Search

Abstract Understanding the metal-semiconductor heterostructure interface is crucial for the development of spintronic devices. One of the prospective candidates and extensively studied semiconductors is molybdenum disulfide (MoS $$_{2}$$ 2 ). Herein, utilizing Kerr microscopy, we investigated the impact of thick MoS $$_{2}$$ 2 on the magnetic properties of the 10 nm Co layer. A comparative study on $$\hbox {Co}/\hbox {MoS}_{2}$$ Co / MoS 2 and Co/Si shows that coercivity increased by 77% and the Kerr signal decreased by 26% compared to Co grown on Si substrate. In addition, the Co domain structure significantly changed when grown on MoS $$_{2}$$ 2 . The plausible reason for the observed magnetic behavior can be that the Co interacts differently at the interface of MoS $$_{2}$$ 2 as compared to Si. Therefore, our studies investigate the interfacial effect on the magnetic properties of Co grown on thick MoS $$_{2}$$ 2 layer. Furthermore, our results will help in developing next-generation spintronic devices.

A simple chemical approach was used to prepare Zn-MOF or MOF-5 derived from polyethylene terephthalate bottles for supercapacitor applications. The morphology, and structure of PET-derived MOFs were characterized using various techniques, including scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and BET surface area and nitrogen adsorption/desorption analysis. The BET surface area of MOF-5 was determined to be 88 m2g−1 and N2 adsorption–desorption analysis, showed the type-IV isotherms and suggest the existence of capillary condensation within the meso- and micropore structures. An excellent specific capacitance ranging from 341 to 191 F g−1 recorded form the scan rate of 2–200 mV s−1 by CV for Zn-MOF. Moreover, the highest specific capacitance 353 F g−1 calculated at 0.5 A/g current density. The highest value of specific capacitance Cs 353 F g−1 was found for lowest current density of 0.5 A/g. An excellent cyclic stability was obtained after running 2000 cyclic runs at a scan rate of 50 mV s−1. The small semicircle of EIS plot exhibits superior electrochemical performance of the Zn-MOF. The waste PET plastic derived Zn-MOF showed an excellent supercapacitor performance which can be utilized in energy storage applications. This approach not only facilitates environmental remediation but also offers a valuable organic linker for energy material synthesis.

Abstract Background The purpose of the study was to use Machine Learning (ML) to construct a risk calculator for patients who undergo Total Joint Arthroplasty (TJA) on the basis of New York State Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System (SPARCS) data and externally validate the calculator on a single TJA center. Methods Seven ML algorithms, i.e., logistic regression, adaptive boosting, gradient boosting (Xg Boost), random forest (RF) classifier, support vector machine, and single and a five-layered neural network were trained on the derivation cohort. Models were trained on 68% of data, validated on 15%, tested on 15%, and externally validated on 2% of the data from a single arthroplasty center. Results Validation of the models showed that the RF classifier performed best in terms of 30-d mortality AUROC (Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic) 0.78, 30-d readmission (AUROC 0.61) and 90-d composite complications (AUROC 0.73) amongst the test set. Additionally, Xg Boost was found to be the best predicting model for 90-d readmission and 90-d composite complications (AUC 0.73). External validation demonstrated that models achieved similar AUROCs to the test set although variation occurred in top model performance for 90-d composite complications and readmissions between our test and external validation set. Conclusion This was the first study to investigate the use of ML to create a predictive risk calculator from state-wide data and then externally validate it with data from a single arthroplasty center. Discrimination between best performing ML models and between the test set and the external validation set are comparable. Level of Evidence III.

