Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of endovenous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and laser ablation (EVLA) in the treatment of superficial varicose veins of the lower extremities. Methods: Seventy-eight patients with s...Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of endovenous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and laser ablation (EVLA) in the treatment of superficial varicose veins of the lower extremities. Methods: Seventy-eight patients with superficial varicose veins treated at a hospital between April 2022 and May 2023 were selected and divided into a radiofrequency ablation group (RFA group;39 cases) and a laser ablation group (EVLA group;39 cases) based on the treatment method. Operation time, postoperative recovery duration, venous clinical severity score (VCSS) changes, complication rates, closure rates, and recurrence rates were compared between the groups at 1 month, 3 months, and 12 months postoperatively. The postoperative therapeutic outcomes were comprehensively evaluated. Results: No significant differences in age, gender, disease grade, or disease course were observed between the groups (P > 0.05). The superficial varicose vein closure rate was 100% in both groups at 1 and 3 months postoperatively. At 12 months, the closure rate was 94.87% in the RFA group and 97.43% in the EVLA group, with no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05). No significant differences were observed in VCSS changes or complication incidence between the groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Radiofrequency ablation and laser ablation demonstrate comparable efficacy and safety in the treatment of superficial varicose veins of the lower extremities.展开更多
The development of highly active and cost-effective catalysts for the full pH range of the hydrogen evolution reaction(HER)to meet the industrial application demands is an urgent challenge.In this work,the performance...The development of highly active and cost-effective catalysts for the full pH range of the hydrogen evolution reaction(HER)to meet the industrial application demands is an urgent challenge.In this work,the performance and structure–activityrelationships of CuIr alloys prepared by the pulsed laser ablation in liquid technique as full pH range HER catalysts wereinvestigated.Results indicated that Ir is doped into the Cu matrix as single atoms in CuIr-0.1,and CuIr-0.1 single-atom alloys(SAAs)exhibit superior HER performance and stability across the full pH range,with overpotentials of 135,203,and 172 mVat the current density of 10 mA/cm^(2)in acidic,neutral,and alkaline electrolytes,respectively.The enhanced performance ofCuIr-0.1 SAAs can be attributed to the abundant active sites and accelerated reaction kinetics brought about by the electroniceffects.This work successfully alloyed two immiscible metals to improve the catalytic performance,providing an avenue forthe development of highly efficient and versatile HER catalysts for industrial applications.展开更多
Exsolution,as an effective approach to constructing particle-decorated interfaces,is still challenging to yield interfacial films rather than isolated particles.Inspired by in vivo near-infrared laser photothermal the...Exsolution,as an effective approach to constructing particle-decorated interfaces,is still challenging to yield interfacial films rather than isolated particles.Inspired by in vivo near-infrared laser photothermal therapy,using 3 mol%Y_(2)O_(3)stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystals(3Y-TZP)as host oxide matrix and iron-oxide(Fe3O4/γ-Fe_(2)O_(3)/α-Fe_(2)O_(3))materials as photothermal modulator and exsolution resource,femtosecond laser ultrafast exsolution approach is presented enabling to conquer this challenge.The key is to trigger photothermal annealing behavior via femtosecond laser ablation to initialize phase transition from monoclinic zirconia(m-ZrO_(2))to tetragonal zirconia(t-ZrO_(2))and induce t-ZrO_(2)columnar crystal growth.Fe-ions rapidly segregate along grain boundaries and diffuse towards the outmost surface,and become‘frozen’,highlighting the potential to use photothermal materials and ultrafast heating/quenching behaviors of femtosecond laser ablation for interfacial exsolution.Triggering interfacial iron-oxide coloring exsolution is composition and concentration dependent.Photothermal materials themselves and corresponding photothermal transition capacity play a crucial role,initializing at 2 wt%,3 wt%,and 5 wt%for Fe3O4/γ-Fe_(2)O_(3)/α-Fe_(2)O_(3)doped 3Y-TZP samples.Due to different photothermal effects,exsolution states of ablated 5 wt%Fe_(3)O_(4)/γ-Fe_(2)O_(3)/α-Fe_(2)O_(3)-doped 3Y-TZP samples are totally different,with whole coverage,exhaustion(ablated away)and partial exsolution(rich in the grain boundaries in subsurface),respectively.Femtosecond laser ultrafast photothermal exsolution is uniquely featured by up to now the deepest microscale(10μm from 5 wt%-Fe_(3)O_(4)-3Y-TZP sample)Fe-elemental deficient layer for exsolution and the whole coverage of exsolved materials rather than the formation of isolated exsolved particles by other methods.It is believed that this novel exsolution method may pave a good way to modulate interfacial properties for extensive applications in the fields of biology,optics/photonics,energy,catalysis,environment,etc.展开更多
MoS_(2)targets were irradiated by infra-red(IR)pulsed laser in a high vacuum to determine hot plasma parameters,atomic,molecular and ion emission,and angular and charge state distributions.In this way,pulsed laser dep...MoS_(2)targets were irradiated by infra-red(IR)pulsed laser in a high vacuum to determine hot plasma parameters,atomic,molecular and ion emission,and angular and charge state distributions.In this way,pulsed laser deposition(PLD)of thin films on graphene oxide substrates was also realized.An Nd:YAG laser,operating at the 1064 nm wavelength with a 5 ns pulse duration and up to a 1 J pulse energy,in a single pulse or at a 10 Hz repetition rate,was employed.Ablation yield was measured as a function of the laser fluence.Plasma was characterized using different analysis techniques,such as time-of-flight measurements,quadrupole mass spectrometry and fast CCD visible imaging.The so-produced films were characterized by composition,thickness,roughness,wetting ability,and morphology.When compared to the MoS_(2)targets,they show a slight decrease of S with respect to Mo,due to higher ablation yield,low fusion temperature and high sublimation in vacuum.The pulsed IR laser deposited Mo Sx(with 1<x<2)films are uniform,with a thickness of about 130 nm,a roughness of about 50 nm and a higher wettability than the MoS_(2)targets.Some potential applications of the pulsed IR laser-deposited Mo Sx films are also presented and discussed.展开更多
