bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In Vitro Analysis of the Physical Characteristics of Femoral Bypass Cannulae
Authors: Ann Noe M. , Riley Jeffrey B. , Ken Litzie A. , Pope T. , Soronen Scott W. , Crowley JC
Published: August 2023

The physical dimensions and flow characteristics of arterial and venous femoral cannulae were evaluated. An in vitro femoral bypass simulator was employed to measure pressure drop across various O.D. arterial and venous cannulae from Cook Inc., C.R. Bard Inc., D.L.P. Inc., Shiley, Inc. and BioMedicus Inc. 30°C, 40% hematocrit bovine blood was employed with a Biomedicus BP-80 vortex pump. Pressure drop, peak flow velocity, shear rate, and Reynold's numbers were statistically compared. The maximum "safe" flow rate for each cannula was determined. The blood flow rate that yielded a pressure drop greater than 200 mmHg for the arterial cannulae, and the blood flow rate achieved at 300 mmHg Bio-pump inlet pressure for the venous cannulae are:

Arterial Cannula
Blood Flow L/min @ 200 mmHg
Venous Cannula
Blood Flow 1/min @300 mmHg

16 Fr. Biomedicus
3.5
18 Fr. Biomedicus
3.0

20 Fr. Canyon
4.0
20 Fr. Canyon
4.0

19 Fr. Biomedicus
5.0
18 Fr. Bard
4.5

20 Fr. Cook
6.0
20 Fr. Bard
6.5

17 Fr. CR Bard
6.0
21 Fr. DLP
6.5

20 Fr. Shiley
>6.5
26 Fr. Shiley
>6.5

20 Fr. C.R. Bard
>7.0
24 Fr. Biomedicus
>7.5

21 Fr. DLP
>7.0
29 Fr. Cook
>8.0

For the smallest Fr. O.D. to facilitate insertion and to yield the maximum safe (turbulence and friction) blood flow rate, the 20 Fr. C.R. Bard arterial cannula in tandem with the 20 Fr. C.R. Bard, or 21 Fr. DLP venous cannula, appear to be the optimal choice for full-flow femoral bypass.
The Use of the Classical Shunt Equation in the Evaluation of Coronary Artery Hypoxemia During Cardiopulmonary Bypass
Authors: Jerabek Charles F. , Walton Howard G. , Doerfler Sally
Published: August 2023

With the decreasing usage of left heart venting in routine cardiac surgery, there is a possibility of coronary artery hypoxemia impairing myocardial recovery after the removal of the aortic cross clamp. This study was undertaken to determine whether coronary artery hypoxemia was present in the period following clamp removal and if the degree of hypoxemia could be predicted. Fifteen patients were studied with blood gas samples being drawn from the aortic root (as near to the coronary ostia as possible), oxygenator inflow line, radial artery line and oxygenator venous return line at a rewarming temperature of at least 34°c. Relative coronary artery hypoxemia was present in nine patients. No pre-operative tests predicted the patients at risk for developing this condition. A modification of the classical shunt equation proved to be the most accurate test (R=.86) to predict coronary artery pO2 levels. Proposed solutions to the problem of coronary artery hypoxemia include left heart venting when the shunt is >5% (a value of 10% is projected to be acceptable when oxygenator pO2 exceeds 250), leaving the patient hooked to the anesthesia machine with a sweep gas FIO2 of >80% and the use of PEEP or low frequency ventilation during the rewarming period.
Prolonged CPB in Patients Requiring Extensive Coronary Endarterectomy and Reconstruction
Authors: Harloff Michael
Published: August 2023

The technique of coronary endarterectomy and reconstruction continues to be a tedious and time consuming effort. A 14 cm. endarterectomy of a diffusely diseased LAD, with accompanying diagonal branches and septal perforators, can require as long as 90-115 minutes of aortic clamp time. Multiple endarterectomies, including marginal branches of the circumflex system as well as multiple branches of the right coronary system, can consume an additional 100-125 minutes of aortic clamp time. It is not uncommon for total clamp time to exceed 200 minutes. Because of the totally occlusive nature of the disease, cardioplegia is impossible to deliver. As a result, the method of intermittent ischemic arrest proves to be the technique of choice. It has become necessary to develop a perfusion protocol which will support the surgical procedure that can last a total of 300 to 420 minutes on CPB. Hollow-fiber membrane oxygenation, normal physiological arterial and venous gases, and scrupulous attention to the CPB circuit, is imperative if the patient is to derive a long term benefit from the procedure. The conduct and technique of CPB which has been developed with Milwaukee Heart Surgery Associates has allowed the surgeons the time and margin of safety required to perform coronary endarterectomy and reconstruction.
Does Plasma Sequestration Reduce Post-Operative Bleeding?
Authors: Vertrees Roger A. , DelRossi Anthony J. , Cernaianu Aurel C. , Cilley Jonathan H. , Baldino William A. , Wacker Charles , Fuller Sidney J.
Published: August 2023