Aims: The aims of the study were to report for a cohort aged younger than 40 years: 1) indications for HRA; 2) patient-reported outcomes in terms of the modified Harris Hip Score (HHS); 3) dislocation rate; and 4) revision rate. Methods: This retrospective analysis identified 267 hips from 224 patients who underwent an hip resurfacing arthroplasty (HRA) from a single fellowship-trained surgeon using the direct lateral approach between 2007 and 2019. Inclusion criteria was minimum two-year follow-up, and age younger than 40 years. Patients were followed using a prospectively maintained institutional database. Results: A total of 217 hips (81%) were included for follow-up analysis at a mean of 3.8 years. Of the 23 females who underwent HRA, none were revised, and the median head size was 46 mm (compared to 50 mm for males). The most common indication for HRA was femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (n = 133), and avascular necrosis ( (n = 53). Mean postoperative HHS was 100 at two and five years. No dislocations occurred. A total of four hips (1.8%) required reoperation for resection of heterotopic ossification, removal of components for infection, and subsidence with loosening. The overall revision rate was 0.9%. Conclusion: For younger patients with higher functional expectations and increased lifetime risk for revision, HRA is an excellent bone preserving intervention carrying low complication rates, revision rates, and excellent patient outcomes without lifetime restrictions allowing these patients to return to activity and sport. Thus, in younger male patients with end-stage hip disease and higher demands, referral to a high-volume HRA surgeon should be considered. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2023;4(6):408–415.

Abstract In the present study, we tested a visual feedback triggering system based on real-time tracking of response time (RT) in a sustained attention task. In our task, at certain points, brief visual feedback epochs were presented without interrupting the task itself. When these feedback epochs were performance-linked—meaning that they were triggered because participants were responding more quickly than usual—RTs were slowed after the presentation of feedback. However, visual feedback epochs displayed at predetermined times that were independent of participants’ performance did not slow RTs. Results from a second experiment support the idea that this is not simply a return to baseline that would have occurred had the feedback not been presented, but instead suggest that the feedback itself was effective in altering participants’ responses. In a third experiment, we replicated this result across with both written word feedback and visual symbolic feedback, as well as in cases where the participant was explicitly told that the feedback was linked to their performance. All together, these data provide insight into potential mechanisms for detecting and disrupting lapses in sustained attention without interrupting a continuous task.

The advancement in material science is the need of the hour to generate efficient and lightweight materials for diverse technological fields, e.g., automobile, aerospace, naval, and defence. Herein, we have attempted to develop an Al-GNP based composite to achieve superior mechanical properties. A variety of Al-GNP composites were developed by varying the levels of GNPs from 0 wt% to 1 wt%. With the help of ball-milling based powder metallurgy technique, an Al-GNP composite with superior mechanical properties has been fabricated. Fascinatingly, the developed material exhibit uniform dispersion of GNPs with intact graphitic properties and excellent compressive/tensile strength. Out of developed composites, Al- 0.5 wt% GNP was the best in enhancing the mechanical properties of Al. An enhancement of ∼70%, and ∼73% was observed in the compressive strength, and hardness of the pure Al metal due to addition of 0.5 wt% GNPs and 135% enhancement in UTS due to addition of 0.35 wt% GNPs respectively.

One of the primary objectives of scientific research is to create state-of-the-art multiferroic (MF) materials that exhibit interconnected properties, such as piezoelectricity, magnetoelectricity, and magnetostriction, and remain functional under normal ambient temperature conditions. In this study, we employed first-principles calculations to investigate how changing pnictogen elements affect the structural, electronic, magnetic, and optical characteristics of QFeO3 (Q = Bi, P, SB). Electronic band structures reveal that BiFeO3 is a semiconductor compound; however, PFeO3 and SbFeO3 are metallic. The studied compounds are promising for spintronics, as they exhibit excellent magnetic properties. The calculated magnetic moments decreased as we replaced Bi with SB and P in BiFeO3. A red shift in the values of ε2(ω) was evident from the presented spectra as we substituted Bi with Sb and P in BiFeO3. QFeO3 (Q = Bi, P, SB) showed the maximum absorption of incident photons in the visible region. The results obtained from calculating the optical parameters suggest that these materials have a strong potential to be used in photovoltaic applications.

