Ultra-stiff compressed collagen for corneal perforation patch graft realized by in situ photochemical crosslinking.

Despite the potential of a collagen construct, consisting of a major extracellular matrix component of the native cornea, as a patch graft to treat the corneal perforation, there has still been difficulty in acquiring sufficient mechanical properties for clinical availability. This study developed a novel in situ photochemical crosslinking (IPC)-assisted collagen compression process, namely, the IPC-C process, to significantly enhance the mechanical properties of the collagen construct for the development of a collagenous patch graft. For the first time, we found that compressed collagen construct was rapidly rehydrated in an aqueous solution, which inhibited effective riboflavin-mediated photochemical crosslinking for mechanical improvement.

Synthesis and Properties of Thiophene and Aniline Copolymer Using Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jets Copolymerization Technique.

This paper investigates the properties of thiophene and aniline copolymer (TAC) films deposited by using atmospheric pressure plasma jets copolymerization technique relative to various blending ratios of aniline and thiophene monomer for synthesizing the donor-acceptor conjugated copolymers. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and atomic force microscopy are utilized to measure the surface morphology, roughness and film thickness of TAC films. Structural and chemical properties of TAC films are investigated by Fourier transforms-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.

Simultaneous on-chip isolation and characterization of circulating tumor cell sub-populations.

The diagnosis of tumor metastasis using circulating tumor cells (CTCs) has been considered an important developmental target for several decades but remains a formidable challenge because of the rarity and heterogeneity of CTCs. Additional downstream analysis is required after isolating CTCs on-chip for subtype verification. To solve those problems, we have developed microfluidic based integrated system which uses magnetic field gradient and immune-fluorescence differences to on-chip isolation and discrimination of CTCs simultaneously.

Effects of a Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) on Characteristics of Polyaniline Nanoparticles Synthesized by a Solution Plasma Process with an Ar Gas Bubble Channel.

The quality of polyaniline nanoparticles (PANI NPs) synthesized in plasma polymerization depends on the discharge characteristics of a solution plasma process (SPP). In this paper, the low temperature dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) is introduced to minimize the destruction of aniline molecules induced by the direct current (DC) spark discharge. By adopting the new electrode structure coupled with a gas channel, a low temperature DBD is successfully implemented in a SPP, for the first time, thus inducing an effective interaction between the Ar plasma and aniline monomer.

Air-stable and ultrasensitive solution-cast SWIR photodetectors utilizing modified core/shell colloidal quantum dots.

InGaAs-based photodetectors have been generally used for detection in the short-wave infrared (SWIR) region. However, the epitaxial process used to grow these materials is expensive; therefore, InGaAs-based photodetectors are limited to space exploration and military applications. Many researchers have expended considerable efforts to address the problem of SWIR photodetector development using lead sulfide (PbS) quantum dots (QDs).

Mechanism behind the paper spray chemical ionization phenomenon and the choice of solvent.

Paper spray chemical ionization (PSCI) combined with mass spectrometry has been proposed as a sensitive method for the analysis of nonpolar aromatic compounds; however, the mechanism behind PSCI is not well understood. In the present study, the evidence for the occurrence of corona discharge is provided and its mechanism is proposed. Photographs taken with a highly sensitive camera evidently demonstrate the occurrence of corona discharge at the end of the triangular shape tip when a nonpolar solvent such as hexane was used at an applied potential of 6-7 kV.

Optical Interferometric Fringe Pattern-Incorporated Spectrum Calibration Technique for Enhanced Sensitivity of Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography.

Depth-visualizing sensitivity can be degraded due to imperfect optical alignment and non-equidistant distribution of optical signals in the pixel array, which requires a measurement of the re-sampling process. To enhance this depth-visualizing sensitivity, reference and sample arm-channeled spectra corresponding to different depths using mirrors were obtained to calibrate the spectrum sampling prior to Fourier transformation. During the process, eight interferogram patterns corresponding to point spread function (PSF) signals at eight optical path length differences were acquired.

SAO2Vec: Development of an algorithm for embedding the subject-action-object (SAO) structure using Doc2Vec.

In natural-language processing, the subject-action-object (SAO) structure is used to convert unstructured textual data into structured textual data comprising subjects, actions, and objects. This structure is suitable for analyzing the key elements of technology, as well as the relationships between these elements. However, analysis using the existing SAO structure requires a substantial number of manual processes because this structure does not represent the context of the sentences.

