Design Criteria for Patient-specific Mandibular Continuity Defect Reconstructed Implant with Lightweight Structure using Weighted Topology Optimization and Validated with Biomechanical Fatigue Testing.

This study developed design criterion for patient-specific reconstructed implants with appearance consideration and structural optimization of various mandibular continuity defects. The different mandible continuity defects include C (from left to right canines), B (from 1 premolar to 3 molar), and A (from 3 molar to ramus) segments defined based on the mandible image. The finite element (FE) analysis and weighted topology optimization methods were combined to design internal support beam structures within different reconstructed implants with corresponding occlusal conditions.

Investigation of water bonding status of normal and psoriatic skin in vivo using diffuse reflectance spectroscopy.

Psoriasis affects more than 125 million people worldwide, and the diagnosis and treatment efficacy evaluation of the disease mainly rely on clinical assessments that could be subjective. Our previous study showed that the skin erythema level could be quantified using diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), and the hemoglobin concentration of most psoriatic lesion was higher than that of its adjacent uninvolved skin. While the compromised epidermal barrier function has been taken as the major cause of clinical manifestation of skin dryness and inflammation of psoriasis, very few methods can be used to effectively evaluate this function.

Depolying Tunable Metal-Shell/Dielectric Core Nanorod Arrays as the Virtually Perfect Absorber in the Near-Infrared Regime.

In this paper, the coupled Ag-shell/dielectric-core nanorod for sensor application is investigated and the different dielectric core plasmonic metamaterial is adopted in our design. The operational principle is based on the concept of combining the lattice resonance, localized surface plasmon resonance (SPR), and cavity plasmon resonance modes within the nanostructure. The underlying mechanisms are investigated numerically by using the three-dimensional finite element method and the numerical results of coupled solid Ag nanorods are included for comparison.

Thermosensitive double network of zwitterionic polymers for controlled mechanical strength of hydrogels.

Zwitterionic hydrogels have promising potential as a result of their anti-fouling and biocompatible properties, but they have recently also gained further attention due to their controllable stimuli responses. We successfully synthesized two zwitterionic polymers, poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine) (poly-MPC) and poly(2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl dimethyl-(3-sulfopropyl)ammonium hydroxide) (poly-DMAPS), which have complementary ionic sequences in their respective zwitterionic side groups and likely form an interpenetrating double network to improve their mechanical strength. The synthesized poly-MPC was blended in a poly-DMAPS matrix (MD gel) and showed high viscosity, while poly-DMAPS was blended in a poly-MPC hydrogel (DM gel) and revealed UCST behavior as the temperature increased.

A Simple Imaging Device for Fluorescence-Relevant Applications.

This article unveiled the development of an inexpensive, lightweight, easy-to-use, and portable fluorescence imaging device for paper-based analytical applications. We used commercial fluorescent dyes, as proof of concept, to verify the feasibility of our fluorescence imaging device for bioanalysis. This approach may provide an alternative method for nucleotide detection and semen analysis, using a miniaturized fluorescence reader that is more compact and portable than conventional analytical equipment.

Forced flow atomic layer deposition of TiO on vertically aligned Si wafer and polysulfone fiber: Design and efficacy of conduit plates and soak function.

The effectiveness of three different designs of conduit plates was verified for even distribution of precursors in a voluminous forced-flow atomic layer deposition (ALD) chamber designed to hold macroscopic elongated substrates vertically. Furthermore, a new "soak function" was introduced in the controlling software of the ALD instrument. This function enabled increase in residence time of the precursor in the chamber without escalating the dosage.

Synthesis of Large-Area InSe Monolayers by Chemical Vapor Deposition.

Recently, 2D materials of indium selenide (InSe) layers have attracted much attention from the scientific community due to their high mobility transport and fascinating physical properties. To date, reports on the synthesis of high-quality and scalable InSe atomic films are limited. Here, a synthesis of InSe atomic layers by vapor phase selenization of In O in a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) system, resulting in large-area monolayer flakes or thin films, is reported.

Novel Gold Dendritic Nanoforests Combined with Titanium Nitride for Visible-Light-Enhanced Chemical Degradation.

