bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On/off porosity switching and post-assembly modifications of Cu4L4 metal–organic polyhedra
Authors: Bloch Witold M. , Babarao Ravichandar , Schneider Matthew L.
Published: March 2020

The crystal packing and porosity of Cu4L4 metal–organic polyhedra can be controlled by exploiting their rich solvatomorphism, structural non-rigidity and amenability to covalent post-assembly modifications.
FeNxand γ-Fe2O3co-functionalized hollow graphitic carbon nanofibers for efficient oxygen reduction in an alkaline medium
Authors: Yu Qiang , Lian Sitian , Li Jiantao , Yu Ruohan , Xi Shibo , Wu Jinsong , Zhao Dongyuan , Mai Liqiang , Zhou Liang
Published: March 2020

FeNxand γ-Fe2O3nanoparticle co-functionalized hollow graphitic carbon nanofibers exhibit desirable ORR electrocatalytic activity.
Efficient modulation of end groups for the asymmetric small molecule acceptors enabling organic solar cells with over 15% efficiency
Authors: Li Gang , Li Dandan , Ma Ruijie , Liu Tao , Luo Zhenghui , Cui Guanwei , Tong Lili , Zhang Ming , Wang Zaiyu , Liu Feng , Xu Liang , Yan He , Tang Bo
Published: March 2020

Three asymmetric SMAs based on dithieno[3,2-b:2′,3′-d]pyrrole that exhibit a high efficiency of 15.31%, which is the highest value in asymmetric acceptor-based binary organic solar cells.
Gold nanoparticle-mediated generation of reactive oxygen species during plasmonic photothermal therapy: a comparative study for different particle sizes, shapes, and surface conjugations
Authors: Guerrero-Florez Valentina , Mendez-Sanchez Stelia C. , Patrón-Soberano Olga A. , Rodríguez-González Vicente , Blach Diana , Martínez O. Fernando
Published: March 2020

A schematic diagram exhibits the HeLa cell death during PPT treatment using folic acid-conjugated gold nanoparticles (FA–AuNPs) and non-conjugated AuNPs.
Platinum-loaded, selenium-doped hydroxyapatite nanoparticles selectively reduce proliferation of prostate and breast cancer cells co-cultured in the presence of stem cells
Authors: Barbanente Alessandra , Nadar Robin A. , Esposti Lorenzo Degli , Palazzo Barbara , Iafisco Michele , van den Beucken Jeroen J. J. P. , Leeuwenburgh Sander C. G. , Margiotta Nicola
Published: March 2020

Selenite-doped hydroxyapatite nanoparticles loaded with an anti-tumor Pt(ii)–pyrophosphate complex were prepared to treat bone tumors and metastases by local release of multiple chemotherapeutic agents.
Memristors based on multilayer graphene electrodes for implementing a low-power neuromorphic electronic synapse
Authors: Yan Xiaobing , Cao Gang , Wang Jingjuan , Man Menghua , Zhao Jianhui , Zhou Zhenyu , Wang Hong , Pei Yifei , Wang Kaiyang , Gao Chao , Lou Jianzhong , Ren Deliang , Lu Chao , Chen Jingsheng
Published: March 2020

The Ta/Ta2O5/AlN/graphene memristor with silicon-based multilayer graphene films as the bottom electrode has stable electrical characteristics.
PV power intra‐day predictions using PDE models of polynomial networks based on operational calculus
Authors: Zjavka Ladislav
Published: March 2020

Precise daily forecasts of photo‐voltaic (PV) power production are necessary for its planning, utilisation and integration into the electrical grid. PV power is conditioned by the current amount of specific solar radiation components. Numerical weather prediction systems are usually run every 6 h and provide only rough local prognoses of cloudiness with a delay. Statistical methods can predict PV power, considering a specific plant situation. Their intra‐day models are usually more precise if rely only on the latest data observations and power measurements. Differential polynomial neural network (D‐PNN) is a novel neuro‐computing technique based on analogies with brain pulse signal processing. D‐PNN decomposes the general partial differential equation (PDE), being able to describe the local atmospheric dynamics, into specific sub‐PDEs in its nodes. These are converted using adapted procedures of operational calculus to obtain the Laplace images of unknown node functions, which are inverse L‐transformed to obtain the originals. D‐PNN can select from dozens of input variables to produce applicable sum PDE components which can extend, one by one, its composite models towards the optima. The PDE models are developed with historical spatial data from the estimated optimal numbers of the last days for each 1–9‐h inputs‐output time‐shift to predict clear sky index in the trained time‐horizon.
Complex neutrosophic generalised dice similarity measures and their application to decision making
Authors: Ali Zeeshan , Mahmood Tahir
Published: March 2020

Complex neutrosophic set (CNS) is a modified version of the complex fuzzy set, to cope with complicated and inconsistent information in the environment of fuzzy set theory. The CNS is characterised by three functions expressing the degree of complex‐valued membership, complex‐valued abstinence and degree of complex‐valued non‐membership. The aim of this manuscript is to initiate the novel dice similarity measures and generalised dice similarity using CNS. The special cases of the investigated measures are discussed with the help of some remarks. Moreover, some distance measures based on CNS are also proposed in this manuscript. Then, the authors applied the generalised dice similarity measures and weighted generalised dice similarity measures using CNS to the pattern recognition model to examine the reliability and superiority of the established approaches. The advantages and comparative analysis of the proposed measures with existing measures are also discussed in detail. At last, a numerical example is provided to illustrate the validity and applicability of the presented measures.
Estimating the higher heating value of forest and agricultural biomass
Authors: Górnicki Krzysztof , Kaleta Agnieszka , Winiczenko Radosław
Published: March 2020

