Penalty 4-Node Quadrilateral Element Formulation for Axisymmetric Couple Stress Problems.

To address the issue of size effects in axisymmetric deformation of small-scale solids, this work proposes a 4-node 12-DOF element for axisymmetric problems based on the consistent couple stress theory (CCST), following the framework of the unsymmetric finite element method. With the use of the penalty function method, an independently assumed rotational field is introduced into the virtual work principle to approximate the physical rotation, ensuring the satisfaction of the continuity requirement of the CCST in a weak form. As a benefit, the enriched isoparametric-based interpolation is employed to construct the test functions for displacement and rotation.

Chaperone solvent-assisted assembly of polymers at the interface of two immiscible liquids.

The assembly of polymers at liquid-liquid interfaces offers a promising strategy for fabricating two-dimensional polymer films. However, a significant challenge arises when the polymers lack inherent interfacial traction. In response, we introduce an approach termed chaperone solvent-assisted assembly.

Robotic flytrap with an ultra-sensitive 'trichome' and fast-response 'lobes'.

Nature abounds with examples of ultra-sensitive perception and agile body transformation for highly efficient predation as well as extraordinary adaptation to complex environments. Flytraps, as a representative example, could effectively detect the most minute physical stimulation of insects and respond instantly, inspiring numerous robotic designs and applications. However, current robotic flytraps face challenges in reproducing the ultra-sensitive insect-touch perception.

Mechanical loading on cell-free polymer composite scaffold enhances in situ regeneration of fully functional Achilles tendon in a rabbit model.

Traditional tendon engineering using cell-loaded scaffold has limited application potential due to the need of autologous cells. We hypothesize that potent mechanical loading can efficiently induce in situ Achilles tendon regeneration in a rabbit model by using a cell-free porous composite scaffold. In this study, melt-spinning was used to fabricate PGA (polyglycolic acid) and PLA (polylactic acid) filament fibers as well as non-woven PGA fibers.

The Effect of Different Substances Embedded in Fullerene Cavity on Surfactant Self-Assembly Behavior through Molecular Dynamics Simulation.

Fullerene-based amphiphiles are new types of monomers that form self-assemblies with profound applications. The conical fullerene amphiphiles (CFAs) have attracted attention for their uniquely self-assembled structures and have opened up a new field for amphiphile research. The CFAs and CFAs with different substances embedded in cavities are designed and their self-assembly behaviors are investigated using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations.

Accumulation rate and sources of plastic marine litter at nesting grounds of green turtles on the North Island of Qilianyu, Xisha Islands, South China Sea.

In this study, the accumulation rate of plastic litter was investigated by sampling quadrats placed on the North Island of Qilianyu, and the composition was analyzed and identified to determine its source. The results showed that the annual average accumulation rate of plastic litter on North Island was 0.64 ± 0.

Efficient production of R-2-(4-hydroxyphenoxy) propionic acid by Beauveria bassiana using biofilm-based two-stage fermentation.

In this work, a novel biofilm-based fermentation of Beauveria bassiana was employed to convert R-2- phenoxypropionic acid (R-PPA) to R-2-(4-hydroxyphenoxy) propionic acid (R-HPPA). The biofilm culture model of Beauveria bassiana produced a significantly higher R-HPPA titer than the traditional submerged fermentation method. Mannitol dosage, tryptone dosage, and initial pH were the factors that played a significant role in biofilm formation and R-HPPA synthesis.

Microplastic Distribution Characteristics and Sources on Beaches That Serve as the Largest Nesting Ground for Green Turtles in China.

The threat of microplastics to marine animals and habitats is increasing, which may affect sea turtle nesting grounds. The Qilianyu Islands are the largest remaining green turtle () nesting grounds in China. Despite being far from the mainland, microplastic pollution cannot be ignored.

Enabling Stable and Low-Strain Lithium Plating/Stripping with 2D Layered Transition Metal Carbides by Forming Li-Zipped MXenes and a Li Halide-Rich Solid Electrolyte Interphase.

Two-dimensional (2D) layered materials demonstrate prominent advantage in regulating lithium plating/stripping behavior by confining lithium diffusion/plating within interlayer gaps. However, achieving effective interlayer confined lithium diffusion/plating without compromising the stability of bulk-structural and the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) remains a considerable challenge. This paper presents an electrochemical scissor and lithium zipper-driven protocol for realizing interlayer confined lithium plating with pretty-low strain and volume change.

Correlation analysis of serum levels of H19 and CRP levels and ulcerative colitis.

Background: To elucidate clinical applications of detecting serum levels of H19 and CRP in predicting the severity of ulcerative colitis (UC).

Methods: Two hundred UC patients were recruited, and classified to mild/moderate group and severe group according to the Truelove-Witts grading system. Serum levels of H19 and CRP in UC patients were detected by turbidimetric inhibition immuno assay and qRT-PCR.

On-top plasty combined with modified Bilhaut-Cloquet procedure for reconstructing complicated radial polydactyly.

Purpose: To present a surgical technique of combining the on-top plasty with modified Bilhaut-Cloquet procedure for reconstructing a rare type of complicated radial polydactyly and evaluate the outcomes.

Methods: Fourteen complicated radial polydactyly in 13 patients were corrected by combining the on-top plasty with modified Bilhaut-Cloquet procedure. Osteotomies were performed as required, and the acral part of the ulnar thumb was transposed onto the proximal part of the radial thumb.

Molecular Dynamics Simulations on the Adsorbed Monolayers of N-Dodecyl Betaine at the Air-Water Interface.

