Mueller matrix analysis of a biologically sourced engineered tissue construct as polarimetric phantom.

Significance: The polarimetric properties of biological tissues are often difficult to ascertain independent of their complex structural and organizational features. Conventional polarimetric tissue phantoms have well-characterized optical properties but are overly simplified. We demonstrate that an innovative, biologically sourced, engineered tissue construct better recapitulates the desired structural and polarimetric properties of native collagenous tissues, with the added benefit of potential tunability of the polarimetric response.

Automated brightfield layerwise evaluation in three-dimensional micropatterning via two-photon polymerization.

Two-photon polymerization (TPP) is an advanced 3D fabrication technique capable of creating features with submicron precision. A primary challenge in TPP lies in the facile and accurate characterization of fabrication quality, particularly for structures possessing complex internal features. In this study, we introduce an automated brightfield layerwise evaluation technique that enables a simple-to-implement approach for in situ monitoring and quality assessment of TPP-fabricated structures.

In Situ Engineering of Inorganic-Rich Solid Electrolyte Interphases via Anion Choice Enables Stable, Lithium Anodes.

The discovery of liquid battery electrolytes that facilitate the formation of stable solid electrolyte interphases (SEIs) to mitigate dendrite formation is imperative to enable lithium anodes in next-generation energy-dense batteries. Compared to traditional electrolyte solvents, tetrahydrofuran (THF)-based electrolyte systems have demonstrated great success in enabling high-stability lithium anodes by encouraging the decomposition of anions (instead of organic solvent) and thus generating inorganic-rich SEIs. Herein, by employing a variety of different lithium salts (i.

A Data-Driven Approach to Molten Salt Synthesis of N-Rich Carbon Adsorbents for Selective CO Capture.

Applying a design of experiments methodology to the molten salt synthesis of nanoporous carbons enables inverse design and optimization of nitrogen (N)-rich carbon adsorbents with excellent CO /N selectivity and appreciable CO capacity for carbon capture via swing adsorption from dilute gas mixtures such as natural gas combined cycle flue gas. This data-driven study reveals fundamental structure-function relationships between the synthesis conditions, physicochemical properties, and achievable selective adsorption performance of N-rich nanoporous carbons derived from molten salt synthesis for CO capture. Taking advantage of size-sieving separation of CO (3.

Excitation of surface plasmon polaritons by diffraction-free and vector beams.

Surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) are traditionally excited by plane waves within the Rayleigh range of a focused transverse-magnetic (TM) Gaussian beam. Here we investigate and confirm the coupling between SPPs and two-dimensional Gaussian and Bessel-Gauss wave packets, as well as one-dimensional light sheets and space-time wave packets. We encode the incoming wavefronts with spatially varying states of polarization; then we couple the respective TM components of radial and azimuthal vector beam profiles to confirm polarization-correlation and spatial-mode selectivity.

Single-wavelength, single-shot pulse oximetry using an LED-generated vector beam.

Photoplethysmography (PPG) is an optical technique that monitors blood oxygen saturation levels, typically with the use of pulse oximeters. Conventional pulse oximetry estimates the ratio of light absorbed at two wavelengths. Attempts have been made to improve the precision of these measurements by using polarized light, with the tradeoff of requiring multiple sequential measurements.

Camphene-Assisted Fabrication of Free-Standing Lithium-Ion Battery Electrode Composites.

Free-standing electrode (FSE) architectures hold the potential to dramatically increase the gravimetric and volumetric energy density of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) by eliminating the parasitic dead weight and volume associated with traditional metal foil current collectors. However, current FSE fabrication methods suffer from insufficient mechanical stability, electrochemical performance, or industrial adoptability. Here, we demonstrate a scalable camphene-assisted fabrication method that allows simultaneous casting and templating of FSEs comprising common LIB materials with a performance superior to their foil-cast counterparts.

Calcium Poly(Heptazine Imide): A Covalent Heptazine Framework for Selective CO Adsorption.

Potassium poly(heptazine imide) (KPHI) has recently garnered attention as a crystalline carbon nitride framework with considerable photoelectrochemical activity. Here, we report a Ca-complexed analogue of PHI: calcium poly(heptazine imide) (CaPHI). Despite similar polymer backbone, CaPHI and KPHI exhibit markedly different crystal structures.

Anodized Nickel Foam for Oxygen Evolution Reaction in Fe-Free and Unpurified Alkaline Electrolytes at High Current Densities.

To achieve practically high electrocatalytic performance for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), the active surface area should be maximized without severely compromising electron and mass transport throughout the catalyst electrode. Though the importance of electron and mass transport has been studied using low surface area catalysts under low current densities (∼tens of mA/cm), the transport properties of large surface area catalysts under high operating current densities (∼500 mA/cm) for practical OER catalysis have rarely been explored. Herein, three-dimensional (3D) hierarchically porous anodized nickel foams (ANFs) with large and variable surface areas were synthesized electrochemical anodization of 3D nickel foam and applied as OER electrocatalysts in Fe-free and unpurified KOH electrolytes.