The objectives of study were to investigate the ash content, carbon content and the higher heating value and modelling of HHV of forest and agricultural biomass. Five types of biomass were used for the experiments: sunflower husk pellets, wood pellets, straw and hay briquettes, and forest chips. The investigated biomass properties (their average values) change: for ash content between 1.3% (woods pellets) and 7.3% (hay briquettes), for carbon content between 37.4% (forest chips) and 52.0% (wood pellets), for HHV between 14.8 kJ/kg (forest chips) and 20.1 kJ/kg (sunflower husk pellets). Two mathematical models from literature and model proposed by the authors were used to the HHV calculation. The model proposed by the authors gave the best results in determination of sunflower husk pellets HHV.
Liquefaction performances of bread crusts in subcritical water
Authors: Wang Yuzhen , Liu Zhuan , Fang Changqing , Zhang Zeyu , Xie Li
Published: March 2020

Hydrothermal liquefaction of bread crusts in subcritical water were performed in a micro-batch reactor. The influences of temperature (300 – 360 °C) and residence time (10-30 min) on bio-oil yield, boiling point distribution and functional groups in bio-oil were investigated. The results showed that bio-oil yield increased with increasing temperature and reaction time. Maximum bio-oil yield of 22.69wt% was obtained at 360 °C, 30min. The longer reaction time promoted the degradation of diesel to jet fuel and naphtha. The naphtha (C7-10) and jet fuel (C11-C15) increased to 29.9%, 51.82% at 30min from 20.49% and 36.14%, respectively. FT-IR analysis showed that esters, ketones, amides, acids and aldehydes were present in the bio-oil.
Influence of the near standing hall for wind flowing around group of circular cylinders
Authors: Veghova Ivana , Hubova Olga
Published: March 2020

This article deals with experimental investigation of air flow around in – line standing circular cylinders and influence of nearby standing hall on external wind pressure distribution. The wind pressure distribution on the structures is an important parameter in terms of wind load calculation. For vertical circular cylinders in a row arrangement only wind force coefficient is possible find in Eurocode. 1991-1-4. External wind pressure coefficient depends on wind direction and the ratio of distance and diameter b. Influence of nearby standing structure is not possible find in Eurocode. The series of parametric wind tunnel studies was carried out in Boundary Layer Wind Tunnel (BLWT) STU to investigate the external wind pressure coefficient in turbulent wind flow. Experimental measurements were performed in BLWT for 2 reference wind speeds, which fulfilled flow similarity of prototype and model. We have compared the results of free in - line standing 3 circular cylinder and influence of hall on distribution of wind pressure at 3 height levels in turbulent wind flow and these results were compared with values in EN 1991-1-4.
Durability of structural lightweight waste aggregate concrete – electrical resistivity
Authors: Hornakova Marie , Konecny Petr , Lehner Petr , Katzer Jacek
Published: March 2020

While examination of the durability of ordinary concrete mixtures is of interest of many research groups, only limited amount of information is available in terms of lightweight concrete tested under the same conditions. In this case, the durability related to the chloride ion diffusion is investigated on the relatively new type of structural lightweight concrete, which, above all, contains waste material – red ceramics sand, and artificial expanded clay coarse aggregate. Used aggregates were fully soaked before adding into the concrete mixture, so also the internal curing effect is considered in terms of the degradation process. Cylindrical specimens made of plain concrete matrix and with added fibre in various percentage quantities were tested to examine the durability of the mixture by measuring the electrical resistivity. The results are compared to the findings from a similar project. The paper deals with aspects influencing the results of chloride diffusion in concrete.
Cogwheel loading as a moving test load for bridges – analysis and laboratory experiments
Authors: Bayer Jan , Urushadze Shota , Yau Jong-Dar , Yang Yeong-Bin
Published: March 2020

A moving impulse load generated by a heavy cogwheel can be used as a testing excitation for bridges. This novel type of dynamic load acts along the entire driving path, its intensity is adjustable, and it can be very efficient in the case of resonance. Verification tests were performed on a model under laboratory conditions and compared to numerical simulation. The results are extensively discussed.
RANS and SRS simulations of the flow around a smooth cylinder
Authors: Kološ Ivan , Lausová Lenka , Michalcová Vladimíra
Published: March 2020

The paper focuses on the numerical simulation of the flow around circular cylinder with Reynolds number 2∙104. The 2D and 3D mesh is used for the computational domain. RANS turbulence model SST k-ω is used for the 2D task. The 3D task is solved using Scale-Resolving Simulation models LES, SAS, DES. Drag coefficient, lift coefficient, pressure coefficient and velocity field in the wake are evaluated.
Bending response of FGPM plates under voltage load
Authors: Sátor Ladislav , Sládek Vladimír , Sládek Ján
Published: March 2020

In this paper, we investigate the transient response of thin FGPM plates under voltage load within classical theory of the plates. The material properties of plate (such us elastic, piezoelectric, dielectric coefficients and mass density) are functionally graded in the in-plane direction. The strong form meshless formulations for solution of considered initial-boundary value problems are developed in combination with Moving Least Squares (MLS) approximation technique. Several numerical experiments are presented for the investigation of the influence of in-plane gradations of material coefficients on the transient response of the FGPM plates.
Auswirkungen lärmmindernder Maßnahmen auf die Häufigkeit von Lärmbelästigung, Schlafstörungen und Herz-Kreislauf-Erkrankungen – eine Modellrechnung
Authors: Seidler Andreas , Hegewald Janice , Schubert Melanie , Popp Christian , Moebus Susanne
Published: March 2020

Ziel Schwellenwerte zu lärmbedingten Gesundheitsgefährdungen liegen derzeit bei Verkehrslärmpegeln von 70 Dezibel (dB) am Tag und 60 dB in der Nacht. Nach aktuellen wissenschaftlichen Erkenntnissen gewährleisten diese Schwellenwerte keinen hinreichenden Gesundheitsschutz. Ziel dieser Modellrechnung ist es, die Auswirkungen von 3 Szenarien konkreter Lärmminderungsmaßnahmen auf Lärmbelästigung, Schlafstörungen und Herz-Kreislauf-Erkrankungen getrennt voneinander zu schätzen.

