Anomalous thermal transport under high pressure in boron arsenide.

High pressure represents extreme environments and provides opportunities for materials discovery1-8. Thermal transport under high hydrostatic pressure has been investigated for more than 100 years and all measurements of crystals so far have indicated a monotonically increasing lattice thermal conductivity. Here we report in situ thermal transport measurements in the newly discovered semiconductor crystal boron arsenide, and observe an anomalous pressure dependence of the thermal conductivity. We use ultrafast optics, Raman spectroscopy and inelastic X-ray scattering measurements to examine the phonon bandstructure evolution of the optical and acoustic branches, as well as thermal conductivity under varied temperatures and pressures up to 32 gigapascals. Using atomistic theory, we attribute the anomalous high-pressure behaviour to competitive heat conduction channels from interactive high-order anharmonicity physics inherent to the unique phonon bandstructure. Our study verifies ab initio theory calculations and we show that the phonon dynamics-resulting from competing three-phonon and four-phonon scattering processes-are beyond those expected from classical models and seen in common materials. This work uses high-pressure spectroscopy combined with atomistic theory as a powerful approach to probe complex phonon physics and provide fundamental insights for understanding microscopic energy transport in materials of extreme properties.

Incidence of Internal Carotid Artery Stenosis in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients After Neck Dissection.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence of progressive internal carotid artery stenosis (ICAS) by head and neck contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) in 45 patients who underwent neck dissection for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 45 patients who underwent head and neck contrast-enhanced CT before and after surgery for OSCC by the Hu Yongjie team at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head & Neck Oncology of Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital in 2016 and were followed up for 5 years. RESULTS: Comparison of the current CT with previously obtained head and neck contrast-enhanced CT images revealed progressive ICAS in 3 patients with a mean age of 50.0 years. All 3 patients were male, and their OSCC sites were the tongue in 2 patients and the buccal in 1 patient. Tumor resection and neck dissection were performed for all 3 patients. Two patients underwent radiotherapy. In all 3 patients, the ICAS had occurred on the same side as the tumors. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that neck dissection with cervical sheath removal might increase the incidence of ICAS, but this result may need the support of a larger sample size study.

Immediate reconstruction of defects after a partial maxillectomy with a digitally planned, prefabricated, 3-dimensionally printed, esthetic obturator prosthesis.

A digital workflow was used to design and prefabricate a 3-dimensionally printed, esthetic obturator prosthesis for immediate placement after a partial maxillectomy. The approach involved simultaneous reciprocation and support of the maxillary defect during the surgery and minimized the incidence of cicatricial contracture of the soft tissue, preventing permanent facial deformity and dysfunction.

Unicystic ameloblastoma: A retrospective study on recurrent factors from a single institute database.

OBJECTIVE: Unicystic ameloblastomas are a variant of ameloblastoma with a definite recurrence rate because of the biological behaviours of the tumour. The risk factors associated with disease recurrence were analysed in this retrospective study. METHODS: A total of 132 patients with primary unicystic ameloblastoma reported in a tertiary hospital from 2005 to 2015 were analysed to identify the clinic-pathological and radiological factors associated with recurrence using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. RESULTS: The mean volume was 30.54cm3  ± 12.55 cm3 , and this value differed significantly according to recurrence (p < 0.001). Root resorption and bone cortex/soft tissue invasion were also significantly associated with recurrence among unicystic ameloblastoma patients (p = 0.017 vs. p < 0.001, respectively). A new stage classification system was developed to predict disease recurrence of patients. The multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that the new stage classification system was the only predictor of disease recurrence in unicystic ameloblastoma patients (p < 0.001), regardless of root resorption, position and site characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: Volume, root resorption and bone cortex/soft tissue invasion were risk factors for disease recurrence among unicystic ameloblastoma patients. The new stage classification was an independent predictor of disease recurrence in patients with unicystic ameloblastoma.

Effect of Concentrated Growth Factor on Distraction Osteogenesis of Dental Implant Distractors.