H₂ Gas Sensor Based on Pd-Loaded Carbon Nanotube Film.

Palladium-coated multi-walled carbon nanotube (Pd-MWCNT) nanocomposites have been experimentally proven to show highly improved hydrogen (H₂) gas detection characteristics at room temperature when compared with single MWCNTs. In this context, we develop an efficient and convenient method for forming nanocomposites by coating Pd nanoparticles on an MWCNT film. Furthermore, we test the applicability of the nanocomposites as sensing materials in detecting H₂ gas at room temperature in a reliable and sensitive manner in contrast with ordinary metal-oxidebased gas sensors that operate at high temperatures.

Room-Temperature Hydrogen-Gas Sensor Based on Carbon Nanotube Yarn.

The proposed study describes the development of a carbon nanotube (CNT)-based gas sensor capable of detecting the presence of hydrogen (H₂) gas at room temperature. CNT yarn used in the proposed sensor was fabricated from synthesized CNT arrays. Subsequently, the yarn was treated by means of a simple one-step procedure, called acid treatment, to facilitate removal of impurities from the yarn surface and forming functional species.

In Situ Characterization of Micro-Vibration in Natural Latex Membrane Resembling Tympanic Membrane Functionally Using Optical Doppler Tomography.

Non-invasive characterization of micro-vibrations in the tympanic membrane (TM) excited by external sound waves is considered as a promising and essential diagnosis in modern otolaryngology. To verify the possibility of measuring and discriminating the vibrating pattern of TM, here we describe a micro-vibration measurement method of latex membrane resembling the TM. The measurements are obtained with an externally generated audio stimuli of 2.

Effect of PVP-Capped ZnO Nanoparticles with Enhanced Charge Transport on the Performance of P3HT/PCBM Polymer Solar Cells.

We attempted surface modification in ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) synthesized by the sol-gel process with polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) applied to bulk-heterojunction polymer solar cells (PSCs) as an electron transport layer (ETL). In general, ZnO NPs have trap sites due to oxygen vacancies which capture electrons and degrade the performance of the PSCs. Devices with six different PVP:Zn ratios (0.

Functional assessment of moisture influenced cadaveric tympanic membrane using phase shift-resolved optical Doppler vibrography.

An elevated relative moisture in the external ear canal and middle ear cavity may predispose to chronic otorrhea and related infections along with abnormal tympanic membrane (TM) vibration patterns. Therefore, phase shift-resolved optical Doppler vibrography (ODV) was used for vibration assessments of moisture influenced cadaveric TM. ODV was applied to generate time resolved cross-sectional and volumetric vibrographs of a cadaveric TM, driven acoustically at several frequencies.

Die-Attach Structure of Silicon-on-Glass MEMS Devices Considering Asymmetric Packaging Stress and Thermal Stress.

Die attach is a typical process that induces thermal stress in the fabrication of microelectromechanical system (MEMS) devices. One solution to this problem is attaching a portion of the die to the package. In such partial die bonding, the lack of control over the spreading of the adhesive can cause non-uniform attachment.

Effects of a Mixed Reality-based Cognitive Training System Compared to a Conventional Computer-assisted Cognitive Training System on Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Pilot Study.

Background: Mixed reality (MR) technology, which combines the best features of augmented reality and virtual reality, has recently emerged as a promising tool in cognitive rehabilitation therapy.

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of an MR-based cognitive training system for individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Methods: Twenty-one individuals aged 65 years and older who had been diagnosed with MCI were recruited for this study and were divided into two groups.

Active Body Pressure Relief System with Time-of-Flight Optical Pressure Sensors for Pressure Ulcer Prevention.

A body pressure relief system was newly developed with optical pressure sensors for pressure ulcer prevention. Unlike a conventional alternating pressure air mattress (APAM), this system automatically regulates air flow into a body supporting mattress with adaptive inflation (or deflation) duration in response to the pressure level in order to reduce skin stress due to prolonged high pressures. The system continuously quantifies the body pressure distribution using time-of-flight (ToF) optical sensors.

Measurement of Vibrating Tympanic Membrane in an In Vivo Mouse Model Using Doppler Optical Coherence Tomography.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has a micro-resolution with a penetration depth of about 2 mm and field of view of about 10 mm. This makes OCT well suited for analyzing the anatomical and internal structural assessment of the middle ear. To study the vibratory motion of the tympanic membrane (TM) and its internal structure, we developed a phase-resolved Doppler OCT system using Kasai's autocorrelation algorithm.

