bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early outcomes and safety of the minimally invasive, lateral retroperitoneal transpsoas approach for adult degenerative scoliosis
Authors: Dakwar Elias , Cardona Rafael F. , Smith Donald A. , Uribe Juan S.
Published: March 2010

Object

The object of this study was to evaluate an alternative surgical approach to degenerative thoracolumbar deformity in adults. The authors present their early experience with the minimally invasive, lateral retroperitoneal transpsoas approach for placing interbody grafts and providing anterior column support for adult degenerative deformity.

Methods

The authors retrospectively reviewed a prospectively acquired database of all patients with adult thoracolumbar degenerative deformity treated with the minimally invasive, lateral retroperitoneal transpsoas approach at our institution. All patient data were recorded including demographics, preoperative evaluation, procedure used, postoperative follow-up, operative time, blood loss, length of hospital stay, and complications. The Oswestry Disability Index and visual analog scale (for pain) were also administered pre- and postoperatively as early outcome measures. All patients were scheduled for follow-up postoperatively at weeks 2, 6, 12, and 24, and at 1 year.

Results

The authors identified 25 patients with adult degenerative deformity who were treated using the minimally invasive, lateral retroperitoneal transpsoas approach. All patients underwent discectomy and lateral interbody graft placement for anterior column support and interbody fusion. The mean total blood loss was 53 ml per level. The average length of stay in the hospital was 6.2 days. Mean follow-up was 11 months (range 3–20 months). A mean improvement of 5.7 points on visual analog scale scores and 23.7% on the Oswestry Disability Index was observed. Perioperative complications include 1 patient with rhabdomyolysis requiring temporary hemodialysis, 1 patient with subsidence, and 1 patient with hardware failure. Three patients (12%) experienced transient postoperative anterior thigh numbness, ipsilateral to the side of approach. In this series, 20 patients (80%) were identified who had more than 6 months of follow-up and radiographic evidence of fusion. The minimally invasive, lateral retroperitoneal transpsoas approach, without the use of osteotomies, did not correct the sagittal balance in approximately one-third of the patients.

Conclusions

Degenerative scoliosis of the adult spine is secondary to asymmetrical degeneration of the discs. Surgical decompression and correction of the deformity can be performed from an anterior, posterior, or combined approach. These procedures are often associated with long operative times and a high incidence of complications. The authors' experience with the minimally invasive, lateral retroperitoneal transpsoas approach for placement of a large interbody graft for anterior column support, restoration of disc height, arthrodesis, and realignment is a feasible alternative to these procedures.
Impact of Spatial Resolution on Wind Field Derived Estimates of Air Pressure Depression in the Hurricane Eye
Authors: Amarin Ruba , Ruf Christopher , Jones Linwood
Published: March 2010

Measurements of the near surface horizontal wind field in a hurricane with spatial resolution of order 1–10 km are possible using airborne microwave radiometer imagers. An assessment is made of the information content of the measured winds as a function of the spatial resolution of the imager. An existing algorithm is used which estimates the maximum surface air pressure depression in the hurricane eye from the maximum wind speed. High resolution numerical model wind fields from Hurricane Frances 2004 are convolved with various HIRAD antenna spatial filters to observe the impact of the antenna design on the central pressure depression in the eye that can be deduced from it.
Application of Vegetation Indices for Agricultural Crop Yield Prediction Using Neural Network Techniques
Authors: Panda Sudhanshu Sekhar , Ames Daniel P. , Panigrahi Suranjan
Published: March 2010

Spatial variability in a crop field creates a need for precision agriculture. Economical and rapid means of identifying spatial variability is obtained through the use of geotechnology (remotely sensed images of the crop field, image processing, GIS modeling approach, and GPS usage) and data mining techniques for model development. Higher-end image processing techniques are followed to establish more precision. The goal of this paper was to investigate the strength of key spectral vegetation indices for agricultural crop yield prediction using neural network techniques. Four widely used spectral indices were investigated in a study of irrigated corn crop yields in the Oakes Irrigation Test Area research site of North Dakota, USA. These indices were: (a) red and near-infrared (NIR) based normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), (b) green and NIR based green vegetation index (GVI), (c) red and NIR based soil adjusted vegetation index (SAVI), and (d) red and NIR based perpendicular vegetation index (PVI). These four indices were investigated for corn yield during 3 years (1998, 1999, and 2001) and for the pooled data of these 3 years. Initially, Back-propagation Neural Network (BPNN) models were developed, including 16 models (4 indices * 4 years including the data from the pooled years) to test for the efficiency determination of those four vegetation indices in corn crop yield prediction. The corn yield was best predicted using BPNN models that used the means and standard deviations of PVI grid images. In all three years, it provided higher prediction accuracies, coefficient of determination (r2), and lower standard error of prediction than the models involving GVI, NDVI, and SAVI image information. The GVI, NDVI, and SAVI models for all three years provided average testing prediction accuracies of 24.26% to 94.85%, 19.36% to 95.04%, and 19.24% to 95.04%, respectively while the PVI models for all three years provided average testing prediction accuracies of 83.50% to 96.04%. The PVI pool model provided better average testing prediction accuracy of 94% with respect to other vegetation models, for which it ranged from 89–93%. Similarly, the PVI pool model provided coefficient of determination (r2) value of 0.45 as compared to 0.31–0.37 for other index models. Log10 data transformation technique was used to enhance the prediction ability of the PVI models of years 1998, 1999, and 2001 as it was chosen as the preferred index. Another model (Transformed PVI (Pool)) was developed using the log10 transformed PVI image information to show its global application. The transformed PVI models provided average corn yield prediction accuracies of 90%, 97%, and 98% for years 1998, 1999, and 2001, respectively. The pool PVI transformed model provided as average testing accuracy of 93% along with r2 value of 0.72 and standard error of prediction of 0.05 t/ha.
A New Electronic Monitoring Device to Measure Medication Adherence: Usability of the Helping Hand™
Authors: De Bleser Leentje , Vincke Birgit , Dobbels Fabienne , Happ Mary Beth , Maes Bart , Vanhaecke Johan , De Geest Sabina
Published: March 2010

