Integrated Automatic Optical Inspection and Image Processing Procedure for Smart Sensing in Production Lines.

An integrated automatic optical inspection (iAOI) system with a procedure was proposed for a printed circuit board (PCB) production line, in which pattern distortions and performance deviations appear with process variations. The iAOI system was demonstrated in a module comprising a camera and lens, showing improved supportiveness for commercially available hardware. The iAOI procedure was realized in a serial workflow of image registration, threshold setting, image gradient, marker alignment, and geometric transformation; furthermore, five operations with numerous functions were prepared for image processing. In addition to the system and procedure, a graphical user interface (GUI) that displays sequential image operation results with analyzed characteristics was established for simplicity. To demonstrate its effectiveness, self-complementary Archimedean spiral antenna (SCASA) samples fabricated via standard PCB fabrication and intentional pattern distortions were demonstrated. The results indicated that, compared with other existing methods, the proposed iAOI system and procedure provide unified and standard operations with efficiency, which result in scientific and unambiguous judgments on pattern quality. Furthermore, we showed that when an appropriate artificial intelligence model is ready, the electromagnetic characteristic projection for SCASAs can be simply obtained through the GUI.

Understanding the mechanisms of spontaneous and skin-grafted wound repair: the path to engineered skin grafts.

Spontaneous wound repair is a complex process that involves overlapping phases of inflammation, proliferation and remodelling, co-ordinated by growth factors and proteases. In extensive wounds such as burns, the repair process would not be achieved in a timely fashion unless grafted. Although spontaneous wound repair has been extensively described, the processes by which wound repair mechanisms mediate graft take are yet to be fully explored. This review describes engraftment stages and summarises current understanding of molecular mechanisms which regulate autologous skin graft healing, with the goal of directing innovation in permanent wound closure with skin substitutes. Graftability and vascularisation of various skin substitutes that are either in the market or in development phase are discussed. In doing so, we cast a spotlight on the paucity of scientific information available as to how skin grafts (both autologous and engineered) heal a wound bed. Better understanding of these processes may assist in developing novel methods of wound management and treatments.

Graft-Host Interaction and Its Effect on Wound Repair Using Mouse Models.

Autologous skin grafting has been commonly used in clinics for decades to close large wounds, yet the cellular and molecular interactions between the wound bed and the graft that mediates the wound repair are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to better understand the molecular changes in the wound triggered by autologous and synthetic grafting. Defining the wound changes at the molecular level during grafting sets the basis to test other engineered skin grafts by design. In this study, a full-thickness skin graft (SKH-1 hairless) mouse model was established. An autologous full-thickness skin graft (FTSG) or an acellular fully synthetic Biodegradable Temporising Matrix (BTM) was grafted. The wound bed/grafts were analysed at histological, RNA, and protein levels during the inflammation (day 1), proliferation (day 5), and remodelling (day 21) phases of wound repair. The results showed that in this mouse model, similar to others, inflammatory marker levels, including Il-6, Cxcl-1, and Cxcl-5/6, were raised within a day post-wounding. Autologous grafting reduced the expression of these inflammatory markers. This was different from the wounds grafted with synthetic dermal grafts, in which Cxcl-1 and Cxcl-5/6 remained significantly high up to 21 days post-grafting. Autologous skin grafting reduced wound contraction compared to wounds that were left to spontaneously repair. Synthetic grafts contracted significantly more than FTSG by day 21. The observed wound contraction in synthetic grafts was most likely mediated at least partly by myofibroblasts. It is possible that high TGF-ß1 levels in days 1-21 were the driving force behind myofibroblast abundance in synthetic grafts, although no evidence of TGF-ß1-mediated Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CTGF) upregulation was observed.