Methodik Für Straßen- und Bahnlärm werden 3 Lärmminderungsmaßnahmen (Pegelsenkungen) modelliert: (1) gewichtete 24 Stunden-Mittelungspegel LDEN von maximal 65 dB bzw. nächtliche Mittelungspegel LNight von 55 dB, (2) LDEN von maximal 60 dB bzw. LNight von 50 dB, (3) eine generelle Senkung von Straßen- und Bahnlärmpegel um 3 dB. Effekte der Maßnahmen (1) bis (3) werden exemplarisch für die Studienpopulation der NORAH-Studie zu Krankheitsrisiken (Rhein-Main-Gebiet) ermittelt. Dabei werden die gesundheitlichen Folgen zum einen auf Grundlage der WHO Noise Guidelines (2018), zum anderen auf Grundlage der NORAH-Studie zu Krankheitsrisiken abgeschätzt.

Ergebnisse Die Modellrechnungen zeigen, dass Lärmminderungsmaßnahme (1) die Zahl durch Verkehrslärm hoch Belästigter und stark durch nächtlichen Verkehrslärm Schlafgestörter sowie die Zahl an einer verkehrslärmbedingten Herz-Kreislauf-Erkrankung erkrankender Menschen um etwa 5–10% senken könnte. Eine Lärmminderung nach (2) könnte eine Verringerung verkehrslärmbedingter Herz-Kreislauf-Erkrankungen von mindestens etwa 10% erzielen; nach den WHO Noise Guidelines wäre sogar eine Verringerung straßenlärmbedingter ischämischer Herzkrankheiten um mehr als 30% erreichbar. Diese Maßnahmen würden besonders der hoch lärmbelasteten Bevölkerung nützen – einer ohnehin aufgrund ihrer eingeschränkten sozioökonomischen Ressourcen vulnerablen Personengruppe. Mit der generellen Absenkung von Verkehrslärmpegeln um 3 dB ließe sich die Häufigkeit von Lärmbelästigungen und verkehrslärmbedingten Schlafstörungen insbesondere bei den gering bis mittelgradig Lärmexponierten verringern.

Schlussfolgerungen Aufgrund der unterschiedlichen Zielrichtungen bzw. Zielgruppen der untersuchten Lärmminderungsmaßnahmen sollte die Einführung und Umsetzung konkreter Pegelgrenzwerte durch eine Verringerung des Verkehrslärms im Bereich unterhalb der Pegelgrenzwerte ergänzt werden.
The Effect of Physical Exercise on the Retina and Choroid
Authors: Szalai Irén , Pálya Fanni , Csorba Anita , Tóth Miklós , Somfai Gabor Mark
Published: March 2020

There is only limited information available on the effects of physical exercise on the posterior pole. Retinal circulation is autoregulated similarly to the brain vasculature in order to provide constant flow and thus constant nutrition of the inner retinal structures while the choroid is mostly controlled by the sympathetic nervous system. The available data show that physical exercise may indeed have a positive effect on the retina and visual function. The assessment of retinal structure could serve as a marker in sports medicine, whereas physical activity could exert a positive protective effect against diseases such as diabetic retinopathy or age-related macular degeneration. According to our theory, similar to the term “trained heart” used in cardiology and sports medicine, the term “trained eye” could also be coined. This latter term would help to further emphasize the beneficial effects of physical exercise that works protectively not only for the cardiovascular but for the visual system as well, and thus could further help in the fight against avoidable blindness worldwide.
Iminyl-Radical-Triggered C–C Bond Cleavage of Cycloketone Oxime Derivatives: Generation of Distal Cyano-Substituted Alkyl Radicals and Their Functionalization
Authors: Xiao Tiebo , Zhou Lei , Huang Hongtai , Anand Devireddy
Published: March 2020

Alkyl nitriles are versatile building blocks in organic synthesis because the cyano group can be easily converted into other functional groups. Iminyl-radical-triggered C–C bond cleavage of cycloketone oxime­ derivatives provides a practical route to access distal cyano-substituted alkyl radicals, which has given chemists a new radical reaction platform for the synthesis of diverse alkyl nitriles. This review provides an overview of various types of radical cyanoalkylation via ring opening of cycloketone oxime derivatives.