The bracts of Poinsettia, Tamarillo fruit, Annatto seeds, and Pungent Chillies have been used to extract the dyes using ethanol and deionized water. A cocktail of the dyes has been made with equal concentration and will be used as a sensitizer in the proposed dye-sensitized solar cell. The individual and cocktail of the dyes are subjected to FTIR, UV–Visible spectroscopy for the identification of functional groups, and absorption wavelength to find the effectiveness of the dyes for absorption of energy of the photons. From the study, it is found that the sensitizers in the dyes have shown stronger electronic coupling and rapid electron transfer into the conduction band of the TiO2 semiconductor on the FTO substrate. J-V analysis represents photovoltaic characterization of assembled thin film nano-crystalline solar cells. Anthocyanin derivative of Poinsettia bracts attained a photo-sensitized conversion efficiency of 1.74% achieving an overlong lifespan of electrons. Ethanol was chosen for attaining the best energy conversion efficiency owing to its polarity. The presence of phytoconstituents has an impact on the color of the sensitizers and the degradation in the power conversion efficiencies was also monitored. This research examines the parameters that influence the stability of anthocyanin and carotenoid pigments, as well as the solvents required for effective derivative extraction.

Nickel nanoparticles (Ni NPs) supported on Poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) nanofibers (PVDF-HFP NFs) were successfully synthesized through electrospinning and in-situ reduction of Ni2+ salts into the surface of PVDF-HFP NFs to form metallic Ni NPs@PVDF-HFP NFs. Different percentages of nickel acetate tetrahydrate (NiAc) (10 %, 20 %, 30 %, 40 % wt.) based PVDF-HFP. The formation of tiny metallic Ni NPs @PVDF-HFP membrane NFs was demonstrated using standard physiochemical techniques. Nanofibers membranes have demonstrated good catalytic activity in H2 production from sodium borohydride (NaBH4). The sample composed of 40 %wt Ni showed the highest catalytic activity compared to the other formulations. Whereas 103 mL of H2, from the hydrolysis of 1.34 mmol NaBH4, was produced using 40 wt% NiAc compared to 68 mL, 81 mL, and 93 mL for 10 wt%, 20 wt%, and 30 wt% NiAc, respectively, in 60 min at 25 °C. The hydrogen generation has been enhanced with an increase in the Nanofibers membrane amount and reaction temperature. The latter results in a low activation energy (23.52 kJ mol−1). The kinetics study revealed that the reaction was pseudo-first-order in sodium borohydride concentration and catalyst amount. Furthermore, the catalyst exhibits satisfactory stability in the hydrolysis process for ten cycles. Because of its easy recyclability, the introduced catalyst has a wide range of potential applications in the generation of H2 from sodium borohydride hydrolysis.

Cu-In-Ga-Se nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized using a colloidal route process. The effects of growth temperature (GT) on the properties of CuInGaSe2 (CIGS) thin films made from these nanoparticles were investigated using TEM, PL, XRD, and SEM techniques. The Cu-In-Ga-Se NPs were synthesized at growth temperatures ranging from 90 °C to 105 °C and then annealed at 550 °C for 7 min under a Se ambient. The resulting CIGS thin film, formed from Cu-In-Ga-Se NPs synthesized at a GT of 90 °C (referred to as GT90-CIGS), showed a tetragonal structure, large grain size, and high sunlight absorption. It had a band gap energy (Eg) of approximately 0.94 eV. Non-vacuum GT90-CIGS-based solar cells were investigated and fabricated using varying thicknesses of a CdS buffer layer. The maximum power conversion efficiency achieved was approximately 8.3% with an optimized device structure of Al/ITO/ZnO/CdS/CIGS/Mo.