Biomarkers for the Early Diagnosis of Sepsis in Burns: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of all biomarkers studied to date for the early diagnosis of sepsis in hospitalized patients with burns. BACKGROUND: Early clinical diagnosis of sepsis in burns patients is notoriously difficult due to the hypermetabolic nature of thermal injury. A considerable variety of biomarkers have been proposed as potentially useful adjuncts to assist with making a timely and accurate diagnosis. METHODS: We searched Medline, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, Biosis Previews, Web of Science, and Medline In-Process to February 2020. We included diagnostic studies involving burns patients that assessed biomarkers against a reference sepsis definition of positive blood cultures or a combination of microbiologically proven infection with systemic inflammation and/or organ dysfunction. Pooled measures of diagnostic accuracy were derived for each biomarker using bivariate random-effects meta-analysis. RESULTS: We included 28 studies evaluating 57 different biomarkers and incorporating 1517 participants. Procalcitonin was moderately sensitive (73%) and specific (75%) for sepsis in patients with burns. C-reactive protein was highly sensitive (86%) but poorly specific (54%). White blood cell count had poor sensitivity (47%) and moderate specificity (65%). All other biomarkers had insufficient studies to include in a meta-analysis, however brain natriuretic peptide, stroke volume index, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and cell-free DNA (on day 14 post-injury) showed the most promise in single studies. There was moderate to significant heterogeneity reflecting different study populations, sepsis definitions and test thresholds. CONCLUSIONS: The most widely studied biomarkers are poorly predictive for sepsis in burns patients. Brain natriuretic peptide, stroke volume index, TNF-alpha, and cell-free DNA showed promise in single studies and should be further evaluated. A standardized approach to the evaluation of diagnostic markers (including time of sampling, cut-offs, and outcomes) would be useful.

Developing a novel DNA methylation risk score for survival and identification of prognostic gene mutations in endometrial cancer: a study based on TCGA data.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have focused on DNA methylation in endometrial cancer. The aim of our study is identify its role in endometrial cancer prognosis. METHODS: A publicly available dataset was retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas. For validation of expression alteration due to methylation, RNA sequencing data were obtained from other independent cohorts. MethSurv was used to search for candidate CpG probes, which were then filtered by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator Cox regression and multivariate Cox regression analyses to identify final set of CpG probes for overall survival. A methylation-based risk model was developed and receiver operating characteristic analysis with area under curve was used for evaluation. Patients were divided into high- and low-risk groups using an optimal cut-off point. Comprehensive bioinformatic analyses were conducted to identify hub genes, key transcription factors, and enriched cancer-related pathways. Kaplan-Meier curve was used for survival analysis. RESULTS: A 5-CpG signature score was established. Its predictive value for 5-year overall survival was high, with area under curve of 0.828, 0.835 and 0.816 for the training, testing and entire cohorts. cg27487839 and cg12885678 had strong correlation with their gene expression, XKR6 and PTPRN2, and lower PTPRN2 expression was associated with poorer survival in both The Cancer Genome Atlas and the validation datasets. Low-risk group was associated with significantly better survival. Low-risk group harboured more mutations in hub genes and key transcription factors, and mutations in SP1 and MECP2 represented favourable outcome. CONCLUSION: We developed a methylation-based prognostic stratification system for endometrial cancer. Low-risk group was associated with better survival and harboured more mutations in the key regulatory genes.

Gene-associated methylation status of ST14 as a predictor of survival and hormone receptor positivity in breast Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Genomic profiles of specific gene sets have been established to guide personalized treatment and prognosis for patients with breast cancer (BC). However, epigenomic information has not yet been applied in a clinical setting. ST14 encodes matriptase, a proteinase that is widely expressed in BC with reported prognostic value. METHODS: In this present study, we evaluated the effect of ST14 DNA methylation (DNAm) on overall survival (OS) of patients with BC as a representative example to promote the use of the epigenome in clinical decisions. We analyzed publicly available genomic and epigenomic data from 1361 BC patients. Methylation was characterized by the ß-value from CpG probes based on sequencing with the Illumina Human 450 K platform. RESULTS: A high mean DNAm (ß > 0.6779) across 34 CpG probes for ST14, as the gene-associated methylation (GAM) pattern, was associated with a longer OS after adjusting age, stage, histology and molecular features in Cox model (p value < 0.001). A high GAM status was also associated with a higher XBP1 expression level and higher proportion of hormone-positive BC (p value < 0.001). Pathway analysis revealed that altered GAM was related to matrisome-associated pathway. CONCLUSIONS: Here we show the potential role of ST14 DNAm in BC prognosis and warrant further study.