1 Introduction

2 C–C Bond Formation

2.1 Alkenes as Radical Acceptors

2.2 Aromatic Rings as Radical Acceptors

2.3 Organometallic Reagents as Radical Acceptors

2.4 Cyanoalkyl-Radical-Triggered Cyclization Reactions

2.5 Miscellaneous

3 C–Heteroatom Bond Formation

3.1 C–O Bond Formation

3.2 C–N Bond Formation

3.3 C–S Bond Formation

3.4 C–Halogen Bond Formation

3.5 C–B Bond Formation

4 Conclusion
Synthesis and Application of Tetrafluoroethylene (CF2CF2)-Containing Acetylene Derivatives
Authors: Konno Tsutomu , Egashira Gen , Kajimoto Chihiro , Kataoka Takuto , Yamada Shigeyuki
Published: March 2020

On treating 1,3,4-tribromo-1,1,2,2-tetrafluorobutane, readily prepared from commercially available 4-bromo-3,3,4,4-tetrafluorobut-1-ene, with 3.3 equivalents of LHMDS at 0 °C in THF, the corresponding lithium acetylide could be prepared quantitatively. The acetylide reacted well with various aldehydes, ketones, or chlorosilanes to give the corresponding acetylene derivatives in high yields. It was also found that various iodoarenes could participate in the cross-coupling reaction with the zinc acetylide, readily prepared from the lithium acetylide and ZnCl2·TMEDA complex, in the presence of Pd(PPh3)4 to bring about the adducts in high yields. Thus-obtained acetylene derivatives underwent smooth Diels–Alder reaction with various 1,3-dienes to afford the corresponding 1,4- or 1,3-cyclohexadiene derivatives. In addition, it was revealed that the oxidative aromatization of the resulting cyclohexadiene derivatives with DDQ took place very smoothly, providing the multi-substituted benzene derivatives having a tetrafluoro­ethylene group.
Treatment Complications of Atrial Fibrillation and Their Management
Authors: Mattia Allan , Newman Joshua , Manetta Frank
Published: March 2020

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a rhythm disturbance defined by irregular, rapid electrical, and mechanical activation of the atria, which causes unsynchronized atrial contraction and promotes thromboembolism. AF is the most common sustained arrhythmia. Its prevalence and incidence are increasing due to aging and improved survival from acute heart diseases. This article is a review on AF management from both a surgical and catheter-based perspective. While both treatment approaches to AF have been shown to be successful in the management of AF, they are not without their own inherent complications. This article seeks to review some of these complications and help to guide treatment.
CT Validation of Intraoperative Implant Position and Knee Alignment as Determined by the MAKO Total Knee Arthroplasty System
Authors: Sires James D. , Wilson Christopher J.
Published: March 2020

Robotic-assisted technology in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) aims to increase implantation accuracy, with real-time data being used to estimate intraoperative component alignment. Postoperatively, Perth computed tomography (CT) protocol is a valid measurement technique in determining both femoral and tibial component alignments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of intraoperative component alignment by robotic-assisted TKA through CT validation. A total of 33 patients underwent TKA using the MAKO robotic-assisted TKA system. Intraoperative measurements of both femoral and tibial component placements, as well as limb alignment as determined by the MAKO software were recorded. Independent postoperative Perth CT protocol was obtained (n = 29) and compared with intraoperative values. Mean absolute difference between intraoperative and postoperative measurements for the femoral component were 1.17 degrees (1.10) in the coronal plane, 1.79 degrees (1.12) in the sagittal plane, and 1.90 degrees (1.88) in the transverse plane. Mean absolute difference between intraoperative and postoperative measurements for the tibial component were 1.03 degrees (0.76) in the coronal plane and 1.78 degrees (1.20) in the sagittal plane. Mean absolute difference of limb alignment was 1.29 degrees (1.25), with 93.10% of measurements ≤3 degrees of postoperative CT measurements. Overall, intraoperatively measured component alignment as estimated by the MAKO robotic-assisted TKA system is comparable to CT-based measurements.
Risk Factors for Patellar Clunk or Crepitation after Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Duan Guman , Cai Sijia , Lin Weiwei , Pan Yongwei
Published: March 2020

Patellar clunk and crepitation (PCC) have been reported as a consequence of primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The incidence and contributing factors have not been fully defined. We performed this systematic review to evaluate factors associated with PCC following primary TKA. We identified studies on PCC following TKA from an electronic search of articles in Medline, Embase and the Cochrane databases (dated up to May 2018). Eighteen studies altogether, including 600 cases of PCC within 8,131 TKAs, were included in the meta-analysis. Several factors including demographic, intraoperative, clinical variables, and radiographic measurements were pooled for meta-analysis. Among intraoperative and clinical variables, patients involved with patellar retention (odds ratio [OR] = 9.420; confidence interval [CI]: 5.770–13.070), lateral reticular release (OR = 2.818; CI: 1.114–7.125), and previous surgery (OR = 2.724; CI: 1.549–4.790) were more likely to having PCCs. Among radiographic measurements, increased anterior tibial offset (weighted mean difference [WMD] = 0.387; CI: 0.139–0.634), increased joint line changes (WMD = 1.325; CI: 0.595–2.055), and increased knee flexion angle (WMD = 3.592; CI: 1.811–5.374) were considered risk factors associated with PCC. Demographic factors (age, gender, body mass index [BMI], and diagnosis) and other reported radiographic measurements were not associated with PCCs. This study identified intraoperative variables (patellar retention and lateral reticular release), clinical variables (previous surgery), and radiographic measurements (increased anterior tibial offset, increased joint line changes, and increased postoperative knee flexion angle) that contribute to an increased risk for PCC. Modifiable factors (patellar retention and lateral reticular release) should be considered and addressed to limit the risk for PCC following TKA. Patients with conditions that may not be modifiable may benefit from counseling about their increased risks for PCC to limit potential dissatisfaction with their procedure.
Trends in Periprosthetic Knee Infection and Associated Costs: A Population-Based Study Using National Data
Authors: Brochin Robert , Poeran Jashvant , Vig Khushdeep S. , Keswani Aakash , Zubizarreta Nicole , Galatz Leesa M. , Moucha Calin
Published: March 2020

