Numerical thermal assessment and theoretical analysis of horizontal-hole interlock composite insulation blocks.

In this paper, the thermal performance of 54 horizontal-hole interlocking composite insulation blocks was numerically analyzed based on the steady-state heat transfer model, the regulations were found, and prediction models for the thermal parameters of the blocks were established based on the parallel network thermal resistance model. The influence of block types and block materials on the thermal performance was studied, and it was found that the thermal performance of H-shaped interlocking insulation blocks was better than that of crossed-shaped ones, and the lower the thermal conductivity of block materials, the better the thermal performance of blocks, among which the reduction of thermal conductivity of concrete materials improved the thermal performance of blocks the most. The simulated values of thermal conductivity of H-shaped interlocking insulation blocks and thermal conductivity under the parallel network thermal resistance model were highly linearly correlated with correlation coefficients as high as 0.998 and 0.999. This finding enables the prediction models of thermal parameters of H-shaped interlocking insulation blocks to be established with high accuracy and provides an effective guide for the energy-saving design of interlocking insulation blocks wall.

Characterization of anoikis-based molecular heterogeneity in pancreatic cancer and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor and its association with tumor immune microenvironment and metabolic remodeling.

Background: Accumulating evidence suggests that anoikis plays a crucial role in the onset and progression of pancreatic cancer (PC) and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs); nevertheless, the prognostic value and molecular characteristics of anoikis in cancers are yet to be determined. Materials and methods: We gathered and collated the multi-omics data of several human malignancies using the TCGA pan-cancer cohorts. We thoroughly investigated the genomics and transcriptomics features of anoikis in pan-cancer. We then categorized a total of 930 patients with PC and 226 patients with PNETs into distinct clusters based on the anoikis scores computed through single-sample gene set enrichment analysis. We then delved deeper into the variations in drug sensitivity and immunological microenvironment between the various clusters. We constructed and validated a prognostic model founded on anoikis-related genes (ARGs). Finally, we conducted PCR experiments to explore and verify the expression levels of the model genes. Results: Initially, we identified 40 differentially expressed anoikis-related genes (DE-ARGs) between pancreatic cancer (PC) and adjacent normal tissues based on the TCGA, GSE28735, and GSE62452 datasets. We systematically explored the pan-cancer landscape of DE-ARGs. Most DE-ARGs also displayed differential expression trends in various tumors, which were strongly linked to favorable or unfavorable prognoses of patients with cancer, especially PC. Cluster analysis successfully identified three anoikis-associated subtypes for PC patients and two anoikis-associated subtypes for PNETs patients. The C1 subtype of PC patients showed a higher anoikis score, poorer prognosis, elevated expression of oncogenes, and lower level of immune cell infiltration, whereas the C2 subtype of PC patients had the exact opposite characteristics. We developed and validated a novel and accurate prognostic model for PC patients based on the expression traits of 13 DE-ARGs. In both training and test cohorts, the low-risk subpopulations had significantly longer overall survival than the high-risk subpopulations. Dysregulation of the tumor immune microenvironment could be responsible for the differences in clinical outcomes between low- and high-risk groups. Conclusions: These findings provide fresh insights into the significance of anoikis in PC and PNETs. The identification of subtypes and construction of models have accelerated the progress of precision oncology.