Hematologic profiles, postoperative blood loss and transfusion requirements were studied in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in order to determine the effect of sequestration and reinfusion of platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Eighteen patients were randomly selected to have approximately one unit of PRP collected or not prior to CPB. Autologous PRP was reinfused in nine patients after reversal of anticoagulation. Evaluation of results was based upon thrombocyte counts, Hgb, Hct, and platelet index readings pre- and post-PRP reinfusion, amount of blood loss and volumes of homologous blood and banked blood products required postoperatively. There were no hemodynamic complications related to the sequestration process. PRP reinfused patients had significantly higher thrombocyte counts after reversal of anticoagulation (p < 0.05). Patients receiving PRP required approximately 2/3 less banked blood products, their bleeding being significantly reduced 24 hours postoperatively (p < 0.05). We concluded that plasma sequestration and reinfusion of autologous PRP post-bypass may serve as an effective and safe way in decreasing blood loss after cardiac operations necessitating extracorporeal circulation.
Scientific presentation award: Clinical Accuracy of Continuous Hemoglobin Oxygen Saturation Monitoring Devices
Authors: Bolen Gregory Z. , Anderson Gary E. , Huddleson James R. , Riley Jeffrey B. , Sutton Robin G. , Bishop David G.
Published: August 2023

Three devices used to measure hemoglobin oxygen saturation in the extracorporeal circuit were studied and compared to a control. The Baxter Bentley OxySat, Oximetrix Accusat, and the Radiometer ABL4 blood gas monitor were compared to a control, the IL 282 CoOximeter. Fifty one sample points were obtained during all phases of cardiopulmonary bypass with results as follows:

Table 1

Comparison of Oxygen Saturation Devices

r
DIFF
SD
P

ACCUSAT
0.94 p<.0001
-0.6
3.2
0.1834 NS

ABL4
0.93 p<.0001
-1.7
3.3
0.0008 S

OXYSAT
0.87 p<.0001
-6.8
4.4
0.0001 S

r = correlation coefficient with corresponding p value, DIFF = difference from control, SD=Standard deviation of difference, P = p value for testing the hypothesis of no difference between test device and control, NS = No significant difference, S = Significant difference

The Accusat was found to be a statistically more accurate means of monitoring hemoglobin oxygen saturations during cardiopulmonary bypass than the ABL4 and the OxySat. All devices had significant correlation with the control and with each other.
Scientific poster presentation award: Evaluation of Extracorporeal Blood Heat Exchanger Devices
Authors: Barthelemy Robert , Chauveau Nicolas
Published: August 2023

An accurate and easy to use test circuit has been developed, for performance evaluation of heat exchangers used in cardiac surgery during extracorporeal circulation. The water part of the heat exchanger is fixed at a flow rate of 15 1/min and at a temperature of 40°C. For blood, the flow rate is varied from 1 to 6 1/min and the temperature is 30°C. The use of a very precise thermometer (precision 0.01 °C) and of a microcomputer permits one to obtain the efficiency with very good reproducibility. The results obtained show a real improvement in the efficiency of the new extracorporeal blood heat exchanger devices.
Report on the Clinical Trials of the Plexus Membrane Blood Oxygenator
Authors: Hodgson-Smith A. , Sutton R.G. , Riley J.B. , Stotland C.A. , Pienta M.E. , Dillon V. W. , Toomasian J.M. , Kratz J.M. , Crumbley A.J. , Crawford F.A.
Published: August 2023

Twenty adult patients gave informed consent to clinical cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) trials with a new adult hollow fiber membrane oxygenator. Clinical CPB trials averaged 88 ± 25 min (mean ± 1 SD) for these patients that weighed 78 ± 13 Kg and had BSA's = 1.9 ± 0.2 m2. Blood flow averaged 4.0 ± 0.8 L/min, and hypothermia was employed at 26.5 ± 2.4°C. FiO2's = 0.59 ± 0.15, and gas to blood flow ratios= 0.64 ± 0.18 were required to maintain the PaO2>100 mmHg and to accomplish alpha-stat. The oxygenator exhibited a pressure drop of 50-60 mmHg at 5.09 1/min and a heat exchanger performance factor over .55 during most of CPB.

Multiple regression analysis of the clinical database demonstrated that the FiO2 required to achieve a desired PaO2 was dependent on the blood flow, gas flow, and SvO2 (r2 = 0.83, standard error = 0.09). The gas flow required to accomplish alpha-stat was dependent on patient age, weight, blood flow, arterial blood temperature, and desired PaCO2 (r2 = 0.71, standard error= 0.6).

The Plexus blood oxygenator is safe for adult cardiopulmonary bypass and its clinical performance is statistically predictable.
In Vitro Comparison of ECC Blood Flow Measurement Techniques
Authors: Akers Thomas , Bolen Gregory , Gomez Julie , Hodgson-Smith Amy , Merrill Jonathan , Anderson Gary , Huddleson James , Moretz Timothy , Kirven Kimberly , Kirven Dennis , Sutton Robin G. , Riley Jeffrey B.
Published: August 2023

Four extracorporeal blood flow measurement devices were compared for accuracy: the digital display (Stockert-Shiley roller pump), the Sarns doppler flow probe, the Transonic ultrasonic flow probe and the Biomedicus electromagnetic flow probe. The effects of changing temperature and hematocrit at various flows were compared.

Eighty-four blood flow measurements were recorded for hematocrits from 17.5% to 35.0%, temperatures from 25 to 37°C and flows from 3.0 to 5.5 LPM. A summary of the results follows:

ACTQ(r2)
HCT
TEMP
INTER
MEAN
STD. DEV

%DIFF
%DIFF

Biomedicus
.98
.0001
NS
.0053
1.0
2.3

Sams
.96
.0203
NS
NS
1.6
3.2

Shiley RPM
.99
NS
NS
NS
-2.3
1.5

Transonic
.99
.0001
NS
NS
4.3
1.4

ACTQ(r2) = correlation with actual flow, HCT = hematocrit effect on difference (p value), TEMP = temperature effect on difference (p value), INTER = 2way ANOVA interaction, MEAN/STD DEV %DIFF = average and one standard deviation of the percent difference between actual and reported flow, NS = non-significant.