Objective: To evaluate transperineal laser ablation (TPLA) with Echolaser® (Echolaser® TPLA, Elesta S.p.A., Calenzano, Italy) as a treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer (PCa) u...Objective: To evaluate transperineal laser ablation (TPLA) with Echolaser® (Echolaser® TPLA, Elesta S.p.A., Calenzano, Italy) as a treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer (PCa) using the Delphi consensus method.Methods: Italian and international experts on BPH and PCa participated in a collaborative consensus project. During two rounds, they expressed their opinions on Echolaser® TPLA for the treatment of BPH and PCa answering online questionnaires on indications, methodology, and potential complications of this technology. Level of agreement or disagreement to reach consensus was set at 75%. If the consensus was not achieved, questions were modified after each round. A final round was performed during an online meeting, in which results were discussed and finalized.Results: Thirty-two out of forty invited experts participated and consensus was reached on all topics. Agreement was achieved on recommending Echolaser® TPLA as a treatment of BPH in patients with ample range of prostate volume, from <40 mL (80%) to >80 mL (80%), comorbidities (100%), antiplatelet or anticoagulant treatment (96%), indwelling catheter (77%), and strong will of preserving ejaculatory function (100%). Majority of respondents agreed that Echolaser® TPLA is a potential option for the treatment of localized PCa (78%) and recommended it for low-risk PCa (90%). During the final round, experts concluded that it can be used for intermediate-risk PCa and it should be proposed as an effective alternative to radical prostatectomy for patients with strong will of avoiding urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction. Almost all participants agreed that the transperineal approach of this organ-sparing technique is safer than transrectal and transurethral approaches typical of other techniques (97% of agreement among experts). Pre-procedural assessment, technical aspects, post-procedural catheterization, pharmacological therapy, and expected outcomes were discussed, leading to statements and recommendations.Conclusion: Echolaser® TPLA is a safe and effective procedure that treats BPH and localized PCa with satisfactory functional and sexual outcomes.展开更多
We investigated the role of metal atomization and solvent decomposition into reductive species and carbon clusters in the phase formation of transition-metal carbides(TMCs;namely,Co_(3)C,Fe_(3)C,TiC,and MoC)by pulsed ...We investigated the role of metal atomization and solvent decomposition into reductive species and carbon clusters in the phase formation of transition-metal carbides(TMCs;namely,Co_(3)C,Fe_(3)C,TiC,and MoC)by pulsed laser ablation of Co,Fe,Ti,and Mo metals in acetone.The interaction between carbon s-p-orbitals and metal d-orbitals causes a redistribution of valence structure through charge transfer,leading to the formation of surface defects as observed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.These defects influence the evolved TMCs,making them effective for hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions(HER and OER)in an alkaline medium.Co_(3)C with more oxygen affinity promoted CoO(OH)intermediates,and the electrochemical surface oxidation to Co_(3)O_(4)was captured via in situ/operando electrochemical Raman probes,increasing the number of active sites for OER activity.MoC with more d-vacancies exhibits strong hydrogen binding,promoting HER kinetics,whereas Fe_(3)C and TiC with more defect states to trap charge carriers may hinder both OER and HER activities.The results show that the assembled membrane-less electrolyzer with Co_(3)C∥Co_(3)C and MoC∥MoC electrodes requires~2.01 and 1.99 V,respectively,to deliver a 10 mA cm−2 with excellent electrochemical and structural stability.In addition,the ascertained pulsed laser synthesis mechanism and unit-cell packing relations will open up sustainable pathways for obtaining highly stable electrocatalysts for electrolyzers.展开更多
SiO is a wide-spread molecule found in interstellar space.Previous research has primarily focused on its spectroscopy,while its photodissociation dynamics is elusive to study due to high dissociation energy.Using time...SiO is a wide-spread molecule found in interstellar space.Previous research has primarily focused on its spectroscopy,while its photodissociation dynamics is elusive to study due to high dissociation energy.Using time-sliced ion velocity imaging technique,we observed the Si(^(3)P)+O(^(3)P)photodissociation process resulting from the excitation of highly vibrationally excited SiO(X^(1)Σ^(+),υ=13-18)molecules to the SiO(A^(1)Π,E^(1)Σ^(+))states at 193 nm.The vibrationally excited SiO molecules were generated via laser ablation of silicon rod with the collision of the oxygen molecular beam acting as carrier gas and reaction gas.The bond dissociation energy D_(e)(Si-O)is determined to be 67253±110 cm^(-1)(8.34±0.01 eV)based on the kinetic energy distribution spectrum.The SiO photodissociation study has deepened our understanding of the mechanisms of silicon chemistry for silica-rich rocky meteors as they burn in the Earth's atmosphere,and the dissociation of SiO from ablation of meteoroids following ultraviolet photon absorption.展开更多
Aluminum alloy is used as the support of final optical assembly because of its excellent mechanical properties,which constitutes th e“skeleton”of high-power laser system.Stray light reflected by weak optical element...Aluminum alloy is used as the support of final optical assembly because of its excellent mechanical properties,which constitutes th e“skeleton”of high-power laser system.Stray light reflected by weak optical elements in high power laser system will fall on the inner wall frame of aluminum alloy,which will cause damage and produce impurity particles,polluting the entire optical system.However,the research on the damage mechanism and protection technology of aluminum alloy under the action of high-power laser system is still in the initial stage.This paper introduces the interaction mechanism between laser and materials,analyzes the laser damage mechanism of aluminum alloy from the perspective of plasma nano metal particle ablation,reviews the progress of laser-induced damage protection of aluminum alloy,and prospects the future research direction of laser absorption and damage protection technology of aluminum alloy under the action of high-energy laser.展开更多
GHz burst-mode femtosecond(fs)laser,which emits a series of pulse trains with extremely short intervals of several hundred picoseconds,provides distinct characteristics in materials processing as compared with the con...GHz burst-mode femtosecond(fs)laser,which emits a series of pulse trains with extremely short intervals of several hundred picoseconds,provides distinct characteristics in materials processing as compared with the conventional irradiation scheme of fs laser(single-pulse mode).In this paper,we take advantage of the moderate pulse interval of 205 ps(4.88 GHz)in the burst pulse for high-quality and high-efficiency micromachining of single crystalline sapphire by laser induced plasma assisted ablation(LIPAA).Specifically,the preceding pulses in the burst generate plasma by ablation of copper placed behind the sapphire substrate,which interacts with the subsequent pulses to induce ablation at the rear surface of sapphire substrates.As a result,not only the ablation quality but also the ablation efficiency and the fabrication resolution are greatly improved compared to the other schemes including single-pulse mode fs laser direct ablation,single-pulse mode fs-LIPAA,and nanosecond-LIPAA.展开更多