Association between urine microscopy and severe acute kidney injury in critically ill patients following non-cardiac surgery: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common and adverse complication following non-cardiac surgery. Evidence have shown urine microscopy could help early detection, differentiating the causes and predicting the progression of AKI. However, little evidence is available on AKI after non-cardiac surgery. Thus, we investigated the association between urine microscopy and severe AKI in critically ill patients after non-cardiac surgery. METHODS: This was a single-center prospective cohort study. The primary outcome was severe AKI, defined as stage 2 or 3 according to maximal KDIGO criteria within 7 days following non-cardiac surgery. Urine microscopy immediately, 6 and 12 hours after surgical intensive care unit (SICU) admission were examined and graded by a urine microscopy score (UMS) based on the observed quantification of renal tubular cells and casts in the sediment. Then, multivariate Logistic regression models were used to analyze the associations between UMS and postoperative severe AKI. RESULTS: From May 20, 2019 to November 24, 2020, 661 patients were enrolled with 147 patients (22.2%) developing postoperative severe AKI. Multivariate Logistic regression model showed elevated UMS (≥1) 6 and 12 hours after SICU admission were independently associated with postoperative severe AKI (OR 2.200, 95% CI: 1.182-4.095, P=0.013 and OR 2.949, 95% CI: 1.657-5.248, P<0.001, respectively). Furthermore, higher UMS 6 hours after SICU admission demonstrated correlation with greater risk of severe AKI with OR 3.887 (95% CI: 1.430-10.563) for UMS ≥3 and OR 2.429 (95% CI: 1.237-4.770) for UMS =1-2. The specificity and sensitivity of UMS ≥1 for severe AKI was 93.8% (95% CI: 91.7-95.9%) and 15.6% (95% CI: 9.7-21.5%), respectively. While the negative and positive predictive value was 79.5% (95% CI: 76.3-82.7%) and 41.8% (95% CI: 28.8-54.8%), respectively. In addition, patients with higher UMS (≥3, 1-2 and 0) had significantly more postoperative complications and longer SICU stay; and they also showed a trend toward other adverse postoperative outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Early urine microscopy was independently associated with severe AKI in critically ill patients following non-cardiac surgery with higher UMS related to greater risk. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03880110.

Tumour heterogeneity and intercellular networks of nasopharyngeal carcinoma at single cell resolution.

The heterogeneous nature of tumour microenvironment (TME) underlying diverse treatment responses remains unclear in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Here, we profile 176,447 cells from 10 NPC tumour-blood pairs, using single-cell transcriptome coupled with T cell receptor sequencing. Our analyses reveal 53 cell subtypes, including tumour-infiltrating CD8+ T, regulatory T (Treg), and dendritic cells (DCs), as well as malignant cells with different Epstein-Barr virus infection status. Trajectory analyses reveal exhausted CD8+ T and immune-suppressive TNFRSF4+ Treg cells in tumours might derive from peripheral CX3CR1+CD8+ T and naïve Treg cells, respectively. Moreover, we identify immune-regulatory and tolerogenic LAMP3+ DCs. Noteworthily, we observe intensive inter-cell interactions among LAMP3+ DCs, Treg, exhausted CD8+ T, and malignant cells, suggesting potential cross-talks to foster an immune-suppressive niche for the TME. Collectively, our study uncovers the heterogeneity and interacting molecules of the TME in NPC at single-cell resolution, which provide insights into the mechanisms underlying NPC progression and the development of precise therapies for NPC.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy combined with preoperative ultrasonography in predicting axillary lymph node metastasis in early breast cancer / 中华普通外科杂志

Objective@#To investigate the prediction of axillary lymph node metastasis in patients with early breast cancer by sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) combined with preoperative ultrasound.@*Methods@#From Jun 2014 to Oct 2018, 340 patients with early breast cancer were enrolled in the 5th Department of General Surgery of Second Hospital of Lanzhou University. 113 cases were grouped into ultrasound examing, 75 patients in the SLNB, and 152 patients in the SLNB combined with preoperative ultrasound.Using the results of axillary lymph node dissection as gold standard, the 3 groups were compared.@*Results@#The sensitivity of SLNB, ultrasound and SLNB combined with ultrasound for suspicious axillary lymph node biopsy were 90.1%, 85.7%, and 96.4%, respectively. The specificity was 84.0%, 76.3%, and 100%, and the accuracy was 91.6%, 83.0%, and 97.4%, respectively. The false negative rates were 8.6%, 14.3%, and 3.6%, respectively.@*Conclusion@#Preoperative ultrasound diagnosis of axillary lymph node status combined with sentinel lymph node biopsy can significantly improve the diagnosis rate of axillary lymph node metastasis in early breast cancer.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy combined with preoperative ultrasonography in predicting axillary lymph node metastasis in early breast cancer / 中华普通外科杂志