All flow measurement systems correlated with actual flow(p<.001). The Biomedicus, Sarns and Transonic errors were affected by hematocrit, while none were affected by temperature. (p<.05)
Use of an Extracorporeal Circulation Workstation During the Routine Care of Cardiac Patients
Authors: Gaillard D. , Barraud C. , Bical O. , DeToni L. , Montejo L.S. , Vanetti A.
Published: August 2023

In this presentation, we present a computerized system which acquires, stores and processes all parameters currently measured during heart surgery.

The aim of this computerized system is based on:

continuous acquisition and processing of patient and ECC data

user adaptability of the system to his or her requirements

user-friendliness

adaptability to all operating theater equipment.

The hardware includes an IBM PS/2, with a color screen and an HP laser printer.

This computer can receive seven different monitors. The incoming values are displayed either instantaneously or as averages. The results can be displayed either in color graphic form and updated automatically, or in tables.

All parameters commonly measured in the operating room at present can be recorded by the software; for example, all arterial and venous pressures, venous and arterial saturation, five different temperatures, cardiac output, ST segment level, pump flow rate, arterial and venous blood gases in continuous with CDI 300.

With any parameters, computed data, such as vascular resistances, O2 consumption are also obtained on a continuous basis.

It is a powerful instrument, not only for the whole surgical team because of its multiple personalization and interfacing capability, but also for use in research.
Metabolic Approach of Myocardial Injury During Cold Cardiac Arrest
Authors: Glock Y. , De Souza Pereira J.M.M. , Duboucher C. , Montrastruc J.L. , Serradeil C. , Kreidi R. , Galinier M.
Published: August 2023

The goal of this study was to approach the pathological, histochemical and metabolic changes due to the cold ischemic cardiac arrest with crystalloid cardioplegia (Saint Thomas I) during cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).
Effect of Serum Precoat on Complement Activation in Membrane Oxygenators: An In Vitro Study
Authors: Collett James R. , Plunkett Patrick F.
Published: August 2023

Previous studies have shown that extracorporeal circulation devices can activate the complement cascade via the alternative pathway. Anaphylatoxins (C3a and C5a) generated by complement activation may lead to pulmonary leukocyte sequestration, pulmonary edema, granulocytopenia and microvascular lung damage. This is of particular concern in patients on cardiopulmonary bypass. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact on complement activation of precoating membrane oxygenators with serum. A pool of recalcified human serum was prepared from fresh frozen plasma stored in citrate phosphate dextrose. SciMed membrane oxygenators (N=4) were primed with 200 ml aliquots of pooled serum which were recirculated through the oxygenators for 180 minutes at 37° C. The primary recirculation serum C3a levels (mean ± SD) measured by radioimmunoassay techniques at 0, 60, 120, and 180 minutes were 122.25 ± 26.22, 430.25 ± 164.39, 456.0 ± 154.16 and 577.5 ± 163.07 ng/ml respectively. Each oxygenator was then flushed with saline and reprimed with a fresh 200 ml aliquot of pooled serum which was recirculated for 180 minutes at 37° C. The secondary recirculation serum C3a levels (mean ± SD) measured at 0, 60, 120, and 180 minutes were 130.75 ± 15.67, 213.25 ± 58.24, 283.75 ± 27.24 and 301.75 ± 19.18 ng/ml respectively. Serum C3a levels were higher in the primary serum than the secondary serum in all oxygenators. These results suggest that preconditioning the oxygenator may be a way to moderate complement activation during cardiopulmonary bypass.
The Role of Antithrombin III in Heparin Resistance
Authors: Rivard Dennis C. , Thompson Steven J. , Cameron Duke
Published: August 2023

Resistance to the anticoagulation action of sodium heparin during cardiopulmonary bypass is a serious concern and a poorly understood phenomenon. In the majority of cases, the desired prolongation of the activated clotting time (ACT) is achieved by administration of additional heparin. A patient's previous exposure to heparin has been suggested as the cause of this clinical dilemma. The administration of fresh frozen plasma to patients who demonstrated a heparin resistance have been shown to produce a normalization of their heparin/ACT dose response curve and a decrease in total heparin requirements during cardiopulmonary bypass. These results could be an indication of a deficiency of a component in patient's plasma.

This study was designed to compare antithrombin III (AT III) in two patient populations. Group A consisted of 15 patients receiving intravenous heparin therapy prior to cardiopulmonary bypass for greater than 24 hours. Population B included 15 patients who had not been exposed to heparin therapy preoperatively. All patients were candidates for coronary artery bypass grafting. The quantitative assay utilized the Loyal Rocket Immunoelectrophoresis Technique and the qualitative assay was determined by the AT III Anti-10A Activity Assay.

Two sample t-test analyses of variance revealed no statistical significance (p<0.05) between the two populations in either quantitative assay (p=0.054) or the qualitative assay (p=0.06). A comparison of the ration (qualitative/quantitative) showed a statistical difference (p=0.016).