We report a newly constructed laser ablation crossed molecular beam apparatus, equipped with time-sliced velocity map imaging technique, to study state-to-state metal atom reaction dynamics. Supersonic metal atomic be...We report a newly constructed laser ablation crossed molecular beam apparatus, equipped with time-sliced velocity map imaging technique, to study state-to-state metal atom reaction dynamics. Supersonic metal atomic beam is generated by laser vaporization of metal rod, and free expansion design without gas flow channel has been employed to obtain a good quality of metal atomic beam. We have chosen the crossed-beam reaction Al+O2 to test the performance of the new apparatus. Two-rotational-states selected AIO(X^2∑+, v=0, N and N+I4) products can be imaged via P(N) and R(N+14) branches of the Av=l band at the same wavelength, during (1+1) resonance-enhanced multi-photon ionization through the AIO(D2E+) intermediate state. In our experiment at 244.145 nm for simultaneous transitions of P(15) and R(29) branch, two rings in slice image were clearly distinguishable, corresponding to the AiO(v=0, N=IS) and AIO(v=0, N=29) states respectively. The energy difference between the two rotational levels is 403 cm^-1. The success of two states resolved in our apparatus suggests a better collisional energy resolution compared with the recent research study [J. Chem. Phys. 140, 214304 (2014)].展开更多
Liquid-assisted laser ablation has the advantage of relieving thermal effects of common laser ablation processes, whereas the light scattering and shielding effects by laser-induced cavitation bubbles, suspended debri...Liquid-assisted laser ablation has the advantage of relieving thermal effects of common laser ablation processes, whereas the light scattering and shielding effects by laser-induced cavitation bubbles, suspended debris, and turbulent liquid flow generally deteriorate laser beam transmission stability, leading to low energy efficiency and poor surface quality. Here, we report that a continuous and directional high-speed microjet will form in the laser ablation zone if laser-induced primary cavitation bubbles asymmetrically collapse sequentially near the air-liquid interface under a critical thin liquid layer. The laser-induced microjet can instantaneously and directionally remove secondary bubbles and ablation debris around the laser ablation region, and thus a very stable material removal process can be obtained. The shadowgraphs of high-speed camera reveal that the average speed of laser-induced continuous microjet can be as high as 1.1 m sin its initial 500 μm displacement. The coupling effect of laser ablation, mechanical impact along with the collapse of cavitation bubbles and flushing of high-speed microjet helps achieve a high material removal rate and significantly improved surface quality. We name this uncovered liquid-assisted laser ablation process as laser-induced microjet-assisted ablation(LIMJAA) based on its unique characteristics. High-quality microgrooves with a large depth-to-width ratio of 5.2 are obtained by LIMJAA with a single-pass laser scanning process in our experiments. LIMJAA is capable of machining various types of difficult-to-process materials with high-quality arrays of micro-channels, square and circle microscale through-holes. The results and disclosed mechanisms in our work provide a deep understanding of the role of laser-induced microjet in improving the processing quality of liquid-assisted laser micromachining.展开更多
Orientations of laser induced periodic surface structures(LIPSS)are usually considered to be governed by the laser polarization state.In this work,we unveil that fluid dynamics induced by femtosecond(fs)laser ablation...Orientations of laser induced periodic surface structures(LIPSS)are usually considered to be governed by the laser polarization state.In this work,we unveil that fluid dynamics induced by femtosecond(fs)laser ablation in liquid(fs-LAL)can easily break this polarization restriction to produce irregular circular-LIPSS(CLIPPS)and crisscross-LIPSS(CCLIPSS).Fs laser ablation of silicon in water shows formation of diverse LIPSS depending on ablation conditions.At a high power of 700 mW(repetition rate of 100 kHz,pulse duration of 457 fs and wavelength of 1045 nm),single/twin CLIPSS are produced at the bottom of macropores of several microns in diameter due to the formation of strong liquid vortexes and occurrence of the vortex shedding effect.Theoretical simulations validate our speculation about the formation of liquid vortex with an ultrahigh static pressure,which can induce the microstructure trenches and cracks at the sidewalls for fs-LAL of Si and tungsten(W)in water,respectively.At a low power of 50 mW,weak liquid vortexes are produced,which only give birth to curved LIPSS in the valleys of grooves.Consequently,it is deduced that liquid vortex plays a crucial role in the formation of macropores.Mountain-like microstructures induce complex fluid dynamics which can cause the formation of CCLIPSS on them.It is believed that liquid vortexes and fluid dynamics presented in this work open up new possibilities to diversify the morphologies of LIPSS formed by fs-LAL.展开更多
Radiofrequency ablation(RFA) is currently the most popular and used ablation modality for the treatment ofnon surgical patients with primary and secondary liver tumors, but in the last years microwave ablation(MWA) is...Radiofrequency ablation(RFA) is currently the most popular and used ablation modality for the treatment ofnon surgical patients with primary and secondary liver tumors, but in the last years microwave ablation(MWA) is being technically improved and widely rediscovered for clinical use. Laser thermal ablation(LTA) is by far less investigated and used than RFA and MWA, but the available data on its effectiveness and safety are quite good and comparable to those of RFA and MWA. All the three hyperthermia-based ablative techniques, when performed by skilled operators, can successfully treat all liver tumors eligible for thermal ablation, and to date in most centers of interventional oncology or interventional radiology the choice of the technique usually depends on the physician's preference and experience, or technical availability. However, RFA, MWA, and LTA have peculiar advantages and limitations that can make each of them more suitable than the other ones to treat patients and tumors with different characteristics. When all the three thermal ablation techniques are available, the choice among RFA, MWA, and LTA should be guided by their advantages and disadvantages, number, size, and location of the liver nodules, and cost-saving considerations, in order to give patients the best treatment option.展开更多
The proposed heavy ion inertial fusion(HIF)scenarios require ampere class low charge state ion beams of heavy species.The laser ion source(LIS)is recognized as one of the promising candidates of ion beam providers,sin...The proposed heavy ion inertial fusion(HIF)scenarios require ampere class low charge state ion beams of heavy species.The laser ion source(LIS)is recognized as one of the promising candidates of ion beam providers,since it can deliver high brightness heavy ion beams to accelerators.The design of LIS for the HIF depends on the accelerator structure and accelerator complex following the source.In this article,we discuss the specifications and design of an appropriate LIS assuming two major types of the accelerators:radio frequency(RF)high quality factor cavity type and non-resonant induction core type.We believe that a properly designed LIS would satisfy the requirements of both types,while some issues need to be verified experimentally.展开更多