Herein, CdO/ZnO core/shell nanofibers (NFs) were fabricated by one-pot electrospinning technique form a solution composed of poly(vinyl alcohol), zinc acetate dihydrate, and cadmium acetate dihydrate. CdO/ZnO core/shell NFs exhibits an excellent photo-degradation of methylene blue (MB) under sunlight irradiation compared to pristine ZnO NFs. As 98.4% and 42.4% of MB dye was de-colorized during 210 min using CdO/ZnO core/shell NFs and pristine ZnO NFs, respectively. The photo-degradation reaction of MB with CdO/ZnO core/shell NFs followed the pseudo-first-order relation.

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the anatomical and functional outcomes of pars plana vitrectomy without encircling band for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachments with inferior breaks utilizing 3D heads up viewing system. Method: This prospective, single-center study included 22 consecutive eyes with primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachments with only inferior breaks with proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) CP2 or less, who underwent pars plana vitrectomy without encircling band, with silicon oil as tamponade. All surgeries were performed by a single surgeon. The single operation success rate was recorded after silicon oil removal. Results: The patient population consisted of 08 women (36%) and 14 men (64%) with a mean age of 56.6 +/− 14.7 years. The mean follow-up period was 8 months. A single break was present in 13 cases (59%), and 2–4 breaks were present in 9 cases (40.9%). The mean time for the surgical procedure was 35 min (range: 25–50). The macula was found to be detached in 19 cases (86.36%) and attached in 3 cases (13.6%). Single operation success rate (SOSR) of vitrectomy, after silicon oil removal without encircling band, for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) with inferior breaks was 95.4%. One case redetached due to PVR changes and underwent re-surgery. Final reattachment was achieved in all 22 cases (100%). Mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) significantly improved from 1.43 ± 0.59 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) to postoperative BCVA was 0.48 ± 0.34 logMAR (P = 0.001). Conclusion: Pars plana vitrectomy without encircling band, utilizing 3D heads up the system in RRDs with inferior breaks in eyes with PVR grade C2 or less, provides good outcome.

Industrialization has led to an increasing need for specific and selective gas sensors in the past few decades. Environmental monitoring of certain volatile compounds such as ammonia is necessary. Advancements in the food storage sector have created the need for cheap and effective amine chemosensors. Classical chemosensors still face several issues, such as a lack of selectivity and low sensitivity toward ammonia and amines. Sensitivity is defined as the relative change in response expressed in percentage. In this work, we have resolved a few issues associated with the ammonia and amine sensors, such as low selectivity, long-term instability, and unreliability under higher temperatures using plasma-polymerized thiophene (PPTh) reduced graphene oxide (rGO) composite films. PPTh films were prepared using RF plasma polymerization with optimized deposition parameters. Several samples were evaluated for their sensing response to understand the optimal PPTh and rGO ratio in the PPTh-rGO composite. These composite PPTh-rGO films have shown 4 times higher sensitivity for ammonia/amines than individual PPTh and rGO films. Ammonia, methylamine (MA), dimethylamine (DMA), and trimethylamine (TMA) were primary analytes and tested for sensing response of the PPTh-rGO composite. The sensitivity measured ranges from 1328 for trimethylamine to 2354 for methylamine at 1000 ppm. The order of sensitivity was found to be MA > Ammonia > DMA > TMA. Polymer swelling, reduced charge carriers, and disruption of conductive pathways can explain possible sensing mechanisms. PPTh-rGO composite films have shown selectivity as high as 110 for ammonia/amine over other commonly used volatile organic compounds. The sensing response of these films is stable for any temperature fluctuations from 30 °C to 150 °C. Additionally, films showed stable sensitivity for over 4 months. Thus, composite films of PPTh-rGO can be effectively used to develop highly selective and stable gas sensors for the environmental monitoring of ammonia/amines.