On the postglacial spread of human commensal Arabidopsis thaliana: journey to the East.

With more sequenced genomes, our understanding of the demographic history of Arabidopsis thaliana is rapidly expanding. However, no-one has yet compiled previous data to investigate patterns of genetic variation across Eurasia. While sub-Saharan accessions have been reported to be the most divergent group, in the nuclear genome we found accessions from Yunnan, China to be genetically closest to the sub-Saharan group. In chloroplast, several deeply diverged haplogroups exist only in Eurasia, and African populations have lower variation in many haplogroups that they share with the Eurasian populations. These patterns cannot be easily explained by a single out-of-Africa event suggested previously. For more recent demographic history, we dated the nonrelict expansion to 10 ka. In the Chinese Yangtze nonrelicts, we found clear traces of gene flow with local relicts, and genes under strong selection were enriched for traces of relict introgression, especially those related to biotic and immune responses. The results suggest the ability of nonrelicts to obtain locally adaptive alleles through admixture with relicts is important for the expansion across environmental gradients of Eurasia. Our re-analyses provide another model for the early history as well as elucidating factors contributing to the recent demographic turnover event of this species.

A systematic review: Current trends and take rates of cultured epithelial autografts in the treatment of patients with burn injuries.

Several issues persist in clinical translation and application of cultured epithelial autografts during treatment of patients with massive burn injuries. The aim of this systematic review is to determine (1) current practice and trends in clinical application and (2) clinical efficacy of cultured epithelial autografts. A structured literature search was performed in Ovid MEDLINE from 1946 and Ovid EMBASE from 1974 until present. All published peer-reviewed randomized or non-randomized clinical studies, cohort studies, prospective, or retrospective series involving human application of cultured epithelial autografts in the setting of burn injury were included. From 7,267 studies initially identified, 77 studies were included in the analysis. In 96% (74/77) of these series, the sample size was less than 100 patients. In 76.6% (59/77) publications, average burn treated exceeded 40% total body surface area. Overall, cultured epithelial autograft take rates reported in the literature were inconsistent and varied significantly from 0 to 100%. There was a recent trend for co-application of cultured grafts with autologous skin grafts, achieving relatively high and consistent take rates of 73-96%. Results from cultured epithelial autograft application remained unpredictable. This technology remains an adjunct or biological dressing, and not an alternative to conventional split skin graft. However, it has contributed to wound closure and it has been life saving in selected circumstances. Skin tissue engineering should continue as the clinical need for skin replacement is foreseeable into the future.

Factors associated with continued smoking after treatment of oral cavity cancer: An age and survival time-matched study.

AIMS: The aims of this study of people with oral cavity cancer were to compare the social support, depression, nicotine dependence, physical function and social-emotional function of those who continued smoking with those who quit smoking, by matching age and survival time and to identify the predictors of continued smoking during the survival period. BACKGROUND: People who continue to smoke after cancer treatment may have an impact on treatment response and survival. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey was conducted. METHODS: This study compared 92 people with oral cavity cancer who continued smoking with 92 people who quit smoking, with matching for age and survival time between January 2015 - November 2015. Conditional logistic regression analysis was used to compare the two groups. RESULTS: The quit smoking group had significantly more social support, less depression and greater social-emotional function than the continued smoking group. People who were unmarried, received surgery without reconstruction, had poor social support and had poor social-emotional function were more likely to continue smoking. CONCLUSIONS: People with oral cavity cancer were more likely to continue smoking after the treatment if they had low social support, depression, greater nicotine dependence and poor social-emotional function. Healthcare professionals should pay more attention to social support, psychological status and nicotine dependence of people who were treated for oral cavity cancer.