We fabricated complex microfluidic devices in silica glass by water-assisted femtosecond laser ablation and sub- sequent heat treatment. The experimental results show that after heat treatment, the diameter of the mic...We fabricated complex microfluidic devices in silica glass by water-assisted femtosecond laser ablation and sub- sequent heat treatment. The experimental results show that after heat treatment, the diameter of the microehannels is significantly reduced and the internal surface roughness is improved. The diameters of the fabricated microehannels can be modulated by changing the annealing temperature and the annealing time. During annealing, the temperature affects the diameter and shape of the protrusions in microfluidic devices very strongly, and these changes are mainly caused by uniform expansion and the action of surface tension.展开更多
In this paper,we investigate laser cleaning using a flattened top laser to remove paint coating from a metal substrate.Under the irradiation of a flattened top laser,the coating paint of the metal substrate can be rem...In this paper,we investigate laser cleaning using a flattened top laser to remove paint coating from a metal substrate.Under the irradiation of a flattened top laser,the coating paint of the metal substrate can be removed efficiently by laser induced ablation,stress,and displacement force.The temperature distribution,stress,and displacement are calculated in the coating layer and substrate using finite element analysis.The effects of a Gaussian laser and a flattened top laser and the results of different diameters of laser spot are compared.The investigation shows that the flattened top laser can reduce the substrate damage and enhance the cleaning efficiency.This method meets the need of large area industrial cleaning applications by optimizing the flattened top laser parameters.展开更多
A novel spatial double-pulse laser ablation scheme is investigated to enhance the processing quality and efficiency fornanosecond laser ablation of silicon substrate. During the double-pulse laser ablation, two splitt...A novel spatial double-pulse laser ablation scheme is investigated to enhance the processing quality and efficiency fornanosecond laser ablation of silicon substrate. During the double-pulse laser ablation, two splitted laser beams simulta-neously irradiate on silicon surface at a tunable gap. The ablation quality and efficiency are evaluated by both scanning electron microscope and laser scanning confocal microscope. As tuning the gap distance, the ablation can be signifi-cantly enhanced if the spatial interaction between the two splitted laser pulses is optimized. The underlying physical mechanism for the interacting spatial double-pulse enhancement effect is attributed to the redistribution of the integratedenergy field, corresponding to the temperature field. This new method has great potential applications in laser microm-achining of functional devices at higher processing quality and faster speed.展开更多
Improving the OER activity of noble metal-based materials is of profound importance to minimize the usage of noble metals and lower the cost.Here,we report considerable improvement on the catalytic activity of RuO_(2)...Improving the OER activity of noble metal-based materials is of profound importance to minimize the usage of noble metals and lower the cost.Here,we report considerable improvement on the catalytic activity of RuO_(2) particles for OER in both alkali and acid environments.The RuO_(2) nanoparticles were treated with a method of pulse laser ablation.Numerous Ru and RuO_(2) clusters were generated at the surface of RuO_(2) nanoparticles after the laser ablation,forming a lychee-shaped morphology.The larger pulse energy RuO_(2) nanoparticles are treated with,the better the OER activity can be.DFT calculations shows that the surface tension induced by the lychee-shaped morphology benefits the OER performance.Our best sample gives an overpotential of 172 mV(at 10 mA cm^(-2))and a Tafel slope of 53.5 mV dec^(-1) in KOH,while an overpotential of 219 mV and a Tafel slope of 44.9 mV dec^(-1) in H_(2)SO_(4),which are of topclass results.This work may inspire a new way to develop high-performance electrocatalysts for OER.展开更多
Ultrashort laser pulses confine material processing to the laser-irradiated area by suppressing heat diffusion,resulting in precise ablation in diverse materials.However,challenges occur when high speed material remov...Ultrashort laser pulses confine material processing to the laser-irradiated area by suppressing heat diffusion,resulting in precise ablation in diverse materials.However,challenges occur when high speed material removal and higher ablation efficiencies are required.Ultrafast burst mode laser ablation has been proposed as a successful method to overcome these limitations.Following this approach,we studied the influence of combining GHz bursts in MHz bursts,known as Bi Burst mode,on ablation efficiency of silicon.Bi Burst mode used in this study consists of multiple bursts happening at a repetition rate of 64 MHz,each of which contains multiple pulses with a repetition rate of 5 GHz.The obtained results show differences between Bi Burst mode and conventional single pulse mode laser ablation,with a remarkable increase in ablation efficiency for the Bi Burst mode,which under optimal conditions can ablate a volume4.5 times larger than the single pulse mode ablation while delivering the same total energy in the process.展开更多
For the practical use of femtosecond laser ablation, inputs of higher laser intensity are preferred to attain high-throughput material removal. However, the use of higher laser intensities for increasing ablation rate...For the practical use of femtosecond laser ablation, inputs of higher laser intensity are preferred to attain high-throughput material removal. However, the use of higher laser intensities for increasing ablation rates can have detrimental effects on ablation quality due to excess heat generation and air ionization. This paper employs ablation using BiBurst femtosecond laser pulses, which consist of multiple bursts(2 and 5 bursts) at a repetition rate of 64 MHz, each containing multiple intra-pulses(2–20 pulses) at an ultrafast repetition rate of 4.88 GHz, to overcome these conflicting conditions. Ablation of silicon substrates using the BiBurst mode with 5 burst pulses and 20 intra-pulses successfully prevents air breakdown at packet energies higher than the pulse energy inducing the air ionization by the conventional femtosecond laser pulse irradiation(single-pulse mode). As a result, ablation speed can be enhanced by a factor of23 without deteriorating the ablation quality compared to that by the single-pulse mode ablation under the conditions where the air ionization is avoided.展开更多
基金supported by the 2024 University Scientific Research Project of Guangzhou Education Bureau(Project No.24312286Certificate No.gd20249983112).
