Despite early institution of cardiac pacing, some infants with CHB develop LV cardiomyopathy. Patients with CHB require close follow-up not only of their cardiac rate and rhythm, but also ventricular function.

Platinum diselenide (PtSe) is a group-10 transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) that has unique electronic properties, in particular a semimetal-to-semiconductor transition when going from bulk to monolayer form. We report on vertical hybrid Schottky barrier diodes (SBDs) of two-dimensional (2D) PtSe thin films on crystalline n-type silicon. The diodes have been fabricated by transferring large-scale layered PtSe films, synthesized by thermally assisted conversion of predeposited Pt films at back-end-of-the-line CMOS compatible temperatures, onto SiO/Si substrates. The diodes exhibit obvious rectifying behavior with a photoresponse under illumination. Spectral response analysis reveals a maximum responsivity of 490 mA/W at photon energies above the Si bandgap and relatively weak responsivity, in the range of 0.1-1.5 mA/W, at photon energies below the Si bandgap. In particular, the photoresponsivity of PtSe in infrared allows PtSe to be utilized as an absorber of infrared light with tunable sensitivity. The results of our study indicate that PtSe is a promising option for the development of infrared absorbers and detectors for optoelectronics applications with low-temperature processing conditions.

Surgical robot systems can work beyond the limits of human perception, dexterity and scale making them inherently suitable for use in microsurgical procedures. However, despite extensive research, image-guided robotics applications for microsurgery have seen limited introduction into clinical care to date. Among others, challenges are geometric scale and haptic resolution at which the surgeon cannot sufficiently control a device outside the range of human faculties. Mechanisms are required to ascertain redundant control on process variables that ensure safety of the device, much like instrument-flight in avionics. Cochlear implantation surgery is a microsurgical procedure, in which specific tasks are at sub-millimetric scale and exceed reliable visuo-tactile feedback. Cochlear implantation is subject to intra- and inter-operative variations, leading to potentially inconsistent clinical and audiological outcomes for patients. The concept of robotic cochlear implantation aims to increase consistency of surgical outcomes such as preservation of residual hearing and reduce invasiveness of the procedure. We report successful image-guided, robotic CI in human. The robotic treatment model encompasses: computer-assisted surgery planning, precision stereotactic image-guidance, in-situ assessment of tissue properties and multipolar neuromonitoring (NM), all based on in vitro, in vivo and pilot data. The model is expandable to integrate additional robotic functionalities such as cochlear access and electrode insertion. Our results demonstrate the feasibility and possibilities of using robotic technology for microsurgery on the lateral skull base. It has the potential for benefit in other microsurgical domains for which there is no task-oriented, robotic technology available at present.

Abstract-We

Purpose: Assessment of donor site morbidity and recipient site complications following free radial forearm osteocutaneous flap (FRFOCF) harvest and evaluation of patient perceived upper limb disability for free radial forearm osteocutaneous versus fasciocutaneous flaps (FRFF). Methods: First a case series was undertaken of 218 patients who underwent an FRFOCF at two tertiary referral centers between February 1998 and November 2010. Outcomes included forearm donor site morbidity and recipient site complications. Second, the disability of the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) questionnaire assessing patient perceived arm disability was administered by phone to 60 consecutive patients who underwent an FRFOCF or FRFF. Results: Mean patient age was 63 years with male predominance (62.8%). Median bone length harvested was 8 cm (range, 3–12 cm) with prophylactic plating of the radius following harvest. Donor site morbidity included fracture (1 patient, 0.5%) and sensory neuropathy (5 patients, 2.3%). Mean DASH scores were comparative between groups and to established normative values. Mandibular malunion rate was 3.2% and hardware extrusion at the recipient site occurred in 15.6%. Conclusion: Reluctance to perform FRFOCF by surgeons usually centers on concerns regarding potential donor site morbidity and adequacy of available bone stock; however, we identified minimal objective or patient perceived donor site morbidity or recipient site complications following harvest of FRFOCFs. Mild wrist weakness and stiffness are common but do not impede ability to perform activities of daily living. Data from this and other reports suggest this flap is particularly useful for midfacial and short segment mandibular reconstruction. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery, 2012.