Evaluation of a laminin-alginate biomaterial, adipocytes, and adipocyte-derived stem cells interaction in animal autologous fat grafting model using 7-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging.

Biomaterials are often added to autologous fat grafts both as supporting matrices for the grafted adipocytes and as cell carrier for adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs). This in vivo study used an autologous fat graft model to test a lamininalginate biomaterial, adipocytes, and ADSCs in immune-competent rats. We transplanted different combinations of shredded autologous adipose tissue [designated "A" for adipose tissue]), laminin-alginate beads [designated "B" for bead], and ADSCs [designated "C" for cell]) into the backs of 15 Sprague-Dawley rats. Group A received only adipocytes, Group B received only laminin-alginate beads, Group AB received adipocytes mixed with laminin-alginate beads, Group BC received laminin-alginate beads encapsulating ADSCs, and Group ABC received adipocytes and laminin-alginate beads containing ADSCs. Seven-tesla magnetic resonance imaging was used to evaluate the rats at the 1st, 6th, and 12th weeks after transplantation. At the 12th week, the rats were sacrificed and the implanted materials were retrieved for gross examination and histological evaluation. The results based on MRI, gross evaluation, and histological data all showed that implants in Group ABC had better resorption of the biomaterial, improved survival of the grafted adipocytes, and adipogenic differentiation of ADSCs. Volume retention of grafts in Group ABC (89%) was also significantly greater than those in Group A (58%) (p < 0.01). Our findings support that the combination of shredded adipose tissue with ADSCs in laminin-alginate beads provided the best overall outcome.

An Application of Keystone Perforator Island Flap for Closure of Lumbosacral Myelomeningocele Defects.

Myelomeningocele, also known as spina bifida, is the commonest form of neural tube defect in which both meninges and spinal cord herniate through a large vertebral defect. It may be located at any spinal level; however; lumbosacral involvement is most common. After birth, the closure of spinal lesion is preferably undertaken in the first 48 hours to minimize the risk of injury and central nervous system infection. Relatively small skin defects overlying the dural repair may be directly closed. However, larger defects require reconstructive closure. Numerous methods of reconstruction have been described, such as split skin graft, local flaps or lumbosacral fasciocutaneous flaps, muscle flaps using latissimus dorsi, gluteal or paraspinous muscles, and perforator flaps namely superior gluteal artery perforators, and dorsal intercostal artery perforator flaps. At Monash Health, Victoria, we have used the keystone perforator island flaps to reconstruct lumbosacral myelomeningocele defects on 5 newborns between January 2008 and January 2014. This article evaluates the short-term and long-term outcomes of these patients who were followed up for 10 to 66 months.

Near-infrared imaging system for nondestructive inspection of micro-crack in wafer through dicing tape.

Detection of wafer/die crack after the wafer dicing process is important for yield rate control prior to packaging. The traditional approach of microscopic examination is done after the dies are stripped from the dicing tape, and further crack propagation could result from this pick-and-place process. An on-tape crack inspection technique is proposed in this paper so that the crack from the dicing process can be clearly identified. The issues of seeing through the silicon substrate and the scattering at the dicing tape have been resolved, respectively, using a near-infrared wavelength of 1100 nm for illumination and using a feeding index matching liquid for filling the rough surface of the tape. Both the illumination and imaging optics of the inspection system have been designed and simulated with a ray-tracing program, and the prototype demonstrates the ability of seeing through the silicon substrate and dicing tape as well as detecting micro-crack down to 1.25 µm, whose resolution is sufficient for most applications of die crack inspection.