The aim of this study was to test the user performance, satisfaction and acceptability of the Helping Hand™ (B&O Medicom) electronic medication adherence monitor. Using a mixed-method design, we studied 11 kidney transplant patients and 10 healthy volunteers during three weeks. Although testing showed positive usability aspects, several areas requiring technical improvement were identified: the most important obstacles to usability and acceptability were the weak sound signal, problems loading the medication, and the fact that only one medication could be used at a time.
CONSTRUCTION OF CHAOTIC DYNAMICAL SYSTEM
Authors: Bula Inese , Rumbeniece Irita
Published: March 2010

The first‐order difference equation xn+ 1 = f(xn ), n = 0,1,…, where f: R → R, is referred as an one‐dimensional discrete dynamical system. If function f is a chaotic mapping, then we talk about chaotic dynamical system. Models with chaotic mappings are not predictable in long‐term. In this paper we consider family of chaotic mappings in symbol space S 2. We use the idea of topological semi‐conjugacy and so we can construct a family of mappings in the unit segment such that it is chaotic.
COMPARISON OF SPEEDS OF CONVERGENCE IN RIESZ‐TYPE FAMILIES OF SUMMABILITY METHODS. II
Authors: Šeletski Anna , Tali Anne
Published: March 2010

Certain summability methods for functions and sequences are compared by their speeds of convergence. The authors are extending their results published in paper [9] for Riesz‐type families {Aα} (α > α0 ) of summability methods Aα . Note that a typical Riesz‐type family is the family formed by Riesz methods Aα = (R, α), α > 0. In [9] the comparative estimates for speeds of convergence for two methods Aγ and Aβ in a Riesz‐type family {Aα}were proved on the base of an inclusion theorem. In the present paper these estimates are improved by comparing speeds of three methods Aγ, Aβ and Aδ on the base of a Tauberian theorem. As a result, a Tauberian remainder theorem is proved. Numerical examples given in [9] are extended to the present paper as applications of the Tauberian remainder theorem proved here.
ON SOME PROBLEMS WITH NONLOCAL INTEGRAL CONDITION
Authors: Sergejeva Natalija
Published: March 2010

We study the second order nonlinear boundary value problems with non‐local integral conditions and construct the Fučík type spectrum for these problems.
ON THE SOLUTIONS OF NONLINEAR THIRD ORDER BOUNDARY VALUE PROBLEMS
Authors: Smirnov Sergey
Published: March 2010

The author considers a three‐point third order boundary value problem. Properties and the structure of solutions of the third order equation are discussed. Also, a connection between the number of solutions of the boundary value problem and the structure of solutions of the equation is established.
ON FULLY DISCRETE COLLOCATION METHODS FOR SOLVING WEAKLY SINGULAR INTEGRO‐DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
Authors: Kangro Raul , Tamme Enn
Published: March 2010

In order to find approximate solutions of Volterra and Fredholm integro‐differential equations by collocation methods it is necessary to compute certain integrals that determine the required algebraic systems. Those integrals usually can not be computed exactly and if the kernels of the integral operators are not smooth, simple quadrature formula approximations of the integrals do not preserve the convergence rate of the collocation method. In the present paper fully discrete analogs of collocation methods where non‐smooth integrals are replaced by appropriate quadrature formulas approximations, are considered and corresponding error estimates are derived. Presented numerical examples display that theoretical results are in a good accordance with the actual convergence rates of the proposed algorithms.
NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF THE HEAT CONDUCTION IN COMPOSITE MATERIALS
Authors: Čiegis Raimondas , Jankevičiūtė Gerda , Suboč Olga
Published: March 2010

In this paper we develop and validate mathematical models and numerical algorithms for the heat transfer simulation in composite materials. The main features of the problem deal with the dependence of the heat source on the solution, discontinuous diffusion coefficients and nonlinear convection and radiation boundary conditions. The differential problem is approximated by the finite volume discrete scheme. It is proved that for a sufficiently small parameter, which defines the dependence of the source term on the solution, the discrete problem has a unique solution which converges to the solution of the differential problem. Linearization of the nonlinear problem is done by using the Picard method and the convergence of the iterations is proved. Results of numerical experiments are presented.
SEVERAL THEOREMS ON Λ–SUMMABLE SERIES
Authors: Meronen Olga , Tammeraid Ivar
Published: March 2010

We prove several propositions on λ‐summable series by Cesàro method (C, 1) or by weighted mean methods N, which are also often called Riesz methods P = (R, pn ).
Hepatitis B surface antigen seroclearance during chronic HBV infection
Authors: Chu Chia-Ming , Liaw Yun-Fan
Published: March 2010

Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance in chronic HBV infection occurs at an annual incidence of 1–2%. The long-term outcome after HBsAg seroclearance is excellent if there is no pre-existing cirrhosis or viral superinfection. For this reason, HBsAg seroclearance has attracted recent interest in both long-term studies of the natural history of HBV infection and in patients receiving antiviral therapy. Here, we review a diverse range of studies investigating spontaneous HBsAg seroclearance in varied groups of patients and consider the many predictive factors – of both viral and host origin – for seroclearance. Studies to assess the effects of antiviral therapy, and in particular interferon treatment, are also discussed together with virological, biochemical and histological profiles following HBsAg seroclearance and the long-term outcomes.
Early Detection of Cardiac Involvement in Systemic Sclerosis Assessed by Tissue-Doppler Echocardiography: Relationship with Neurohormonal Activation and Endothelial Dysfunction
Authors: DIMITROULAS THEODOROS , GIANNAKOULAS GEORGIOS , PAPADOPOULOU KLIO , KARVOUNIS HARALAMBOS , DIMITROULA HARA , KOLIAKOS GEORGIOS , KARAMITSOS THEODOROS , PARCHARIDOU DESPOINA , SETTAS LOUKAS
Published: March 2010

Objective.

Cardiopulmonary complications are common in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). We assessed cardiac involvement in patients with SSc using echocardiography and investigated the association of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) with echocardiographic measures of myocardial function in sera of patients with SSc who had no symptoms of heart failure.

Methods.

We prospectively studied 52 patients with SSc (mean age 55.7 ± 10.1 yrs, 51 women), with conventional and tissue-Doppler echocardiography. Plasma NT-proBNP and ADMA levels were measured in all patients. Data were compared with those obtained from 25 healthy controls comparable for age and sex.

Results.

Patients with SSc had impaired left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular diastolic function expressed by inverted ratio of peak early to peak late transmitral (Mit E/A) and transtricuspid velocity and increased left atrial diameter compared with controls. Peak systolic mitral lateral annular motion velocity and peak early diastolic mitral lateral annular motion velocity (LV Em) were lower, while LV E/Em ratio was higher, in patients with SSc compared to controls. ADMA was significantly related with LV Em and E/Em ratio. NT-proBNP was associated with Mit E, Mit E/A ratio and mitral deceleration time. Significant correlation was also observed between NT-proBNP and ADMA levels.

Conclusion.

Depressed cardiac function is common, even in asymptomatic patients with SSc. NT-proBNP and ADMA are significantly correlated with echocardiographic abnormalities, providing a potent link for cardiac function, neuroendocrine derangement, and endothelial dysfunction in patients with SSc who have cardiac disease.
Arthroscopy on Anticoagulated Patients: A Retrospective Evaluation of Postoperative Complications
Authors: Flanigan David C. , Muchow Ryan , Orwin John , Graf Ben
Published: March 2010

Anticoagulation is commonly needed for multiple medical conditions. The indications to discontinue anticoagulation for a simple procedure are controversial. Other surgical subspecialties have shown that keeping patients on warfarin during a simple procedure is safe. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the postoperative complications encountered for patients undergoing simple arthroscopic procedures while on warfarin. We hypothesized that anticoagulated patients undergoing simple arthroscopic procedures would have few surgical bleeding complications.

Arthroscopic procedures performed over a 10-year period on warfarin-anticoagulated patients were retrospectively evaluated. Data collected included the procedure and orthopedic problem, the type of anesthesia, the medical condition requiring anticoagulation, the international normalized ratio (INR) at surgery, and all postoperative complications (bleeding, hematoma, delayed healing, prolonged postoperative course, infection, and medical complication). Twenty-four patients met the inclusion criteria. All had abnormal INR levels at time of surgery. Four patients were operated on emergently for septic joints, and 20 patients had elective arthroscopic procedures (10 knees, 10 shoulders). There were no major intraoperative bleeding problems. Seven patients had minor postoperative surgical complications: 2 prolonged effusions and 5 prolonged ecchymosis. No medical complications were seen. Oral warfarin appeared to be a safe alternative to manipulating anticoagulation during the preoperative period for simple arthroscopic procedures. Minor bleeding complications consisting of ecchymosis were seen, but no medical complications were identified.
Stringent Patient Selection in Bulk Allograft Reconstructions
Authors: Cummings Judd , Villanueva Erland , Cearley David , Jones Kevin B. , Randall R. Lor
Published: March 2010

We hypothesized that stringent patient selection in the use of large bulk structural allografts for limb preservation would positively affect outcomes and decrease complication rates by eliminating certain comorbid or social factors known to contribute to the most detrimental sources of allograft failure: infection, fracture, and nonunion.

Our selection criteria included patients who were younger than 50 years, nonsmokers, non-obese (body mass index <40), who did not receive radiation therapy to the recipient site perioperatively, and who underwent intercalary allograft reconstruction except in the upper extremity where osteoarticular allografts were permitted. Outcomes were assessed using the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) and Toronto Extremity Salvage Score (TESS) scoring systems. Twenty-three patients fulfilled our cohort inclusion criteria. The overall survival rate for the 23 allografts was 91% (21/23). Average MSTS and TESS scores were 76% and 87%, respectively. Eleven of 23 patients experienced at least 1 complication requiring a second procedure. Musculoskeletal Tumor Society scores among patients experiencing no complications averaged 83% vs 71% for patients experiencing at least 1 complication. Average TESS scores were 89% and 86%, respectively.