It can be suggested from these results that the resistance to heparin demonstrated in heparin therapy patients is the result of a combination of factors associated with AT III. Administration of heparin decreases the available AT III and decreases its function. The combination of these two factors contributes to this resistance phenomenon.
Qualitative Assessment of Shed Mediastinal Blood
Authors: Volken U. , Walpothl B. , Nydegger U. , Althaus U.
Published: August 2023

In a randomized prospective study of patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery, autologous blood from chest drainage was collected and retransfused into 10 patients (RTX) whereas 10 patients without retransfusion served as controls. There was no significant difference referring to age, weight, height, perfusion time, and number of distal anastomosis. Our main regard was directed to a qualitative analysis of the retransfused autologous blood. Results (mean values ± 1 SD/patient): one; there was no bacterial contamination in the shed mediastinal blood just prior to retransfusion, two; elevated levels of free plasma hemoglobin (otolidin-method) were encountered after one hour on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and a six-fold increase in the shed mediastinal blood from the cardiotomy reservoir (211 ± 44 mg/dl), three; the potassium value in the cardiotomy reservoir was slightly increased (5.8 ± 2.9 mmol/l), four, in no case was hemoglobinuria or coagulation disfunction noted (the activated clotting time (ACT) after retransfusion did not change significantly ( 117 ± 15 sec) as compared to preoperative values (112 ± 16 sec)) five; no evidence for further complement activation (determined by C3a and C5b-9), induced by CPB, was seen, and six; red cell adenosine-triphosphate (ATP) in the shed mediastinal blood was lowered to 2.56 ± 0.78 umol/gHb whereas red cell 2,3diphosphoglycerate (2,3DPG) remained normal.

On the basis of these results we consider the retransfusion of shed mediastinal blood following cardiac surgery a simple and safe method of blood salvage.
Mechanical modeling of growth applied to Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast cells
Authors: Awada Zeinab , Nedjar Boumediene
Published: August 2023

A theoretical and numerical model is developed to describe the growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeasts. This kind of cells is considered here as an axisymmetrical and deformable structure, the inner surface of which is continuously acted upon by a high turgor pressure. Due to the small ratio between the cellwall thickness and the cell radius, a structural shell approach is used. Moreover, the finite strain range is assumed because of the soft nature of these cells. The adopted kinematics is herein based on the multiplicative decomposition of the deformation gradient into an elastic part Fe and an irreversible part related to the growth Fg, i.e. F = FeFg. The reversible response is described using an hyperelastic model of the Ogden type. In accordance with continuum thermodynamics requirements, a criterion is introduced to control the evolution of the growth phenomenon. In this latter two parameters are involved: a growth stress-like threshold, and a growth characteristic time. Embedded within the finite element framework, an illustrative example shows the growth phenomenon of spherical cells going from yeast bud emergence to the step just before cell division. A parametric study highlights the influence of the above mentioned parameters on the cell responses.
Numerical simulation and operation optimization for billet heating in disc reheating furnace based on grey correlation
Authors: Wang Jimin , Chen Xi
Published: August 2023

To further promote the equipment improvement of reheating furnaces in iron and steel production, considering heating movement and oxidation loss for the billet in 40 tons/hour self-designed disc reheating furnace, a comprehensive CFD model is established through the dynamic mesh technology with UDF subroutines. The billet heating process in the disc reheating furnace is numerically simulated to explore the dynamic heating characteristics of the billet in the disc reheating furnace. According to the orthogonal design, the grey correlation method is used to optimize the operation parameters such as the oxygen concentration, the charging temperature, the air preheated temperature, and the rotation speed. The results show the discharging temperature increases as the charging temperature, the oxygen concentration, or the air preheated temperature, and yet reduces with the rotation speed, which is opposite to the temperature difference. The important order is successively the oxygen concentration, the rotation speed, the air preheated temperature, and the charging temperature. The charging temperature has little effect on oxidation weight, while the oxygen concentration is obvious. It is of great significance for the current heat treatment of steel to increase efficiency, save cost, lower energy consumption, reduce pollutant emissions, and improve the automation application.
Kraniale subarachnoidale Blutung nach ventraler zervikaler Osteosynthese – eine ungewöhnliche und schwerwiegende Komplikation durch Dislokation einer Zementplombe
Authors: Jarski Pawel , Rhode Veit , von Eckardstein Kajetan , von der Brelie Christian
Published: August 2023

Die Behandlung von Densfrakturen gehört zum Standardrepertoire spinaler
Operationstechniken. Wir berichten von einem ungewöhnlichen Fall einer 73-jährigen Patientin,
die in einem externen Krankenhaus aufgrund einer Dens axis Fraktur Typ II nach Anderson und
dʼAlonzo mittels ventraler transartikulärer Osteosynthese sowie einer Dens-Zugschraube
behandelt wurde. Intraoperativ kam es zu einer Perforation der ventralen zervikalen Dura und
zu einem Liquorfluss über die kanülierte Zugschraube, sodass eine Palacosinjektion in die
Schraube hinein erfolgte. Danach folgte ein längeres unauffälliges Intervall, bevor es etwa 2
Jahre später durch ein Sturzgeschehen zu einem leichten Schädel-Hirn-Trauma (SHT) kam. Der auf
das Trauma folgende unmittelbare klinische Verlauf war zunächst unauffällig, eine Bildgebung
fand nicht statt. 5 Wochen später kam es jedoch dann plötzlich zu einer motorischen Unruhe und
einer spontanen Emesis. Die kraniale CT wies eine kraniale, v.a. perimedulläre
Subarachnoidalblutung (SAB) nach. In der weiterführenden Diagnostik konnte eine
Gefäßmissbildung als Ursache ausgeschlossen werden. Zudem sah man eine perimedullär
lokalisierte Palacosplombe. Wir vermuten, dass bereits initial eine intradurale Lage des
Palacosmaterials vorgelegen hat, welches aber zunächst noch fest mit der Zugschraube verbunden
war. Diese Verbindung wurde dann jedoch mutmaßlich durch das SHT gelöst, das Palacosmaterial
wurde von der Zugschraubenspitze abgeschert und hat dann letztlich zu einer Verletzung pialer
Gefäße und somit zur SAB geführt.