In this study, gold dendritic nanoforests (Au DNFs)-titanium nitride (TiN) composite was firstly proposed for visible-light photodegradation of pollutants. A high-power impulse magnetron sputtering system was used to coat TiN films on silicon wafers, and a fluoride-assisted galvanic replacement reaction was applied to deposit Au DNFs on TiN/Si substrates. Scanning electron microscope images and X-ray diffraction patterns of TiN/Si, Au DNFs/Si, and Au DNFs/TiN/Si samples verified that this synthesis process was accurately controlled.

Caffeine Extraction from Raw and Roasted Coffee Beans.

Unlabelled: Coffee is a stimulant, psychoactive, popular daily beverage, and its caffeine affects human physiological health and behavior. These important issues prompted us to study caffeine extraction from both the raw and roasted coffee beans of 3 types at different temperatures. A hemispheric model is developed to simulate the extraction process of the caffeine from the coffee beans of hemisphere is proposed.

Crossed Czerny-Turner Spectrometer with Extended Spectrum Using Movable Planar Mirrors.

This study reports a crossed Czerny-Turner spectrometer with multiple mirrors to extend the inspected spectrum. A design example with two movable mirrors and a stationary planar mirror is experimentally demonstrated to offer two additional spectral bands, thereby leading to thrice the spectral range of the original Czerny-Turner spectrometer. The results indicate that the configurations to measure the three bands have almost identical parameters.

Simultaneous realization of high sensing sensitivity and tunability in plasmonic nanostructures arrays.

A plasmonic nanostructure (PNS) which integrates metallic and dielectric media within a single structure has been shown to exhibit specific plasmonic properties which are considered useful in refractive index (RI) sensor applications. In this paper, the simultaneous realization of sensitivity and tunability of the optical properties of PNSs consisting of alternative Ag and dielectric of nanosphere/nanorod array have been proposed and compared by using three-dimensional finite element method. The proposed system can support plasmonic hybrid modes and the localized surface plasmonic resonances and cavity plasmonic resonances within the individual PNS can be excited by the incident light.

Feasibility of deep brain stimulation for controlling the lower urinary tract functions: An animal study.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of deep brain stimulation (DBS) and compare the potential of four DBS targets in rats for regulating bladder activity: the periaqueductal gray (PAG), locus coeruleus (LC), rostral pontine reticular nucleus (PnO), and pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus (PPTg).

Methods: A bipolar stimulating electrode was implanted. The effects of DBS on the inhibition and activation of micturition reflexes were investigated by using isovolumetric intravesical pressure recordings.

CuZnSnSe Thin Film Solar Cell with Depth Gradient Composition Prepared by Selenization of Sputtered Novel Precursors.

In this study, we proposed a new method for the synthesis of the target material used in a two stage process for preparation of a high quality CZTSe thin film. The target material consisting of a mixture of CuSe and ZnSn alloy was synthesized, providing a quality CZTSe precursor layer for highly efficient CZTSe thin film solar cells. The CZTSe thin film can be obtained by annealing the precursor layers through a 30 min selenization process under a selenium atmosphere at 550 °C.

Near infrared surface-enhanced Raman scattering based on star-shaped gold/silver nanoparticles and hyperbolic metamaterial.

It is desirable to extend the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) from the conventionally used visible range into the infrared region, because the fluorescence background is lower in the long-wavelength regime. To do this, it is important to have a SERS substrate suitable for infrared operation. In this work, we report the near infrared SERS operation based on the substrates employing star-shaped gold/silver nanoparticles and hyperbolic metamaterial (HMM) structure.

Uniform coating of TaO on vertically aligned substrate: A prelude to forced flow atomic layer deposition.

Uniform tantalum oxide thin films, with a growth rate of 0.6 Å/cycle, were fabricated on vertically aligned, 10 cm-long, silicon substrates using an innovative atomic layer deposition (ALD) design. The ALD system, with a reaction chamber depth of 13.

Wing-augmentation reduces femoral head cutting out of dynamic hip screw.

The dynamic hip screw (DHS) is commonly used in the treatment of femoral intertrochanteric fracture with high satisfactory results. However, post-operative failure does occur and result in poor prognosis. The most common failure is femoral head varus collapse, followed by lag screw cut-out through the femoral head.

Fiber-based 1150-nm femtosecond laser source for the minimally invasive harmonic generation microscopy.