文摘Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of endovenous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and laser ablation (EVLA) in the treatment of superficial varicose veins of the lower extremities. Methods: Seventy-eight patients with superficial varicose veins treated at a hospital between April 2022 and May 2023 were selected and divided into a radiofrequency ablation group (RFA group;39 cases) and a laser ablation group (EVLA group;39 cases) based on the treatment method. Operation time, postoperative recovery duration, venous clinical severity score (VCSS) changes, complication rates, closure rates, and recurrence rates were compared between the groups at 1 month, 3 months, and 12 months postoperatively. The postoperative therapeutic outcomes were comprehensively evaluated. Results: No significant differences in age, gender, disease grade, or disease course were observed between the groups (P > 0.05). The superficial varicose vein closure rate was 100% in both groups at 1 and 3 months postoperatively. At 12 months, the closure rate was 94.87% in the RFA group and 97.43% in the EVLA group, with no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05). No significant differences were observed in VCSS changes or complication incidence between the groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Radiofrequency ablation and laser ablation demonstrate comparable efficacy and safety in the treatment of superficial varicose veins of the lower extremities.
基金supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.52022064 and 51971154).
文摘The development of highly active and cost-effective catalysts for the full pH range of the hydrogen evolution reaction(HER)to meet the industrial application demands is an urgent challenge.In this work,the performance and structure–activityrelationships of CuIr alloys prepared by the pulsed laser ablation in liquid technique as full pH range HER catalysts wereinvestigated.Results indicated that Ir is doped into the Cu matrix as single atoms in CuIr-0.1,and CuIr-0.1 single-atom alloys(SAAs)exhibit superior HER performance and stability across the full pH range,with overpotentials of 135,203,and 172 mVat the current density of 10 mA/cm^(2)in acidic,neutral,and alkaline electrolytes,respectively.The enhanced performance ofCuIr-0.1 SAAs can be attributed to the abundant active sites and accelerated reaction kinetics brought about by the electroniceffects.This work successfully alloyed two immiscible metals to improve the catalytic performance,providing an avenue forthe development of highly efficient and versatile HER catalysts for industrial applications.
基金financially supported by Shanghai Pujiang Program 23PJ1406500.
文摘Exsolution,as an effective approach to constructing particle-decorated interfaces,is still challenging to yield interfacial films rather than isolated particles.Inspired by in vivo near-infrared laser photothermal therapy,using 3 mol%Y_(2)O_(3)stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystals(3Y-TZP)as host oxide matrix and iron-oxide(Fe3O4/γ-Fe_(2)O_(3)/α-Fe_(2)O_(3))materials as photothermal modulator and exsolution resource,femtosecond laser ultrafast exsolution approach is presented enabling to conquer this challenge.The key is to trigger photothermal annealing behavior via femtosecond laser ablation to initialize phase transition from monoclinic zirconia(m-ZrO_(2))to tetragonal zirconia(t-ZrO_(2))and induce t-ZrO_(2)columnar crystal growth.Fe-ions rapidly segregate along grain boundaries and diffuse towards the outmost surface,and become‘frozen’,highlighting the potential to use photothermal materials and ultrafast heating/quenching behaviors of femtosecond laser ablation for interfacial exsolution.Triggering interfacial iron-oxide coloring exsolution is composition and concentration dependent.Photothermal materials themselves and corresponding photothermal transition capacity play a crucial role,initializing at 2 wt%,3 wt%,and 5 wt%for Fe3O4/γ-Fe_(2)O_(3)/α-Fe_(2)O_(3)doped 3Y-TZP samples.Due to different photothermal effects,exsolution states of ablated 5 wt%Fe_(3)O_(4)/γ-Fe_(2)O_(3)/α-Fe_(2)O_(3)-doped 3Y-TZP samples are totally different,with whole coverage,exhaustion(ablated away)and partial exsolution(rich in the grain boundaries in subsurface),respectively.Femtosecond laser ultrafast photothermal exsolution is uniquely featured by up to now the deepest microscale(10μm from 5 wt%-Fe_(3)O_(4)-3Y-TZP sample)Fe-elemental deficient layer for exsolution and the whole coverage of exsolved materials rather than the formation of isolated exsolved particles by other methods.It is believed that this novel exsolution method may pave a good way to modulate interfacial properties for extensive applications in the fields of biology,optics/photonics,energy,catalysis,environment,etc.
基金supported by OP RDE,MEYS,Czech Republic under the project CANAM OP(No.CZ.02.1.01/0.0/0.0/16_013/0001812)by the Czech Science Foundation GACR(No.23-06702S)。
文摘MoS_(2)targets were irradiated by infra-red(IR)pulsed laser in a high vacuum to determine hot plasma parameters,atomic,molecular and ion emission,and angular and charge state distributions.In this way,pulsed laser deposition(PLD)of thin films on graphene oxide substrates was also realized.An Nd:YAG laser,operating at the 1064 nm wavelength with a 5 ns pulse duration and up to a 1 J pulse energy,in a single pulse or at a 10 Hz repetition rate,was employed.Ablation yield was measured as a function of the laser fluence.Plasma was characterized using different analysis techniques,such as time-of-flight measurements,quadrupole mass spectrometry and fast CCD visible imaging.The so-produced films were characterized by composition,thickness,roughness,wetting ability,and morphology.When compared to the MoS_(2)targets,they show a slight decrease of S with respect to Mo,due to higher ablation yield,low fusion temperature and high sublimation in vacuum.The pulsed IR laser deposited Mo Sx(with 1<x<2)films are uniform,with a thickness of about 130 nm,a roughness of about 50 nm and a higher wettability than the MoS_(2)targets.Some potential applications of the pulsed IR laser-deposited Mo Sx films are also presented and discussed.