Betaine is a kind of zwitterionic surfactant with both positive and negative charge groups on the polar head, showing good surface activity and aggregation behaviors. The interfacial adsorption, structures and properties of -dodecyl betaine (NDB) at different surface coverages at the air-water interface are studied through molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Interactions between the polar heads and water molecules, the distribution of water molecules around polar heads, the tilt angle of the NDB molecule, polar head and tail chain with respect to the surface normal, the conformations and lengths of the tail chain, and the interfacial thickness of the NDB monolayer are analyzed.

Molecular Dynamics Study on the Aggregation Behavior of Triton X Micelles with Different PEO Chain Lengths in Aqueous Solution.

The aggregation structure of Triton X (TX) amphiphilic molecules in aqueous solution plays an important role in determining the various properties and applications of surfactant solutions. In this paper, the properties of micelles formed by TX-5, TX-114, and TX-100 molecules with different poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) chain lengths in TX series of nonionic surfactants were studied via molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. The structural characteristics of three micelles were analyzed at the molecular level, including the shape and size of micelles, the solvent accessible surface area, the radial distribution function, the micelle configuration, and the hydration numbers.

A single-tube-braided stent for various airway structures.

Airway stent has been widely used in airway procedures. However, the metallic and silicone tubular stents are not customized designed for individual patients and cannot adapt to complicated obstruction structures. Other customized stents could not adapt to complex airway structures with easy and standardized manufacturing methods.

A warm hug from a robot: A dual-mode e-skin with programming compliance.

Recent achievements in the field of electronic skin (e-skin) have provided promising technology for service robots. However, the development of a bionic perception system that exhibits superior performance in terms of safety and interaction quality remains a challenge. Here, we demonstrate a biomimetic soft e-skin that is composed of an array of capacitors and air pouches.

Surgical excision and skin grafting combined with intralesional injection of triamcinolone for the treatment of keloids after syndactyly release.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of surgery combined with triamcinolone acetonide injection in managing the difficult problem of keloid formation after syndactyly release. Twenty-two patients with keloid formation after syndactyly release were retrospectively reviewed. They were divided into a simple surgery group and a surgery plus injection group.

Kartogenin Induced Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Exosomes Enhance the Chondrogenic Differentiation Ability of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells.

Objective: The objective of this study is to explore the effect of kartogenin (KGN-)-pretreated adipose-derived stem cell-derived exosomes (ADSC-EXOs) on the chondrogenic differentiation ability of ADSCs.

Methods: Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) were treated with different doses of KGN, and exosomes (EXOs) were extracted. EXOs were then identified using an electron microscope (EM), nanoparticle tracking analyzer, nanoparticle tracking analysis software, and exosomal protein markers.

Aesthetic correction of short nail deformity in congenital brachydactyly Type D by distraction lengthening.

Brachydactyly Type D is a congenital condition of the thumb in which there is a short and broad thumbnail. Although the thumb function is often unaffected, some patients seek surgery for cosmetic improvement. This study aimed to describe our method of distraction lengthening to correct nail deformity in brachydactyly Type D.

lncRNA-H19 in Fibroblasts Promotes Wound Healing in Diabetes.

Cutaneous wound healing in diabetes is impaired and would develop into nonhealing ulcerations. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the wound-healing process remains largely obscure. Here, we found that cutaneous PDGFRα+ fibroblast-expressing lncRNA-H19 (lncH19) accelerates the wound-healing process via promoting dermal fibroblast proliferation and macrophage infiltration in injured skin.

Trajectory optimisation with musculoskeletal integration features for fracture reduction orthopaedic robot.

Background: Human body is an integrated system of bones and muscles. To date, there are insufficient studies on the effect of muscles on the trajectory planning of orthopaedic robot. To this end, based on a Stewart-Gough platform (6-UPU) fracture reduction orthopaedic robot, a musculoskeletal trajectory optimisation method was constructed for the interference of soft tissue during the reduction process.

Continuous tension reduction technique in facial scar management: A comparison of W-plasty and straight-line closure on aesthetic effects in Asian patients.

W-plasty is a very popular scar excisional revision technique. The core of the technique is to break up the scar margins into small triangular components, so as to cause light scattering and make the scar less noticeable. However, due to skin tension, facial incision scars tend to spread.

Microvascular Ear Replantation: A Multicenter Study of 22 Patients with Complete Ear Amputation.

We aimed to report our experience in treating ear amputations with microvascular replantation, with the largest sample to date. Twenty-two patients with complete ear amputation underwent microvascular ear replantation at three medical centers between May 2003 and May 2020. Arterial anastomoses, venous anastomoses, or vein graft were performed depending on different situations.

Hypoxic ADSCs-derived EVs promote the proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation of cartilage stem/progenitor cells.

Cartilage tissue engineering is a promising option for repairing cartilage defects, although harvesting a large number of seeding cells remains a major challenge. Cartilage stem/progenitor cells (CSPCs) seem to be a promising cell source. Hypoxic extracellular vesicles (EVs) may play a major role in cell-cell and tissue-tissue communication.

Synergistic effects of myogenic cells and fibroblasts on the promotion of engineered tendon regeneration with muscle derived cells.

Aims: Tendon development requires the coordinated interaction of muscles and tendons. Muscle-derived cells (MDCs), a mixed cell population containing both myogenic and fibroblastic cell subsets, have been found to be ideal seed cells for tendon regeneration. However, the necessity of these cell types for tendon regeneration has not yet been tested.

Functional and aesthetic reconstruction of digital flexion contractures with full-thickness plantar skin grafts in children.

Hand burns are frequently seen in children, often resulting in digital flexion contractures. Traditional split-thickness or full-thickness skin grafts leave notably different skin texture and hyperpigmentation. The purpose of this study was to describe our operation for treating digital flexion contractures with full-thickness plantar skin grafts, and to evaluate the appearance and function outcomes.