Stroke incidence and subtypes in Aboriginal people in remote Australia: a healthcare network population-based study.

Objectives: We aimed to compare the incidence, subtypes and aetiology of stroke, and in-hospital death due to stroke, between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in Central Australia, a remote region of Australia where a high proportion Aboriginal people reside (40% of the population). We hypothesised that the rates of stroke, particularly in younger adults, would be greater in the Aboriginal population, compared with the non-Aboriginal population; we aimed to elucidate causes for any identified disparities.

Design: A retrospective population-based study of patients hospitalised with stroke within a defined region from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2014.

Neurosyphilis: Still prevalent and overlooked in an at risk population.

Background: Neurosyphilis (NS) presents with a variety of clinical syndromes that can be attributed to other aetiologies due to difficulties in its diagnosis. We reviewed all cases of NS from the "Top End" of the Australian Northern Territory over a ten-year period to assess incidence, clinical and laboratory manifestations.

Methods: Patient data (2007-2016) were extracted from hospital records, centralised laboratory data and Northern Territory Centre for Disease Control records.

Artificial neural network discovery of a switchable metasurface reflector.

Optical materials engineered to dynamically and selectively manipulate electromagnetic waves are essential to the future of modern optical systems. In this paper, we simulate various metasurface configurations consisting of periodic 1D bars or 2D pillars made of the ternary phase change material GeSbTe (GST). Dynamic switching behavior in reflectance is exploited due to a drastic refractive index change between the crystalline and amorphous states of GST.

Effect of Selenium Content on Nickel Sulfoselenide-Derived Nickel (Oxy)hydroxide Electrocatalysts for Water Oxidation.

An efficient and inexpensive electrocatalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) must be found in order to improve the viability of hydrogen fuel production water electrolysis. Recent work has indicated that nickel chalcogenide materials show promise as electrocatalysts for this reaction and that their performance can be further enhanced with the generation of ternary, bimetallic chalcogenides (., NiMX); however, relatively few studies have investigated ternary chalcogenides created through the addition of a second chalcogen (.

Carbon Nitride Transforms into a High Lithium Storage Capacity Nitrogen-Rich Carbon.

We describe here the metal-templated transformation of carbon nitride (CN) into nitrogen-containing carbons as anodes for Li-ion batteries (LIBs). Changing the template from the carbon- and nitrogen-immiscible Cu powder to the carbon- and nitrogen-miscible Fe powder yields different carbons; while Fe templating produces graphitized carbons of low (<10%) nitrogen content and moderate pore volume, Cu templating yields high defect-density carbons of high (32-24%) nitrogen content and larger pore volume. The Li storage capacity of the high nitrogen content and larger pore volume Cu-templated carbons exceeds that of the more graphitic Fe-templated carbons due to added contribution from Li insertion/extraction from pores and defects and to reversible faradaic Li reaction with nitrogen atoms.

Murray Valley Encephalitis Virus: An Ongoing Cause of Encephalitis in Australia's North.

Murray Valley encephalitis virus (MVEV) is a mosquito-borne virus endemic to Australia and New Guinea. Encephalitis due to MVEV is potentially devastating, and no therapeutic interventions of proven value exist. Prevention relies largely on personal protective measures against mosquito bites.

Effects of clarithromycin, azithromycin and rifampicin on terbutaline-induced sweating in foals.

Background: Erythromycin (ERY) induces anhidrosis in foals. Azithromycin (AZI) and clarithromycin (CLA), often combined with rifampicin (RIF), are commonly used to treat Rhodococcus equi infections, but effects on sweating have not been investigated.

Objective: To determine the effects of AZI, CLA and RIF on sweat responses in normal foals.

The use of the Podotrack in forensic podiatry for collection and analysis of bare footprints using the Reel method of measurement.

This small-scale study examined the role that bare footprint collection and measurement processes have on the Reel method of measurement in forensic podiatry and its use in the Criminal Justice System. Previous research indicated that the Reel method was a valid and reliable measurement system for bare footprint analysis but various collection systems have been used to collect footprint data and both manual and digital measurement processes were utilized in forensic podiatry and other disciplines. This study contributes to the debate about collecting bare footprints; the techniques employed to quantify various Reel measurements and considered whether there was asymmetry between feet and footprints of the same person.

Adverse outcome after incident stroke hospitalization for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians in the Northern Territory.

Background: Survival after a stroke is lower for Indigenous than other stroke patients in Australia. It is not known whether recurrence is more common for Indigenous patients, or whether their higher prevalence of comorbidity affects their lower survival.

Aims: This study aimed to investigate the stroke recurrence and role of comorbidities in adverse stroke outcomes (recurrence and death) for Indigenous compared with other Australians.