文摘Objective: To evaluate transperineal laser ablation (TPLA) with Echolaser® (Echolaser® TPLA, Elesta S.p.A., Calenzano, Italy) as a treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer (PCa) using the Delphi consensus method.Methods: Italian and international experts on BPH and PCa participated in a collaborative consensus project. During two rounds, they expressed their opinions on Echolaser® TPLA for the treatment of BPH and PCa answering online questionnaires on indications, methodology, and potential complications of this technology. Level of agreement or disagreement to reach consensus was set at 75%. If the consensus was not achieved, questions were modified after each round. A final round was performed during an online meeting, in which results were discussed and finalized.Results: Thirty-two out of forty invited experts participated and consensus was reached on all topics. Agreement was achieved on recommending Echolaser® TPLA as a treatment of BPH in patients with ample range of prostate volume, from <40 mL (80%) to >80 mL (80%), comorbidities (100%), antiplatelet or anticoagulant treatment (96%), indwelling catheter (77%), and strong will of preserving ejaculatory function (100%). Majority of respondents agreed that Echolaser® TPLA is a potential option for the treatment of localized PCa (78%) and recommended it for low-risk PCa (90%). During the final round, experts concluded that it can be used for intermediate-risk PCa and it should be proposed as an effective alternative to radical prostatectomy for patients with strong will of avoiding urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction. Almost all participants agreed that the transperineal approach of this organ-sparing technique is safer than transrectal and transurethral approaches typical of other techniques (97% of agreement among experts). Pre-procedural assessment, technical aspects, post-procedural catheterization, pharmacological therapy, and expected outcomes were discussed, leading to statements and recommendations.Conclusion: Echolaser® TPLA is a safe and effective procedure that treats BPH and localized PCa with satisfactory functional and sexual outcomes.
基金National Research Foundation of Korea,Grant/Award Numbers:2019H1D3A1A01071209,2021R1I1A1A01060380,2022R1A2C2010686,2022R1A4A3033528Korea Basic Science Institute,Grant/Award Numbers:2019R1A6C1010042,2021R1A6C103A427。
文摘We investigated the role of metal atomization and solvent decomposition into reductive species and carbon clusters in the phase formation of transition-metal carbides(TMCs;namely,Co_(3)C,Fe_(3)C,TiC,and MoC)by pulsed laser ablation of Co,Fe,Ti,and Mo metals in acetone.The interaction between carbon s-p-orbitals and metal d-orbitals causes a redistribution of valence structure through charge transfer,leading to the formation of surface defects as observed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.These defects influence the evolved TMCs,making them effective for hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions(HER and OER)in an alkaline medium.Co_(3)C with more oxygen affinity promoted CoO(OH)intermediates,and the electrochemical surface oxidation to Co_(3)O_(4)was captured via in situ/operando electrochemical Raman probes,increasing the number of active sites for OER activity.MoC with more d-vacancies exhibits strong hydrogen binding,promoting HER kinetics,whereas Fe_(3)C and TiC with more defect states to trap charge carriers may hinder both OER and HER activities.The results show that the assembled membrane-less electrolyzer with Co_(3)C∥Co_(3)C and MoC∥MoC electrodes requires~2.01 and 1.99 V,respectively,to deliver a 10 mA cm−2 with excellent electrochemical and structural stability.In addition,the ascertained pulsed laser synthesis mechanism and unit-cell packing relations will open up sustainable pathways for obtaining highly stable electrocatalysts for electrolyzers.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.22073019 and No.21327901)the Shanghai Key Laboratory Foundation of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials,and the Program for Professor of Special Appointment(Eastern Scholar)at Shanghai Institutions of Higher Learning.
文摘SiO is a wide-spread molecule found in interstellar space.Previous research has primarily focused on its spectroscopy,while its photodissociation dynamics is elusive to study due to high dissociation energy.Using time-sliced ion velocity imaging technique,we observed the Si(^(3)P)+O(^(3)P)photodissociation process resulting from the excitation of highly vibrationally excited SiO(X^(1)Σ^(+),υ=13-18)molecules to the SiO(A^(1)Π,E^(1)Σ^(+))states at 193 nm.The vibrationally excited SiO molecules were generated via laser ablation of silicon rod with the collision of the oxygen molecular beam acting as carrier gas and reaction gas.The bond dissociation energy D_(e)(Si-O)is determined to be 67253±110 cm^(-1)(8.34±0.01 eV)based on the kinetic energy distribution spectrum.The SiO photodissociation study has deepened our understanding of the mechanisms of silicon chemistry for silica-rich rocky meteors as they burn in the Earth's atmosphere,and the dissociation of SiO from ablation of meteoroids following ultraviolet photon absorption.
基金Project(AUGA5630112723)supported by the Assistant Professor Research Initiation Project of Harbin Institute of Technology,China。
文摘Aluminum alloy is used as the support of final optical assembly because of its excellent mechanical properties,which constitutes th e“skeleton”of high-power laser system.Stray light reflected by weak optical elements in high power laser system will fall on the inner wall frame of aluminum alloy,which will cause damage and produce impurity particles,polluting the entire optical system.However,the research on the damage mechanism and protection technology of aluminum alloy under the action of high-power laser system is still in the initial stage.This paper introduces the interaction mechanism between laser and materials,analyzes the laser damage mechanism of aluminum alloy from the perspective of plasma nano metal particle ablation,reviews the progress of laser-induced damage protection of aluminum alloy,and prospects the future research direction of laser absorption and damage protection technology of aluminum alloy under the action of high-energy laser.
基金supported by MEXT Quantum Leap Flagship Program(MEXT Q-LEAP)Grant Number JPMXS0118067246.
文摘GHz burst-mode femtosecond(fs)laser,which emits a series of pulse trains with extremely short intervals of several hundred picoseconds,provides distinct characteristics in materials processing as compared with the conventional irradiation scheme of fs laser(single-pulse mode).In this paper,we take advantage of the moderate pulse interval of 205 ps(4.88 GHz)in the burst pulse for high-quality and high-efficiency micromachining of single crystalline sapphire by laser induced plasma assisted ablation(LIPAA).Specifically,the preceding pulses in the burst generate plasma by ablation of copper placed behind the sapphire substrate,which interacts with the subsequent pulses to induce ablation at the rear surface of sapphire substrates.As a result,not only the ablation quality but also the ablation efficiency and the fabrication resolution are greatly improved compared to the other schemes including single-pulse mode fs laser direct ablation,single-pulse mode fs-LIPAA,and nanosecond-LIPAA.