Objective To investigate the prediction of axillary lymph node metastasis in patients with early breast cancer by sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) combined with preoperative ultrasound.Methods From Jun 2014 to Oct 2018,340 patients with early breast cancer were enrolled in the 5th Department of General Surgery of Second Hospital of Lanzhou University.113 cases were grouped into ultrasound examing,75 patients in the SLNB,and 152 patients in the SLNB combined with preoperative ultrasound.Using the results of axillary lymph node dissection as gold standard,the 3 groups were compared.Results The sensitivity of SLNB,ultrasound and SLNB combined with ultrasound for suspicious axillary lymph node biopsy were 90.1％,85.7％,and 96.4％,respectively.The specificity was 84.0％,76.3％,and 100％,and the accuracy was 91.6％,83.0％,and 97.4％,respectively.The false negative rates were 8.6％,14.3％,and 3.6％,respectively.Conclusion Preoperative ultrasound diagnosis of axillary lymph node status combined with sentinel lymph node biopsy can significantly improve the diagnosis rate of axillary lymph node metastasis in early breast cancer.

The stability of aluminium oxide monolayer and its interface with two-dimensional materials.

The miniaturization of future electronic devices requires the knowledge of interfacial properties between two-dimensional channel materials and high-κ dielectrics in the limit of one atomic layer thickness. In this report, by combining particle-swarm optimization method with first-principles calculations, we present a detailed study of structural, electronic, mechanical, and dielectric properties of Al2O3 monolayer. We predict that planar Al2O3 monolayer is globally stable with a direct band gap of 5.99 eV and thermal stability up to 1100 K. The stability of this high-κ oxide monolayer can be enhanced by substrates such as graphene, for which the interfacial interaction is found to be weak. The band offsets between the Al2O3 monolayer and graphene are large enough for electronic applications. Our results not only predict a stable high-κ oxide monolayer, but also improve the understanding of interfacial properties between a high-κ dielectric monolayer and two-dimensional material.

Low interfacial contact resistance of Al-graphene composites via interface engineering.

Al-based composites incorporating multilayered graphene sheets were developed via a facile approach. The multilayered graphene sheets were fabricated from the expanded graphite via a simple mechanical exfoliation process. The facile extrusion molding process with Al powder and graphene sheets exfoliated from expended graphite afforded Al-based graphene composite rods. These composites showed enhanced thermal conductivity compared to the pristine Al rods. Moreover, the Al-based multilayered graphene sheet composites exhibited lower interfacial contact resistance between graphene-based electrodes than the pristine Al. With increasing degrees of dispersion, the number of exposed graphene sheets increases, thereby significantly decreasing the interfacial contact resistance between the composite and external graphite electrode.

MRI findings of rare intracranial germ cell tumors of the pineal region with pathologic / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To analyze the MRI features of rare intracranial germ cell tumors of the pineal region compared with pathologic findings.Methods The MRI and pathologic data of 32 patients with rare intracranial germ cell tumors of the pineal region were reviewed retrospectively.All cases were proved by surgery and pathological examinations.Results Fourteen teratomas with malignant transformations were cyst-solidary which were mixed signals on plain MRI and the solid components showed obvious enhancement.The adiposity signals could be seen in teratomas.The level of serum or CSF AFP was high.Microscopically,many tissue components could be seen.The signal of 6 yolk sac tumors were homogeneous,and they had great enhancement after enhanced scanning.Increasing of preoperative serum AFP level could be seen in all patients.The 5 embryonal carcinomas were well-defined margin masses and heterogeneous with cystoid variation and necrosis and moderate to severe edema.The solid components showed obvious enhance.The signals of 7 mixed germ cell tumors were atypical,which depended on the components of germ cell tumors.Conclusion The MRI findings of the rare intracranial germ cell tumors of the pineal region(teratomas with malignant transformations,yolk sac tumors endodermal sinus tumor,embryonal carcinomas and mixed germ cell tumors)show some feature which are correlated with pathology.Suggestive diagnosis could be made combined with clinical data and MRI features.

Carbon nanotube core graphitic shell hybrid fibers.

A carbon nanotube yarn core graphitic shell hybrid fiber was fabricated via facile heat treatment of epoxy-based negative photoresist (SU-8) on carbon nanotube yarn. The effective encapsulation of carbon nanotube yarn in carbon fiber and a glassy carbon outer shell determines their physical properties. The higher electrical conductivity (than carbon fiber) of the carbon nanotube yarn overcomes the drawbacks of carbon fiber/glassy carbon, and the better properties (than carbon nanotubes) of the carbon fiber/glassy carbon make up for the lower thermal and mechanical properties of the carbon nanotube yarn via synergistic hybridization without any chemical doping and additional processes.