Das ventrale Osteosynthesematerial wurde entfernt, eine Einspritzung von Fibrinkleber erfolgte zur Therapie des Liquorlecks. Im zweiten Schritt erfolgte die intradurale mikrochirurgische Entfernung des perimedullären Palacosmaterials sowie eine dorsale Osteosynthese nach Goel-Harms. Es folgte dann ein langer intensivmedizinischer Verlauf und letztlich die stationäre Anschlussheilbehandlung.
Minimalinvasive Chirurgie an der Halswirbelsäule: Evidenz, Tipps und Tricks
Authors: Kothe Ralph , Schmeiser Gregor , Papavero Luca
Published: August 2023

Analog zur Chirurgie an der Brust- und Lendenwirbelsäule, ist es auch an der
Halswirbelsäule das Bestreben der minimalinvasiven-Techniken (MIS), hinsichtlich der „target
surgery“ vergleichbare Ergebnisse zu den konventionellen Verfahren zu erzielen. Gleichzeitig
aber die Vorteile einer weniger traumatisierenden „access surgery“ zu bieten. Im Unterschied
zur BWS und LWS, kommen MIS-Techniken an der HWS überwiegend dorsal zum Einsatz. Dies
reduziert nicht ihre Bedeutung, da die zervikale Muskulatur sowohl biomechanisch – Halten des
Kopfgewichtes – als auch neurophysiologisch – Halten des Sehhorizonts – sehr anspruchsvolle
Funktionen erfüllt. Die Notwendigkeit die zugangsbedingte Muskeltraumatisierung operativ zu
minimieren ist selbsterklärend.

Im Folgenden werden bekannte operative Verfahren in einer „aktualisierten“ Version vorgestellt: Bei der posterioren Foraminotomie führt der transmuskuläre Zugang zu einer Reduktion der Zugangsmorbidität. Die Laminoplastie ist im asiatischen Raum ein etabliertes Verfahren zur Dekompression der multisegmentalen zervikalen Stenose. Die hier vorgestellte unilaterale Variante ist weniger verbreitet, entbehrt aber nicht einer klinischen Begründung. Die Ergänzung mit einer unilateralen Instrumentation erweitert das Indikationsspektrum und wird auch von Kollegen in Fernost beginnend angewendet. Die C1/C2 Instrumentation gewinnt durch die Navigation an „Standardisierung“ und somit an Sicherheit. Die subaxiale Navigation begleitet den Wandel von dem offenen zum perkutanen Einbringen von Pedikelschrauben.

Die erwähnten operativen Verfahren unterscheiden sich hinsichtlich Indikation, technischer
Durchführung und Akzeptanz. Eines ist ihnen gemeinsam: Die größtmögliche operative Sicherheit
mit dem Erhalt die Physiologie der Nackenmuskulatur zu vereinbaren.
Prevention of Fetal Anemia with Plasma Exchange and Intravenous Immunoglobulin in a Pregnancy with a Complex Anti-K and Anti-C Alloimmunization
Authors: Galoppi Paola , Rocca Ursula La , Giovannetti Gianluca , Perrone Giuseppina , Gozzer Maria , Bafti Mahnaz Shafii , Biondino Giovanna , Equitani Francesco , Neri Alessia , Savastano Giovanna , Pompeo Damiana , Lobozzo Benedetta , Santilio Isabella , Falco Federica , Paoli Adele Delli , Brunelli Roberto , Coluzzi Serelina
Published: August 2023

Hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) remains the main cause of fetal anemia primarily due to RH-D maternal incompatibility but also to other rarer antigens. Anti-Kell mediated immunization is a rare disease involving about 0.1% of pregnant women causing a more severe HDFN compared to RH-D both for its anemia mechanism and because of lack of preventive immunoglobulin therapy. Although the standard treatment of fetal anemia is intrauterine transfusion (IUT), at early gestational age with high antibody titer and absence of ultrasound anemia signs, noninvasive strategies can be offered. We present a case of severe anti-Kell and anti-C Rh positive immunized pregnancy with high Kell titer at 14 weeks of gestation that successfully treated with plasma exchange and intravenous immunoglobulin to prevent the onset of fetal anemia and to avoid the need for IUT.
Pulsed Wave Doppler of Cardiac Valves
Authors: Senthilvel Karthik
Published: August 2023

Despite newer techniques like tissue Doppler and speckle tracking, the need for a spectral Doppler still exists. It can give parameters that are not possible by newer techniques like peak systolic velocity and the ratio of time and velocity. In this article, we discuss the technique for doing pulsed wave Doppler for fetal cardiac valves.
Serum levels of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in diagnosis and prognosis of gallbladder cancer: a pilot study
Authors: Sharma Poonam , Sarath Krishnan M. P. , Gupta Amit , Gupta Sweety , Saxena Rahul , Mirza Anissa Atif , Goyal Bela
Published: August 2023

Objectives:

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) are proin- flammatory cytokines that play a major role in tumorigenesis. These biomarkers are relatively unexplored in gallbladder cancer (GBC) for their diagnostic and prognostic utility.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 40 healthy controls and 40 GBC patients were recruited. Serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels were measured, and their diagnostic utility was analyzed using the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve. The relationship between clinicopathological variables and serum tumor markers (CEA, CA125, and CA19-9) in identifying GBC patients was also assessed.

