bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Novel use of telescoping growth rods in treatment of early onset scoliosis: An in vivo and in vitro study in a porcine model
Authors: Vaudreuil Nicholas , Xue Jingbo , Ramanathan Rahul , Tisherman Robert , Dombrowski Malcolm , Wang Wen‐Jun , Bell Kevin
Published: September 2018

Introduction

Treatment of early‐onset scoliosis (EOS) can be difficult. Various forms of growing rods exist to correct deformity while delaying definitive spinal fusion. The disadvantage of traditional growing rods is need for repeated surgical lengthening procedures. Telescoping growth rods (TelGR) are a prototype new, guided growth technology with a rod mechanism that allows spontaneous longitudinal growth over time without manual lengthening. We hypothesized that the TelGR system will permit unrestricted growth with limited complications through 12 weeks in vivo, and that the range of motion (RoM) in each of three directions and stiffness of the TelGR system would not be significantly different than the rigid rod system in vitro.

Materials and Methods

In vivo: Six immature pigs were surgically implanted with TelGR with cephalad fixation at T6‐7 and caudal fixation at T14‐L1. Radiographs of the involved vertebral segments were measured postoperatively and after 12 weeks.

In vitro: A robotic testing system was utilized for flexibility tests in flexion‐extension (FE), lateral bending (LB), and axial rotation (AR) of eight immature porcine specimens (T3‐T15). Testing was performed on both dual rigid rods and bilateral TelGR with instrumentation at T4‐5 and T13‐14.

Results

In vivo: Over the 12‐week period, the rod length of the TelGR increased an average of 65 mm.

In vitro: TelGR demonstrated significantly increased motion in LB and AR RoM compared with rigid rods. No difference was noted in FE RoM.

Discussion

The in vivo results in this study showed expected skeletal growth with spines instrumented with TelGR. In vitro findings of increased RoM in AR and LB suggest that the TelGR system may be less rigid than traditional growing rods. Treatment with TelGR might, if proven efficacious in the clinical setting, decrease the need for repeated surgical intervention compared with traditional growing rods. This study adds to the limited body of biomechanical evidence examining guided growth technology.
The Reliability of Suprapatellar Transverse Sonographic Assessment of Femoral Trochlear Cartilage Thickness in Healthy Adults
Authors: Roberts Harry M. , Moore Jonathan P. , Thom Jeanette M.
Published: September 2018

Objectives

To determine the intrasession reliability of femoral cartilage thickness measurements using sonography and extend the pool of normative data for cartilage thickness measurements assessed by sonography.

Methods

A total of 77 healthy participants (55 men, 22 women), with an average age of 43 ± 18 (mean ± standard deviation) years, volunteered. Resting suprapatellar sonography was used to image trochlear cartilage thickness on 2 separate occasions a maximum of 7 days apart. Reliability was evaluated with intraclass correlation coefficients, Bland‐Altman analysis, standard error of measurement, and the smallest real difference. Normative data was assessed using linear, multiple regression models and independent group t tests.

Results

The test‐retest level of agreement at all locations was high (intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.779–0.843), which increased to high–very high in young adults (intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.884–0.920). The standard error of measurement was 8.2% to 8.3% at all locations and reduced further to 5.4% to 6.3% in younger adults. The smallest real difference was between 22.8% and 23.1% for the full sample and 14.9% and 17.5% in young adults only. Multiple regression analyses demonstrated that age, weight, female sex, and a high physical activity frequency could significantly predict cartilage thickness at all locations (P < .05); however, female sex was the only significant independent predictor in all models (all P < .01). Females also had thinner cartilage at all locations (P < .01).

Conclusion

Suprapatellar sonography demonstrates high intratester reliability and measurement precision and is a promising method to assess trochlear cartilage thickness. Being female may impact femoral cartilage thickness more than other potential risk factors for knee osteoarthritis such as age, weight, and high physical activity frequency.
Congenital Lobar Overinflation: A Rare Enigmatic Lung Lesion on Prenatal Ultrasound and Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Oliver Edward R. , DeBari Suzanne E. , Horii Steven C. , Pogoriler Jennifer E. , Victoria Teresa , Khalek Nahla , Howell Lori J. , Adzick N. Scott , Coleman Beverly G.
Published: September 2018

Objectives

To report the ultrasound (US) features in prenatal cases of suspected congenital pulmonary airway malformation or unspecified lung lesions with a final surgical pathologic diagnosis of congenital lobar overinflation (CLO).

Methods

Institutional Review Board–approved radiology and clinical database searches from 2001 to 2017 were performed for prenatally diagnosed lung lesions with a final diagnosis of CLO. All patients had detailed US examinations in addition to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Size, echotexture, and vascularity were assessed with US, and the signal and vascularity were assessed with MRI. Follow‐up prenatal US scans, postnatal imaging, and postnatal outcomes were reviewed.

Results

The study population consisted of 12 patients. The median gestational age was 23.3 weeks. The median congenital pulmonary airway malformation volume‐to‐head circumference ratio was 0.66. Lesion locations were 6 in the lower lobes (4 right and 2 left), 5 in the upper lobes (3 left and 2 right), and 1 in the right middle lobe. The texture was homogeneously echogenic relative to the normal lung in 100% with no visualized macrocysts. Hypervascularity by color Doppler US was observed in 5 cases (41.7%). A T2 hyperintense lung lesion was identified by MRI in 12 of 12 cases (100%), with elongated vessels identified in 11 of 12 cases (91.7%). All 12 cases had pathologically proven CLO.