PURPOSE: The periosteum of bone segments can be destroyed during the installation of a dental implant distractor (DID) device, resulting in bone defects on the exposed side of the distraction gap. The purpose of this animal experiment is to explore the application of concentrated growth factor (CGF) in DID surgery, which can induce angiogenesis and osteogenesis and improve osteogenesis defects caused by periosteum loss on the exposed side of bone segments. METHODS: CGF is the latest generation of platelet concentrate. Twenty-four DID devices inserted into the tibias of 8 goats were evenly divided into the CGF and control groups. Following 10 days of distraction and a 12-week consolidation period, all 8 animals were euthanized to retrieve their tibias. The distraction gap between each segment was measured at 5 points, and the average value was taken as the computed tomography (CT) value of the distraction gap at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after distraction. The vascular density and trabecular bone volume of each DID distraction gap were determined and statistically compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: The CT value of the distraction gap increased gradually in control groups at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after distraction to 319.3 ± 14.6, 449.3 ± 34.4, and 614.0 ± 15.6 HU in the control group and 368.3 ± 8.8, 544.5 ± 12.3, and 661.0 ± 8.1 HU in the CGF group. The trabecular bone volume was 281.7 ± 16.5 and 209.7 ± 21.6 µm2 in the CGF group and control group. The vascular density was 17.7 ± 2.1 and 11.7 ± 1.9 in the CGF group and control group. Statistically significant differences were observed in the CT value (P = .002), vascular density (P = .023), and trabecular bone volume (P = .010) between the CGF and control groups. CONCLUSIONS: The application of an autogenous CGF membrane in DID surgery repaired bone defects caused by osteolysis around osteotomy segments.

Solitary Neurofibroma of the Zygoma: Three-Dimensional Virtual Resection and Patient-Specific Polyetheretherketone Implant Reconstruction.

ABSTRACT: Intraosseous benign lesions rarely involve the zygoma, and intraosseous venous malformation is most commonly reported condition in the previous literature. A neurofibroma (NF) arising from the zygoma has not been reported before. Here, the authors present a 37-year-old female who developed solitary NF of the right zygoma. Surgical intervention is usually required for the treatment of a solitary NF. However, the complex three-dimensional (3D) anatomy of the zygoma increases the difficulty of the reconstruction for the operating surgeon. In this case, a preoperative digital surgical design was used to promote the efficiency of the surgery. A 3D printing surgical guide plate was used intraoperatively, and the defect was reconstructed by a patient-specific polyetheretherketone implant. Postoperative computed tomography imaging confirmed the accuracy of the reconstruction and that there was no recurrence of the tumor. The authors believe that the 3D print guide plate-assisted accurate resection combined with polyetheretherketone implant reconstruction is an ideal methodology for benign lesions of the zygoma.

The Anterolateral Thigh Perforator Flap for Mandibular Reconstruction: A Volumetric and Patient Satisfaction Analysis.

PURPOSE: This study investigated the stability and quality of life (QoL) outcomes of patients who received mandibular reconstructions with the anterolateral thigh perforator flap (ALTF) following tumor resection. METHODS: Thirty-five patients with oral tumors that were resected and reconstructed with ALTF were included in this study. Volumetric analyses of each ALTF were performed at 6 to 18 months postoperatively. A QoL survey was also conducted 2 years postoperatively and compared by means of an independent-sample t test with 28 patients who had mandibular reconstructions with free fibula flap. RESULTS: There were no significant volumetric changes in the ALTF or the QoL results of either group. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with advanced oral cancers have a higher risk of recurrence that mandates closer radiographic surveillance. This may be impaired by artifacts from metallic implants required in free fibula flap reconstructions. Anterolateral thigh perforator flap may be a viable alternative because it is easier for secondary resection, amenable for direct repairs, has volumetric stability, has a lower cost and results in a comparable QoL outcome.

Hydrothermal oxygen uncoupling of high-concentration biogas slurry over Cu-α-Fe2O3·α-MoO3 catalyst.

