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The densification of integrated circuits requires thermal management strategies and high thermal conductivity materials1–3. Recent innovations include the development of materials with thermal conduction anisotropy, which can remove hotspots along the fast-axis direction and provide thermal insulation along the slow axis4,5. However, most artificially engineered thermal conductors have anisotropy ratios much smaller than those seen in naturally anisotropic materials. Here we report extremely anisotropic thermal conductors based on large-area van der Waals thin films with random interlayer rotations, which produce a room-temperature thermal anisotropy ratio close to 900 in MoS2, one of the highest ever reported. This is enabled by the interlayer rotations that impede the through-plane thermal transport, while the long-range intralayer crystallinity maintains high in-plane thermal conductivity. We measure ultralow thermal conductivities in the through-plane direction for MoS2 (57 ± 3 mW m−1 K−1) and WS2 (41 ± 3 mW m−1 K−1) films, and we quantitatively explain these values using molecular dynamics simulations that reveal one-dimensional glass-like thermal transport. Conversely, the in-plane thermal conductivity in these MoS2 films is close to the single-crystal value. Covering nanofabricated gold electrodes with our anisotropic films prevents overheating of the electrodes and blocks heat from reaching the device surface. Our work establishes interlayer rotation in crystalline layered materials as a new degree of freedom for engineering-directed heat transport in solid-state systems.Extremely anisotropic thermal conductors based on large-area van der Waals thin films with random interlayer rotations are reported here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: In India, girls are sex-selectively abandoned. The abandoned babies are brought to the nearest hospital under the jurisdiction of the administration. The authors aimed to study the demographic data and disease profile of those babies.Methods: In this hospital-based, retrospective, descriptive study, authors studied all the abandoned babies who were admitted to the Department of Pediatrics as "unknown" and cared for over the last 3 y. Their case records were analyzed with an appropriate statistical measure.Results: Out of 11 babies, girl-boy ratio was 2.6:1, 73% being abandoned in the neonatal period with a survival rate of 91%. Six babies (54.5%) required emergency intervention at admission. Hospital stay was higher in girls with mean discharge time being 106 d, although the mean fit for discharge time was 6.5 d.Conclusions: This study is the first of its kind on abandoned babies demographic data and disease profile, highlighting the burden of abandoned babies in the hospital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungal oto-mastoiditis is a rare condition and is often associated with host immunodeficiency. It has to be considered as a differential diagnosis among patients presenting symptoms despite an adequate antibacterial therapy. A 23-year-old female presented to the ENT OPD with complaints of occasional left ear discharge, since 2 years which was associated with itching, pain and reduced hearing. There were no complaints of swelling or pain behind the ear. Otoscopic examination revealed bulging, congested, immobile tympanic membrane in the left ear. Pure tone audiometry revealed 48.33 dB moderate mixed type of hearing loss in the left ear and tympanometry done showed type B curve in the left ear. Patient was taken up for exploratory tympanotomy where middle ear and antrum was filled with granulation tissue and peculiar looking, unusual greenish-brown debris suspicious of fungal otomycotic debris. Ossicular mobility was attained after clearing the disease from the middle ear and cortical mastoidectomy was completed. KOH study of the debris removed was positive for fungal elements as seen. Histopathological examination revealed features suggestive of Chronic suppurative otitis media. Specimen was sent for fungal culture where Aspergillus species was isolated. Patient was started on Voriconazole orally twice a day for 2 weeks. Postoperative period was uneventful and patient’s hearing improved. ® Fungal oto-mastoiditis is a rare but reported entity, which is usually seen in immunocompromised patients. A high index of suspicion is required to reach an early diagnosis and administer suitable treatment, especially when it presents in immunocompetent individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]