Employing PCBTDPP as an Efficient Donor Polymer for High Performance Ternary Polymer Solar Cells.

A compatible low-bandgap donor polymer (poly[N-90-heptadecanyl-2,7carbazole-alt-3,6-bis(thiophen-5-yl)-2,5-dioctyl-2,5-dihydropyrrolo [3,4] pyrrole-1,4-dione], PCBTDPP) was judicially introduced into the archetypal poly(3-hexylthiophene):[6,6]-phenyl-C-butyric acid methyl ester (P3HT:PCBM) photoactive system to fabricate highly efficient ternary based bulk heterojunction polymer solar cells (PSCs). The PCBTDPP ternary-based PSC with optimal loading (0.2 wt.

Anti-EGFR antibody conjugated thiol chitosan-layered gold nanoshells for dual-modal imaging-guided cancer combination therapy.

Developing a novel multifunctional theranostic agent for cancer combination therapy has attracted tremendous attention in recent years. In this report, we designed and developed a new multifunctional nanocarrier based on anti-epidermal growth factor receptor antibody-conjugated and paclitaxel loaded-thiol chitosan-layered gold nanoshells (anti-EGFR-PTX-TCS-GNSs) as a theranostic agent for the first time used for fluorescence/photoacoustic dual-modal imaging-guided chemophotothermal synergistic therapy. The resulting anti-EGFR-PTX-TCS-GNSs showed excellent biosafety, biocompatibility, broad near-infrared (NIR) absorbance, photostability, fast and laser irradiation-controllable drug release, and higher targeting efficiency for efficient chemophotothermal combination therapy of cancer under the guidance of photoacoustic imaging (PAI).

Wireless power transfer analysis of circular and spherical coils under misalignment conditions for biomedical implants.

In this paper, a 3-coil inductive WPT system having circular shaped external coil and miniaturized spherical shaped implantable coil is designed and optimized at 13.56 MHz to overcome reduced PTE under misalignment conditions. The external coil is placed at a distance of 10 mm from the implantable coil.

Real-Time User Identification and Behavior Prediction Based on Foot-Pad Recognition.

In the IoT (Internet of things)-based smart home, the technology for recognizing individual users among family members is very important. Although research in areas such as image recognition, biometrics, and individual wireless devices is very active, these systems suffer from various problems such as the need to follow an intentional procedure or own a specific device. Furthermore, with a centralized server system for IoT service, it is difficult to guarantee real-time determinism with high accuracy.

Uncooled Short-Wave Infrared Sensor Based on PbS Quantum Dots Using ZnO NPs.

Shortwave infrared (SWIR) sensors have attracted interest due to their usefulness in applications like military and medical equipment. SWIR sensors based on various materials are currently being studied. However, most SWIR detectors need additional optical filters and cooling systems to detect specific wavelengths.

A Peptide Probe Enables Photoacoustic-Guided Imaging and Drug Delivery to Lung Tumors in Mutant Mice.

The lack of molecular targets and targeting probes remains a major drawback for targeted imaging and drug delivery in lung cancer. In this study, we exploited phage display to identify a novel targeting probe that homes to the tumor in a mutant mouse lung cancer model. Compared with other candidate peptides selected from 5 rounds of phage display, the CRQTKN peptide homed to tumor nodules in the lung of mutant mice at higher levels.

Biocompatibility evaluation of bioprinted decellularized collagen sheet implanted in vivo cornea using swept-source optical coherence tomography.

Corneal transplantation by full-thickness penetrating keratoplasty with human donor tissue is a widely accepted treatment for damaged or diseased corneas. Although corneal transplantation has a high success rate, a shortage of high-quality donor tissue is a considerable limitation. Therefore, bioengineered corneas could be an effective solution for this limitation, and a decellularized extracellular matrix comprises a promising scaffold for their fabrication.

A Comparison Study of Marginal and Internal Fit Assessment Methods for Fixed Dental Prostheses.

Numerous studies have previously evaluated the marginal and internal fit of fixed prostheses; however, few reports have performed an objective comparison of the various methods used for their assessment. The purpose of this study was to compare five marginal and internal fit assessment methods for fixed prostheses. A specially designed sample was used to measure the marginal and internal fit of the prosthesis according to the cross-sectional method (CSM), silicone replica technique (SRT), triple scan method (TSM), micro-computed tomography (MCT), and optical coherence tomography (OCT).