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Polymers are known to wet nanopores with high surface energy through an atomically thin precursor film followed by slower capillary filling. We present here light interference spectroscopy using a mesoporous membrane-based chip that allows us to observe the dynamics of these phenomena in situ down to the sub-nanometer scale at milli- to microsecond temporal resolution. The device consists of a mesoporous silicon film (average pore size 6 nm) with an integrated photonic crystal, which permits to simultaneously measure the phase shift of thin film interference and the resonance of the photonic crystal upon imbibition. For a styrene dimer, we find a flat fluid front without a precursor film, while the pentamer forms an expanding molecular thin film moving in front of the menisci of the capillary filling. These different behaviors are attributed to a significantly faster pore-surface diffusion compared to the imbibition dynamics for the pentamer and vice versa for the dimer. In addition, both oligomers exhibit anomalously slow imbibition dynamics, which could be explained by apparent viscosities of six and eleven times the bulk value, respectively. However, a more consistent description of the dynamics is achieved by a constriction model that emphasizes the increasing importance of local undulations in the pore radius with the molecular size and includes a sub-nanometer hydrodynamic dead, immobile zone at the pore wall but otherwise uses bulk fluid parameters. Overall, our study illustrates that interferometric, opto-fluidic experiments with mesoporous media allow for a remarkably detailed exploration of the nano-rheology of polymeric liquids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is a prevalent chronic inflammatory condition affecting the nose and paranasal sinuses, posing a significant socio‐economic impact with substantial challenges in management. Biologics targeting type 2 inflammation such as dupilumab, have emerged as promising options. This study addresses a critical knowledge gap by comprehensively evaluating the 3‐year impact of sustained dupilumab therapy in CRSwNP. Methods: A multicentric, retrospective collection of real‐world data from five tertiary referral centers in Germany was conducted, enrolling 150 adult patients. The study investigated patient‐reported outcomes, disease‐specific indices and clinical measures, focusing on therapeutic response persistence, adverse events, and factors influencing treatment continuity. Results: Results indicate significant improvements in clinical parameters from baseline (n = 150) with sustained effectiveness after 36 months (n = 138) as indicated in mean score ± standard deviation. Dupilumab treatment significantly improved overall disease‐related impairment (VAS score: 7.5 ± 2.5 to 1.6 ± 1.3) and rhinosinusitis symptoms (SNOT‐22: 59.4 ± 19.4 to 18.0 ± 15.0). Nasal Polyp Scores (NPS) decreased (5.3 ± 1.8 to 0.7 ± 1.1), and olfactory function improved (3.2 ± 2.5 to 8.4 ± 2.8), with three out of four patients achieving normosmia or hyposmia after 36 months. An "Excellent" treatment response according to EUFOREA23 criteria was observed in 76.5% of patients after 36 months. Sixteen patients discontinued Dupilumab, 12 permanently. Adverse events totaled 69 in 48 patients, commonly self‐limiting. Conclusion: The study highlights the enduring effectiveness and lack of habituation to dupilumab after a sustained therapy of 3 years, providing valuable insights into its long‐term therapeutic implications for CRSwNP patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We demonstrate a hybrid nanocomposite combining mesoporous silica, p SiO 2 , as a host medium and guest lithium niobate LiNbO 3 nanocrystals embedded into tubular silica nanochannels by calcination of the precursor mixed solution of lithium and niobium salts. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Raman scattering techniques reveal trigonal LiNbO 3 nanocrystals within the p SiO 2 nanochannels, indicating their random texture morphology. Annealing at high temperatures (950 ∘ C) during calcination also leads to partial crystallization of the p SiO 2 matrix with the formation of trigonal α - SiO 2 nanocrystals. The Raman microscopy analysis of the p SiO 2 : LiNbO 3 nanocomposite reveals three structural crystalline phases, α - SiO 2 , LiNbO 3 and a mixed phase which involves the α - SiO 2 phase of host membrane and LiNbO 3 nanocrystals embedded into the membrane. The finite size of the LiNbO 3 nanocrystals results in specific features of the LO-TO phonon frequency splitting, which are investigated by Raman microscopy. In the transmission geometry, the second harmonic generation emission exhibits no Maker fringes and is characterized by a broad angular diagram of diffusely scattered light. The second harmonic generation response is independent of the polarization direction