The interplay between chemical dopants and topological defects plays a crucial role in electrocatalysis of doped graphene. By systematically tuning the curvatures, thereby the density of topological ...defects, of 3D nanoporous graphene, the intrinsic correlation of topological defects with chemical doping contents and dopant configurations is revealed, shining lights into the structural and chemical origins of HER activities of graphene.
Chemically doped graphene with three‐dimensional bicontinuous nanoporosity is developed for rechargeable Li‐O2 batteries. N and S doping, together with a large accessible surface area and open pore ...channels of the nanoporous graphene significantly enhance the cathodic reaction kinetics of Li‐O2 batteries for an ultrahigh rechargeable capacity of 10 400 mAh g−1 and a long cycling lifetime.
Lateral pelvic lymph node dissection for rectal cancer is a difficult technique due to the complex pelvic anatomy involved. Three-dimensional (3D) organ models have been introduced as education tools ...to study anatomy in some fields. In this study, we educated the participants about pelvic anatomy using a 3D model, and evaluated learning efficiency, comparing the outcomes with those using a traditional textbook.
This study was a randomized, controlled, single-center trial conducted between July 2018 and July 2019. A total of 102 participants (34 medical students, 34 residents, and 34 surgeons) were enrolled. Participants were randomly assigned to the 3D model group or the textbook group. First, they completed a short test to confirm their basic knowledge before further education. After collocated education, they completed the same short test again and another long test to evaluate their learning outcomes.
Before education, there was no significant difference in the short test scores between the 3D model group and the textbook group. After education, the short and long test scores of the 3D model group were significantly higher than those of the textbook group for students (short test; p = 0.05, long test; p = 0.03), residents (short test; p = 0.05, long test; p = 0.002), and surgeons (short test; p = 0.009, long test; p < 0.001).
Using a 3D pelvic model is superior to using a textbook when learning pelvic anatomy required for lateral pelvic lymph node dissection.
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Purpose
In patients with advanced lower rectal cancer, the complex pelvic anatomy renders lateral pelvic lymph node dissection to be challenging. Therefore, we evaluated the utility of printing a ...three-dimensional (3D) pelvic model for lateral pelvic lymph node dissection.
Methods
We included 22 patients who underwent lateral pelvic lymph node dissection for rectal cancer between June 2017 and February 2019. Using CT scans, 3D pelvic images and models were constructed and printed, respectively. Thirty colorectal surgeons subjectively evaluated the utility of 3D pelvic models based on a 5-point Likert scale questionnaire (1 = strongly disagree, 5 = strongly agree).
Results
The average Likert score for the question “Would a 3D model be useful for understanding pelvic anatomy?” was 4.68. Cases with clinically diagnosed metastatic lymph nodes (4.79 ± 0.44) scored higher than those without them (4.38 ± 0.77,
p
= 0.02). For spatial comprehension of pelvic anatomy, 3D models scored higher (4.83) than 3D images (4.36,
p
< 0.001). The ease of use of 3D models and images was scored 4.60 and 4.20, respectively (
p
= 0.015). With experience, the 3D image reconstruction time decreased from 900 to 150 min.
Conclusion
The 3D pelvic models may be helpful for experienced surgeons to understand the pelvic anatomy in lateral pelvic lymph node dissection.
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•La2Zr2O7 nanoparticles were synthesised in supercritical water at 450 °C and pH 11.•Highly crystalline pyrochlore La2Zr2O7 was obtained even under such mild condition.•The ...dissolution of La(OH)3 and ZrO2 was accelerated at high T and high pH condition.•The reaction time was lower owing to increasing dissolution of the intermediates.•The environmentally benign process serves as a novel synthetic method for La2Zr2O7.
Pyrochlore La2Zr2O7 nanoparticles were synthesised in supercritical water at 450 °C under a relatively short reaction time. Compared to traditional methods, e.g. solid-state reactions, hydrothermal methods, highly crystalline pyrochlore La2Zr2O7 nanoparticles were obtained even under such mild conditions. Furthermore, the supercritical hydrothermal synthesis of La2Zr2O7 nanoparticles was highly sensitive to the solution pH employed, as La(OH)3 and ZrO2 were formed instead of La2Zr2O7 at pH 10 or lower. pH-controlled dissolution of La(OH)3 and ZrO2 thus regulated the formation and growth of La2Zr2O7. This environmentally benign supercritical hydrothermal process will serve as a novel synthetic method for the preparation of La2Zr2O7 with replacing conventional processes.
Few studies have focused on the awareness of inhaler education in patients and pharmacists who have crucial roles in inhaler education. The aim of this study was to investigate the difference in ...awareness of inhaler education between patients and pharmacists. We conducted questionnaire-based surveys involving 270 patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and 139 pharmacists of 13 pharmacies belonging to the same chain dispensing pharmacy in Hyogo prefecture of Japan in July 2011. We obtained valid responses from 230 patients (85.2%) and 139 pharmacists (100%). Although 75% of pharmacists provided inhaler education about the importance of continuation, only 16% of patients felt that they had learned the importance of continuation. Similarly, 95% of pharmacists provided inhaler education about the importance of gargling, however, only 57% of patients felt that they had learned the importance of gargling. This survey clarified the difference in awareness between pharmacists and patients on inhaler education. It proved to be difficult to educate patients on the importance of compliance and gargling.
In Western countries, the gold-standard therapeutic strategy for rectal cancer is preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) following total mesorectal excision (TME), without lateral lymph node dissection ...(LLND). However, preoperative CRT has recently been reported to be insufficient to control lateral lymph node recurrence in cases of enlarged lateral lymph nodes before CRT, and LLND is considered necessary in such cases. We performed a literature review on aspects of pelvic anatomy associated with rectal surgery and LLND, and then combined this information with our experience and knowledge of pelvic anatomy. In this review, drawing upon research using a 3-dimensional anatomical model and actual operative views, we aimed to clarify the essential anatomy for LLND. The LLND procedure was developed in Asian countries and can now be safely performed in terms of functional preservation. Nonetheless, the longer operative time, hemorrhage, and higher complication rates with TME accompanied by LLND than with TME alone indicate that LLND is still a challenging procedure. Laparoscopic or robotic LLND has been shown to be useful and is widely performed; however, without a sufficient understanding of anatomical landmarks, misrecognition of vessels and nerves often occurs. To perform safe and accurate LLND, understanding the landmarks of LLND is essential.
•Organically coated ceria nanoparticles have the tendency to adsorb on mica.•The adsorbed nanoparticles were studied by the surface forces apparatus.•The measured surface forces exhibit a hysteresis ...after compression.•The nanotribology of the particles was investigated by shear measurements.•Confined particle films significantly reduce the friction between mica surfaces.
The normal forces between mica surfaces confining dispersions of ceria (CeO2) nanoparticles in decalin were measured using the surface forces apparatus. The nanoparticles (size ca. 6nm), synthesized under supercritical conditions in a cubic shape, were coated with decanoic acid. A repulsion force appeared at a distance of 50–80nm for the first compression, whereas the range was reduced in the subsequent approaches. This indicated that the nanoparticles were rearranged on the mica surface by compression from a disordered initial adsorption pattern. Resonance shear measurements were applied for the first time to a nanoparticle dispersion. The confined particle layers were shown to significantly reduce the friction compared to the mica–mica contact. Those results should contribute to the understanding of the assembly of nanoparticles into thin films under confinement and to the implementation of nanomaterials in tribological applications.
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