Given increasing demand for primary knee arthroplasties, revision surgery is also expected to increase, with periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) a main driver of costs. Recent data on national trends is lacking. We aimed to assess trends in PJI in total knee arthroplasty revisions and hospitalization costs. From the National Inpatient Sample (2003–2016), we extracted data on total knee arthroplasty revisions (n = 782,449). We assessed trends in PJI prevalence and (inflation-adjusted) hospitalization costs (total as well as per-day costs) for all revisions and stratified by hospital teaching status (rural/urban by teaching status), hospital bed size (≤299, 300–499, and ≥500 beds), and hospital region (Northeast, Midwest, South, and West). The Cochran–Armitage trend test (PJI prevalence) and linear regression determined significance of trends. PJI prevalence overall was 25.5% (n = 199,818) with a minor increasing trend: 25.3% (n = 7,828) in 2003 to 28.9% (n = 19,275) in 2016; p < 0.0001. Median total hospitalization costs for PJI decreased slightly ($23,247 in 2003–$20,273 in 2016; p < 0.0001) while median per-day costs slightly increased ($3,452 in 2003–$3,727 in 2016; p < 0.0001), likely as a function of decreasing length of stay. With small differences between hospitals, the lowest and highest PJI prevalences were seen in small (≤299 beds; 22.9%) and urban teaching hospitals (27.3%), respectively. In stratification analyses, an increasing trend in PJI prevalence was particularly seen in larger (≥500 beds) hospitals (24.4% in 2003–30.7% in 2016; p < 0.0001), while a decreasing trend was seen in small-sized hospitals. Overall, PJI in knee arthroplasty revisions appears to be slightly increasing. Moreover, increasing trends in large hospitals and decreasing trends in small-sized hospitals suggest a shift in patients from small to large volume hospitals. Decreasing trends in total costs, alongside increasing trends in per-day costs, suggest a strong impact of length of stay trends and a more efficient approach to PJI over the years (in terms of shorter length of stay).
Flash Sterilization and Component Reimplantation Is a Viable Option for Articulating Antibiotic Spacers in Periprosthetic Knee Infections
Authors: Karas Vasili , Rutherford Richard W. , Herschmiller Thomas A. , Plate Johannes F. , Bolognesi Michael P. , Joyce Maria J. , Wellman Samuel S.
Published: March 2020

The articulating antibiotic spacer is a treatment utilized for two-stage revision of an infected total knee arthroplasty. The original femoral component is retained and reused in one described variation of this technique. The purpose of this study is to determine the safety and efficacy of flash sterilization of the femoral component for reimplantation in an articulating antibiotic spacer for the treatment of chronic periprosthetic joint infection. A total of 10 patients were identified prospectively with a culture positive infected total knee arthroplasty. The patients underwent explantation, debridement, and placement of an articulating antibiotic spacer consisting of the explanted and sterilized femoral component and a new polyethylene tibial insert. The explanted tibial components were cleaned and flash-sterilized with the femoral components, but the components were then aseptically packaged and sent to our microbiology laboratory for sonication and culture of the sonicate for 14 days. Ten of 10 cleaned tibial components were negative for bacterial growth of the infecting organism after final testing and analysis. At 18-month follow-up, 9 of 10 of patients remained clear of infection. Among the 10 patients, 7 were pleased with their articulating spacer construct and had no intention of electively pursuing reimplantation. Also, 3 of 10 of patients were successfully reimplanted at a mean of 6.5 months after explantation. Autoclave sterilization and reimplantation of components may be a safe and potentially resource-sparing method of articulating spacer placement in two-stage treatment of PJI. Patient follow-up demonstrated clinical eradication of infection in 90% of cases with good patient tolerance of the antibiotic spacer.
Are You In or Are You Out? Provider Note Sharing in Pediatrics
Authors: Bialostozky Mario , Huang Jeannie S. , Kuelbs Cynthia L.
Published: March 2020

Background The OpenNotes initiative launched an international movement aimed at making health care more transparent by improving communication with, and access to, information for patients through provider note sharing. Little has been written either on provider note sharing in pediatric and adolescent populations or on the impact of system default settings versus voluntary provider note sharing.

Objective We describe our journey as a pediatric integrated delivery network to default share notes in ambulatory specialty practices not only with parent proxies but also with teens and discuss the methods that led to a successful implementation.

Methods Retrospective analysis of every ambulatory shareable medical provider note written in pediatric subspecialty clinics within an integrated pediatric delivery network from April 2017 through March 2019.

Results From April 2017 to February 2018, a total of 221,655 notes were shareable based on organizational policies, yet only 224 (0.1%) were actually shared with patients and families. After implementing a system of default release of notes from March 2018 to January 2019, a total of 224,960 notes were shareable, of which 191,379 (85%) were shared.