Conclusions

Congenital lobar overinflation should be considered in cases of prenatal echogenic lung lesions without macrocysts or classic findings of bronchial atresia. Hypervascularity may be an important imaging feature of a subset of CLO. Most cases become less conspicuous, decrease in size without overt hydrops, and are asymptomatic postnatally.
Influence of preoperative voice assessment on treatment plan prior to airway surgery
Authors: Bergeron Mathieu , Kelchner Lisa , Weinrich Barbara , Brehm Susan Baker , Zacharias Stephanie , Myer Charles , Alarcon Alessandro de
Published: September 2018

Objectives/Hypothesis

Voice quality has emerged as an additional long‐term outcome measure for patients with a history of airway surgery. The goal of this study was to evaluate the impact of preoperative voice assessment on the surgical management of patients who required complex airway surgery.

Study Design

Retrospective case series.

Methods

We analyzed clinical data for all patients who underwent an airway reconstruction procedure from September 1, 2012 to September 1, 2017 and had a voice clinic evaluation prior to surgery at a tertiary‐care pediatric hospital. Each participant underwent a full clinical voice evaluation that yielded acoustic, imaging, perceptual, and handicapping index data.

Results

Six hundred forty‐three patients underwent 831 airway surgeries (laryngotracheoplasty, cricotracheal resection, slide tracheoplasty, laryngeal cleft repair). Ninety‐one (14.2%) of the 643 patients underwent a formal voice clinic evaluation prior to airway surgery; 39/91 (42.9%) were female. The mean age was 10.4 years (95% confidence interval [CI]: 9.2‐11.6) with 31/91 (32.9%) participants demonstrating vocal fold immobility and 33/91 (36.3%) vocal fold hypomobility. A voice clinic evaluation provided new information for 62/91 (68.1%) patients, mainly for laryngeal dynamic components (vocal fold motion, source of phonation, arytenoid prolapse) and confirmed suspected disorders for the remaining patients. The average baseline Pediatric Voice Handicap Index overall score was 38.9 (95% CI: 33.3‐44.5), and the average overall severity rating of the Consensus Auditory‐Perceptual Evaluation of Voice was 54 (95% CI: 45.2‐62.8). A voice clinic evaluation influenced management of 56/91 (61.5%) patients either by modification of the surgical plan (26/56, 46%) and/or adjusting voice therapy (21/56, 37.5%).

Conclusions

Voice evaluation prior to airway reconstruction provided key information that influenced the management for most of the patients. Formal voice evaluation should be considered prior to complex airway surgery.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 128:2858–2863, 2018
Laser Soldering of Cartilage Graft Interposed Into a Tracheal Incision in a Porcine Model
Authors: Yafit Daniel , Basov Svetlana , Katzir Abraham , Fliss Dan , DeRowe Ari
Published: September 2018

Objectives/Hypothesis

Investigate the feasibility of soldering a free cartilage graft into a tracheal defect by laser heating and assessing the resulting burst pressure and thermal damage to the cartilage.

Study Design

Animal study.

Methods

A 20 × 8 mm defect was created in fresh cadaveric pig tracheas, a cartilage graft of the same size was harvested from the thyroid ala cartilage, and the graft was fitted into the defect. The soldering process involved covering the edges with liquid albumin and using a fiber‐laser system for heating the edges to temperature T under temperature control. This was done for groups of grafts at various temperatures T = 60°C to 90°C. The tracheas were sealed, for each group the burst pressure was measured, and a histologic examination of the soldered incisions was performed.

Results

The burst pressures were in the range of 66 to 409 mm Hg. The median burst pressure was 78, 157, 231, and 146 mm Hg, respectively, for T = 60°C, 70°C, 80°C, and 90°C. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in burst pressures between the T = 60°C group and the T = 80°C and T = 90°C groups (P < .05). The highest burst pressure was measured in the T = 80°C group. Histologic examination revealed no thermal damage to the cartilage at this temperature.

Conclusions

Performing a sutureless laser soldering of a free cartilage graft to a tracheal defect, achieving an immediate watertight bond, is feasible. At T = 80°C the highest burst pressures were achieved. No histologic damage was observed. In vivo studies are needed before implementation of this technique in laryngotracheopasty.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 129:58–62, 2019
Plasma Unesterified Fatty‐Acid Profile Is Dramatically and Acutely Changed under Ischemic Stroke in the Mouse Model
Authors: Golovko Svetlana A. , Golovko Mikhail Y.
Published: September 2018

Although plasma biomarkers would facilitate rapid and accurate diagnosis of ischemic stroke for immediate treatment, no such biomarkers have been developed to date. In the present study, we tested our hypothesis that plasma unesterified fatty acids (FFA) are altered at early stages of acute ischemic stroke. Plasma was collected from mice 2 h after the permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAo) onset, as well as from sham operated and control animals. After 2 h, pMCAo significantly changed the plasma FFA profile with the most dramatic 2‐ to 3‐fold relative increase in very long n‐3 and n‐6 FFA including 20:4n‐6, 22:4n‐6, 22:5n‐6, and 22:6n‐3. Changes in the plasma FFA profile are consistent with FFA liberation from brain phospholipid hydrolyzed under ischemic insult. These results identify, for the first time, the plasma FFA profile as a potential biomarker for an early ischemic stroke within the therapeutic window for thrombolytic treatment. Further studies are required to confirm its specificity and sensitivity in clinical settings.
Long‐Chain Hyperbranched Polymers: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications
Authors: Mu Bin , Liu Tingting , Tian Wei
Published: September 2018