A hydrothermal oxygen uncoupling (HTOU) method which combines aqueous phase reforming (APR) and oxygen uncoupling was proposed to treat biogas slurry (BS). Based on Le Chatelier's principle, this novel approach was constructed and realized by Cu-α-Fe2O3·α-MoO3 catalyst with van der Waals heterojunction-redox property. Additionally, the catalyst was synthesized by integrating a simple one-pot sol-gel method and thermal hydrogenating. Results indicated that the optimal removal efficiencies of non-purgeable organic carbon (NPOC) (76.29%), total nitrogen (TN) (45.56%), and ammonia nitrogen (AN) (29.03%) were achieved on the Cu-α-Fe2O3·α-MoO3 catalyst at 225.00 °C for 30.00 min, respectively. The significant performance of Cu-α-Fe2O3·α-MoO3 could be attributed to three aspects. (1) The α-MoO3 nanosheets with van der Waals heterostructures obtained at the calcination temperature of 600.00 °C, which can provide the superior performance of APR for hydrogen generation. (2) The adsorbed oxygen species were eliminated by thermal hydrogenating which had a surface passivation effect. (3) The effect of oxygen uncoupling in the lattice oxygen and gaseous oxygen release reaction was beneficial to the degradation of organic matter. Moreover, the reuse of catalysts studies further revealed that the deactivation of catalysts originated from carbon deposition of aromatic polymers and heavy metals oxides pollution. Overall, these findings disclosed that the HTOU could be a promising alternative to the treatment of high-concentration organic wastewater.

Intrinsic Low Thermal Conductivity and Phonon Renormalization Due to Strong Anharmonicity of Single-Crystal Tin Selenide.

Two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals material tin selenide (SnSe) has recently attracted intensive interest due to its exceptional thermoelectric performance. However, the thermal properties and phonon transport mechanisms in its single-crystal form remain elusive. Here, we measured high-quality SnSe single crystals using nanoscale thermometry based on ultrafast optical spectroscopy and found that its intrinsic thermal conductivity is highly anisotropic in different crystallographic directions. To quantify phonon anharmonicity, we developed a new experimental approach combining picosecond ultrasonics and X-ray diffraction to enable direct measurement of temperature-dependent sound velocity, thermal expansion coefficient, and Grüneisen parameter. The measured Grüneisen parameter suggests an abnormally large temperature effect on phonon dispersion that contributes to over 90% of phonon frequency shifts. Furthermore, we performed ab initio calculations using different methods: in comparison with self-consistent phonon theory, the harmonic and quasi-harmonic models that have been widely used in current phonon calculations fail to accurately predict these important thermophysical properties at room temperature and below. Our study reveals an extremely strong intrinsic anharmonicity in SnSe that introduces phonon renormalization near room temperature. This study represents an important research benchmark in characterizing high-performance thermal energy materials and provides fundamental insight into advancing modern calculation methods for phonon transport theory.

Reconstruction of Deep Circumflex Iliac Artery Free Flap for Multiple Recurrent Ameloblastoma in Mandible.

Ameloblastoma is the most common odontogenic tumor of epithelial origin. These tumors are benign in nature but have a high rate of recurrence and possible malignant development when treated inadequately. However, recurrent ameloblastomas in bone grafts are rare. This article presents a rare case of a multiple recurrent ameloblastoma, with the last recurrence in a nonvascularized free iliac bone graft of the mandible, reconstructed with vascularized deep circumflex iliac artery free flap for the surgical defect. Furthermore, an updated review of the literature on recurrent ameloblastomas affecting the bone graft is provided.

Clinical Application of Temporary External Fixator for Immediate Mandibular Reconstruction.

Immediate mandibular reconstruction is always necessary for the patients receiving segmental mandibulectomy to recover the facial contour and function of occlusion. When 3D modeling is unavailable, temporary external fixator is necessary to maintain the occlusion relationship and facial contour. In this study, we introduce the clinical application of temporary external fixator for immediate mandibular reconstruction in patients receiving segmental mandibulectomy, which consists of 2 anchor claws, 2 all-round retentive arms, and 1 central locking structure. From August 2016 to September 2017, temporary external fixator was applied in 13 patients. Clinical data of gender, age, surgical procedure, duration of operation, and clinical outcomes were recorded and analyzed. Among the 13 patients, there were 4 men and nine women whose ages ranged from 21 to 64 (mean 47.7) years old. There were 9 benign and 4 malignant lesions. All lesions expended at the buccal side of mandible. 12 fibular flaps and 1 vascularized iliac bone graft were used. The mandibular defect ranged from 6 to 14 (mean 10) cm. The operation duration of surgery ranged from 5 to 10 (mean 7) hours. All flaps survived with primary healing. The occlusion and facial contour were good, without significant changes of the length of mandibular body and width of mandible before and after surgery. No functional sequelae were noted at the donor sites. From these results, the temporary external fixator is easy to operate; the surgical procedure is simple and time-saving for surgeon when 3D modeling is unavailable. The indication for temporary external fixator usage is the mandibular lesion growing outward to cheek soft tissue.

