Customizing hydrothermal properties of inkjet printed sensitive films by functionalization of carbon nanotubes.

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are attractive materials for realizing sensors, owing to their high aspect ratio associated with excellent mechanical, electronic, and thermal properties. Moreover, their sensing properties can be tuned by introducing functional groups on their framework and adjusting the processing conditions. In this paper, we investigate the potential of functionalized CNTs for humidity and temperature sensing by optimization of the functionalization, the processing conditions and the printing conditions. The morphology of the differently functionalized MWCNTs is investigated by infrared spectroscopy (IR), scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetry (TG) and TG-coupled mass-spectrometric studies. Using the functionalized MWCNTs, films were fabricated with different numbers of layers (4, 6, 8, 10 layers) via inkjet printing on a flexible polyimide substrate containing an interdigital microelectrode. The influence of hydrothermal effects was investigated. The sensitivity to humidity is higher for films prepared with MWCNTs functionalized with a high sonication amplitude and a bigger number of layers due to enhancements of hydrophilicity and water mobility. A higher sensitivity to temperature is achieved by a low sonication amplitude and a small number of layers. For the encapsulation of the temperature sensor against humidity, a Bectron layer is proposed, which reduces also the hysteresis effect. This study demonstrates the efficiency of carboxylic functionalized MWCNTs deposit by inkjet printing for realization of sensitive and cost-effective humidity and temperature sensors. It provides a real example for the interesting contribution of functionalization procedures to the sensing properties of MWCNTs films.

Comparison of discriminant analysis procedures in laboratory differentiation of hypercalcemia.

Logistic, linear, and quadratic discriminant analyses were compared in their ability to differentiate hypercalcemic patients with primary hyperparathyroidism from those with malignancy. Linear and quadratic discriminant analyses were performed by use of both untransformed and logarithmically transformed data. Application of principal components analysis with varimax rotation was helpful in revealing the underlying relationships between variables. All discriminant methods identified serum albumin as the best single discriminating test, with the log-quadratic discriminant analysis classifying 81% of patients correctly. The combination of albumin, carboxy-terminal parathyroid hormone, and chloride improved classification accuracy (92% by use of log-quadratic discriminant analysis). Logistic discriminant analysis, using all 20 variables, gave a classification accuracy of 100%. Quadratic discriminant analysis gave better classification than linear discriminant analysis, and both methods performed better when log-transformed data were used. Logistic discriminant analysis followed by discrimination procedures using log-transformed data yielded the highest classification accuracy and reliability of the methods used.

A method for refixation of the multifractured respiratory cranium.

So-called Tantalum-Visors are used to refixate the multifractured facial skeleton, torn off the base of the skull by trauma, in a three dimensional way to avoid dishface and pseudotelorismus. These visors are kept in storage: a small model--glabella visor, and a large one--zygomatic visor. Of both types, a bigger one is for the head of a male, a smaller for a female and still smaller for youth, because it is impossible to make an individual mold immediately following an accident.

[The development of the vertebrate skull (author's transl)]. / Die Schädelentwicklung bei den Vertebraten.

The greater metabolic demands for oxygen in warm-blooded animals led to the separation of the upper respiratory tract from the digestive during development and the evolution of a "respiratory skull." The sphenoid sinus originated from the posterior divisions of the nasal cavity, and adapted itself functionally to the other pneumatic cavities. The latter represent inversions of the main nasal cavity and are found only in mammals. The "respiratory skull" is considered to be not only a clinical nosologic entity but also a development step of vertebrate skull formation.

[Approach and reconstruction in the operative treatment of tumors of the tongue, epiglottis, floor of the mouth and pharynx]. / Zugang und Wiederaufbau bei der operativen Behandlung von Tumoren der Zunge, Vallecula, Mundboden und Pharynx

This paper explains a new way of a temporary splitting of the lower jaw and the reconstruction of the tongue and the floor of the mouth. The described way of the temporary splitting of the lower jaw allows to maintain the nerve and results in better suppositions for the reposition and osteosynthesis. For the reconstruction of the tongue and the floor of the mouth, an island flap is reommended. The flap consists of the musculus sternocleidomastoideus, pedicled inferiorly in its cranial part of the skin. The skin taking extends over the insertion of the muscle up to the beginning of the hairy part. With this flap it is possible to cover even large defects in the floor of the mouth and its taking does scarcely bother the patient. Thus, in many cases the flap gives the suppositions to maintain the lower jaw.