compounding step prior film production.

Polymer Nanosheet Containing Star-Like Copolymers: A Novel Scalable Controlled Release System.

Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL)-based nanomaterials, such as nanoparticles and liposomes, have exhibited great potential as controlled release systems, but the difficulties in large-scale fabrication limit their practical applications. Among the various methods being developed to fabricate polymer nanosheets (PNSs) for different applications, such as Langmuir-Blodgett technique and layer-by-layer assembly, are very effort consuming, and only a few PNSs can be obtained. In this paper, poly(ε-caprolactone)-based PNSs with adjustable thickness are obtained in large quantity by simple water exposure of multilayer polymer films, which are fabricated via a layer multiplying coextrusion method.

Investigation of real tissue water equivalent path lengths using an efficient dose extinction method.

For proton therapy, an accurate conversion of CT HU to relative stopping power (RSP) is essential. Validation of the conversion based on real tissue samples is more direct than the current practice solely based on tissue substitutes and can potentially address variations over the population. Based on a novel dose extinction method, we measured water equivalent path lengths (WEPL) on animal tissue samples to evaluate the accuracy of CT HU to RSP conversion and potential variations over a population.

Polymeric Nanofiber/Antifungal Formulations Using a Novel Co-extrusion Approach.

We report the successful implementation of a novel melt co-extrusion process to fabricate ca. 1 μm diameter fibers of poly(caprolactone) (PCL) containing the antifungal compound clotrimazole in concentrations between 4 and 8 wt%. The process involves co-extrusion of a clotrimazole-loaded PCL along with poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) as a co-feed, with subsequent removal of PEO to isolate PCL-clotrimazole fibers.

Early prediction of typical outcome and mild developmental delay for prioritisation of service delivery for very preterm and very low birthweight infants: a study protocol.

Introduction: Over 80% of very preterm (<32 weeks) and very low birthweight (<1500 g) infants will have either typical development (TD) or mild developmental delay (MDD) in multiple domains. As differentiation between TD and MDD can be difficult, infants with MDD often miss opportunities for intervention. For many clinicians, the ongoing challenge is early detection of MDD without over servicing the population.

Effects of Interphase Modification and Biaxial Orientation on Dielectric Properties of Poly(ethylene terephthalate)/Poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) Multilayer Films.

Recently, poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)-based multilayer films have demonstrated enhanced dielectric properties, combining high energy density and high dielectric breakdown strength from the component polymers. In this work, further enhanced dielectric properties were achieved through interface/interphase modulation and biaxial orientation for the poly(ethylene terephthalate)/poly(methyl methacrylate)/poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) [PET/PMMA/P(VDF-HFP)] three-component multilayer films. Because PMMA is miscible with P(VDF-HFP) and compatible with PET, the interfacial adhesion between PET and P(VDF-HFP) layers should be improved.

Protein and Bacterial Antifouling Behavior of Melt-Coextruded Nanofiber Mats.

Antifouling surfaces are important for biomedical devices to prevent secondary infections and mitigate the effects of the foreign body response. Herein, we describe melt-coextruded poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) nanofiber mats grafted with antifouling polymers. Nonwoven PCL fiber mats are produced using a multilayered melt coextrusion process followed by high-pressure hydroentanglement to yield porous patches.

Mechanical ventilation as an indicator of somatic severity of self-poisoning: implications for psychiatric care and long-term outcomes.

Background: Somatic severity of a self-poisoning episode varies widely between patients.

Aims: To determine the correlates (psychiatric profiles, long-term outcome) of mechanical ventilation used as a proxy to define somatic severity during a self-poisoning.

Method: All patients who required mechanical ventilation were pair-matched with ones who did not for age, gender and presence of psychiatric history.

Chromatic control in coextruded layered polymer microlenses.

We describe the formation, characterization and theoretical understanding of microlenses comprised of alternating polystyrene and polymethylmethacrylate layers produced by multilayer coextrusion. These lenses are fabricated by photolithography, using a grayscale mask followed by plasma etching, so that the refractive index alternation of the bilayer stack appears across the radius of the microlens. The alternating quarter-wave thick layers form a one-dimensional photonic crystal whose dispersion augments the material dispersion, allowing one to sculpt the chromatic dispersion of the lens by adjusting the layered structure.

Surface Modification of Melt Extruded Poly(ε-caprolactone) Nanofibers: Toward a New Scalable Biomaterial Scaffold.

A photochemical modification of melt-extruded polymeric nanofibers is described. A bioorthogonal functional group is used to decorate fibers made exclusively from commodity polymers, covalently attach fluorophores and peptides, and direct cell growth. Our process begins by using a layered coextrusion method, where poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) nanofibers are incorporated within a macroscopic poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) tape through a series of die multipliers within the extrusion line.

Structural evolution during mechanical deformation in high-barrier PVDF-TFE/PET multilayer films using in situ X-ray techniques.

Poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-tetrafluoroethylene) (PVDF-TFE) is confined between alternating layers of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) utilizing a unique multilayer processing technology, in which PVDF-TFE and PET are melt-processed in a continuous fashion. Postprocessing techniques including biaxial orientation and melt recrystallization were used to tune the crystal orientation of the PVDF-TFE layers, as well as achieve crystallinity in the PET layers through strain-induced crystallization and thermal annealing during the melt recrystallization step. A volume additive model was used to extract the effect of crystal orientation within the PVDF-TFE layers and revealed a significant enhancement in the modulus from 730 MPa in the as-extruded state (isotropic) to 840 MPa in the biaxially oriented state (on-edge) to 2230 MPa in the melt-recrystallized state (in-plane).