By combining the virtues of conventional linear and hyperbranched polymers, long‐chain hyperbranched polymers (LCHBPs) have attracted great attention. Therefore, a comprehensive summary of the research progress of LCHBPs is presented, with a particular focus on their synthetic strategies, unique properties, and potential applications. The synthetic methodologies are rationalized into four main classes according to their construction process or mechanism, namely ABx (x ≥ 2), A2 + Bx (x ≥ 3), AB + ABx (x ≥ 2), and self‐condensing vinyl polymerization. Some of their rheological properties, self‐assembly behavior, and stimuli‐response features are then discussed. Finally, the emergent applications including biomedicine, electrical conductivity, chemical sensing, and catalyst carrier, are outlined. It is anticipated that this review will stimulate more inspiration for advancing the development of this novel kind of LCHBP.
High‐production dairy cattle exhibit different rumen and fecal bacterial community and rumen metabolite profile than low‐production cattle
Authors: Mu Yingyu , Lin Xueyan , Wang Zhonghua , Hou Qiuling , Wang Yun , Hu Zhiyong
Published: September 2018

Our aim was to simultaneously investigate the gut bacteria typical characteristic and conduct rumen metabolites profiling of high production dairy cows when compared to low‐production dairy cows. The bacterial differences in rumen fluid and feces were identified by 16S rDNA gene sequencing. The metabolite differences were identified by metabolomics profiling with liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC‐MS). The results indicated that the high‐production dairy cows presented a lower rumen bacterial richness and species evenness when compared to low‐production dairy cows. At the phylum level, the high‐production cows increased the abundance of Proteobacteria and decreased the abundance of Bacteroidetes, SR1, Verrucomicrobia, Euryarchaeota, Planctomycetes, Synergistetes, and Chloroflexi significantly (p < 0.05). At the genus level, the rumen fluid of the high‐production group was significantly enriched for Butyrivibrio, Lachnospira, and Dialister (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, rumen fluid of high‐production group was depleted for Prevotella, Succiniclasticum, Ruminococcu, Coprococcus,YRC22, CF231, 02d06, Anaeroplasma, Selenomonas, and Ruminobacter significantly (p < 0.05). A total of 92 discriminant metabolites were identified between high‐production cows and low‐production cows. Compared to rumen fluid of low‐production dairy cows, 10 differential metabolites were found up‐regulated in rumen fluid of high‐production dairy cows, including 6alpha‐Fluoropregn‐4‐ene‐3,20‐dione, 3‐Octaprenyl‐4‐hydroxybenzoate, disopyramide, compound III(S), 1,2‐Dimyristyl‐sn‐glycerol, 7,10,13,16‐Docosatetraenoic acid, ferrous lactate, 6‐Deoxyerythronolide B, vitamin D2, L‐Olivosyl‐oleandolide. The remaining differential metabolites were found down‐regulated obviously in high‐production cows. Metabolic pathway analyses indicated that most increased abundances of rumen fluid metabolites of high‐yield cows were related to metabolic pathways involving biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, steroid biosynthesis, ubiquinone and other terpenoid‐quinone biosynthesis. Most down‐regulated metabolic pathways were relevant to nucleotide metabolism, energy metabolism, lipid metabolism and biosynthesis of some antibiotics.
The Bulirsch‐Stoer algorithm for multivariate rational interpolation
Authors: Xia Peng , Dong Tian , Zhang Shugong , Lei Na
Published: September 2018

The Neville‐type algorithms are widely used in engineering and sciences. As an analog of Neville's algorithm that deals with univariate polynomial interpolation, Bulirsch‐Stoer algorithm is a classical one for univariate rational interpolations. It can be applied to calculating the value of the interpolating function at the given point or recovering rational functions. In this paper, we generalize the algorithm to multivariate cases with two versions for different situations. These two generalizations are recursive algorithms. The first one is suitable to calculate the value of the interpolating function and the other one can be applied to recovering multivariate rational functions from accurate measurements. Some two‐variable examples illustrate that, if we recover the rational functions with higher degrees, the second generalization is superior to Thiele‐Thiele continued fraction and two‐variable Löwner matrix methods.
A Call to Action for Optimizing the Electronic Health Record in the Parenteral Nutrition Workflow: Executive Summary
Authors: Vanek Vincent W. , Ayers Phil , Kraft Michael , Bouche Jean M. , Do Van T. , Durham Charles W. , Guenter Peggi , Hoggle Lindsey , Kent Sue , Lin Emily T. , Molinar L. Steven , Plogsted Steven W. , Poehls Jessica M. , Turner Peggy , Van Way Charles ,   American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, American Society of Health‐System Pharmacists
Published: September 2018