Conclusion Requiring providers to take an action to share notes (opt-in) results in few notes being shared while requiring providers to take an action to not share notes (opt-out) results in high levels of note sharing. We demonstrate that default release of notes in pediatric organizations to both proxies and teens is not only achievable but also likely to lead to increased provider note sharing with patients without obvious negative impact on providers or the organization.
The Role of Laparoscopy in Anorectal Malformations
Authors: Rentea Rebecca M. , Halleran Devin R. , Wood Richard J. , Levitt Marc A.
Published: March 2020

The use of laparoscopy in the minimally invasive management of anorectal malformations (ARMs) continues to evolve, although the principles guiding the anatomic surgical repair and clinical follow-up remain unchanged. In this review, we detail the advantages, indications, contraindications, complications, and issues unique to the minimally invasive approach to ARM. A comprehensive search of the PubMed and Embase databases was performed (2014–2018). Full-text screening, data abstraction, and quality appraisal were performed of articles describing the use of laparoscopy in ARM and cloaca. While new developments and approaches to ARM utilizing minimally invasive techniques and timing for surgical approach have been detailed, a unique complication profile involving greater risk of rectal prolapse and retention of a remnant of the original fistula are still consistently reported. Analysis of perioperative complications and long-term functional outcomes, including rates of fecal and urinary continence, are lacking. It is clear that patient selection for the choice of surgical approach based on precise preoperative delineation of the anatomy is the key. Adherence to the principles of ARM repair as well as application of operative/imaging adjuncts will yield the best technically safe minimally invasive approach to ARM. Continued efforts for standardized reporting and long-term follow-up are required.
Trends in Utilization of Total and Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty in the United States
Authors: Kahlenberg Cynthia A. , Richardson Shawn S. , Gruskay Jordan A. , Cross Michael B.
Published: March 2020

Total knee replacement (TKR) and unicompartmental knee replacement (UKR) are successful procedures for patients with knee arthritis. While strict criteria were proposed early on for UKR, some surgeons have expanded these indications to include younger and heavier patients. The purpose of this study is to analyze trends in usage of TKR and UKR in the United States. This retrospective study analyzed an insurance administrative dataset. Patients who underwent primary TKR and UKR were identified via current procedural terminology codes. Information on incidence, obesity, use of computer navigation, and surgical setting were collected. We analyzed 7,194 UKRs and 128,849 TKRs performed from 2007 to 2016. Prevalence of obesity in both groups increased over the study period. Utilization of computer navigation increased for UKR but declined for TKR. The rate of outpatient procedures significantly increased for UKR but remained constant for TKR. Both TKR and UKR are being performed at increasing rates and on heavier patients. The use of computer navigation and outpatient surgical setting is increasing for UKR but not for TKR. Knowledge of these trends is important for surgeons and policy-makers to help inform surgical indications and resource allocation.
Metabolomic Pathways Predicting Labor Dystocia by Maternal Body Mass Index
Authors: Carlson Nicole S. , Frediani Jennifer K. , Corwin Elizabeth J. , Dunlop Anne , Jones Dean
Published: March 2020

Objectives The purpose of this study was to evaluate the metabolic pathways activated in the serum of African-American women during late pregnancy that predicted term labor dystocia.

Study Design Matched case–control study (n = 97; 48 cases of term labor dystocia and 49 normal labor progression controls) with selection based on body mass index (BMI) at hospital admission and maternal age. Late pregnancy serum samples were analyzed using ultra-high-resolution metabolomics. Differentially expressed metabolic features and pathways between cases experiencing term labor dystocia and normal labor controls were evaluated in the total sample, among women who were obese at the time of labor (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2), and among women who were not obese.

Results Labor dystocia was predicted by different metabolic pathways in late pregnancy serum among obese (androgen/estrogen biosynthesis) versus nonobese African-American women (fatty acid activation, steroid hormone biosynthesis, bile acid biosynthesis, glycosphingolipid metabolism). After adjusting for maternal BMI and age in the total sample, labor dystocia was predicted by tryptophan metabolic pathways in addition to C21 steroid hormone, glycosphingolipid, and androgen/estrogen metabolism.

Conclusion Metabolic pathways consistent with lipotoxicity, steroid hormone production, and tryptophan metabolism in late pregnancy serum were significantly associated with term labor dystocia in African-American women.
Clinical Utility of Weekly Laboratory Testing in the Outpatient Management of Preeclampsia and Gestational Hypertension
Authors: Morgan John A. , McCalmont Lauren E. , Towers Craig V. , Davis Melissa , Hankins Miriam , Rangnekar Niyati , McNeal Mary Ellen , Lewis David F.
Published: March 2020

Objective To investigate the utility of obtaining weekly laboratory testing in patients managed as an outpatient for gestational hypertension and preeclampsia without severe features.

Study Design A multisite retrospective cohort study was performed evaluating preterm women diagnosed with gestational hypertension/preeclampsia managed in an outpatient setting between gestational ages of 230/7 and 366/7. Patients were divided into two groups: weekly laboratory evaluation (laboratories group) and a no laboratories group. The primary study outcome was composite maternal morbidity including more than one of the following: development of severe features, HELLP syndrome, eclampsia, placental abruption, maternal intensive care unit admission, or maternal death.

Results A total of 204 patients were included in this study, laboratories group (n = 120) and no laboratories group (n = 84). The laboratories group was older (28.8 vs. 26.6 years, p = 0.02), had a higher rate of chronic hypertension (44 [36.7%] vs. 17 [20.2%], p = 0.01), and more often experienced the primary composite outcome (53 [44.2%] vs. 24 [28.5%], p = 0.02). No patients in our cohort were delivered for abnormal laboratory values.

