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The electronic and optical properties of a two-dimensional (2D) pristine SiP 2 S monolayer under biaxial strain effect are investigated by means of density functional theory. Firstly, we have highlighted the band gap under biaxial strain. The SiP 2 S monolayer is an indirect semiconductor material. Its obtained electronic band structures demonstrate that its band gap can be modulated by the strain. It has been observed that, when the tensile (compressive) strain increases, the band gap of the SiP 2 S monolayer decreases (increases). Secondly, its optical properties were examined under the strain effect, from which it was explicitly shown that different absorption spectra are obtained at different strain values. Thus, the proposed material is extremely suitable for use in adjustable detectors for optoelectronic applications.

The unique temperature-dependent strain-optical and stress-optical behavior of poly(4-methyl-1-pentene) (P4MP) is reported during uniaxial deformation in the rubbery state. For P4MP the birefringence is found to increase with an increase in deformation temperature, which is opposite to the behavior of other polyolefins such as polypropylene and polyethylene. Real-time stress-strain-birefringence measurements are supplemented with offline wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) and infrared (FTIR) measurements.

Three-dimensional (3D) printing application is a promising method for bone tissue engineering. For enhanced bone tissue regeneration, it is essential to have printable composite materials with appealing properties such as construct porous, mechanical strength, thermal properties, controlled degradation rates, and the presence of bioactive materials. In this study, polycaprolactone (PCL), gelatin (GEL), bacterial cellulose (BC), and different hydroxyapatite (HA) concentrations were used to fabricate a novel PCL/GEL/BC/HA composite scaffold using 3D printing method for bone tissue engineering applications. Pore structure, mechanical, thermal, and chemical analyses were evaluated. 3D scaffolds with an ideal pore size (~300 µm) for use in bone tissue engineering were generated. The addition of both bacterial cellulose (BC) and hydroxyapatite (HA) into PCL/GEL scaffold increased cell proliferation and attachment. PCL/GEL/BC/HA composite scaffolds provide a potential for bone tissue engineering applications.

The effect of temperature on the performance parameters [short-circuit current density (JSC), open-circuit voltage (VOC), fill factor (FF), and conversion efficiency (η)] of stand-alone germanium (Ge) solar cells has been theoretically investigated. Although JSC increased with increasing temperature, η decreased due to a decrease in VOC and the associated decrease in the FF. The performance parameters JSC, VOC, FF, and η of a fabricated stand-alone Ge solar cell were determined from current–voltage (I–V) measurements. The significant differences between the obtained theoretical and experimental data may be related to both the use of idealized cases in the theoretical studies and the loss mechanisms considered to adversely affect the performance of the fabricated stand-alone Ge solar cell.

Objective. Interleukin-35 (IL-35), an interleukin-12 (IL-12) cytokine family member, is shown to be a potent immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory cytokine. Inducible regulatory T cells (Tregs) produce IL-35 that mediates the immune inhibitory function of Tregs. Growing evidence revealed that upregulation of IL-35 expression may play a critical role in the prevention of autoimmune diseases in various experimental autoimmunity models and vice versa. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) is considered to be a Treg cell-related autoimmune disease with loss of self-tolerance. Methods. One hundred-twenty eight subjects, newly diagnosed hypothyroid HT patients [56 overt (Group 1), 72 subclinical hypothyroid (Group 2)] and 38 healthy controls (Group 3) were enrolled in the study. The levels of serum IL-35 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results. Serum IL-35 levels were lower in the HT group when compared with subclinical HT group [304.5 (834.6) pg/ml vs. 636.1 (1542.0) pg/ml, p=0.004] and control cases [304.5 (834.6) pg/ml vs. 1064.7 (2526.8) pg/ml, p<0.001]. Serum IL-35 levels were inversely associated with thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH; rs=-0.396, p<0.001) and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb; rs=-0.571, p<0.001) in whole group. Serum IL-35 were negatively associated with TSH (rs=-0.264, p=0.003) and TPOAb (rs=-0.735, p<0.001) in patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (Group 1 + Group 2). Conclusion. The results suggest that IL-35 may play a role in the pathogenesis of HT.