Parenteral nutrition (PN) is a complex therapeutic modality provided to neonates, children, and adults for various indications. Surveys have shown that current electronic health record (EHR) systems are in need of functionality enhancement for safe and optimal delivery of PN. This is a consensus statement from the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and the American Society of Health‐System Pharmacists outlining some of the key challenges to prescribing, order review/verification, compounding, and administration of PN using EHRs today and is a call to action for clinicians and vendors to optimize their EHRs regarding the PN build and workflow.
Tumor suppressive function of E2F‐1 on PTEN‐induced serrated colorectal carcinogenesis
Authors: Dosil Maria A , Navaridas Raúl , Mirantes Cristina , Tarragona Jordi , Eritja Núria , Felip Isidre , Urdanibia Izaskun , Megino Cristina , Domingo Mónica , Santacana Maria , Gatius Sònia , Piñol Carme , Barceló Carla , Maiques Oscar , Macià Anna , Velasco Ana , Vaquero Marta , Matias‐Guiu Xavier , Dolcet Xavier
Published: September 2018

Many human cancers present Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) deficiency and between 20 and 30% of colorectal tumors show PTEN loss. The transcription factor, E2 promoter binding factor 1 (E2F‐1), exhibits tumor promoter or suppressive functions depending on cellular type and tissue context, but its role in the progression and development of colorectal carcinogenesis was largely unknown. Here, using a tamoxifen‐inducible PTEN knockout mouse model, we have demonstrated that loss of PTEN leads to the development of colorectal tumorigenesis through the serrated pathway. Next, we studied PTEN loss‐driven colorectal lesions in the context of E2F‐1 deficiency in vivo. Our results revealed that monoallelic and biallelic absence of E2F‐1 led to an increased incidence and progression of serrated tumorigenesis induced by PTEN loss. Finally, we investigated the mechanisms by which double PTEN/E2F‐1 deficiency leads to enhanced tumorigenesis. We found that colorectal tumors from PTEN/E2F‐1 double knockout mice and the human colorectal carcinoma cell line HT29 with shRNA‐mediated downregulation of PTEN and E2F‐1 exhibit hyperactivation of the RAS‐MAPK pathway, accumulation of DNA damage and resistance to apoptosis. To date, this is the first preclinical study evaluating the effect of genetic deletion of E2F‐1 in colorectal malignancies driven by PTEN deficiency. Copyright © 2018 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterization of long‐term outcomes for pediatric patients with epithelioid hemangioma
Authors: Liu Kevin X. , Duggan Eileen M. , Al‐Ibraheemi Alyaa , Shaikh Raja , Adams Denise M.
Published: September 2018

Epithelioid hemangioma (EH) is a rare benign vascular tumor that occurs in soft tissues and bone and presents between the third and sixth decades of life. Little is known about the clinical course and outcomes of pediatric EH. We report 11 patients diagnosed with EH at a median age of 14.4 years. One patient treated with interferon and one with sirolimus exhibited partial response for >2 years. Although a benign neoplasm, EH is difficult to manage without standard protocols and portends considerable morbidity. Our findings suggest medical management, particularly sirolimus, may benefit these patients; however, long‐term follow‐up is needed.
Central diabetes insipidus in pediatric patients with Langerhans cell histiocytosis: Results from the JLSG‐96/02 studies
Authors: Sakamoto Kenichi , Morimoto Akira , Shioda Yoko , Imamura Toshihiko , Imashuku Shinsaku ,   on behalf of the Japan LCH Study Group (JLSG)
Published: September 2018

Purpose

We analyzed central diabetes insipidus (CDI) development in pediatric patients with Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) treated according to the Japan LCH Study Group (JLSG) regimen, which is the combination chemotherapy including cytarabine (Ara‐C).

Methods

Retrospective data from 317 patients (multisystem disease (MS), n = 206; multiple focal bone (MFB), n = 111) treated according to the JLSG‐96/02 regimens were analyzed.

Results

The median follow‐up duration was 10.6 years (range, 0.1–21.1). A total of 50/317 (15.8%) patients developed CDI (MFB, n = 4; MS, n = 46). Of the 50 cases, CDI was already present at the time of LCH diagnosis (pre‐CDI) in 25, and it newly developed after the diagnosis and initiation of treatment (post‐CDI) in the other 25 cases. The cumulative incidence of post‐CDI at 10‐year calculated by Kaplan–Meier analysis was 9.0% for total and 12.0% for MS patients. A positive correlation with LCH lesions at the CNS risk sites at diagnosis was found in pre‐CDI cases (17/164 vs 8/171; P = 0.0359), but not in post‐CDI cases (14/129 vs 11/163; P = 0.254). Multivariate analysis showed that relapse at the CNS risk sites was significantly associated with post‐CDI development (hazard ratio: 4.70; 95% CI, 1.29–17.1, P < 0.05).

Conclusions

In the JLSG‐96/02 studies, CDI developed in 15.8% of the cohort in which half as pre‐ and the other half as post‐CDI. Relapse, particularly at the CNS risk sites, was linked with the development of post‐CDI.
Designing the next generation of cryoprotectants – From proteins to small molecules
Authors: Ampaw Anna , Charlton Thomas A. , Briard Jennie G. , Ben Robert N.
Published: September 2018

During the past decade, there have been many exciting advances in the fields of cellular therapies, regenerative medicine, and tissue engineering. However, current cryopreservation strategies and protocols result in inferior product after thawing. Thus, novel cryoprotectants and protocols capable of meeting the high‐quality product(s) necessary for these therapies are urgently required. The search for new and improved cryoprotectants has been ongoing but novel small molecule ice recrystallization inhibitors, originally developed from naturally occurring antifreeze proteins, have demonstrated tremendous promise and will play a significant role in fully translating cellular and regenerative therapies into the clinical environment.
Effects of Chain Ends on Thermal and Mechanical Properties and Recyclability of Poly(γ‐butyrolactone)
Authors: Tang Jing , Chen Eugene Y.‐X.
Published: September 2018