Statistical Analysis:

Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS version 25.0 (IBM Corporation, Armonk, New York, United States).

Results:

Serum IL-6 and TNF-α expression were significantly higher in the GBC group (for both IL-6 and TNF-α, p = 0.0001) than in healthy controls. ROC analysis revealed that the areas under the curve for serum IL-6 and TNF-α were 0.89 and 0.71, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity for serum IL-6 were 82.5 and 97.5%, respectively, at an optimal cutoff value of 10.34 pg/mL; for TNF-α, they were 40.0 and 100%, respectively, at a cutoff value of 0.24 pg/mL. There was also a significant difference in serum IL-6 levels between the resectable and nonresectable GBC groups. Serum IL-6 showed a positive correlation with CA125 (r = 0.34, p < 0.05), while no correlation was observed between serum TNF-α and serum tumor markers (CEA, CA125, and CA19-9).

Conclusion:

Serum IL-6 may serve as a diagnostic marker and a predictor of resect- ability, and it can be used in conjunction with other serum tumor markers in GBC.
Effect of organizational ethical self-interest climate on unethical accounting behaviour with two different motivations in China: the moderating effect of Confucian ShiZhong Thinking
Authors: Deng Deqiang , Ye Chenchen , Wu Fan , Guo Yijing , Li Hao , Wang Changsheng
Published: August 2023

Organizational Ethical Self-Interest Climate (OESIC), a type of Organizational Ethical Climate (OEC) that exists widely in various organizations, plays an important role in unethical behaviours. Unfortunately, there is still little in-depth research on the effect of OESIC on Unethical Accounting Behaviour (UAB) and its related mechanism. This paper aims to explore the impact of OESIC on UAB with two different motivations i.e., Unethical Pro-Self Accounting Behaviour (UPSAB) and Unethical Pro-Organizational Accounting Behaviour (UPOAB). In addition, this paper studies the moderating effect of Confucian ShiZhong Thinking (CSZ Thinking), a typical characteristic of the Chinese people. In this paper, questionnaire data from 258 Chinese accountants at different professional levels were collected. A regression model was used to analyse and test the collected data. The results indicate that OESIC is positively correlated with UAB, and the effect of OESIC on UPSAB is more significant than the effect on UPOAB. CSZ Thinking weakens the positive impact of OESIC on UPSAB and UPOAB. This paper expands the research scope of OESIC into the accounting field and the Chinese context, which is helpful to better understand the relationship among OESIC, UAB and Confucian ShiZhong Thinking. This paper can enlighten organizational managers to consider the role of informal management control systems in restraining UAB and to pay attention to the two types of UAB with different motivations, especially UPOAB.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Customization, loneliness, and optimism: drivers of intelligent personal assistant continuance intention during COVID-19
Authors: Jo Hyeon , Baek Eun-Mi
Published: August 2023

With the growing prominence of artificial intelligence, intelligent personal assistants (IPAs) have become integral to various industries and individuals’ lives. This study investigates the factors influencing the continuance intention of IPA users. The study aims to address the current knowledge gap and provide valuable insights by comprehensively validating factors that can influence IPA users’ behavior in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. An integrated framework is proposed to identify critical factors impacting IPA usage, and actual IPA users were surveyed. Data from 258 users during the pandemic were collected and analyzed using structural equation modeling. The findings demonstrate that perceived usefulness significantly influences users’ intentions to continue using IPAs, while perceived ease of use has a significant impact on both perceived usefulness and enjoyment. Additionally, customization, feelings of loneliness due to COVID-19, and optimism positively contribute to users’ intention to continue using IPAs. Moreover, the quality of the system and service plays a significant role in user satisfaction. This study sheds light on the crucial determinants of IPA adoption and offers insights for designing and improving IPA systems. The findings can inform the development and enhancement of IPA technologies, enabling service providers to drive user satisfaction, customization, and overall user experience, ultimately fostering further growth and advancement in the IPA industry.
« Une fois piquée au jeu… »
Authors: Maurseth Anne Beate
Published: August 2023

Le jeu libertin auquel s’adonnent les protagonistes des Liaisons dangereuses se fonde sur un
pari, qui est un jeu de hasard. Toute l’action du roman tourne autour de la question de savoir si le vicomte de Valmont arrive à
séduire la pieuse Mme de Tourvel ou non. Par leur pari à ce sujet, Valmont aussi bien que la marquise de Merteuil se trouvent dans
une situation contradictoire. En tant que libertins, leur projet commun est d’éradiquer tout hasard. En pariant, ils se livrent,
au contraire, au hasard, dont ils confirment par là l’importance, voire l’incontournabilité. Le présent article vise à analyser le
caractère contradictoire du projet libertin dans ce roman épistolaire célèbre, qui n’est pas seulement, comme on l’a dit, un chant
de cygne de l’aristocratie à l’aube de la Révolution française, mais qui implique également une critique de l’enthousiasme pour la
raison et le calcul à l’âge des Lumières.
A study on light sensitization behavior in (Mph)2CuCl4 low-dimensional hybrid material with tetrahedral units and extended absorption up to the NIR region
Authors: Albert Ancy , Sreekala C O
Published: August 2023