The results of our early experience indicate there is no appreciable difference in complication rates among our series of patients stringently selected for bulk allograft reconstruction compared to other previously reported studies.
Pain Control After Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Prospective Study Comparing Local Infiltration Anesthesia and Epidural Anesthesia
Authors: Thorsell Martin , Holst Petter , Hyldahl Hans Christian , Weidenhielm Lars
Published: March 2010

Postoperative pain control after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a well-known clinical problem. Efforts to treat it with the use of local anesthesia have been made, but the results have been contradictive. In the late 1990s, an infiltrated solution of ropivacaine/ketorolac/adrenaline was shown to be effective for this purpose, and this technique has since spread over the world. The purpose of this study was to compare the local infiltration anesthesia technique with epidural anesthesia, which has been the most widely used technique in Sweden.

Eighty-five patients received either local infiltration anesthesia or epidural anesthesia for postoperative pain relief. Postoperative morphine consumption, range of motion, walking ability, patient satisfaction, hospital stay, and time in the recovery room were measured. The groups were followed equally. The patients in the local infiltration anesthesia group were mobilized 24 hours earlier. On postoperative day one, 22 of 33 patients in the local infiltration anesthesia group could get in and out of bed without assistance. Only 1 of 31 patients in the epidural anesthesia group could manage this. On postoperative day two, 28 of 33 patients in the local infiltration anesthesia group could walk without assistance, compared to 5 of 31 in the epidural anesthesia group. Seventy-six percent of the local infiltration anesthesia patients were “very satisfied” with their postoperative pain control method, compared to 40% of the epidural anesthesia patients.

The local infiltration anesthesia technique is better for postoperative pain relief in TKA than epidural anesthesia. It offers equal pain relief, faster mobilization, and more satisfied patients. No negative side effects were seen during the study.
Impact of Passive Smoking on the Bones of Rats
Authors: Ajiro Yasumitsu , Tokuhashi Yasuaki , Matsuzaki Hiromi , Nakajima Shinya , Ogawa Takeshi
Published: March 2010

Many epidemiological surveys have identified smoking as a risk factor for osteoporosis, but it is unclear whether smoking has a direct effect on bone metabolism and if such an effect could cause osteoporosis. Therefore, we examined whether smoking causes osteoporosis based on the impact of smoke exposure on the bones of rats. A rat model of passive cigarette smoking was prepared by breeding rats in a cigarette-smoking box for 4 or 8 weeks. Histological changes, micro-computed tomographic (CT) analysis, mechanical bone strength, and bone mineral density of the femur and lumbar vertebrae were examined in these rats and in control rats that were not exposed to smoke. Lower mechanical bone strength was observed in smoke-exposed rats, but these differences were not significant. Significantly lower bone mineral density was found in the femur (P<.01) and lumbar bones (P<.001) of 8-week smoke-exposed rats compared to controls. In a micro-CT scan of lumbar vertebrae, the bone volume, trabecular thickness, trabecular number, and trabecular separation differed significantly between smoke-exposed rats and controls. Histologically, the osteocytes in the smoke-exposed rats were small (approximately 25% of the size in controls), and decreased numbers of marrow cells and osteoblasts (P<.01), as well as a black carbon dust-like substance, were found in the bone of smoke-exposed rats. These results indicate that smoking significantly decreases bone mineral density, which causes osteoporosis, and the organizational changes in the bone suggest a direct effect of smoking on bone structure. Fewer marrow cells were present in the smoke-exposed rats, and a black carbon dust-like substance was observed.
Evaluation of Biomechanical and Histological Features of Vertebrae Following Vertebroplasty Using Hydroxyapatite Blocks
Authors: Oshima Masashi , Matsuzaki Hiromi , Tokuhashi Yasuaki , Okawa Akihiro
Published: March 2010

Vertebroplasty was performed using hydroxyapatite blocks to examine the course of compressive strength and histological features in a dog model. The vertebral fracture model was prepared by punching a hole in the center of the vertebra and at 4 sites around the vertebra (5 holes in total) from the front side of the vertebra using an air drill and hollowing the holes. Measurements were made on healthy vertebrae, vertebrae from the vertebral fracture model, vertebrae removed from animals immediately after vertebroplasty, vertebrae collected 1 and 2 months after vertebroplasty, and vertebrae untreated for 1 month after vertebral fracture. Histological examinations were also performed 1 and 2 weeks and 1 and 2 months after vertebroplasty with hydroxyapatite blocks. The strength of vertebrae in the fracture model immediately after vertebroplasty was significantly higher than that in the untreated fracture, and the strength of vertebrae 1 month after the procedure was equivalent to that of healthy vertebrae. Histologically, new bone formation was found around hydroxyapatite blocks 2 weeks after the procedure, and strong crosslinking between neighboring hydroxyapatite blocks was found after 1 month.

These results suggest that hydroxyapatite blocks may be effective as filling material for vertebral fracture from both biomechanical and histological perspectives.
Intramedullary Bone Fragment Obstructing Passage of Reaming Guide Wire With Iatrogenic Fractured Tibia
Authors: Nag Suman , Lall Hitesh , Jain Vijay Kumar , Bansal Pankaj , Khare Rahul , Mittal Deepak
Published: March 2010

Reamed interlocking intramedullary fixation is the treatment of choice for displaced tibial shaft fractures in adults. In most cases it can be performed without difficulty; however, technical difficulties may be encountered during nailing in some cases. This article describes a case of closed nailing for a tibial shaft fracture in which intramedullary guide wire was obstructed by a small intramedullary bone fragment in the distal fracture segment. Forceful reaming and insertion of the nail led to a break in the cortex of the distal fragment and bending of guide wire. Finally, open reduction and intramedullary nailing was performed to retrieve the guide wire and intramedullary bone fragment and fix the tibia.