The development of crystalline structure and orientation during uniaxial stretching of cast amorphous linear and branched lactic acid films were investigated in the rubbery temperature ranges that spans between glass transition temperature and cold crystallization temperature. This material exhibited almost ideal stress‐strain behavior in the temperature range 65–80°C. Because of its strain crystallizability, films with uniform thickness can be obtained at high deformation levels as a result of self‐leveling. Branching was found to retard this self‐leveling through its slightly detrimental effect on the strain hardening. Upon stretching the material undergoes rapid orientation in the amorphous state and beyond a critical level very sharp and highly oriented β crystalline form chains with −3/1 helix. If the temperature is at or below Tg, with additional stretching, the films were found to revert to a highly oriented amorphous state through the destruction of the crystalline domains. At higher temperatures, further stretching results in continuation of improvement in crystalline order.

The influence of blend composition and processing conditions on the surface roughness and thickness uniformity of PVDF/PMMA blends were investigated in uniaxial and biaxial deformation mode for PVDV and PVDF/PMMA blends 70/30, 55/45, and 40/60 wt%. The addition of PMMA retards the thermal crystallizability of the blends and this allows rapid solidification into films with little or no crystallinities. Such precursors with lowered crystallinity were found to be easily uni‐ and biaxially stretched into uniform and transparent films in the temperature range between the glass transition temperature and cold crystallization temperature where they exhibit strain hardening. Thus, these blends are suitable for processes such as tenter frame biaxial stretching, double bubble film blowing, and stretch blow molding where they will exhibit good transparency and thickness uniformity. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 47:2110–2117, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers

Background: Long-term survivors of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) are at risk of developing a range of late effects, with a second malignant neoplasm and cardiovascular diseases being the leading causes of death in these patients. The present study aims to evaluate the late side effects in children with HL. Materials and Methods: Out of 53 HL patients, we assessed the long-term effects of childhood HL survivors (HLSs; n = 50) diagnosed between 1998 and 2019. Patient data related to chronic health conditions, and sociodemographic characteristics were compared with their siblings (n = 56). Results: The cumulative overall survival (OS) at 1, 5, and 10 years from diagnosis was 98.1 ± 1.9%, 93.3 ± 3.8%, and 93.3 ± 3.8%, respectively. Groups of HLSs and their siblings were matched according to age and gender. Compared with siblings, survivors had will be changed as 'a higher frequency of nephrotoxicity (P = 0.02)', cardiotoxicity (P = 0.12), thyroid dysfunction (P = 0.001), health care service usage (P < 0.01), limitation of physical function (P = 0.01), and pulmonary disease (P = 0.01). The control group of siblings had a higher incidence of marital status (P < 0.01), parenthood (P = 0.01), and smoking habit (P = 0.03). Thyroid dysfunction was associated with neck radiotherapy (P < 0.01). No secondary neoplasm was detected. In relapsed, refractory setting (n = 10), autologous transplantation (n = 9) is performed after a complete remission. Brentuximab vedotin with or without bendamustine and rituximab is also used in selected patients. Conclusions: Increased number of chronic health conditions and social problems point to the significance of long-term follow-up of HLSs. We are currently preparing a survivorship guideline appropriate for Turkey's conditions. Implications for Cancer Survivors: Renal, heart, pulmonary impairment, thyroid dysfunction, limitation in physical functioning, and deterioration in social status (marriage, having children, education).

The MnO–Zn thin films were fabricated by radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering and compared with pulse electrodeposition (PED) Zn thin films, doped with MnO and ZrO nanoparticles. Surface morphology, structural properties, chemical composition and corrosion resistance of these coatings were investigated by using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, 3-D scanning interferometry and environmental chamber. Surface morphology and degree of crystallinity have different behaviours for different deposition methods. Pulse-coated films have polycrystalline structure with high surface roughness (Ra), whereas sputtered films are monocrystalline with reduced roughness (Ra). Corrosion tests of both RF sputter and PED films revealed that the distribution of corrosion products formed on the surface of sputter films were not severe in extent as in case of electrodeposited coatings. Results showed that the doping of ZrO nano-sized particles in Zn matrix and Mn–Zn composite films significantly improved the corrosion resistance of PED thin films.