To develop toxic-free hybrids and hybrid perovskites with transition metals, copper is a potential candidate moreover, Cu settles to a layered structure with higher stability. Depending on the size of the organic cation, the organic inorganic copper halide hybrid settles into a lower dimensional perovskite structure or as a lower dimension hybrid material which lack the octahedral factor and form a regular array of tetrahedral units with organic cations affixing to them. Due to their unique optical properties, these hybrid structures have been comprehensively investigated for light emitting applications. According to the structural study, the synthesized morpholinum copper chloride ((Mph)2CuCl4) hybrid has inorganic tetrahedral units organized in layers, with organic bilayers between them. The band gap of the material was found to be 1.44 eV with good absorbance. This work examined the light sensitization properties of the organic inorganic hybrid semiconductor (Mph)2CuCl4. For that, a device of structure fluorinated tin oxide glass substrate/TiO2 compact layer/TiO2 mesoporous layer/(Mph)2CuCl4/Spiro-OMeTAD/Au was fabricated and encountered solar cell parameters and impedance.
Design and analysis of cooling jacket developed for vacuum power tubes by multiphase cooling
Authors: Anand Rohit , Lakhera Vikas J
Published: August 2023

The vacuum tubes are used extensively in electronic industries. The MW level of vacuum tube are used in RF amplifiers and microwave sources in different sectors like defence, nuclear energy, satellites and medical diagnostics. The first step in the indigenous development of MW level of vacuum tube is the design of its cooling jacket. The cooling jacket of vacuum tubes use hypervapotron (HV) fins which are known for providing efficient cooling in compact space. The key objectives of this paper are to finalize the jacket’s construction material, evaluate the cooling jacket’s heat transfer performance at the MW level of RF (radiofrequency) power, and forecast safe operating conditions for given conditions of high heat flux and water flow rates. In this design, the vacuum tubes’ external dimensions are taken into consideration when designing the cooling jacket. ETP copper (Electrolytic Tough Pitch copper) and copper-chromium-zirconium (CuCrZr) are likely materials for the jacket’s construction. For the aforementioned design of the cooling jacket, FEA (Finite Element Analysis) simulations using a steady-state thermal module and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations using an ANSYS CFX module are described for flow rates of 15, 30, and 60 lpm (liters per minute) and the heat flux 1, 2, 4, and 6 MW m−2. The results of CFD and FEA simulations are found to be in close agreement. A small deviation in results is seen after the start of nucleate boiling. 30 and 60 lpm are desirable flow rates for high heat flux values greater than 2 MW m−2. CuCrZr is the ideal material for a cooling jacket’s construction as it has safe working temperature limit of 350 °C at high heat flux values. Also, 15 lpm flow rate should be avoided while using this cooling jacket at heat flux values greater than or equal to 6 MW m−2.
Bilateral identities of the Rogers–Ramanujan type
Authors: Schlosser Michael
Published: August 2023

We derive by analytic means a number of bilateral identities of the Rogers–Ramanujan type. Our results include bilateral extensions of the Rogers–Ramanujan and the Göllnitz–Gordon identities, and of related identities by Ramanujan, Jackson, and Slater. We give corresponding results for multisums including multilateral extensions of the Andrews–Gordon identities, of the Andrews–Bressoud generalization of the Göllnitz–Gordon identities, of Bressoud’s even modulus identities, and other identities. Our closed form bilateral and multilateral summations appear to be the very first of their kind.
Percolation on Triangulations: A Bijective Path to Liouville Quantum Gravity
Authors: Bernardi Olivier , Holden Nina , Sun Xin
Published: August 2023

We set the foundation for a series of works aimed at proving strong relations between uniform random planar maps and Liouville quantum gravity (LQG). Our method relies on a bijective encoding of site-percolated planar triangulations by certain 2D lattice paths. Our bijection parallels in the discrete setting the mating-of-trees framework of LQG and Schramm-Loewner evolutions (SLE) introduced by Duplantier, Miller, and Sheffield. Combining these two correspondences allows us to relate uniform site-percolated triangulations to

8

/

3

\sqrt {8/3}

-LQG and SLE

6

_6

. In particular, we establish the convergence of several functionals of the percolation model to continuous random objects defined in terms of

8

/

3

\sqrt {8/3}

-LQG and SLE

6

_6

. For instance, we show that the exploration tree of the percolation converges to a branching SLE

6

_6

, and that the collection of percolation cycles converges to the conformal loop ensemble CLE

6

_6

. We also prove convergence of counting measure on the pivotal points of the percolation. Our results play an essential role in several other works, including a program for showing convergence of the conformal structure of uniform triangulations and works which study the behavior of random walk on the uniform infinite planar triangulation.
The Victorians: A Very Short Introduction
Authors: Hewitt Martin
Published: August 2023

The Victorians: A Very Short Introduction provides a historical overview of the Victorians and their legacies. The Victorians continue to have a significant presence in the modern world, especially in the fields of art, science, and literature. Moreover, Victorian cultural legacies shaped transport systems, social structures, and vocabularies in contemporary Britain. The Victorians’ global actions, regardless of whether for good or bad, influenced the entire world. This VSI details the common caricatures of Victorian Britain while elaborating on distinctive values and experiences of the period. It also considers why the culture of Victorian Britain continues to fascinate the people of today.
Animation, Adaptation, and the Plague
Authors: Dix Andrew , Read Sara
Published: August 2023

This article offers the most sustained critical assessment to date of The Periwig-Maker (1999), a short-animated film that takes on the formidable challenge of adapting Daniel Defoe’s novel A Journal of the Plague Year (1722). After embedding both film and novel in intertextual webs that far exceed their putative relationship to each other, the article explores in detail two of the ways in which The Periwig-Maker transmutes its adapted text: first, its complex sound design, instantiating the plague’s soundscape that can only be faintly intimated in Defoe’s print-bound work; second, its gothic mode, hyperbolizing what is only one of a wide array of generic options followed in the Journal. The final section of the article extends the afterlives of both film and novel by considering them as fictions that, eerily, not only look backwards to the plague in the seventeenth century but forward to our own experience of deadly pandemic with COVID-19.
Antisuit Injunctions in Chinese Courts
Authors: Gan Yong
Published: August 2023