Conclusion This study found that weekly laboratory testing may have minimal clinical utility in the outpatient management protocol in monitoring patients with mild gestational hypertension or preeclampsia. Delivery was guided by other clinical factors.
Safety and Feasibility of Intravenous Paracetamol for Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Indomethacin-/Ibuprofen-Resistant or -Contraindicated Preterm Infants: A Case Series
Authors: Oshima Ayumi , Matsumura Shun , Iwatani Ayaka , Morita Machiko , Fujinuma Sumie , Motojima Yukiko , Tanaka Kosuke , Masutani Satoshi , Kabe Kazuhiko , Ueda Keiko , Namba Fumihiko
Published: March 2020

Background Although indomethacin and ibuprofen are the standard treatments for hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (hsPDA), they are associated with renal impairment and gastrointestinal complications. Paracetamol for hsPDA closure does not provoke a peripheral vasoconstrictive effect and seems to have effects similar to those of indomethacin and ibuprofen. We have previously reported the safety of low-dose (7.5 mg/kg) intravenous paracetamol for preterm infants with hsPDA, who were indomethacin-resistant or -contraindicated but did not affect the need for surgical PDA ligation. However, reports considering the use of higher-dose (15 mg/kg) paracetamol for hsPDA have not been published in Japan.

Cases In 16 premature infants in whom indomethacin or ibuprofen was contraindicated or ineffective, 15 mg/kg of paracetamol was intravenously administered every 6 hours for 3 days after obtaining parental consent. hsPDA closure or narrowing was observed in 14 infants (88%), with the need for surgical closure totally avoided in nine cases (56%). High plasma paracetamol levels were observed in three cases. No paracetamol-related side effects or adverse events were reported.

Conclusion The intravenous administration of higher dose paracetamol was safe and feasible in premature infants with hsPDA. Future clinical trials to explore the optimized dose and timing of administration are needed.
Thrombin Promotes Macrophage Polarization into M1-Like Phenotype to Induce Inflammatory Responses
Authors: López-Zambrano Mercedes , Rodriguez-Montesinos Julián , Crespo-Avilan Gustavo E. , Muñoz-Vega Mónica , Preissner Klaus T.
Published: March 2020

Despite strong evidence supporting the cellular interplay between haemostasis and innate immunity, humoral connections between blood coagulation and the behavior of inflammatory macrophages are not well understood. In this study, we investigated changes in gene expression of selected cytokines and chemokines and their secretion profiles following thrombin stimulation of murine macrophages. Thrombin promoted differentiation of macrophages into an M1-like phenotype that was associated with the expression of classical pro-inflammatory markers. The cellular actions of thrombin on macrophages were mediated in part by protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR-1) and were dependent on phosphoinositide 3-kinase/AKT and nuclear factor-κB. Moreover, heat-denatured thrombin stimulated the secretion of some pro-inflammatory mediators to the same magnitude indicating that different receptors transmit cellular signals of enzymatically active thrombin and nonactive thrombin, the latter remaining so far undefined. Finally, pretreatment of macrophages with thrombin resulted in tolerance against secondary stimulation by lipopolysaccharide with regard to expression of tumor necrosis factor-α. These results provide new insights into the molecular link between the key enzyme of haemostasis and innate immunity responses.
Static and dynamic attractive–repulsive interactions in two coupled nonlinear oscillators
Authors: Dixit Shiva , Shrimali Manish Dev
Published: March 2020

Many systems exhibit both attractive and repulsive types of interactions, which may be dynamic or static. A detailed understanding of the dynamical properties of a system under the influence of dynamically switching attractive or repulsive interactions is of practical significance. However, it can also be effectively modeled with two coexisting competing interactions. In this work, we investigate the effect of time-varying attractive–repulsive interactions as well as the hybrid model of coexisting attractive–repulsive interactions in two coupled nonlinear oscillators. The dynamics of two coupled nonlinear oscillators, specifically limit cycles as well as chaotic oscillators, are studied in detail for various dynamical transitions for both cases. Here, we show that dynamic or static attractive–repulsive interactions can induce an important transition from the oscillatory to steady state in identical nonlinear oscillators due to competitive effects. The analytical condition for the stable steady state in dynamic interactions at the low switching time period and static coexisting interactions are calculated using linear stability analysis, which is found to be in good agreement with the numerical results. In the case of a high switching time period, oscillations are revived for higher interaction strength.
Direct, spatially resolved observation of defect states with electromigration and degradation of single crystal SrTiO3
Authors: Gao Hantian , Sahu Sulata , Randall Clive A. , Brillson Leonard J.
Published: March 2020

Laterally and depth-resolved cathodoluminescence spectroscopy (DRCLS) provided direct, nanoscale measurements of oxygen vacancy and oxygen vacancy complex distributions in undoped and Fe-doped SrTiO3 with high temperature electric field stress associated with dielectric resistance degradation. DRCLS provided direct and spatially resolved observation of oxygen vacancy migration driven by external electric fields from the anode to the cathode in undoped SrTiO3 between laterally separated electrodes, resulting in increased current leakage and lower thermal breakdown strength. DRCLS measurements through planar Pt electrodes after high temperature electric field cycling reveal pronounced oxygen vacancy depletion within the surface space region of the Pt/SrTiO3 Schottky barrier as predicted theoretically. These results provide a direct insight into the transient states impacting the conduction during the electromigration of the oxygen vacancies. The deconvolution of different peaks and their intensity variations relative to the direct bandgap provide methods to gauge the relative defect energetics of these gap states. These data are discussed in relation to providing a tool to further understand conduction in mixed ionic conductors.
A simple model of solenoidal inductively coupled plasma sources considering finite size
Authors: Lee J. J. , Kim S. J. , Kim K. K. , Lee Y. S. , You S. J.
Published: March 2020