This work investigates effects of poly(γ‐butyrolactone) (PγBL) with different initiation and termination chain ends on five types of materials properties, including thermal stability, thermal transitions, thermal recyclability, hydrolytic degradation, and dynamic mechanical behavior. Four different chain‐end‐capped polymers with similar molecular weights, BnO‐[C(=O)(CH2)3O]n‐R, R = C(=O)Me, C(=O)CH=CH2, C(=O)Ph, and SiMe2CMe3, along with a series of uncapped polymers R′O‐[C(=O)(CH2)3O]n‐H (R′ = Bn, Ph2CHCH2) with Mn ranging from low (4.95 kg mol−1) to high (83.2 kg mol−1), have been synthesized. The termination chain end R showed a large effect on polymer decomposition temperature and hydrolytic degradation, relative to H. Overall, for those properties sensitive to the chain ends, chain‐end capping renders R‐protected linear PγBL behaving much like cyclic PγBL. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 2271–2279
Bronchoscopic and histologic findings during lymphatic intervention for plastic bronchitis
Authors: Geanacopoulos Alexandra T. , Savla Jill J. , Pogoriler Jennifer , Piccione Joseph , Phinizy Pelton , DeWitt Aaron G. , Blinder Joshua J. , Pinto Erin , Itkin Maxim , Dori Yoav , Goldfarb Samuel B.
Published: September 2018

Background

Percutaneous lymphatic intervention (PCL) is a promising new therapy for plastic bronchitis (PB). We characterized bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and cast morphology in surgically repaired congenital heart disease (CHD) patients with PB during PCL. We quantified respiratory and bronchoscopic characteristics and correlated them with post‐intervention respiratory outcomes.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed patients with PB and surgically repaired CHD undergoing PCL and bronchoscopy at our institution. Pre‐intervention characteristics, bronchoscopy notes, BAL cell counts, virology, and cultures were collected. A pathologist blinded to clinical data reviewed cast specimens. Respiratory outcomes were evaluated through standardized telephone questionnaire.

Results

Sixty‐two patients were included with a median follow‐up of 20 months. No patients experienced airway bleeding, obstruction, or prolonged intubation related to bronchoscopy. Of BAL infectious studies, the positive results were 4 (8%) fungal, 6 (11%) bacterial, and 6 (14%) viral. Median BAL count per 100 cells for neutrophils, lymphocytes, and eosinophils were 13, 10, and 0, respectively. Of 23 bronchial casts analyzed, all contained lymphocytes, and 19 (83%) were proteinaceous, with 14 containing neutrophils and/or eosinophils. Median BAL neutrophil count was greater in patients with proteinaceous neutrophilic or eosinophilic casts compared to casts without neutrophils or lymphocytes (P = 0.030). Post‐intervention, there was a significant reduction in respiratory medications and support and casting frequency.

Conclusions

The predominance of neutrophilic proteinaceous casts and high percentage of positive BAL infectious studies support short‐term fibrinolytic and anti‐infective therapies in PB in select patients. Flexible bronchoscopy enables safe assessment of cast burden. PCL effectively treats PB and reduces respiratory therapies.
Graphing the Win Ratio and its components over time
Authors: Finkelstein Dianne M. , Schoenfeld David A.
Published: September 2018

Clinical trials are often designed to compare treatments on the basis of multiple outcomes. For the analysis of the treatment comparison from such a trial, in 1999, the Finkelstein‐Schoenfeld test was proposed, which was a generalization of the Gehan‐Wilcoxon test based on pairwise comparison of patients on a primary outcome when possible but otherwise on a secondary outcome. In 2012, Pocock and colleagues suggested an estimate based on this concept, the Win Ratio, which summarized the ratio of the number of patients who fared better versus worse on the experimental arm. However, in 2016, Oakes noted that the Win Ratio could be a function of the distribution of follow‐up times of the trial. The aim of this paper is to propose an approach to representing the Win Ratio graphically in such a way that the effect of time on the estimate would be apparent. In addition, the methods are used to display the contribution of each endpoint to the composite. We apply the methods to clinical trials in cancer, cardiology, and neurology. Software is available named winRatioAnalysis in CRAN.
A Pivotal Biaryl Rotamer Bearing Two Floppy Pyrenes that Exhibits Cryptochiral Characteristics in the Ground State
Authors: Hara Nobuyuki , Yanai Masaki , Kaji Daiki , Shizuma Motohiro , Tajima Nobuo , Fujiki Michiya , Imai Yoshitane
Published: September 2018

Optically active luminophores capable of emitting circularly polarized light (CPL) are keys in many photonic communication systems. Herein, we report a new cryptochiral CPL‐functioned molecular system composed of a C2‐symmetric 5,5’,6,6’,7,7’,8,8’‐octahydro‐1,1’‐bi‐2‐naphthyl rotamer bearing two flexible linkers attached to two pyrene rings as emitters. Despite exhibiting negligibly weak circular‐dichroism (CD) signals in the ground state, the luminophore displayed a clear CPL signal in the photoexcited state.
Temperature Difference Triggering Controlled Growth of All‐Inorganic Perovskite Nanowire Arrays in Air
Authors: Wang Yaguang , Yasar Muhammad , Luo Ziyi , Zhou Shasha , Yu Yiwei , Li Huiqiao , Yang Rui , Wang Xiaoxia , Pan Anlian , Gan Lin , Zhai Tianyou
Published: September 2018