The increasingly intensified competition arose among national courts over their judicial authority to resolve standard-essential patents (SEPs) disputes. This competition drove courts and litigants to resort to antisuit injunctions (ASIs) more frequently. However, ASIs Chinese courts issued in SEP-related cases raised concerns in foreign countries. Chinese ASIs’ legal basis has evolved through decades of legislation regarding injunctions, including compulsory maritime orders, IPR preliminary injunctions, and general rules of act preservation, despite containing inherent defects that troubled the subsequent antisuit practice. Likewise, Chinese antisuit practice did not emerge overnight but took years to develop, growing from a mere sprinkle in maritime litigations to a respectable drizzle in SEP-related actions. It encompasses orders to prevent foreign collateral proceedings, the injunction to inhibit foreign antisuit orders, and orders to halt foreign substantive proceedings. Chinese antisuit practice is at its nascence and exhibits striking features in SEP cases. However, closely examining Chinese antisuit decisions in SEP cases reveals that so-called Chinese worldwide ASIs were justifiable and legitimate, in terms of substantive conditions and actual operation, even by the EU and US standards. Nevertheless, China needs to reform the relevant laws regarding antisuit relief and refine its antisuit practice in various aspects to fend off due process and other equitable concerns. Only through international coordination can national courts efficaciously tackle the proliferation of antisuit relief in SEP cases.
Document Number Five: Elections and Tutelary Politics in Uganda, 1967–1971
Authors: Willis Justin
Published: August 2023

In July 1970, Uganda’s President Milton Obote published—under his own name—a plan for a new system of single-party elections. ‘Document Number Five’, as it was called, offered a radical solution to a profound problem. Africa’s nationalist politicians had committed themselves to adult suffrage and the secret ballot as an affirmation of the existence of the nation. Yet they feared that an untutored public, encouraged by unscrupulous politicians, would make the wrong electoral choices. Obote’s complex electoral plan was designed to enforce a national approach to campaigning. Yet, more than that, Document Number Five itself was imagined as the focus for a public political discussion that would educate and enlighten the public and discipline political opportunists. Uganda’s English-language media—dominated by a relatively small group, whose educational privilege had brought them to positions of power—became the forum for this discussion. It was a constrained discussion, conducted in the shadow of intimidation, but it was neither predictable nor entirely scripted. Those who wrote and spoke had a wary eye on their personal safety and their careers, but they also had a sense of themselves as intellectuals, whose words mattered to themselves and to others. While the planned elections never took place—forestalled by Idi Amin’s coup—those who spoke and wrote about Document Number Five affirmed the sense of those involved that politics was fundamentally tutelary and that it was their right, and duty, to guide those who were less educated.
Scavenger richness and functional diversity modify carrion consumption in the surf zone of ocean beaches
Authors: Mosman J D , Gilby B L , Olds A D , Borland H P , Rummell A J , Henderson C J
Published: August 2023

Ecological functions are linked to the condition and stability of coastal ecosystems. Quantifying how human disturbance and seascape context influence biodiversity and how different forms of diversity (i.e. species richness and functional diversity) influence ecological functioning is important in managing coastal ecosystems. We measured if the rates of carrion consumption by fish and crustaceans were influenced by scavenger richness and functional diversity or the abundance of key scavenger species, and which environmental factors shaped carrion consumption in surf zones at 20 beaches in eastern Queensland, Australia. Carrion consumption was positively correlated with scavenger richness, functional diversity, and the abundance of two species: weeping toadfish (Torquigener pleurogramma) and ornate wobbegong (Orectolobus ornatus). Carrion consumption was highest at sites that were near rocky headlands (<1 km) and shark control programme equipment (<1 km) and was also characterized by functional complementarity as weeping toadfish consumed more carrion at sites with a smaller area of reef nearby (<0.1 km2), whilst ornate wobbegong consumed more carrion at sites with a larger area of reef nearby (>0.3 km2). We highlight the importance of scavenger richness and functional diversity in shaping carrion consumption in surf zones, particularly when the species performing the function do this in spatially distinct areas.
A Matrix Li–Yau–Hamilton Estimate for the Green Function on Kähler Manifolds
Authors: Park Jiewon
Published: August 2023

We prove a matrix Li–Yau–Hamilton inequality for the Green function on complete Kähler manifolds with nonnegative holomorphic bisectional curvature. This estimate is an elliptic analogue of the matrix estimate of Cao and Ni for the heat equation on Kähler manifolds. It is also the complex counterpart of the matrix estimate on Riemannian manifolds obtained previously by the author.
Development of muscle strength
Authors: De Ste Croix Mark BA
Published: August 2023

Strength increases in boys and girls until about the age of 14 years when it begins to plateau in girls and a spurt is evident in boys. By 18 years there are few overlaps in strength between boys and girls. The exact age at which sex differences become apparent is both muscle group and muscle action specific. There are few well-controlled longitudinal studies that have concurrently examined the influence of known variables using appropriate statistical techniques. Most studies have shown that maturation does not exert an independent effect when other factors, such as stature and body mass, are accounted for. In addition, the assumption that muscle cross-sectional area is the most important parameter in strength production does not hold when examined with other known variables. Consistently, stature appears to play a key role in strength development and this may be attributed to changes in the muscle moment arm.