This paper proposes an updated transformer model for solenoidal inductively coupled plasma sources that can be applied even in low electron density regions. The proposed model can handle plasma in a finite geometry where the electric fields propagating from each boundary overlap, employing a simple analytic expression of the electric field, a one-dimensional (1D) sine hyperbolic function. Based on this field expression, all circuit elements of the transformer model that depend on the electron density, namely, plasma resistance, magnetic inductance, and mutual inductance, can now be obtained. Comparison of absorbed power as well as the circuit elements calculated using the proposed model, named here as the 1D transformer model, shows good agreement with the electromagnetic model, which is known for being quite accurate for cold plasma not only in high but also in low electron density regions. Results also indicate that the 1D transformer model is not limited to a specific setup but rather can be applied in a wide range of discharge conditions.
Microfluidics-based fabrication of cell-laden microgels
Authors: Mohamed Mohamed G. A. , Ambhorkar Pranav , Samanipour Roya , Yang Annie , Ghafoor Ali , Kim Keekyoung
Published: March 2020

Microfluidic principles have been extensively utilized as powerful tools to fabricate controlled monodisperse cell-laden hydrogel microdroplets for various biological applications, especially tissue engineering. In this review, we report recent advances in microfluidic-based droplet fabrication and provide our rationale to justify the superiority of microfluidics-based techniques over other microtechnology methods in achieving the encapsulation of cells within hydrogels. The three main components of such a system—hydrogels, cells, and device configurations—are examined thoroughly. First, the characteristics of various types of hydrogels including natural and synthetic types, especially concerning cell encapsulation, are examined. This is followed by the elucidation of the reasoning behind choosing specific cells for encapsulation. Next, in addition to a detailed discussion of their respective droplet formation mechanisms, various device configurations including T-junctions, flow-focusing, and co-flowing that aid in achieving cell encapsulation are critically reviewed. We then present an outlook on the current applications of cell-laden hydrogel droplets in tissue engineering such as 3D cell culturing, rapid generation and repair of tissues, and their usage as platforms for studying cell–cell and cell–microenvironment interactions. Finally, we shed some light upon the prospects of microfluidics-based production of cell-laden microgels and propose some directions for forthcoming research that can aid in overcoming challenges currently impeding the translation of the technology into clinical success.
Experimental investigation of influence of sliding discharge DBD plasma on low-speed boundary layer
Authors: Chen Kun , Geng Xi , Shi Zhiwei , Cheng Keming , Cui Hao
Published: March 2020

In this study, we investigated the effects of surface sliding discharge of a dielectric barrier discharge (SL-DBD) plasma actuator on the boundary layer flow using the time-resolved particle image velocimetry (PIV) technique. According to the PIV measurements, the peak-shaped mean jet flow is induced by the SL-DBD plasma actuator in quiescent air. Under the freestream of U∞ = 6 m/s on the flat plate, the results show that the streamwise velocity fluctuation induced by SL-DBD plasma is increased pronouncedly at the downstream of the actuator. Meanwhile, the mean flow velocity increases obviously in the downstream of the actuator. The instantaneous results show the formation of the vorticity at the bottom of the boundary layer after the plasma excitation. In addition, the vorticity has the behavior to lift up, possibly because of the induced peak-shaped jet.
Runaway electron transport in stochastic toroidal magnetic fields
Authors: Carbajal L. , del-Castillo-Negrete D. , Martinell J. J.
Published: March 2020

In this work, we study the transport and confinement properties of runaway electrons (RE) in the presence of magnetic fields with perturbations producing different levels of stochasticity. We use Kinetic Orbit Runaway Electron Code (KORC) [Carbajal et al., Phys. Plasmas 24, 042512 (2017) and del-Castillo-Negrete et al., Phys. Plasmas 25, 056104 (2018)] for simulating the full-orbit (FO) and guiding-center (GC) dynamics of RE in perturbed magnetic fields that exhibit magnetic islands. We extend previous works on this problem [Wingen et al., Nucl. Fusion 46, 941 (2006); Izzo et al., Nucl. Fusion 51, 063032 (2011); Papp et al., Nucl. Fusion 51, 043004 (2011); V. Izzo and P. Parks, Phys. Plasmas 24, 060705 (2017); and Sommariva et al., Nucl. Fusion 58, 016043 (2018)] by studying in detail full-orbit effects on the RE dynamics. We quantify FO effects on RE transport by performing one-to-one comparisons between FO and GC simulations. It is found that, for the magnetic field configurations considered, GC simulations predict twice the RE losses of FO simulations for 1 MeV and four times the RE losses of FO simulations for 25 MeV. Similarly, we show how different GC and FO dynamics of RE moving around magnetic islands can be, especially in the scenario where the RE Larmor radius is on the order of the size of the magnetic island. We also study the role of rotation of the magnetic islands on RE confinement, and we find that low-frequency toroidal rotation has no observable effect on RE transport in the cases considered. These results shed some light into the potential of avoidance or mitigation mechanisms based on magnetic perturbations.
High-resolution imaging of molecular collisions using a Zeeman decelerator
Authors: Plomp Vikram , Gao Zhi , Cremers Theo , Besemer Matthieu , van de Meerakker Sebastiaan Y. T.
Published: March 2020

We present the first crossed beam scattering experiment using a Zeeman decelerated molecular beam. The narrow velocity spreads of Zeeman decelerated NO (X2Π3/2, j = 3/2) radicals result in high-resolution scattering images, thereby fully resolving quantum diffraction oscillations in the angular scattering distribution for inelastic NO–Ne collisions and product-pair correlations in the radial scattering distribution for inelastic NO–O2 collisions. These measurements demonstrate similar resolution and sensitivity as in experiments using Stark decelerators, opening up possibilities for controlled and low-energy scattering experiments using chemically relevant species such as H and O atoms, O2 molecules, or NH radicals.