All‐inorganic perovskites have attracted increasing worldwide interest due to its significantly improved stability in atmospheric environment compared to organic–inorganic hybrid perovskites, which renders it infinitely applicable in many fields such as electronics, optoelectronics, and energy storage. However, all‐inorganic perovskites have to confront the challenges from fabrication before their wide utilization in the aforementioned applications. Liquid‐phase synthesis holds the advantage of mass production and easy modulation of composition but with the deficiencies of relatively low crystallinity and disordered products. Interestingly, gas‐phase growth has complementary characteristics compared to the liquid‐phase method. In this work, it is proposed that a novel temperature difference triggers growth strategy to integrate the merits of the liquid‐ and gas‐phase methods, and the feasibility of this strategy via a simple lab‐use hot plate is demonstrated. High quality all‐inorganic perovskites, cesium lead halide (CsPbX3) nanowire arrays, can be epitaxially grown as in a gas‐phase method, but at the same time, the composition of products can be easily modulated by predesigning the recipe of precursors as in the liquid‐phase method on a large scale. Notably, the as‐fabricated CsPbX3 perovskite nanowire arrays demonstrate excellent stability and good optoelectronic properties in air. It is believed that this novel strategy can strikingly prompt the development of perovskites fabrication and applications in future.
Apparent Field‐Dependence of the Charge Carrier Generation in Organic Solar Cells as a Result of (Bimolecular) Recombination
Authors: Würfel Uli , Unmüssig Moritz
Published: September 2018

Charge carrier generation in organic solar cells is often reported to depend on the electric field. This is, however, not measured directly but derived from transient charge carrier extraction experiments based on the time delayed collection field (TDCF) method. In this work, numerical simulations of TDCF experiments are presented which – when analyzed in the same way as reported in literature – result in a field‐dependence of charge carrier generation despite the fact that a field‐independent generation is used. This discrepancy is shown to be caused by recombination of photogenerated charge carriers occurring in the time range prior to and during extraction. This apparent field‐dependence becomes more pronounced for larger recombination coefficients and decreasing charge carrier mobilities, very much in accordance with experimental TDCF data from literature. Even an apparent voltage‐ and time‐dependence of the bimolecular recombination coefficient is reproduced in the simulations although a constant, voltage‐independent one is used. These findings strongly question whether TDCF is an appropriate method to detect a potential field‐dependence of the photocurrent generation and the recombination coefficient. Our study shows that all experimental results can consistently be explained without the assumption of a field‐dependence of the charge carrier generation and the bimolecular recombination coefficient.
Experimental investigation into the properties of self‐compacting rubberised concrete incorporating polypropylene and steel fibers
Authors: Aslani Farhad , Gedeon Ronny
Published: September 2018

Adding a waste tyre rubber aggregate to the self‐compacting concrete forms a new type of concrete call self‐compacting rubberise concrete, which is used as a way of reducing waste and increasing sustainability in terms of the waste rubber, and changing the properties of the concrete to be more beneficial under certain circumstances and applications. In addition to adding rubber aggregates, polypropylene (PP) fibers and steel fibers are added into the concrete mix as well to create fiber reinforced self‐compacting rubberised concrete (FRSCRC). This experimental investigation is using waste tyre rubber as a replacement for the aggregate in the FRSCRC. Using crumb rubber sizes of 2–5 mm, a replacement of 20% of fine aggregates was integrated. The amount of fibers varied depending on the type of fiber. In the case of PP fibers, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, and 0.25% by total volume were tested, and for steel, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1% were tested. These mixes were tested for their fresh properties using the slump test and the J‐ring test, and hardened properties including compressive strength, splitting tensile strength and compressive stress–strain tests. The results indicated that as more fiber is added, the larger the negative impact on the rheological properties of the FRSCRC and steel fibers having a much larger detrimental effect than PP fibers. In terms of mechanical properties, PP fibers reduced the compressive strength of the concrete as a higher percentage of fiber was added, but had no major effect on the splitting tensile strength. Steel fibers, on the other hand, showed a minor increase to compressive strength, as well as an increase to splitting tensile strength as more fibers were added.
Optimum design of post‐tensioned axially symmetric cylindrical walls using novel hybrid metaheuristic methods
Authors: Bekdaş Gebrail
Published: September 2018

An efficient methodology for various structural design problems is needed to optimize the total cost for structures. Although some methods seem to be efficient for applications, due to using special algorithm parameters, computational cost, and some other reasons, there is still much to be done in order to develop an effective method for general design applications. This paper describes the influence of the selected procedure on the design of cost‐optimized, post‐tensioned axially symmetric cylindrical reinforced concrete walls. In this study, the optimum design of axially symmetric cylindrical walls using several metaheuristic algorithms is investigated. The new generation algorithms used in the study are flower pollination algorithm, teaching–learning‐based optimization, and Jaya algorithm (JA). These algorithms are also compared with one of the previously developed algorithm called harmony search. The numerical examples were done for walls with 4‐ to 10‐m height and for 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 post‐tensioned load cases, respectively. Several independent runs are conducted, and in some of these runs, JA may trap to a local solution. To overcome this situation, hybrid algorithms such as JA using Lévy flights, JA using Lévy flights with probabilistic student phase (JALS), JA using Lévy Flights with consequent student phase (JALS2), and JA with probabilistic student phase are developed. It is seen that in many respects, the JALS2 and JALS are the most effective within the proposed hybrid approaches.
Why Imagining Requires Content
Authors: Roelofs Luke ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: September 2018