Herein, aqueous ammonium sensing characteristics of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) capped silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) coated optical fiber-based sensors are presented. The PVP-capped Ag-NPs were prepared using cold and modified polyol synthesis methods. Aqueous ammonium detection was carried out by the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect observed in the Ag-NPs coated optical fiber system. The effect of cold and modified polyol synthesis methods on optical sensing performance was studied. The optical fiber cladding was modified with PVP-capped Ag-NPs according to the standard protocol for sensing investigation. The probe sensing response was analyzed for varying concentrations of ammonium ions on red, green, and blue LEDs. The sensor characteristics, viz., sensing response, repeatability, calibration curve, and ambient light effect, were investigated for PVP capped Ag-NPs coated optical fiber-based sensor. The PVP capped Ag-NPs synthesized via the polyol synthesis method showed a detection limit of 48.9 mM, 1.33 mV/M sensitivity, and an excellent linear relationship (R2 = 0.9992) between voltage and ammonium ion concentration in the range of 0.054–13.4 M concentration. On the other hand, PVP capped Ag-NPs synthesized using the cold synthesis method showed a detection limit of 159.4 mM, a sensitivity of 0.06 mV/M, and a poor linear relationship (R2 = 0.4588) between voltage and ammonium ion concentration in the range of 0.054–13.4 M concentration. The results indicate that the PVP-capped Ag-NPs synthesized using the polyol synthesis method exhibit enhanced ammonium ion sensing compared to the cold synthesis method.

Background Cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera is a widely distributed, devastating pest of over 200 crop plants that mainly consist of some cellulosic materials. Despite its economic importance as a pest, little is known about the diversity and community structure of gut symbiotic bacteria potentially functioned in cellulose digestion in different gut-sections of H. armigera. In view of this lacuna, we attempted to evaluate and characterize cellulose-degrading bacteria (CDB) from foregut, midgut, and hindgut -regions of H. armigera by using a culture-dependent approach. Methodology The symbiotic bacteria were isolated from different gut-systems of H. armigera by enrichment techniques using Carboxymethyl cellulose sodium salt (CMC) as carbon source. The isolated bacteria were purified and subsequently screened for cellulose-degradation by plate-based method to display the zones of CMC clearance around the colonies. The identification and phylogeny of the gut-bacteria were reconstructed by using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Different enzymes such as endoglucanase, exoglucanase, β-glucosidase, and xylanase were assayed to determine the cellulolytic repertoire of the isolated bacteria. Results The enrichment of CDB and subsequent plate based screening methods resulted in isolation of 71 bacteria among which 54% of the bacteria were obtained from foregut. Among the isolated bacteria, 25 isolates showed discernible cellulose-degradation potential on CMC-agar plates. The phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene amplification and sequencing affiliated these cellulolytic bacteria to two major phyla viz., Firmicutes and Proteobacteria. The members of the genus Klebsiella accounted for 39.43% of the total isolated bacteria while 31% of the Bacillus strains were enriched from hindgut region. The principal component analysis (PCA) further suggested that the members of Bacillus and Klebsiella together dominated the foregut and hindgut regions as they accounted for 68% of the total CDB. The four potential isolates selected on the basis of plate-based activities were further evaluated for their lignocellulases production by using various agricultural wastes as substrates. The PCA of the enzyme activities demonstrated that potential isolates majorly secreted endoglucanase and xylanase enzymes. Among the agro-wastes, multivariate analysis validated wheat husk (WH) and sugarcane bagasse (SCB) as most favorable substrates for xylanase and endoglucanase productions respectively. The overall findings suggest that H. armigera harbors diverse bacterial communities in different gut-sections that could assist the host in digestion processes, which may potentially serve as a valuable reservoir of some unique symbionts applied for biomass conversion in biofuel industry.

In this study, 2-mercaptopropionic acid was incorporated into hydrous zirconium oxide matrix to prepare 2-mercaptopropionic acid/ hydrous zirconium oxide (MPA/HZO) composite and applied to eliminate Pb(II) from aqueous environment. MPA/HZO was characterized by FTIR, TGA-DTA and SEM with EDX. Response surface methodology (RSM) was utilized for optimizing the independent variables affecting the uptake of Pb(II)). The maximum efficiency was reached at an equilibrating time of 40 min. At the optimum conditions (pH:6.8; contact time: 40 min; adsorbent dose: 0.016 g; initial concentration: 60 mg/L), 99.37% Pb(II) was successfully eliminated. Nonlinear regression analysis was applied for the investigation of isotherm and kinetic equations. Langmuir isotherm model with R2 > 0.99 was best fit model to demonstrate the adsorption of Pb(II) onto MPA/HZO. The maximum Langmuir adsorption capacity (qm) was 128.50 mg/g. Pseudo-second order kinetic model with R2 > 0.999 illustrated its best fitting to the kinetic data.