基金We are indebted to Prof. Kopin Liu (IAMS, Taipei) for stimulating discussions on going experiments, to Prof. Ming-fei Zhou and Assoc. Prof. Guan-jun Wang (Hehai University, Shanghai) for assistance in building machine, to Prof. Uzi. Even (Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv) for discussions oil E1 valve employnmnt in laser ablation, and to Prof. Xue-ming Yang's group (DICP, Dalian) for new Iaser system. This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.21322309) and the Program for Professor of Special Appointment (Eastern Scholar) at Shanghai Institutions of Higher Learning.
文摘We report a newly constructed laser ablation crossed molecular beam apparatus, equipped with time-sliced velocity map imaging technique, to study state-to-state metal atom reaction dynamics. Supersonic metal atomic beam is generated by laser vaporization of metal rod, and free expansion design without gas flow channel has been employed to obtain a good quality of metal atomic beam. We have chosen the crossed-beam reaction Al+O2 to test the performance of the new apparatus. Two-rotational-states selected AIO(X^2∑+, v=0, N and N+I4) products can be imaged via P(N) and R(N+14) branches of the Av=l band at the same wavelength, during (1+1) resonance-enhanced multi-photon ionization through the AIO(D2E+) intermediate state. In our experiment at 244.145 nm for simultaneous transitions of P(15) and R(29) branch, two rings in slice image were clearly distinguishable, corresponding to the AiO(v=0, N=IS) and AIO(v=0, N=29) states respectively. The energy difference between the two rotational levels is 403 cm^-1. The success of two states resolved in our apparatus suggests a better collisional energy resolution compared with the recent research study [J. Chem. Phys. 140, 214304 (2014)].
基金financially supported by the Guangdong Provincial University Science and Technology Program(Grant No.2020KTSCX119)the Shenzhen Science and Technology Programs(Grant Nos.20200925155508001,GJHZ20190820151801786,JCYJ20210324115608024 and KQTD20170810110250357)。
文摘Liquid-assisted laser ablation has the advantage of relieving thermal effects of common laser ablation processes, whereas the light scattering and shielding effects by laser-induced cavitation bubbles, suspended debris, and turbulent liquid flow generally deteriorate laser beam transmission stability, leading to low energy efficiency and poor surface quality. Here, we report that a continuous and directional high-speed microjet will form in the laser ablation zone if laser-induced primary cavitation bubbles asymmetrically collapse sequentially near the air-liquid interface under a critical thin liquid layer. The laser-induced microjet can instantaneously and directionally remove secondary bubbles and ablation debris around the laser ablation region, and thus a very stable material removal process can be obtained. The shadowgraphs of high-speed camera reveal that the average speed of laser-induced continuous microjet can be as high as 1.1 m sin its initial 500 μm displacement. The coupling effect of laser ablation, mechanical impact along with the collapse of cavitation bubbles and flushing of high-speed microjet helps achieve a high material removal rate and significantly improved surface quality. We name this uncovered liquid-assisted laser ablation process as laser-induced microjet-assisted ablation(LIMJAA) based on its unique characteristics. High-quality microgrooves with a large depth-to-width ratio of 5.2 are obtained by LIMJAA with a single-pass laser scanning process in our experiments. LIMJAA is capable of machining various types of difficult-to-process materials with high-quality arrays of micro-channels, square and circle microscale through-holes. The results and disclosed mechanisms in our work provide a deep understanding of the role of laser-induced microjet in improving the processing quality of liquid-assisted laser micromachining.
基金This work was supported by the national key R&D program for internation-al collaboration under grant No.2018YFE9103900in part by the Nat-ural Science Foundation of China(NSFC)grant No.11972384 and the Guangdong MEPP Fund,grant No.GDOE[2019]A01.
文摘Orientations of laser induced periodic surface structures(LIPSS)are usually considered to be governed by the laser polarization state.In this work,we unveil that fluid dynamics induced by femtosecond(fs)laser ablation in liquid(fs-LAL)can easily break this polarization restriction to produce irregular circular-LIPSS(CLIPPS)and crisscross-LIPSS(CCLIPSS).Fs laser ablation of silicon in water shows formation of diverse LIPSS depending on ablation conditions.At a high power of 700 mW(repetition rate of 100 kHz,pulse duration of 457 fs and wavelength of 1045 nm),single/twin CLIPSS are produced at the bottom of macropores of several microns in diameter due to the formation of strong liquid vortexes and occurrence of the vortex shedding effect.Theoretical simulations validate our speculation about the formation of liquid vortex with an ultrahigh static pressure,which can induce the microstructure trenches and cracks at the sidewalls for fs-LAL of Si and tungsten(W)in water,respectively.At a low power of 50 mW,weak liquid vortexes are produced,which only give birth to curved LIPSS in the valleys of grooves.Consequently,it is deduced that liquid vortex plays a crucial role in the formation of macropores.Mountain-like microstructures induce complex fluid dynamics which can cause the formation of CCLIPSS on them.It is believed that liquid vortexes and fluid dynamics presented in this work open up new possibilities to diversify the morphologies of LIPSS formed by fs-LAL.
文摘Radiofrequency ablation(RFA) is currently the most popular and used ablation modality for the treatment ofnon surgical patients with primary and secondary liver tumors, but in the last years microwave ablation(MWA) is being technically improved and widely rediscovered for clinical use. Laser thermal ablation(LTA) is by far less investigated and used than RFA and MWA, but the available data on its effectiveness and safety are quite good and comparable to those of RFA and MWA. All the three hyperthermia-based ablative techniques, when performed by skilled operators, can successfully treat all liver tumors eligible for thermal ablation, and to date in most centers of interventional oncology or interventional radiology the choice of the technique usually depends on the physician's preference and experience, or technical availability. However, RFA, MWA, and LTA have peculiar advantages and limitations that can make each of them more suitable than the other ones to treat patients and tumors with different characteristics. When all the three thermal ablation techniques are available, the choice among RFA, MWA, and LTA should be guided by their advantages and disadvantages, number, size, and location of the liver nodules, and cost-saving considerations, in order to give patients the best treatment option.