A comminuted fracture with multiple close fragments in proximity to the fracture site should be preoperatively scrutinized to look for intramedullary bone fragment or a fragment that could be pushed in the intramedullary canal during the intramedullary nailing. The surgeon can then anticipate the potential operative difficulty that may be encountered during closed nailing of such a fracture; and the patient can be counseled, as open nailing is a safer and viable option. Finally it is pertinent that even if this fracture type is overlooked, catastrophe can be avoided by properly following all the steps of intramedullary nailing.
Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis of the Elbow Treated With the Tsuge Wide Joint Exposure Technique
Authors: Chida Shuichi , Okada Kyoji , Takahashi Shu , Nagasawa Hiroyuki , Sasaki Hiroshi , Shimada Yoichi
Published: March 2010

Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) is a benign, locally aggressive disease of the synovium; its cause remains unclear. The most frequently involved joint is the knee, followed by the hip, ankle, wrist, and shoulder. Pigmented villonodular synovitis of the elbow joint is rare. Synovectomy is currently believed to be the best treatment for PVNS. Open or arthroscopic synovectomy is usually selected. During synovectomy for PVNS, the possibility of local recurrence after surgery must be considered. The recurrence rate after synovectomy of any joint for PVNS is approximately 40%. Therefore, surgical treatment for PVNS of the elbow requires sufficient removal of the lesion. For good functional results, prevention of postoperative joint stiffness is also necessary. This article describes a case of a 29-year-old woman with PVNS of the right elbow who was treated by total synovectomy using the Tsuge technique. Tsuge reported a new surgical technique for debridement arthroplasty using a posterolateral approach to the elbow in 1987. He has also reported using this procedure during arthroplasty for posttraumatic stiff elbow and for synovectomy in rheumatoid arthritis. This approach permits easy dislocation of the elbow and provides a good view of the whole joint. Although the recurrence rate of PVNS of the elbow is high, our patient has retained good elbow function with no evidence of local recurrence at 30 months postoperatively.
Chronic Closed Talus Dislocation: A Rare Presentation and Treatment Dilemma
Authors: Naranje Sameer , Mittal Ravi
Published: March 2010

A chronic presentation of closed dorsolateral dislocation of the talus is a rare injury. A 35-year-old woman presented with pain and deformity of the right foot of 6 months' duration. Her medical history was significant for rheumatoid arthritis, for which she was being treated with steroids. Radiographs and computed tomography of the right foot showed dorsolateral talar dislocation with fracture of the medial malleolus. Dislocation of the talus from the tibiotalar, talocalcaneal, and talonavicular joints was indicative of talus dislocation with a fracture of the medial malleolus rather than a fracture-dislocation of the ankle joint. Because of chronic presentation of the injury and an inability to reduce this talus dislocation by closed methods, open total talectomy was performed. At 2-year follow-up, the patient had an AOFAS score of 78. The patient had an obvious limp on the affected limb but managed her activities of daily living well without a shoe raise or brace. Because of the severe varus inversion deformity of the foot preoperatively, the patient was not able to walk. Postoperatively, the deformity was corrected and the patient was able to stand and walk; she was satisfied with the outcome of the surgery.

To our knowledge, this is the first report of chronic closed dorsolateral talus dislocation. We recommend that chronic closed isolated dorsolateral talus dislocation can be effectively managed by total talectomy.
Nonoperative Biological Treatment Approach for Partial Achilles Tendon Lesion
Authors: Filardo Giuseppe , Presti Mirco Lo , Kon Elizaveta , Marcacci Maurilio
Published: March 2010

Tendon injuries, especially those of the Achilles tendon, are major concerns in sports medicine. The clinical presentation can be acute or chronic and the pathologic findings can range from peritendonitis to full-thickness tendon rupture. Nonsurgical treatment is not always successful; in particular, significant partial ruptures seem to respond poorly to conservative measures and do not improve with time. Surgery is most often considered the favored treatment option for this kind of lesion to obtain pain relief and full functionality with long-standing effects.

This article describes a case of a partial tear of the Achilles tendon in a 34-year-old competitive athlete where surgical treatment was avoided in favor of a new biological approach. We applied autologous platelet growth factors through multiple platelet-rich plasma injections; approximately 6.5 billion platelets were injected into the lesion 3 times, 7 days apart. The treatment with platelet-rich plasma and a progressive rehabilitation program allowed the patient to play for 20 minutes in a basketball game 64 days after the trauma and in a full game 75 days after the trauma. To date, 18 months later, he has participated regularly in all the season's games and received no further treatment for his tendon.