The MRI findings of meningeal peripheral-type primitive neuroectodermal tumors / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To analyze the MRI features of Ewing sarcoma/peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumors(pPNETs) arising from the meninges.Methods The MRI imaging of 9 patients with Ewing sarcoma/pPNET were reviewed retrospectively,and imaging features and pathological characteristics were analyzed.Results The age of most patients ranged from 10 to 20 years.Magnetic resonance revealed a spindle-like lesion with a wide base in 8 cases.The lesions showed heterogenous iso-or hypo-intense signal on T1 WI in 7 cases,heterogenous hypo-iso-intense signal on T1 WI in 2 case,and iso-or mildly hypderisointense on T2WI in all cases.The solid part of the tumor was heterogeneously enhanced after injection of gadolinium with cyst degeneration or necrosis.The dural tail sign could be seen in 3 cases.The adjacent skull erosion could be seen in 6 cases.The breakthrough of the plate of cranium and soft-tissue invasion was present in 2 cases.The right eye proptosis was present in 1 case.The distant metastasis was found in 3 cases.Pathology showed that the lesions had high cell density.Hemorrhage and necrosis could be observed.The cells were like lymphocytes and spindle cells with transparent cytoplasm.CD99 and Vimentin were expressed in all tumor cells.Conclusion The imaging findings of the meningeal pPNET are different from meningiomas,which could be useful for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis.

Characterization of epitaxial GaAs MOS capacitors using atomic layer-deposited TiO2/Al2O3 gate stack: study of Ge auto-doping and p-type Zn doping.

Electrical and physical properties of a metal-oxide-semiconductor [MOS] structure using atomic layer-deposited high-k dielectrics (TiO2/Al2O3) and epitaxial GaAs [epi-GaAs] grown on Ge(100) substrates have been investigated. The epi-GaAs, either undoped or Zn-doped, was grown using metal-organic chemical vapor deposition method at 620°C to 650°C. The diffusion of Ge atoms into epi-GaAs resulted in auto-doping, and therefore, an n-MOS behavior was observed for undoped and Zn-doped epi-GaAs with the doping concentration up to approximately 1017 cm-3. This is attributed to the diffusion of a significant amount of Ge atoms from the Ge substrate as confirmed by the simulation using SILVACO software and also from the secondary ion mass spectrometry analyses. The Zn-doped epi-GaAs with a doping concentration of approximately 1018 cm-3 converts the epi-GaAs layer into p-type since the Zn doping is relatively higher than the out-diffused Ge concentration. The capacitance-voltage characteristics show similar frequency dispersion and leakage current for n-type and p-type epi-GaAs layers with very low hysteresis voltage (approximately 10 mV).PACS: 81.15.Gh.

Effects of a safflower tea supplement on antioxidative status and bone markers in postmenopausal women.

We conducted this study to examine the effects of safflower seed granular tea containing physiologically active polyphenols on antioxidative activities and bone metabolism. Forty postmenopausal women ages 49 to 64-years were recruited from Daegu and Gyeongbuk and were randomly assigned to either a safflower tea supplement (Saf-tea) group (n = 27) or a placebo group (n = 13). The Saf-tea group received 20 g of safflower seed granule tea per day containing a 13% ethanol extract of defatted safflower seeds, whereas the placebo group received a similar type of tea that lacked the ethanol extract. No significant changes in nutrient intake for either the placebo or Saf-tea groups were observed before or after the study period, except vitamin A intake increased after 6 months in the Saf-tea group. Dietary phytoestrogen intakes were similar in the Saf-tea group (60.3 mg) and placebo group (52.5 mg). Significant increases in plasma genistein and enterolactone were observed in the Saf-tea group. After 6 months of supplementation, serum levels of antioxidant vitamins such as α-tocopherol and ascorbic acid increased significantly, and TBARS levels decreased in the Saf-tea group compared to the placebo group. Serum osteocalcin levels were reduced (P < 0.05) in the Saf-tea group after 6 months, whereas serum osteocalcin did not change in the placebo group. Urinary deoxypyridinoline/creatinine excretion was not different between the two groups at baseline, and did not change in either group after 6 months. Bone mineral density decreased significantly in the placebo group (P < 0.01) but not in the supplemented group. It was concluded that polyphenols (72 mg/day), including serotonin derivatives, in the Saf-tea had both antioxidant and potential bone protecting effects in postmenopausal women without liver toxicity.