Repeated stereotactic ablative radiotherapy using CyberKnife for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes and toxicities of repeated stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: Fourteen HCC patients with local recurrence (18 lesions) after liver SABR received repeated radiotherapy with SABR using CyberKnife. No patients experienced radiation-induced liver disease after the first SABR course. The median first SABR dose was 41 Gy (range, 34-60 Gy); the median second SABR dose, 40 Gy (range, 25-50 Gy); and the median interval, 12.9 months. Local recurrence was divided into in-field recurrence and out-field recurrence. RESULTS: Objective responses were observed in 11 tumors (61.1%), including five tumors (27.8%) with complete responses. Intrahepatic out-field failure was the main cause of treatment failure (7 of 14 patients). In-field failure had developed in 1 of 18 tumors (5.6%), resulting in a 2-year in-field failure-free rate of 88.2%. The median time to progression was 14.0 months, with 1- and 2-year progression-free survival rates of 68.6% and 42.9%, respectively. One- and two-year overall survival rates were 76% and 59.1%, respectively. Of the 14 patients, one developed radiation-induced liver disease and three showed progression of the Child-Turcotte-Pugh class after the second SABR course. Other toxicities were generally mild and tolerable. CONCLUSION: Repeated SABR in selected HCC patients is feasible with acceptable toxicity.

Thermoresistive strain sensor and positioning method for roll-to-roll processes.

This study uses the Joule heating effect-generated temperature difference to monitor in real-time and localize both compressive and tensile strains for the polymer substrates used in the roll-to-roll process. A serpentine gold (Au) line was patterned on a polyethylenenaphthalate (PEN) substrate to form the strain sensor based on thermoresistive behavior. This strain sensor was then subjected to either current or voltage to induce the Joule heating effect on the Au resistor. An infrared (IR) detector was used to monitor the strain-induced temperature difference on the Au and PEN surfaces and the minimal detectable bending radius was 0.9 mm with a gauge factor (GF) of 1.46. The proposed design eliminates the judgment ambiguity from conventional resistive strain sensors where resistance is the only physical quantity monitored. This study precisely and successfully indicated the local strain quantitatively and qualitatively with complete simulations and measurements.

Breaking the Isolation: Exploring the Impact of Passthrough in Shared Spaces on Player Performance and Experience in VR Exergames.

VR exergames offer an engaging solution to combat sedentary behavior and promote physical activity. However, challenges emerge when playing these games in shared spaces, particularly due to the presence of bystanders. VR's passthrough functionality enables players to maintain awareness of their surrounding environment while immersed in VR gaming, rendering it a promising solution to improve users' awareness of the environment. This study investigates the passthrough's impact on player performance and experiences in shared spaces, involving an experiment with 24 participants that examines Space (Office vs. Corridor) and Passthrough Function (With vs. Without). Results reveal that Passthrough enhances game performance and environmental awareness while reducing immersion. Players prefer an open area to an enclosed room, whether with or without Passthrough, finding it more socially acceptable. Additionally, Passthrough appears to encourage participation among players with higher self-consciousness, potentially alleviating their concerns about being observed by bystanders. Our findings provide valuable insights for designing VR experiences in shared spaces, underscoring the potential of VR's passthrough to enhance user experiences and promote VR adoption in these environments.

Safety evaluation of combination treatment of drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization and immune checkpoint inhibitors for hepatocellular carcinoma: An increased risk of liver abscess with treatment interval less than one month.