The fast tissue repair, confirmed by magnetic resonance and ultrasound imaging, allowed a swift return to full functionality and competitive sports activity, suggesting a possible role of platelet growth factors in promoting rapid tendon healing with high-quality tissue. This biological approach may represent a less-invasive therapeutic option even in cases where severe tendon lesions are candidates for surgical treatment.
Geometric approach to the Weil–Petersson symplectic form
Authors: Axelsson Reynir , Schumacher Georg
Published: March 2010

In a family of compact, canonically polarized, complex manifolds the first variation of the lengths of closed geodesics is computed. As an application, we show the coincidence of the Fenchel–Nielsen and Weil–Petersson symplectic forms on the Teichmüller spaces of compact Riemann surfaces in a purely geometric way. The method can also be applied to situations like moduli spaces of weighted punctured Riemann surfaces, where the methods of Kleinian groups are not available.
Finiteness results for flat surfaces: large cusps and short geodesics
Authors: Smillie John , Weiss Barak
Published: March 2010

For fixed

g

and

T

we show the finiteness of the set of affine equivalence classes of flat surfaces of genus

g

whose Veech group contains a cusp of hyperbolic co-area less than

T

. We obtain new restrictions on Veech groups: any non-elementary Fuchsian group can appear only finitely many times in a fixed stratum; any non-elementary Veech group is of finite index in its normalizer; and the quotient of

ℍ

by a non-lattice Veech group admits arbitrarily large embedded disks. A key ingredient of the proof is the finiteness of the set of affine equivalence classes of flat surfaces of genus

g

whose Veech group contains a hyperbolic element with eigenvalue less than

T

.
Bounding the symbol length in the Galois cohomology of function fields of $p$-adic curves
Authors: Suresh Venapally
Published: March 2010

Let

K

be a function field of a

p

-adic curve and

l

a prime not equal to

p

. Assume that

K

contains a primitive

l

th root of unity. We show that every element in the

l

-torsion subgroup of the Brauer group of

K

is a tensor product of two cyclic algebras over

K

.
Automatic transversality and orbifolds of punctured holomorphic curves in dimension four
Authors: Wendl Chris
Published: March 2010

We derive a numerical criterion for J-holomorphic curves in 4-dimensional symplectic cobordisms to achieve transversality without any genericity assumption. This generalizes results of Hofer–Lizan–Sikorav [HLS97] and Ivashkovich–Shevchishin [IS99] to allow punctured curves with boundary that generally need not be somewhere injective or immersed. As an application, we combine this with the intersection theory of punctured holomorphic curves to prove that certain geometrically natural moduli spaces are globally smooth orbifolds, consisting generically of embedded curves, plus unbranched multiple covers that form isolated orbifold singularities.
The $K(π,1)$ conjecture for a class of Artin groups
Authors: Ellis Graham , Sköldberg Emil
Published: March 2010

Salvetti constructed a cellular space

B_D

for any Artin group

A_D

defined by a Coxeter graph

D

. We show that

B_D

is an Eilenberg–Mac Lane space if

B_{D'}

is an Eilenberg–Mac Lane space for every subgraph

D'

of

D

involving no

∞

-edges.
Local signature defect of fibered complex surfaces via monodromy and stable reduction
Authors: Ashikaga Tadashi
Published: March 2010

We consider the localization problem of signature of a fibered complex surface. In this paper, we analyze the contribution of topological monodromy to the local signature of a fiber germ. In order to realize it, we describe explicitly the behavior of Atiyah–Patodi–Singer’s eta invariant under the stable reduction of a fiber germ in terms of Nielsen’s data.
A converse theorem for Dirichlet $L$-functions
Authors: Kaczorowski Jerzy , Molteni Giuseppe , Perelli Alberto
Published: March 2010

It is known that the space of solutions (in a suitable class of Dirichlet series with continuation over

ℂ

) of the functional equation of a Dirichlet

L

-function

L(s,χ)

has dimension

≥ 2

as soon as the conductor

q

of

χ

is at least 4. Hence the Dirichlet

L

-functions are not characterized by their functional equation for

q ≥ 4

. Here we characterize the conductors q such that for every primitive character

χ\ (\mathrm{mod}\, q)

,

L(s,χ)

is the only solution with an Euler product in the above space. It turns out that such conductors are of the form

q = 2a3bm

with any square-free

m

coprime to 6 and finitely many

a

and

b

.
Representations of Relaxations of Linear-Quadratic Optimal Control Problems for Elliptic Systems
Authors: Raitums Uldis
Published: March 2010

See link above for the abstract as PDF file.
Regularity and Derivative Bounds for a Convection-Diﬀusion Problem with Neumann Boundary Conditions on Characteristic Boundaries
Authors: Naughton Aidan , Stynes Martin
Published: March 2010

A convection-diﬀusion problem is considered on the unit square, with convection parallel to two of the square’s sides. Dirichlet conditions are imposed on the inﬂow and outﬂow boundaries, with Neumann conditions on the other two sides. No assumption is made regarding the corner compatibility of the data. The regularity of the solution is expressed precisely in terms of the regularity and compatibility of the data. Pointwise bounds on all derivatives of the solution are derived and their dependence on the data regularity, its corner compatibility, and on the small diﬀusion parameter is made explicit. These results extend previous bounds of Jung and Temam [Int. J. Numer. Anal. Model. 2 (2005) 367–408] and of Clavero, Gracia, Lisbona and Shishkin [Z. Angew. Math. Mech. 82 (2002) 631–647].
Littlewood–Paley Theory for the Differential Operator $\frac{\partial^2}{\partial x_1^2}\frac{\partial^2}{\partial x_2^2}-\frac{\partial^2}{\partial x_3^2}$
Authors: Ho Kwok-Pun
Published: March 2010

Littlewood–Paley theory for the differential operator,

\Delta_{\mathbf D} = \partial^2_{x_1}\partial^2_{x_2} − \partial^2_{x_3}

, is developed. This study leads to the introduction of a new class of Triebel–Lizorkin spaces