Harmonic generation microscopy (HGM) has become one unique tool of optical virtual biopsy for the diagnosis of cancer and the in vivo cytometry of leukocytes. Without labeling, HGM can reveal the submicron features of tissues and cells in vivo. For deep imaging depth and minimal invasiveness, people commonly adopt 1100- to 1300-nm femtosecond laser sources.

Preparation of Aluminum Oxide-Coated Glass Slides for Glycan Microarrays.

In this study, we report the fabrication of aluminum oxide-coated glass (ACG) slides for the preparation of glycan microarrays. Pure aluminum (Al, 300 nm) was coated on glass slides via electron-beam vapor deposition polymerization (VDP), followed by anodization to form a thin layer (50-65 nm) of aluminum oxide (Al-oxide) on the surface. The ACG slides prepared this way provide a smooth surface for arraying sugars covalently via phosphonate formation with controlled density and spatial distance.

A High Performance Impedance-based Platform for Evaporation Rate Detection.

This paper describes the method of a novel impedance-based platform for the detection of the evaporation rate. The model compound hyaluronic acid was employed here for demonstration purposes. Multiple evaporation tests on the model compound as a humectant with various concentrations in solutions were conducted for comparison purposes.

Mechanical Strength and Broadband Transparency Improvement of Glass Wafers via Surface Nanostructures.

In this study, we mechanically strengthened a borosilicate glass wafer by doubling its bending strength and simultaneously enhancing its transparency using surface nanostructures for different applications including sensors, displays and panels. A fabrication method that combines dry and wet etching is used for surface nanostructure fabrication. Specifically, we improved the bending strength of plain borosilicate glass by 96% using these surface nanostructures on both sides.

Developing a dermatological photodiagnosis system by optical image analyses and in vivo study.

Dermatological photodynamic therapy (DPDT) involves using systematic photosensitizers in combination with light irradiation treatment to eliminate cancer cells. Therefore, a noninvasive fluorescence photodiagnosis system is critical in DPDT for diagnosing target tissues and demarcating the margin of normal tissues. This study proposes a 375-nm ring LED light module in fluorescence imaging for DPDT applications.

A Sensitive Ratiometric Long-Wavelength Fluorescent Probe for Selective Determination of Cysteine/Homocysteine.

The development of sensitive fluorescence probes to detect biothiols such as cysteine and homocysteine has attracted great attention in recent times. Herein, we described the design and synthesis of coumarin based long-wavelength fluorescence probe, Bromo-2-benzothiazolyl-3-cyano-7-hydroxy coumarin (BBCH, 2) for selective detections of cysteine and homocysteine. The probe is rationally designed in such a way that both sulfhydryl and adjacent amino groups of thiols are involved in sensing process.

Enhancing the in vivo transdermal delivery of gold nanoparticles using poly(ethylene glycol) and its oleylamine conjugate.

In this study, we investigated the effect of (ethylene glycol) (PEG) and PEG-oleylamine (OAm) functionalization on the skin permeation property of gold nanoparticles (GNS) in vivo. Chemisorption of polymers onto GNS was verified by a red shift in the ultraviolet-visible spectrum as well as by a change in the nanoparticle surface charge. The physicochemical properties of pristine and functionalized nanoparticles were analyzed by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, zeta potential analyzer, and transmission electron microscopy.

Strength Improvement of Glass Substrates by Using Surface Nanostructures.

Defects and heterogeneities degrade the strength of glass with different surface and subsurface properties. This study uses surface nanostructures to improve the bending strength of glass and investigates the effect of defects on three glass types. Borosilicate and aluminosilicate glasses with a higher defect density than fused silica exhibited 118 and 48 % improvement, respectively, in bending strength after surface nanostructure fabrication.

Immobilized rolling circle amplification on extended-gate field-effect transistors with integrated readout circuits for early detection of platelet-derived growth factor.

Detection of tumor-related proteins with high specificity and sensitivity is important for early diagnosis and prognosis of cancers. While protein sensors based on antibodies are not easy to keep for a long time, aptamers (single-stranded DNA) are found to be a good alternative for recognizing tumor-related protein specifically. This study investigates the feasibility of employing aptamers to recognize the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) specifically and subsequently triggering rolling circle amplification (RCA) of DNAs on extended-gate field-effect transistors (EGFETs) to enhance the sensitivity.