Thermal Properties and Phonon Spectral Characterization of Synthetic Boron Phosphide for High Thermal Conductivity Applications.

Heat dissipation is an increasingly critical technological challenge in modern electronics and photonics as devices continue to shrink to the nanoscale. To address this challenge, high thermal conductivity materials that can efficiently dissipate heat from hot spots and improve device performance are urgently needed. Boron phosphide is a unique high thermal conductivity and refractory material with exceptional chemical inertness, hardness, and high thermal stability, which holds high promises for many practical applications. So far, however, challenges with boron phosphide synthesis and characterization have hampered the understanding of its fundamental properties and potential applications. Here, we describe a systematic thermal transport study based on a synergistic synthesis-experimental-modeling approach: we have chemically synthesized high-quality boron phosphide single crystals and measured their thermal conductivity as a record-high 460 W/mK at room temperature. Through nanoscale ballistic transport, we have, for the first time, mapped the phonon spectra of boron phosphide and experimentally measured its phonon mean free-path spectra with consideration of both natural and isotope-pure abundances. We have also measured the temperature- and size-dependent thermal conductivity and performed corresponding calculations by solving the three-dimensional and spectral-dependent phonon Boltzmann transport equation using the variance-reduced Monte Carlo method. The experimental results are in good agreement with that predicted by multiscale simulations and density functional theory, which together quantify the heat conduction through the phonon mode dependent scattering process. Our finding underscores the promise of boron phosphide as a high thermal conductivity material for a wide range of applications, including thermal management and energy regulation, and provides a detailed, microscopic-level understanding of the phonon spectra and thermal transport mechanisms of boron phosphide. The present study paves the way toward the establishment of a new framework, based on the phonon spectra-material structure relationship, for the rational design of high thermal conductivity materials and nano- to multiscale devices.

Ionic Intercalation in Two-Dimensional van der Waals Materials: In Situ Characterization and Electrochemical Control of the Anisotropic Thermal Conductivity of Black Phosphorus.

Two-dimensional van der Waals materials have shown novel fundamental properties and promise for wide applications. Here, we report for the first time an experimental demonstration of the in situ characterization and highly reversible control of the anisotropic thermal conductivity of black phosphorus. We develop a novel platform based on lithium ion batteries that integrates ultrafast optical spectroscopy and electrochemical control to investigate the interactions between lithium ions and the lattices of the black phosphorus electrode. We discover a strong dependence of the thermal conductivity on battery charge states (lithium concentrations) during the discharge/charge process. The thermal conductivity of black phosphorus is reversibly tunable over a wide range of 2.45-3.86, 62.67-85.80, and 21.66-27.58 W·m-1·K-1 in the cross-plan, zigzag, and armchair directions, respectively. The modulation in thermal conductivity is attributed to phonon scattering introduced by the ionic intercalation in between the interspacing layers and shows anisotropic phonon scattering mechanism based on semiclassical model. At the fully discharged state (x ∼ 3 in LixP), a dramatic reduction of thermal conductivity by up to 6 times from that of the pristine crystal has been observed. This study provides a unique approach to explore the fundamental energy transport involving lattices and ions in the layered structures and may open up new opportunities in controlling energy transport based on novel operation mechanisms and the rational design of nanostructures.

Programmable nanowire circuits for nanoprocessors.