PURPOSE: To analyze the safety of combination treatment comprising drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHOD: In total, 208 HCC patients receiving DEB-TACE were enrolled for this retrospective single-institution study. Among them, 50 patients who received ICIs at an interval less than one month from DEB-TACE were categorized into the DEB-ICI group; the remaining 158 patients were categorized into the DEB group. Albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score before and at three months after DEB-TACE were recorded to evaluate liver function changes. Adverse events within three months after DEB-TACE were considered TACE-related and were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The DEB-ICI group had significantly higher incidence of liver abscess than the DEB group (14.0 % versus 5.1 %, p-value = 0.0337). No significant difference in the other TACE-related adverse events and change of ALBI score between the groups. Univariate logistic regression confirmed that combination with ICIs was an independent risk factor for liver abscess after DEB-TACE (odds ratio = 3.0523, 95 % confidence interval: 1.0474-8.8947, p-value = 0.0409); other parameters including subjective angiographic chemoembolization endpoint scale and combined targeted therapy were nonsignificant risk factors in this study population. In the DEB-ICI group, patients who received ICIs before DEB-TACE exhibited a trend toward liver abscess formation compared with those who received DEB-TACE before ICIs (23.8 % versus 6.9 %, p-value = 0.0922). CONCLUSIONS: Combination treatment involving DEB-TACE and ICIs at an interval less than one month increased the risk of liver abscess after DEB-TACE. Greater caution is therefore warranted for HCC patients who receive ICIs and DEB-TACE with this short interval.

Stereotactic body radiotherapy for painful spinal metastases: a decade of experience at a single institution.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to retrospectively evaluate the efficacy of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for pain relief in patients with painful spinal bone metastases (SBMs) and to identify key factors contributing to treatment outcomes. METHODS: The authors conducted a retrospective analysis of adult patients who underwent SBRT for painful solid tumor SBMs between March 2012 and January 2023. During this period, SBRT was performed adhering to the International Spine Radiosurgery Consortium guidelines and international consensus recommendations for target volume delineation. To be included, patients needed to experience persistent pain directly associated with SBMs, warranting regular opioid treatment. Positive pain relief post-SBRT was defined by three criteria: 1) a decrease in the severity of pain; 2) reduction in opioid dosage; and 3) concurrent improvement in daily activities. The revised Tokuhashi score and Spine Instability Neoplastic Score were used to identify crucial factors influencing treatment outcomes. RESULTS: This study included 377 patients, covering 576 lesions across 759 vertebrae. Of these, 332 lesions showed significant pain relief within 3 months following SBRT. Lower pain relief rates were observed in patients with a revised Tokuhashi score of 0-8 or in patients with diabetes mellitus. In contrast, higher relief rates were linked to treating a single painful SBM in 1 SBRT course, and greater contouring of the involved sectors according to International Spine Radiosurgery Consortium guidelines and international consensus recommendations. The highest pain relief rate was observed in patients with prostate cancer (73.8%), whereas the lowest rate was observed in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (36.4%). The presence of pre-SBRT vertebral fractures, the dosage and fraction of SBRT, and the use of concurrent systemic cancer therapies or antiresorptive agents, including bisphosphonates and denosumab, did not notably influence the pain relief efficacy of SBRT. Comprehensive medical records 6 months after SBRT treatment were available for only 362 lesions. The overall rate of pain relief observed was 32.6%. CONCLUSIONS: SBRT is an effective treatment approach for managing painful SBMs, achieving a pain relief rate of 57.6% within 3 months and maintaining a rate of 32.6% at 6 months after treatment. The transition to osteoblastic lesions may potentially improve the stability of SBMs, indicated by lower Spine Instability Neoplastic Score, which in turn could extend pain relief management.

TCH-1030 targeting on topoisomerase I induces S-phase arrest, DNA fragmentation, and cell death of breast cancer cells.