\dot F^{\alpha,q}_p   (\mathbb D)

associated with the dilation

(x_1,x_2,x_3) \to (2^{\nu_1}x_1,2^{ν_2}x_2,2^{\nu_1+\nu_2}x_3)

,

(\nu_1,\nu_2) \in \mathbb Z^2

. The corresponding atomic and molecular decompositions are obtained. A frame generated by modulations, dilations and translations is also studied. Using this result, we show that

\Delta_{\mathbb D}

is a linear isomorphism from

\dot F^{\alpha,q}_p

to

\dot F^{\alpha-2,q}_p

.
Estimates for Blow-Up Solutions to Nonlinear Elliptic Equations with $p$-Growth in the Gradient
Authors: Ferone Vincenzo , Giarrusso Ester , Messano Basilio , Posteraro Maria Rosaria
Published: March 2010

In this paper we deal with blow-up solutions to
p
-Laplacian equations with a nonlinear gradient term. We prove comparison results for the solutions in terms of the solutions to suitable symmetrized problems deﬁned in a ball. We analyze two cases where the form of the term which depends on the gradient plays different roles.
Primary mitochondrial disorders and mimics: Insights from a large French cohort
Authors: Rouzier Cécile , Pion Emmanuelle , Chaussenot Annabelle , Bris Céline , Ait‐El‐Mkadem Saadi Samira , Desquiret‐Dumas Valérie , Gueguen Naïg , Fragaki Konstantina , Amati‐Bonneau Patrizia , Barcia Giulia , Gaignard Pauline , Steffann Julie , Pennisi Alessandra , Bonnefont Jean‐Paul , Lebigot Elise , Bannwarth Sylvie , Francou Bruno , Rucheton Benoit , Sternberg Damien , Martin‐Negrier Marie‐Laure , Trimouille Aurélien , Hardy Gaëlle , Allouche Stéphane , Acquaviva‐Bourdain Cécile , Pagan Cécile , Lebre Anne‐Sophie , Reynier Pascal , Cossee Mireille , Attarian Shahram , Paquis‐Flucklinger Véronique ,   MitoDiag's Network Collaborators, Procaccio Vincent
Published: May 2024

Objective

The objective of this study was to evaluate the implementation of NGS within the French mitochondrial network, MitoDiag, from targeted gene panels to whole exome sequencing (WES) or whole genome sequencing (WGS) focusing on mitochondrial nuclear‐encoded genes.

Methods

Over 2000 patients suspected of Primary Mitochondrial Diseases (PMD) were sequenced by either targeted gene panels, WES or WGS within MitoDiag. We described the clinical, biochemical, and molecular data of 397 genetically confirmed patients, comprising 294 children and 103 adults, carrying pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in nuclear‐encoded genes.

Results

The cohort exhibited a large genetic heterogeneity, with the identification of 172 distinct genes and 253 novel variants. Among children, a notable prevalence of pathogenic variants in genes associated with oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) functions and mitochondrial translation was observed. In adults, pathogenic variants were primarily identified in genes linked to mtDNA maintenance. Additionally, a substantial proportion of patients (54% (42/78) and 48% (13/27) in children and adults, respectively), undergoing WES or WGS testing displayed PMD mimics, representing pathologies that clinically resemble mitochondrial diseases.

Interpretation

We reported the largest French cohort of patients suspected of PMD with pathogenic variants in nuclear genes. We have emphasized the clinical complexity of PMD and the challenges associated with recognizing and distinguishing them from other pathologies, particularly neuromuscular disorders. We confirmed that WES/WGS, instead of panel approach, was more valuable to identify the genetic basis in patients with “possible” PMD and we provided a genetic testing flowchart to guide physicians in their diagnostic strategy.
Correlating Aggregation Ability of Polymer Donors with Film Formation Kinetics for Organic Solar Cells with Improved Efficiency and Processability
Authors: Qiu Dingding , Tian Chenyang , Zhang Hao , Zhang Jianqi , Wei Zhixiang , Lu Kun
Published: May 2024

Film formation kinetics significantly impact molecular processability and power conversion efficiency (PCE) of organic solar cells. Here, two ternary random copolymerization polymers are reported, D18─N‐p and D18─N‐m, to modulate the aggregation ability of D18 by introducing trifluoromethyl‐substituted pyridine unit at para‐ and meta‐positions, respectively. The introduction of pyridine unit significantly reduces material aggregation ability and adjusts the interactions with acceptor L8‐BO, thereby leading to largely changed film formation kinetics with earlier phase separation and longer film formation times, which enlarge fiber sizes in blend films and improve carrier generation and transport. As a result, D18─N‐p with moderate aggregation ability delivers a high PCE of 18.82% with L8‐BO, which is further improved to 19.45% via interface engineering. Despite the slightly inferior small area device performances, D18─N‐m shows improved solubility, which inspires to adjust the ratio of meta‐trifluoromethyl pyridine carefully and obtain a polymer donor D18─N‐m‐10 with good solubility in nonhalogenated solvent o‐xylene. High PCEs of 13.07% and 12.43% in 1 cm2 device and 43 cm2 module fabricated with slot‐die coating method are achieved based on D18─N‐m‐10:L8‐BO blends. This work emphasizes film formation kinetics optimization in device fabrication via aggregation ability modulation of polymer donors for efficient devices.
Freestanding Ammonium Vanadate Composite Cathodes with Lattice Self‐Regulation and Ion Exchange for Long‐Lasting Ca‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Wang Junjun , Zhang Yadi , Qiao Fan , Jiang Yalong , Yu Ruohan , Li Jiantao , Lee Sungsik , Dai Yuhang , Guo Fei , Jiang Peie , Zhang Lei , An Qinyou , He Guanjie , Mai Liqiang
Published: May 2024