A nanoprocessor constructed from intrinsically nanometre-scale building blocks is an essential component for controlling memory, nanosensors and other functions proposed for nanosystems assembled from the bottom up. Important steps towards this goal over the past fifteen years include the realization of simple logic gates with individually assembled semiconductor nanowires and carbon nanotubes, but with only 16 devices or fewer and a single function for each circuit. Recently, logic circuits also have been demonstrated that use two or three elements of a one-dimensional memristor array, although such passive devices without gain are difficult to cascade. These circuits fall short of the requirements for a scalable, multifunctional nanoprocessor owing to challenges in materials, assembly and architecture on the nanoscale. Here we describe the design, fabrication and use of programmable and scalable logic tiles for nanoprocessors that surmount these hurdles. The tiles were built from programmable, non-volatile nanowire transistor arrays. Ge/Si core/shell nanowires coupled to designed dielectric shells yielded single-nanowire, non-volatile field-effect transistors (FETs) with uniform, programmable threshold voltages and the capability to drive cascaded elements. We developed an architecture to integrate the programmable nanowire FETs and define a logic tile consisting of two interconnected arrays with 496 functional configurable FET nodes in an area of ∼960 µm(2). The logic tile was programmed and operated first as a full adder with a maximal voltage gain of ten and input-output voltage matching. Then we showed that the same logic tile can be reprogrammed and used to demonstrate full-subtractor, multiplexer, demultiplexer and clocked D-latch functions. These results represent a significant advance in the complexity and functionality of nanoelectronic circuits built from the bottom up with a tiled architecture that could be cascaded to realize fully integrated nanoprocessors with computing, memory and addressing capabilities.

A new approach for risk assessment of aggregate dermal exposure to banned azo dyes in textiles.

A semi-quantitative risk assessment of banned azo dyes in textiles was performed to assess the health risk when consumers have direct dermal contact with these products. A novel model, which includes three exposure scenarios, was proposed to estimate the absorption of leachable azo dyes from twenty textiles samples. The effective daily uptakes of benzidine from sample 1 and sample 19 in chronic exposure model were 0.318 ng/kg-day and 0.011 ng/kg-day, respectively. Compared to virtually safe dose (VSD), the corresponding cancer risks were 7.42 × 10-5 (Sample 1) and 2.56 × 10-6 (Sample 19). As noted by nomograph assessment, the health risk induced by long-term exposure of banned azo dyes from textiles was at the range of "very low" to "low". In short-term exposure cases, the risks were acceptable though the amount of detected aromatic amines was relatively high in particular samples. The amount of exposure and the risk level might be overestimated as a series of assumptions were made under extreme conditions.

Knockdown of Myosin 6 inhibits proliferation of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells.

BACKGROUND: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) accounts for 95% of all oral cancer with higher mortality and morbidity rates worldwide. However, the potential molecular mechanism of OSCC remains largely unclear. Myosin VI (MYO6) is a unique actin motor and reported to be overexpressed in several cancers. This study aims to examine the functional relationship between OSCC and MYO6. METHODS: The mRNA expression of MYO6 was firstly investigated by analyzing data derived from Oncomine database. On the basis of the results, the expression of MYO6 was knocked down using lentivirus-delivered RNA interference in human OSCC cell line CAL27, as confirmed by qPCR and Western blot analysis. Stable MYO6 knockdown cells were employed to determine the effects of MYO6-silencing on cell growth by MTT, colony formation and cell cycle distribution and apoptosis by flow cytometry assay. Moreover, the expressions of cell apoptotic proteins were examined by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: We first observed MYO6 was overexpressed in tongue squamous cell carcinoma TSCC belongs to OSCC, compared with normal tissues. For cellular analysis, shRNA sequences against MYO6 could efficiently reduce its expression in CAL27 cells. Knockdown of MYO6 significantly decreased cell proliferation, caused cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase, and promoted cell apoptosis. Moreover, cell apoptosis-associated proteins, caspase-3 and PARP, were obviously upregulated in CAL27 after MYO6-silencing. CONCLUSION: MYO6 could play an essential role in the growth of OSCC cells via regulation of cell cycle progression and apoptosis.

An ectopic meningioma in nasal floor.