‘Radical enactivism’ (Hutto and Myin 2013, 2017) eschews representational content for all ‘basic’ mental activities. Critics have argued that this view cannot make sense of the workings of the imagination. In their recent book (2017), Hutto and Myin respond to these critics, arguing that some imaginings can be understood without attributing them any representational content. Their response relies on the claim that a system can exploit a structural isomorphism between two things without either of those things being a semantically evaluable representation of the other. I argue that even if this claim is granted, there remains a problem for radically enactive accounts of imagining, namely that the active establishing and maintenance of a structural isomorphism seems to require representational content even if the exploitation of such an isomorphism, when established, does not.
Short note: Method of dimensionality reduction for compressible viscoelastic media. ii. Frictionless normal contact for arbitrary shear and bulk rheologies
Authors: Willert E.
Published: September 2018

The application of the Method of Dimensionality Reduction (MDR) to frictionless normal contacts of compressible linear‐viscoelastic materials is presented. The mapping rules within the framework of MDR are given, strictly proven and illustrated by examples.
EU citizenship: Still a Fundamental Status?
Authors: Shaw Jo
Published: September 2018

This essay is intended to explore the trajectory of EU citizenship, under pressure from forces inside and outside the EU. The focus of the discussion is on three issues: the autonomy of national citizenship laws in the face of EU citizenship; the citizenship consequences of Brexit; and the choices made and actions taken by individuals and groups that may impact upon the future of EU citizenship. This discussion is prefaced by an initial exploration of the challenges and complexities of EU citizenship and of the relationship between citizenship and concepts of integration and Europeanisation.
Five Pragmatic Reasons for a Dialogue with and Between Member States on Free Movement and Voting Rights
Authors: Groenendijk Kees
Published: September 2018

In my opinion legislation on political rights of non-citizens immigrants should be guided by three principles: (a) no taxation without representation, (b) the longer an immigrant is resident in a country, the harder it is to justify his exclusion from political rights only on the basis of his nationality, and (c) once voting rights have been granted to non-citizens for municipal elections there are no serious principled arguments against extension to parliamentary elections. The second principle qualifies the first principle. Tourists and seasonal workers pay VAT, but that does not necessarily qualify them for voting rights. They should, however, have at least some other political rights, such as the right to demonstrate or the right to strike.
A More Comprehensive Reform Is Needed to Ensure That Mobile Citizens Can Vote
Authors: Collard Sue
Published: September 2018

This contribution raises questions of how to enfranchise EU citizens who are highly mobile between Member States and those who reside in third countries. It also points out that voting rights have a low mobilising value and few third country nationals participate in local elections where they are enfranchised. I propose a more permissive legal framework within which EU citizens should be allowed to choose, depending on their circumstances, whether to vote in their country of residence or of nationality.
Incremental Changes Are not Enough – Voting Rights Are a Matter of Democratic Principle
Authors: Venables Tony
Published: September 2018

The right to vote is so fundamental to democracy that any arguments reflecting the difficulties of putting it into effect pale into insignificance. An incremental approach to European citizenship can work, for example in the area of social rights and entitlements, but it is more questionable in the area of political rights.
UK Citizens as Former EU Citizens: Predicament and Remedies
Authors: Ziegler Reuven
Published: September 2018

This contribution, like those immediately preceding it, is written in the aftermath of the 23rd June 2016 referendum on the UK continued membership of the EU. It first considers, by comparison, ramifications of Britain’s impending exit, should it occur, on the status and rights of EU27 citizens resident in the UK. It proceeds to discuss the impact of Brexit on UK citizens resident in the EU27, highlighting their predicament and appraising three potential remedies: naturalisation in another EU member state, decoupling of Union citizenship rights from Union citizenship, and modifications of the status and rights of Third Country Nationals.
EU Citizenship Needs a Stronger Social Dimension and Soft Duties
Authors: Ferrera Maurizio
Published: September 2018

This contribution argues for strengthening EU citizenship in order to make it not only attractive for mobile Europeans but also for ‘stayers’ who feel left behind in processes of globalisation and European integration. EU citizenship is primarily ‘isopolitical’ and regulatory; it confers horizontal rights to people to enter the citizenship spaces of other member states and it imposes duties of non-discrimination on these states without providing for redistribution in response to perceived or real burdens resulting from free movement. I suggest several reforms that aim broadly at empowering the stayers. Among my proposals are an ‘EU social card’, universal transferrable vouchers for accessing social rights in other member states that stayers can pass on to their children who want to move, and a European wide social insurance scheme that would supplement those of the member states. I also suggest to strengthen EU citizenship with some soft duties, such as earmarking a small percentage of personal income tax for EU social policies or raising funds for such policies through fees on an EU social card or EU passports.
Building Social Europe Requires Challenging the Judicialisation of Citizenship
Authors: Schmidt Susanne K.
Published: September 2018