of the incident pump light, thus indicating a spatial isotropy of the nonlinear optical conversion in the p SiO 2 : LiNbO 3 composite, consistent with the randomly oriented textural morphology of the deposited LiNbO 3 nanocrystals. The contribution of the guest LiNbO 3 nanocrystals to the second harmonic generation effect was found to be strongly dominant compared to the partially crystallized host p SiO 2 matrix. The nanocomposite p SiO 2 : LiNbO 3 membrane, set in the 90 ∘ nonlinear optical geometry, shows unusually high diffusely transmitted second harmonic generation light (back-reflected emission), apparently supported by internal light reflection from the tubular nanochannel network. Despite the fundamental interest, the revealed anomalous back-reflected second harmonic generation emission from p SiO 2 : LiNbO 3 nanocomposite membranes expands the prospects for their photonic and nonlinear optical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Capillarity-driven transport in nanoporous solids is widespread in nature and crucial for modern liquid-infused engineering materials. During imbibition, curved menisci driven by high negative Laplace pressures exert an enormous contractile load on the porous matrix. Due to the challenge of simultaneously monitoring imbibition and deformation with high spatial resolution, the resulting coupling of solid elasticity to liquid capillarity has remained largely unexplored. Here, we study water imbibition in mesoporous silica using optical imaging, gravimetry, and high-resolution dilatometry. In contrast to an expected Laplace pressure-induced contraction, we find a squareroot-of-time expansion and an additional abrupt length increase when the menisci reach the top surface. The final expansion is absent when we stop the imbibition front inside the porous medium in a dynamic imbibition-evaporation equilibrium, as is typical for transpiration-driven hydraulic transport in plants, especially in trees. These peculiar deformation behaviors are validated by single-nanopore molecular dynamics simulations and described by a continuum model that highlights the importance of expansive surface stresses at the pore walls (Bangham effect) and the buildup or release of contractile Laplace pressures as menisci collectively advance, arrest, or disappear. Our model suggests that these observations apply to any imbibition process in nanopores, regardless of the liquid/solid combination, and that the Laplace contribution upon imbibition is precisely half that of vapor sorption, due to the linear pressure drop associated with viscous flow. Thus, simple deformation measurements can be used to quantify surface stresses and Laplace pressures or transport in a wide variety of natural and artificial porous media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the structural aspects of the Wieselburg Bridge collapse in Austria. The original design and reinforcing details for this integral concrete bridge are discussed. The collapse of the bridge is re‐constructed based on forensic documentation of the failure. The results of structural analysis carried out using material properties obtained after failure are compared to the shear capacity obtained from various models and from test results from literature. The results are used to explain the cause of failure of the integral bridge under dead load. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction:Aspergillus fumigatus is the most common airborne allergen of the Aspergillus family. However, allergies to Aspergillus spp. are increasing, and subsequently, allergies to Aspergillus species other than fumigatus are also on the rise. Commercial diagnostic tools are still limited to Aspergillus fumigatus. Hence, there is a need for improved tests. We decided to investigate the correlation between serological sensitization to A. fumigatus and other Aspergillus species. Methods: Hundred and seven patients with positive skin prick tests to A. fumigatus were included in this study. Immunoglobulin E (IgE) concentrations against A. fumigatus, A. terreus, A. niger, A. flavus, and A. versicolor were measured from specimens by fluorescent enzyme-linked immunoassays. Results: Patients showed considerably higher IgE concentrations against A. fumigatus (6.00 ± 15.05 kUA/L) than A. versicolor (0.30 ± 1.01 kUA/L), A. niger (0.62 ± 1.59 kUA/L), A. terreus (0.45 ± 1.12 kUA/L), or A. flavus (0.41 ± 0.97 kUA/L). Regression analysis yielded weak positive correlations for all Aspergillus spp., but low r2 values and heteroscedastic distribution indicate an overall poor fit of the calculated models. Conclusion: Serological sensitization against A. fumigatus does not correlate with sensitization against other Aspergillus spp. To detect sensitization against these, other diagnostic tools like a skin prick test solution of different Aspergillus spp. are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]