Effects of a safflower tea supplement on antioxidative status and bone markers in postmenopausal women

We conducted this study to examine the effects of safflower seed granular tea containing physiologically active polyphenols on antioxidative activities and bone metabolism. Forty postmenopausal women ages 49 to 64-years were recruited from Daegu and Gyeongbuk and were randomly assigned to either a safflower tea supplement (Saf-tea) group (n = 27) or a placebo group (n = 13). The Saf-tea group received 20 g of safflower seed granule tea per day containing a 13% ethanol extract of defatted safflower seeds, whereas the placebo group received a similar type of tea that lacked the ethanol extract. No significant changes in nutrient intake for either the placebo or Saf-tea groups were observed before or after the study period, except vitamin A intake increased after 6 months in the Saf-tea group. Dietary phytoestrogen intakes were similar in the Saf-tea group (60.3 mg) and placebo group (52.5 mg). Significant increases in plasma genistein and enterolactone were observed in the Saf-tea group. After 6 months of supplementation, serum levels of antioxidant vitamins such as alpha-tocopherol and ascorbic acid increased significantly, and TBARS levels decreased in the Saf-tea group compared to the placebo group. Serum osteocalcin levels were reduced (P < 0.05) in the Saf-tea group after 6 months, whereas serum osteocalcin did not change in the placebo group. Urinary deoxypyridinoline/creatinine excretion was not different between the two groups at baseline, and did not change in either group after 6 months. Bone mineral density decreased significantly in the placebo group (P < 0.01) but not in the supplemented group. It was concluded that polyphenols (72 mg/day), including serotonin derivatives, in the Saf-tea had both antioxidant and potential bone protecting effects in postmenopausal women without liver toxicity.

Structural identification and bioactivities of red-violet pigments present in Basella alba fruits.

Mature Basella alba L. fruit, with dark blue skin and deep red-violet flesh, is a potential source of natural colorants. Its pigment components and bioactivities deserve particular attention and investigation. In this study, fruit flesh was extracted with 80% methanol (containing 0.2% formic acid) and subjected to solid-phase extraction, semipreparative HPLC isolation, mass spectrophotometric analysis, and structural elucidation. The major red pigment was identified as gomphrenin I. Its quantity increased with the increase of fruit maturity. The gomphrenin I extract yield from ripe fruits was 36.1 mg/100 g of fresh weight. In addition to gomphrenin I, betanidin-dihexose and isobetanidin-dihexose were also detected. The antioxidant activities of gomphrenin I determined by Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), α,α-diphenyl-ß-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, reducing power, and antioxidative capacity assays were equivalent to 534 µM Trolox, 103 µM butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), 129 µM ascorbic acid, and 68 µM BHT at 180, 23, 45, and 181 µM, respectively. The anti-inflammatory function was tested at concentrations of 25, 50, and 100 µM in murine macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The results revealed that gomphrenin I suppressed LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in a dose-dependent manner and decreased PGE(2) and IL-1ß secretions at the highest concentration tested. The transcriptional inhibitory activities of gomphrenin I on the expression of inflammatory genes encoding iNOS, COX-2, IL-1ß, TNF-α, and IL-6 were also observed. It is of merit to identify gomphrenin I as a principal pigment of B. alba fruits and as a potent antioxidant and inflammatory inhibitor. These findings suggest that B. alba fruit is a rich source of betalains and has value-added potential for use in the development of food colorants and nutraceuticals.

GC-MS determined distribution of urinary equol producers as affected by age, gender, and repeated ingestions of soymilk.