Calcium‐ion batteries (CIBs) have emerged as a promising alternative for electrochemical energy storage. The lack of high‐performance cathode materials severely limits the development of CIBs. Vanadium oxides are particularly attractive as cathode materials for CIBs, and preinsertion chemistry is often used to improve their calcium storage performance. However, the room temperature cycling lifespan of vanadium oxides in organic electrolytes still falls short of 1000 cycles. Here, based on preinsertion chemistry, the cycling life of vanadium oxides is further improved by integrated electrode and electrolyte engineering. Utilizing a tailored Ca electrolyte, the constructed freestanding (NH4)2V6O16·1.35H2O@graphene oxide@carbon nanotube (NHVO‐H@GO@CNT) composite cathode achieves a 305 mAh g−1 high capacity and 10 000 cycles record‐long life. Additionally, for the first time, a Ca‐ion hybrid capacitor full cell is assembled and delivers a capacity of 62.8 mAh g−1. The calcium storage mechanism of NHVO‐H@GO@CNT based on a two‐phase reaction and the exchange of NH4+ and Ca2+ during cycling are revealed. The lattice self‐regulation of V─O layers is observed and the layered vanadium oxides with Ca2+ pillars formed by ion exchange exhibit higher capacity. This work provides novel strategies to enhance the calcium storage performance of vanadium oxides via integrated structural design of electrodes and electrolyte modification.
Visible Light Induced Halogen Bond Assisted Friedel‐Crafts Reaction of Indole and Chalcones
Authors: Kumar Sunil , Das Anupam , Thomas K. R. Justin
Published: May 2024

The use of halogen bonding interactions as an alternative to acid and metal catalysts for substrate activation has gained popularity in recent years. In this work we demonstrate a halogen bond assisted activation of chalcones under visible light irradiation for the Friedel‐Crafts reaction with indole to yield β‐indolylketones. The simple and scalable protocol uses the readily available CBr4 as halogen bond catalyst. The targets are produced in 31–94% of yield with excellent functional group tolerance. The proposed mechanism of the reaction is supported by UV‐vis, fluorescence, and NMR spectroscopic studies. Further it is demonstrated that the β‐indolylketones can be oxidised to indole substituted α, β‐unsaturated ketones by DDQ or cyclized to thieno[2,3‐b]indoles in the presence of elemental sulfur and base.
Systematic Review of Air Pollution in Morocco: Status, Impacts, and Future Directions
Authors: Sekmoudi Imane , Tanarhte Meryem , Bouzghiba Houria , Khomsi Kenza , Idrissi Laila , El jarmouni Mohamed , Géczi Gábor
Published: May 2024

Despite the recognition of the importance of air pollution in Morocco, current scientific studies are predominantly descriptive and limited. This systematic review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of air pollution in Morocco, delineating the research status and identifying gaps. Searches conducted across PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus from 2016 to May 2023 yielded over 3200 articles. From these, 64 original studies are deemed eligible and selected, focusing on air pollution in Moroccan regions or cities. Review articles and those dealing with indoor air quality are excluded, with no restriction on specific pollutant. Research highlights road traffic as the primary contributor to air pollution in Morocco, followed by industrial activities. Exposure to air pollutants is associated with adverse health effects, including mortality, lung disease, respiratory disorders, asthma attacks, and cardiovascular disease. Pollution levels vary among cities, with Casablanca, Kenitra, and Essaouira consistently facing higher pollution levels due to transportation and industrial emissions. Altitude also influences air quality, with higher‐altitude areas generally experiencing lower pollutant concentrations. The review highlights the need for extensive research on air pollution's health and economic effects, improved air quality modeling, and broader pollutant focus beyond just regulated ones.
Quantifying Structural Shading and Reflection Effects on Single Axis Tracked Bifacial Photovoltaic System Performance
Authors: Lewis Mandy R. , Coathup Trevor J. , Russell Annie C. J. , Guerrero‐Perez Javier , Valdivia Christopher E. , Hinzer Karin
Published: May 2024

Structural elements of bifacial photovoltaic (PV) systems, such as module frames, module supports, and torque tubes, affect module rear irradiance profiles through both shading and reflection. Standard bifacial energy yield models represent racking effects as a flat rear irradiance de‐rate factor; however, this neglects 1) the impact of racking reflection, and 2) the variation of racking effects over time. In this work, a differential irradiance approach is presented to quantify the effect of racking shading and reflection on bifacial rear irradiance. Using this method, racking effects on system energy yield, irradiance mismatch losses, and bifacial gain are calculated. This is applied to a single‐axis‐tracked 2‐in‐portrait bifacial PV system in Livermore, California with 74.5% reflective racking using bifacial_radiance ray tracing software. Racking reflection counteracts the irradiance reduction and mismatch losses caused by racking shading. Racking reflection reduces average rear irradiance shading by up to 19.2% per timestamp and 9.1% per year compared to absorptive racking. Racking effects vary diurnally, seasonally, and with respect to albedo. In a single day, the impact of racking on rear irradiance varies up to 14.6%. Applying this method will improve energy yield modeling accuracy of bifacial PV systems.