Which rights should European citizenship entail to protect the achievements of European integration, while overcoming its pitfalls? Should we aim to ‘add stuff’, as Ferrera suggests, or rather follow Joppke’s plea for non-exclusive citizenship rights? I agree with Ferrera’s diagnosis that EU citizenship has an isopolitical bias, it horizontally opens nationally shaped (and financed) welfare systems to citizens from other member states. However, in his ‘detecting of the flaws’ he overlooks the largely judicial genesis of citizenship rights, which are crucial for understanding the shortcomings of EU citizenship.
Why Adding Duties to European Citizenship Is Likely to Increase the Gap Between Europhiles and Eurosceptics
Authors: Kuhn Theresa
Published: September 2018

Maurizio Ferrera’s policy proposals primarily address those Europeans who are already European-minded and self-select into transnational interactions and European engagement. I suggest addressing the Eurosceptics. On the one hand, if intra-European mobility fosters European identity, then we should provide incentives for stayers to overcome their reservations and move around rather than giving them a premium for staying at home. On the other hand, given the widening gap between mobile and immobile Europeans, the answer to Euroscepticism might not lie in promoting more mobility across European member states but in addressing the increasing socio-economic divided and opening up the resulting ‘echo chambers’ within countries. By trying to engage in a dialogue with Eurosceptic co-nationals Europhiles might be able to find better answers than by repeating the Europhile mantra.
Why the Crisis of European Citizenship is a Crisis of European Democracy
Authors: Seubert Sandra
Published: September 2018

European citizens are not yet members of a solidly political Union; they are still primarily members within a Union of states, where national interests are played off against each other. There is a fatal misframing of social conflicts along national rather than social cleavages. How can this misframing be broken up? A politicization of European issues is needed. In the long run, the future of EU citizenship will depend on how a multilayered governance system, such as the EU, will be able to balance the different levels of political participation, thereby accommodating principles of political equality, public control and influence on political decisions.
Citizenship for Real: Its Hypocrisy, Its Randomness, Its Price
Authors: Kochenov Dimitry
Published: September 2018

Lawyers and political scientists opposed to the idea of selling citizenship will not have any arguments to support their position, should rich misleading assumptions and selfless rhetorical pirouettes – priceless in fiction writing – useless in legal studies – be removed from their often passionate advocacy. I review the usual rotations lending such pirouettes appeal: of the intrinsic value of citizenship, of equality and nondiscrimination, of the arch-importance of the citizenship’s political components and, finally, of EU law concerns. I come to dismiss them all.
Linking Citizenship to Income Undermines European Values. We Need Shared Criteria and Guidelines for Access to EU Citizenship
Authors: Swoboda Hannes
Published: September 2018

The decision by the Maltese Parliament to offer Maltese citizenship – and consequently – EU citizenship to third country nationals who can afford to pay € 650.000 comes as a closure of the EU year of citizens and reflects a worrying trend in the conception of all those rights related to EU citizenship, including above all freedom of movement. If we don’t want to leave a golden opportunity to Eurosceptics, nationalists and populists, we must seize the chance for a leap forward in the European process involving a much wider concept of citizenship than that defined in the letter of the EU Treaties.
Ius Filiationis: A defence of Citizenship by Descent
Authors: Bauböck Rainer
Published: September 2018

Costica Dumbrava runs three main attacks against ius sanguinis: It is tainted by its associations with ethnonationalism; it is inadequate because, in an age of new reproduction technologies, same sex marriage and patchwork families, biological descent no longer traces social parenthood; and it is unnecessary, since its protective effects can be achieved by other means. I will accept the first and second argument with some modifications, but reject the third.
Family Matters: Modernise, Don’t Abandon, Ius Sanguinis
Authors: Titshaw Scott
Published: September 2018

I appreciate the ideas that Costica Dumbrava and others have introduced into this debate. States’ concerns about the quality and political consequences of their citizenship are important. But citizenship is a two-way street. Our discussion of ius sanguinis laws should extend beyond the concerns of states to also consider the serious practical consequences of citizenship laws on citizens, including the long-term unity and security of their families. Families facing instability or separation because children are denied their parents’ citizenship are unlikely to be satisfied with the explanation that ius sanguinis is inadequate or historically tainted; the resulting individual sense of injustice might even discourage the loyalty and identification states seek in citizens.
Dangerous Liaisons: Money and Citizenship
Authors: Shachar Ayelet
Published: September 2018

Vogue predictions that citizenship is diminishing in relevance or perhaps even vanishing outright, popular among jetsetters who already possess full membership status in affluent democracies, have failed to reach many applicants still knocking on the doors of well-off polities. One can excuse the world’s destitute, those who are willing to risk their lives in search of the promised lands of migration in Europe or America, for not yet having heard the prophecies about citizenship’s decline. But the same is not true for the well-heeled who are increasingly active in the market for citizenship: the ultra-rich from the rest of the world. They are willing to dish out hundreds of thousands of dollars to gain a freshly-minted passport in their new ‘home country.’ That this demand exists is not fully surprising given that this is a world of regulated mobility and unequal opportunity, and a world where not all passports are treated equally at border crossings. Rapid processes of market expansionism have now reached what for many is the most sacrosanct non-market good: membership in a political community. More puzzling is the willingness of governments – our public trustees and legal guardians of citizenship – to engage in processes that come very close to, and in some cases cannot be described as anything but, the sale and barter of membership goods in exchange for a hefty bank wire transfer or large stack of cash.