The adsorption of Pb(II) onto silica gel functionalized with thiosalicylic acid (TSA@)amine modified SiO2) was studied at 300, 305, 310 and 315 K. The effects of independent variables (pH, adsorbent dose and initial concentration of Pb(II)) on the removal of Pb(II) from water were evaluated and response surface methodology was applied to optimize them. Under the optimized conditions (pH: 6; adsorbent dose, 0.20 g/20 mL and initial concentration: 50 mg/L), removal efficiency of Pb(II) was 98.78%. The adsorption equilibrium data obtained from batch experiments were examined by various isotherm models. Freundlich isotherm model fitted well to the experimental data and indicating the multilayer coverage of Pb(II) on the heterogeneous surface of TSA@)amine modified SiO2. Adsorption kinetic data were investigated by surface and diffusion based kinetic models. Kinetic data fitted well to pseudo-second order model with R2 > 0.999. Elovich model with R2 > 0.999 revealed the occurrence of chemical reaction between Pb(II) and active sites of TSA@)amine modified SiO2. Thermodynamic parameters suggested the spontaneous and endothermic nature of Pb(II) adsorption onto TSA@)amine modified SiO2.

Ganoderma lucidum mushroom-mediated green synthesis of nanocrystalline titanium dioxide (TiO2) is explored via a low-temperature (≤70 °C) wet chemical method. The role of Ganoderma lucidum mushroom extract in the reaction is to release the ganoderic acid molecules that tend to bind to the Ti4+ metal ions to form a titanium-ganoderic acid intermediate complex for obtaining TiO2 nanocrystallites (NCs), which is quite novel, considering the recent advances in fabricated gas sensing materials. The X-ray powder diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller measurements etc., are used to characterize the crystal structure, surface morphology, and surface area of as-synthesized TiO2 and Pd-TiO2 sensors, respectively. The chlorine (Cl2) gas sensing properties are investigated from a lower range of 5 ppm to a higher range of 400 ppm. In addition to excellent response–recovery time, good selectivity, constant repeatability, as well as chemical stability, the gas sensor efficiency of the as-synthesized Pd-TiO2 NC sensor is better (136% response at 150 °C operating temperature) than the TiO2 NC sensor (57% at 250 °C operating temperature) measured at 100 ppm (Cl2) gas concentration, suggesting that the green synthesized Pd-TiO2 sensor demonstrates efficient Cl2 gas sensing properties at low operating temperatures over pristine ones.

Ferrites have been broadly investigated as gas sensors. The present article reports on the synthesis of Co-ferrite doped with W ions and their gas sensing abilities. A series of single phase CoFe2O4 powder with different W-doping (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.15) was synthesized using sol-gel synthesis. A variation in the saturation magnetization (Ms) and the lattice dimension with W(VI) substitution was associated with a change in the distribution of Fe(III) ions between tetrahedral and octahedral sites. Introducing W(VI) ions into the spinel lattice induced the rearrangement of Fe(III) ions. The total Ms increased with W-doping up to x = 0.05 (Ms = 50.1 Am2/kg) and it dramatically decreased to 34.6 Am2/kg with x = 0.15 of doping. However, the lattice parameter increased with increasing doping levels. Different W-doped CoFe2O4 were examined for a gas sensing response in the temperature range of 200–450 °C. Comparing the sensor responses to various reducing gases, the material’s response was shown to be sensitive and selective for acetone. The addition of W (0.15%) had a significant impact on the response and on the operating temperature of the sensor material, indicating that it might be used as an acetone sensor.