基金This work was performed under contract DE-AC02-98CH1-886 with the auspices of the DoE and National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
文摘The proposed heavy ion inertial fusion(HIF)scenarios require ampere class low charge state ion beams of heavy species.The laser ion source(LIS)is recognized as one of the promising candidates of ion beam providers,since it can deliver high brightness heavy ion beams to accelerators.The design of LIS for the HIF depends on the accelerator structure and accelerator complex following the source.In this article,we discuss the specifications and design of an appropriate LIS assuming two major types of the accelerators:radio frequency(RF)high quality factor cavity type and non-resonant induction core type.We believe that a properly designed LIS would satisfy the requirements of both types,while some issues need to be verified experimentally.
基金Project supported by the Science and Technology Foundation of Heilongjiang Province,China (Grant No. A200912)the Program of Excellence Team in the Harbin Institute of Technology,China
文摘We fabricated complex microfluidic devices in silica glass by water-assisted femtosecond laser ablation and sub- sequent heat treatment. The experimental results show that after heat treatment, the diameter of the microehannels is significantly reduced and the internal surface roughness is improved. The diameters of the fabricated microehannels can be modulated by changing the annealing temperature and the annealing time. During annealing, the temperature affects the diameter and shape of the protrusions in microfluidic devices very strongly, and these changes are mainly caused by uniform expansion and the action of surface tension.
基金Project supported by the Industrial Technology Development Program,China (Grant No. A1120110023)the National Key Laboratory of Solid-State-Laser Technology,China (Grant No. 9140C040201100C04)
文摘In this paper,we investigate laser cleaning using a flattened top laser to remove paint coating from a metal substrate.Under the irradiation of a flattened top laser,the coating paint of the metal substrate can be removed efficiently by laser induced ablation,stress,and displacement force.The temperature distribution,stress,and displacement are calculated in the coating layer and substrate using finite element analysis.The effects of a Gaussian laser and a flattened top laser and the results of different diameters of laser spot are compared.The investigation shows that the flattened top laser can reduce the substrate damage and enhance the cleaning efficiency.This method meets the need of large area industrial cleaning applications by optimizing the flattened top laser parameters.
基金We are grateful for financial supports from the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant (No. 61605162) Singapore Maritime Institute under the research project Grant (No. SMI-2015-OF-10)+1 种基金 Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province of China under Grant (No. 2017J05106) and Collaborative Innovation Center of High-End Equipment Manufacturing in Fujian.
文摘A novel spatial double-pulse laser ablation scheme is investigated to enhance the processing quality and efficiency fornanosecond laser ablation of silicon substrate. During the double-pulse laser ablation, two splitted laser beams simulta-neously irradiate on silicon surface at a tunable gap. The ablation quality and efficiency are evaluated by both scanning electron microscope and laser scanning confocal microscope. As tuning the gap distance, the ablation can be signifi-cantly enhanced if the spatial interaction between the two splitted laser pulses is optimized. The underlying physical mechanism for the interacting spatial double-pulse enhancement effect is attributed to the redistribution of the integratedenergy field, corresponding to the temperature field. This new method has great potential applications in laser microm-achining of functional devices at higher processing quality and faster speed.
基金the financial support from the Key Research and Development of Ministry of Science and Technology of China(No.2018YFE0202600)National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.11947070,No.51902220,No.51572183)+1 种基金Materials Science&Engineering of Zhejiang Province First-Class Discipline(No.P61021902)Cultivating Program of Taizhou University(No.2018PY050)。
文摘Improving the OER activity of noble metal-based materials is of profound importance to minimize the usage of noble metals and lower the cost.Here,we report considerable improvement on the catalytic activity of RuO_(2) particles for OER in both alkali and acid environments.The RuO_(2) nanoparticles were treated with a method of pulse laser ablation.Numerous Ru and RuO_(2) clusters were generated at the surface of RuO_(2) nanoparticles after the laser ablation,forming a lychee-shaped morphology.The larger pulse energy RuO_(2) nanoparticles are treated with,the better the OER activity can be.DFT calculations shows that the surface tension induced by the lychee-shaped morphology benefits the OER performance.Our best sample gives an overpotential of 172 mV(at 10 mA cm^(-2))and a Tafel slope of 53.5 mV dec^(-1) in KOH,while an overpotential of 219 mV and a Tafel slope of 44.9 mV dec^(-1) in H_(2)SO_(4),which are of topclass results.This work may inspire a new way to develop high-performance electrocatalysts for OER.
基金partially supported by MEXT Quantum Leap Flagship Program(MEXT Q-LEAP)Grant Number JPMXS0118067246。
文摘Ultrashort laser pulses confine material processing to the laser-irradiated area by suppressing heat diffusion,resulting in precise ablation in diverse materials.However,challenges occur when high speed material removal and higher ablation efficiencies are required.Ultrafast burst mode laser ablation has been proposed as a successful method to overcome these limitations.Following this approach,we studied the influence of combining GHz bursts in MHz bursts,known as Bi Burst mode,on ablation efficiency of silicon.Bi Burst mode used in this study consists of multiple bursts happening at a repetition rate of 64 MHz,each of which contains multiple pulses with a repetition rate of 5 GHz.The obtained results show differences between Bi Burst mode and conventional single pulse mode laser ablation,with a remarkable increase in ablation efficiency for the Bi Burst mode,which under optimal conditions can ablate a volume4.5 times larger than the single pulse mode ablation while delivering the same total energy in the process.
基金supported by MEXT Quantum Leap Flagship Program (MEXT Q-LEAP) Grant Number JPMXS0118067246。
文摘For the practical use of femtosecond laser ablation, inputs of higher laser intensity are preferred to attain high-throughput material removal. However, the use of higher laser intensities for increasing ablation rates can have detrimental effects on ablation quality due to excess heat generation and air ionization. This paper employs ablation using BiBurst femtosecond laser pulses, which consist of multiple bursts(2 and 5 bursts) at a repetition rate of 64 MHz, each containing multiple intra-pulses(2–20 pulses) at an ultrafast repetition rate of 4.88 GHz, to overcome these conflicting conditions. Ablation of silicon substrates using the BiBurst mode with 5 burst pulses and 20 intra-pulses successfully prevents air breakdown at packet energies higher than the pulse energy inducing the air ionization by the conventional femtosecond laser pulse irradiation(single-pulse mode). As a result, ablation speed can be enhanced by a factor of23 without deteriorating the ablation quality compared to that by the single-pulse mode ablation under the conditions where the air ionization is avoided.