Status of equol excretion is likely a reflection of incidence risk of sex-hormone related diseases and deserves research attention. In this study, urine samples collected from 182 volunteers after soymilk ingestion were subjected to equol quantification using GC-MS. As categorized into male, female, and both genders and each category further classified into 6 age (year) categories, namely, <20, 21 to 30, 31 to 40, 41 to 50, >51 and overall, a trend indicating that the younger age the higher equol producer ratio was observed. For the >51 subjects, the corresponding producer ratios of males and females were 35.3% and 50.0%, respectively. Among the volunteers, 20 nonproducers were further recruited to ingest 1000 mL soymilk weekly for 16 wk and urines were analyzed bi-weekly. As resulted, 8 of 20 nonproducers were induced to become equol producers. The observed change of nonproducers to equol producers induced by repeating ingestions of soymilk is of merit from the viewpoint of healthcare.

Comparative study of the MRI findings of lymphoplasmacyte-rich meningioma with pathological findings / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To investigate the MRI features of intracranial lymphoplasmacyte-rich meningioma and the corelation between the MRI features and pathologic findings. Methods The MRI and pathologic data of 7 patients with lymphoplasmacyte-rich meningioma were reviewed retrospectively. All cases were proved by surgery and pathological examinations. Results All lesions were solitary. The tumors crawled along meninges in 6 cases and in 5 cases the tumors did not appear as mass lesions. In 2 cases, the tumors appeared as half-moon. The boundary of all of the tumors was unclear, accompanying heavy peritumoral brain edema. The brain invasion can be seen in 7 cases. The lesions showed hypo-isointense signal on T1 WI in 7 cases, hyper-isointense signal in 5 cases and hypo-isointense in 2 cases on T2 WI.Enhancement scan demonstrated marked enhancement in 7 cases. Extensive thickening of the meninges was observed in 6 cases. Pathological results showed that the cells were abundant and diversified, with a great quantity of lymphoplasmacytes, and there were typical meningeal epithelial cells area in the surgical specimen. Conclusion The MRI findings of lymphoplasmacyte-rich meningioma show some features different from other common meningiomas, which would be helpful to the diagnosis and differential diagnosis.

Sol-gel-derived iron oxide thin films on silicon: surface properties and interfacial chemistry.

Uniform high-quality iron oxide thin films can be formed from the spin coating of iron oxide/hydroxide sol-gels on a silicon substrate. Thermal processing of the films at temperatures of approximately 300 degrees C results in the transformation of films into a ternary layered structure with iron oxide, Fe(2)O(3), at the surface, characterized by Mossbauer spectroscopy, and reduced, metallic iron characterized by depth profiling of the surface by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy as a function of Ar(+) etching. Imaging of the etched surface by scanning electron microscopy reveals two distinct regions at the interface, nanoparticles that are very iron-rich separated by an unstructured region that is somewhat less iron-rich. The results demonstrate a synthetic protocol for the spontaneous formaton of a ternary layered structure from a simple one-step preparation.

Interstitial heterotopic pregnancy by in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer after bilateral salpingectomy / 대한산부인과학회지

Although assisted reproductive technology is associated with higher rates of interstitial pregnancy and heterotopic pregnancy, heterotopic pregnancy after bilateral salpingectomy is still extremely rare. We report a case of heterotopic pregnancy after bilateral salpingectomy in an in vitro fertilization/embryo transfer patient, who underwent cornual resection by laparotomy due to ruptured cornual pregnancy. However, 3 days after surgery, the remaining intrauterine pregnancy miscarried, and a dilatation and curettage was performed.

Photothermal initiation of hybrid organic/inorganic metastable interstitial composites: synergistic effects on the dynamics of energy release.

The organic high-energy material pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) was incorporated at low concentrations into Al (100 nm)/Fe(2)O(3) metastable intersitital composites (MIC) to form a hybrid organic/inorganic high-energy material. Studies of the dynamics of energy release were carried out by initiating the reaction photothermally with a single 8 ns pulse of the 1064 nm fundamental of a Nd:YAG laser. The reaction dynamics were measured using time-resolved spectroscopy of the light emitted from the deflagrating material. Two parameters were measured: the time to initiation and the duration of the deflagration. The presence of small amounts of PETN (16 mg/g of MIC) results in a dramatic decrease in the initiation time. This is attributed to a contribution to the temperature of the reacting system from the combustion of the PETN that, at lower loadings, appears to follow an Arrhenius dependence. The presence of PETN was also found to reduce the energy density required for single-pulse photothermal initiation by an order of magnitude, suggesting that hybrid materials such as this may be engineered to optimize their use as an efficient photodetonation medium.