Cantilevers are one of the most utilized mechanical elements for acoustic sensing. In comparison to the edge clamped diaphragms of different shapes, a single edge clamped cantilever makes an acoustic sensor mechanically sensitive for detection of lower pressure. The aspect ratio of cantilevers is one of the most important parameters which affect sensitivity. Herein, we present a mathematical, finite element method and experimental analysis to determine the effect of the aspect ratio on the resonant frequency, response time, mechanical sensitivity, and capacitive sensitivity of a cantilever-based acoustic pressure sensor. Three cantilevers of different aspect ratios (0.67, 1, and 1.5) have been chosen for sound pressure application to detect capacitance change. The cantilever with the smallest aspect ratio (0.67) has the highest response time (206 ms), mechanical sensitivity, and capacitive sensitivity (22 fF), which reduce after increasing the aspect ratio. The resonant frequency of the cantilever was also analyzed by applying sweep in sound frequency. It was found to be minimum for the cantilever with the smallest aspect ratio (510 Hz) and increases with an increase in the aspect ratio. We have applied the garage fabrication process using low cost, recyclable, and easily available materials such as metal coated polymer sheets, mounting tapes and glass slides as alternative materials for expensive materials.

Abstract Background Obesity is a risk factor for pancreatic cancer which may be treated with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and represents an increasing morbidity. Post-RYGB anatomy poses considerable challenges for reconstruction after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), a growing problem encountered by surgeons. We characterize specific strategies used for post-PD reconstruction in the RYGB patient. Methods PubMed search was performed using MeSH terms “Gastric Bypass” and “Pancreaticoduodenectomy” between 2000 and 2018. Articles reporting cases of pancreaticoduodenectomy in post-RYGB patients were included and systematically reviewed for this study. Results Three case reports and five case series (25 patients) addressed PD after RYGB; we report one additional case. The typical post-gastric bypass PD patient is a woman in the sixth decade of life, presenting most commonly with pain (69.2%) and/or jaundice (53.8%), median 5 years after RYGB. Five post-PD reconstructive options are reported. Among these, the gastric remnant was resected in 18 cases (69.2%), with reconstruction of biliopancreatic drainage most commonly achieved using the distal jejunal segment of the pre-existing biliopancreatic limb (73.1%). Similarly, in the eight cases where the gastric remnant was spared (30.8%), drainage was most commonly performed using the distal jejunal segment of the biliopancreatic limb (50%). Among the 17 cases reporting follow-up data, median was 27 months. Conclusion Reconstruction options after PD in the post-RYGB patient focus on resection or preservation gastric remnant, as well as creation of new biliopancreatic limb. Insufficient data exists to make recommendations regarding the optimal reconstruction option, yet surgeons must prepare for the possible clinical challenge. PD reconstruction post-RYGB requires evaluation through prospective studies.

Stretchable inorganic electronics are very attractive for many applications, which require large deformation during stretching. Archimedean–inspired interconnect designs can offer and achieve high level of stretchability under extreme deformations. Here, we systematically investigate the relationship between stretchability and the geometrical parameters under in-plane deformation. The stretchable structures are made of amorphous silicon (a-Si), which cracked at very small strain 1.6%. Finite element method (FEM) was carried out to simulate the maximum strain/stress of interconnects. The results show that high stress appears at the base and the half-circle of the Archimedean interconnects. Experimental results agree well with the numerical modeling, both showing that the stretchability more than double when the straight line at the base is replaced by two lines in series. Our results demonstrate a stretchability up to 1020% and 605%, respectively for two types of Archimedean interconnect. The results indicate that the narrower width, the larger gap separated the straight lines (higher radius), and the longer straight lines will achieve lower stress and high stretchability. Further, a numerical study is conducted to explore the mechanical performance of Poly-crystalline silicon based structures where the maximum bending strain should be up to 1%.