Camptothecin (CPT) and its derivatives are powerful anticancer agents, but these compounds are chemically unstable due to their α-hydroxy lactone six-membered E-ring structure, which is essential for trapping topoisomerase I (topo I)-DNA cleavage complexes. Moreover, the reversibility of trapping the topo I-DNA cleavage complex and the tight binding of CPTs to human serum albumin limit the levels of available active drug. CPT analogs are the only clinically available drugs that target topo I. Owing to the clinical importance of CPT analogs, the development of new anticancer agents which inhibit topo I is urgently needed. In the present study, we report the synthesis, biologic evaluation, and molecular mechanism of a series of substituted indeno[1,2-c]quinoline derivatives against the growth of several human cancer cell lines. We found that 9-methoxy-6-(piperazin-1-yl)-11H-indeno[1,2-c]quinoline-11-one O-3-(dimethylamino)propyl oxime (TCH-1030) intercalated into DNA and preferentially inhibited DNA topo I relaxation. Flow cytometric analysis and BrdU incorporation assays indicate that TCH-1030 alters cell cycle progression, induces S-phase arrest, and causes DNA polyploidy (>4 N) that is distinct from the typical G2-M arrest reported with known topoisomerase toxins. Our data indicate that TCH-1030 induces caspase 3 activation, PARP cleavage, γ-H2AX phosphorylation, and, consequently, DNA fragmentation and apoptosis. We also demonstrated that treatment with TCH-1030 significantly inhibits tumor growth in a BT483-xenograft nude mouse model. Taken together, we conclude that the primary mechanism of action of TCH-1030-induced cell cycle retardation and apoptosis-mediated DNA damage involves DNA binding and intercalation as well as topo I inhibition.

Post-lithography pattern modification and its application to a tunable wire grid polarizer.

This study reports a simple and cost-effective post-lithography solution for reducing the characteristic dimensions of structures on the nanometer scale using an external mechanical force without any modification of the existing exposure system. In particular, this study presents a tunable aluminum wire grid polarizer (WGP) made by a laser interference lithography and i-line (365 nm) exposure setup on polyethylene naphthalate. The WGP achieves a 58% maximum linewidth shrinkage of the metal nanowire on the polymer substrate, and further improved the polarization extinction ratio by 83% with a defined operation window and optimized strain. The simulations in this study prove the rise of the extinction ratio with the modulation of the WGP pattern. Physical evidence explains the fall of the extinction ratio for both the increase of the metal crack volume and the delaminated randomly oriented fall-on fragments under extensive operation.

In-hospital outcomes of paediatric burn injuries managed in children's hospitals compared to general hospitals.

INTRODUCTION: In Australia and New Zealand, children with burn injuries are cared for in either general hospitals which cater to both adult and paediatric burn injuries or in children's hospitals. Few publications have attempted to analyse modern burn care and outcomes as a function of treating facilities. AIM: The aim of this study was to compare in-hospital outcomes of paediatric burn injuries managed in children's hospitals to those treated in general hospitals that regularly treated both adult and paediatric burn patients. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of cases was undertaken using data from the Burns Registry of Australia and New Zealand (BRANZ). All paediatric patients with data for an acute or transfer admission to a BRANZ hospital and registered with BRANZ with a date of admission between 1 July 2016 and 30 June 2020 were included in the study. The primary outcome of interest was the acute admission length of stay. Secondary outcome measures of interest included admission to the intensive care unit and readmission to a specialist burn service within 28 days. The Alfred Hospital Ethics Committee granted ethical approval for this study (project 629/21). RESULTS: A total of 4630 paediatric burn patients were included in the analysis. Approximately three quarters of this cohort (n = 3510, 75.8%) were admitted to a paediatric only hospital, while the remaining quarter (n = 1120, 24.2%) were admitted to a general hospital. A greater proportion of patients admitted to general hospitals underwent burn wound management procedures in the operating theatre (general hospitals 83.9%, children's hospitals 71.4%, p < 0.001). Patients admitted to children's hospitals had a longer median time to their first episode of grafting (children's hospitals 12.4 days, general hospitals 8.3 days, p < 0.001). The adjusted regression model for hospital LOS indicate that patients admitted to general hospitals had a 23% shorter hospital LOS, compared to patients admitted to children's hospitals. Neither the unadjusted or adjusted model for intensive care unit admission was significant. After accounting for relevant confounding factors, there was no association between service type and hospital readmission rates. CONCLUSIONS: Comparing children's hospitals and general hospitals, different models of care seem to exist. Burn services in children's hospitals adopted a more conservative approach and were more inclined to facilitate healing by secondary intention rather than surgical debridement and grafting. General hospitals are more "aggressive" in managing burn wounds in theatre early, and debriding and grafting the burn wounds whenever considered necessary.