OBJECTIVE: Primary ectopic meningioma is a rare tumor and is usually limited to the paravertebral soft tissues. The aim of this study was to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of the tumor. METHODS: A 16-year-old boy presented with a nasal floor mass. The computed tomographic scan suggested a neoplastic mass lesion in the nasal floor region, and primary diagnosis is sebaceous cyst. The patient received a surgical resection, and the histologic examinations showed that the lesion was characterized with spindle cells. Immunohistochemical staining showed that the tumor cells presented intense reactivity for epithelial membrane antigen and vimentin. Histologic examination and immunohistochemical staining confirmed the diagnosis of extracranial ectopic meningioma. RESULTS: The patient received a radical surgical and immediate restoration of adjacent flap, and the patient fully recovered 1 week later. CONCLUSIONS: The case highlights the fact that despite its rarity, ectopic meningioma should be considered as a differential diagnosis of any mass lesion in the head and neck region, especially when spindle cells are histologically observed.

An osteochondroma of the mandibular condyle.

OBJECTIVE: Osteochondroma is rarely seen in the facial region, especially around the condyle. Here, we report a case of condylar osteochondroma, aiming to assist the diagnosis and treatment of the tumor. METHODS: A case of osteochondroma of the left mandibular condyle in a 49-year-old man was presented. Medical records with x-ray, computed tomographic scan, and bone scan of histologically proven osteochondroma of mandibular condyle were obtained. RESULTS: The patient underwent a surgical resection and had fewer functional changes as well as less dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint. CONCLUSIONS: The current study highlights the fact that, despite its rarity in the mandibular condyle, surgical resection is an effective treatment method. The decision, however, depends on how much swing of the mandible is required after surgery for correction of asymmetry and occlusion.

Vaccine adjuvants: current status, research and development, licensing, and future opportunities.

Vaccines represent one of the most significant inventions in human history and have revolutionized global health. Generally, a vaccine functions by triggering the innate immune response and stimulating antigen-presenting cells, leading to a defensive adaptive immune response against a specific pathogen's antigen. As a key element, adjuvants are chemical materials often employed as additives to increase a vaccine's efficacy and immunogenicity. For over 90 years, adjuvants have been essential components in many human vaccines, improving their efficacy by enhancing, modulating, and prolonging the immune response. Here, we provide a timely and comprehensive review of the historical development and the current status of adjuvants, covering their classification, mechanisms of action, and roles in different vaccines. Additionally, we perform systematic analysis of the current licensing processes and highlights notable examples from clinical trials involving vaccine adjuvants. Looking ahead, we anticipate future trends in the field, including the development of new adjuvant formulations, the creation of innovative adjuvants, and their integration into the broader scope of systems vaccinology and vaccine delivery. The article posits that a deeper understanding of biochemistry, materials science, and vaccine immunology is crucial for advancing vaccine technology. Such advancements are expected to lead to the future development of more effective vaccines, capable of combating emerging infectious diseases and enhancing public health.

The trajectory of carbon emissions and terrestrial carbon sinks at the provincial level in China.

Global greenhouse gas emission, major factor driving climate change, has been increasing since nineteenth century. STIRPAT and CEVSA models were performed to estimate the carbon emission peaks and terrestrial ecosystem carbon sinks at the provincial level in China, respectively. Utilizing the growth characteristics and the peak time criteria for the period 1997-2019, the patterns of energy consumption and CO2 emissions from 30 Chinese provinces are categorized into four groups: (i) one-stage increase (5 provinces), (ii) two-stage increase (10 provinces), (iii) maximum around 2013 (13 provinces), and (iv) maximum around 2017 (2 provinces). According to the STIRPAT model, the anticipated time of peak CO2 emissions for Beijing from the third group is ~ 2025 in both business-as-usual and high-speed scenarios. For Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region from the first group and Zhejiang province from the second group, the expected peak time is 2025 to 2030. Shaanxi province from the fourth group is likely to reach carbon emission peak before 2030. The inventory-based estimate of China's terrestrial carbon sink is ~ 266.2 Tg C/a during the period 1982-2015, offsetting 18.3% of contemporary CO2 emissions. The province-level CO2 emissions, peak emissions and terrestrial carbon sinks estimates presented here are significant for those concerned with carbon neutrality.