bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reparação do ligamento colateral cubital da articulação metacarpofalângica do polegar com âncora Mitek
Authors: De Sá Pires S. A. , Pinto A. , Da Costa M. , Caneira M.
Published: September 2017

As suturas ósseas estão indicadas em re-inserções ligamentares e tendinosas podendo ser utilizados vários tipos de material, reabsorvíveis ou não, como é o caso das âncoras. As lesões do ligamento colateral cubital da articulação metacarpofalângica do polegar são frequentes, sobretudo em traumatismos desportivos, após abdução forçada da metacarpofalângica. Quando a ruptura deste ligamento é completa, com interposição da aponevrose do adductor pollicis entre a parte distal do ligamento e a sua inserção na base da falange distal, dá-se o nome de lesão de Stener. O tratamento depende da lesão ser completa ou incompleta e da instabilidade ligamentar que condiciona.

Objectivo: Avaliar os resultados da reparação do ligamento colateral cubital da metacarpofalângica do polegar com Âncora Mitek.

Material e Método: Utilizaram-se âncoras de Mitek Mini GII em 56 doentes com lesões completas do ligamento colateral cubital: 14 do sexo feminino e 42 do sexo masculino, com idades compreendidas entre os 16 e os 62 anos (média de 39,3 anos). Trinta e quatro lesões eram na mão direita e vinte e duas na mão esquerda.

Resultados: Em todos os doentes conseguiu-se recuperar a estabilidade articular em teste de stress (desvio radial inferior a 10º). Houve recuperação da pinça pollici-digital e da flexão/extensão da metacarpofalângica.

Conclusão: A âncora Mitek Mini GII é um método simples que permite uma reparação sólida e a recuperação precoce da mobilidade.
Reconstrucción de roturas inveteradas del tendón distal del biceps brachii con aloinjerto liofilizado de tendón de Aquiles
Authors: Delgado P. J. , García-López J. I. , Abad J. M. , de Lucas F.
Published: September 2017

Objectivo: Las roturas inveteradas o crónicas del tendón distal del biceps brachii son infrecuentes. Su tratamiento es complejo por el grado de retracción y mala calidad del tendón lesionado, que no permiten una sutura directa. Describimos la reconstrucción con aloinjerto de tendón de Aquiles liofilizado mediante una nueva técnica y presentamos nuestra experiencia y resultados.

Material y método: Cuatro pacientes con actividades de alta demanda funcional, presentaban una rotura crónica (más de 3 meses de evolución) del tendón distal del biceps brachii. Se reconstruyó el tendón del biceps brachii con aloinjerto de Aquiles liofilizado mediante dos incisiones y reinserción en la tuberosidad bicipital con anclajes biodegradables.

Se valoran el arco de movilidad activo, resultado de la Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS), dolor, fuerza y reincorporación laboral.

Resultados: A los 68 meses de seguimiento medio (rango: 36-88) todos los pacientes presentan un resultado satisfactorio, con un arco de movilidad activo completo, sin dolor y un resultado excelente de la MEPS. La fuerza en flexión y supinación fue similar con respecto al lado contralateral, si bien se objetivó un ascenso de la masa muscular y adelgazamiento del injerto en el caso con mayor seguimiento. Todos los pacientes se reincorporaron a su mismo puesto de trabajo sin restricciones a las 14 semanas. Un paciente presentó una neuroapraxia del nervio interóseo posterior que se recuperó de forma satisfactoria a los 3 meses. No existieron otras complicaciones ni se precisaron reintervenciones.

Conclusiones: La reconstrucción con aloinjerto de tendón de Aquiles liofilizado en las roturas crónicas del tendón distal del biceps brachii presenta resultados satisfactorios, siendo una alternativa válida en pacientes con alta demanda funcional.
Distractor dinámico para el tratamiento de fracturas conminutas de las articulaciones interfalángicas proximales. Análisis biomecánico
Authors: Santos L. , Estellés J. , Pitarque C.
Published: September 2017

Se analiza el comportamiento mecánico de un distractor dinámico para el tratamiento de las fracturas conminutas de las articulaciones interfalángicas proximales (IFP) de los dedos. El objetivo es establecer cuáles son los patrones de la tendencia a luxarse, y por lo tanto saber dónde y cómo colocar las agujas de Kirschner correctamente. Metodológicamente se aplica un sistema de modelización matemática del comportamiento mecánico del dedo índice de la mano, con vistas a evaluar la mejor forma de movilizar, total o parcialmente, la articulación IFP, y conseguir la restauración de la superficie articular. Los resultados tienen importantes aplicaciones clínicas: en las lesiones con inestabilidad volar, cuanto más cerca de la articulación IFP se coloque la aguja, menor será la tendencia a la inestabilidad; en las lesiones con inestabilidad dorsal, se deberá colocar la aguja lo más distalmente posible.
Artroplastia total de codo asociada a un aloinjerto osteoarticular de cúbito proximal tras fracaso de osteosíntesis de una fractura-luxación de Monteggia
Authors: Renart I. , Balaguer M. , González J.C. , Gómez C.
Published: September 2017

Paciente varón, que tras dos fracasos consecutivos de osteosíntesis de una fractura-luxación de Monteggia, fue tratado con una prótesis total de codo asociada a un aloinjerto estructural de cúbito proximal. Con un seguimiento de 1 año, el resultado funcional obtenido fue bueno.
Osteoblastoma agresivo del hueso grande
Authors: Briones A. , Olea A. , Rodríguez A.
Published: September 2017

Presentamos el caso de un paciente diagnosticado de osteoblastoma del hueso grande tratado de manera satisfactoria mediante legrado y relleno de autoinjerto. La incidencia de este tipo de tumores es rara en los huesos de la mano y es de suma importancia realizar un diagnóstico diferencial tanto radiológico como anatomopatológico. Las opciones de tratamiento incluyen el legrado o curetaje y posterior relleno de injerto, la resección en bloque, y la utilización de un injerto óseo vascularizado. El retraso del diagnóstico, y en consecuencia del tratamiento, supone la necesidad de utilizar técnicas más agresivas, y por tanto más incapacitantes funcionalmente.
Lipomas Gigantes da Eminência Tenar
Authors: Ferreira J. , Garcia-Elias M. , Lluch A.
Published: September 2017

Os autores apresentam 4 casos de lipomas gigantes da eminência tenar. Os lipomas correspondem apenas a cerca de 5% dos tumores da mão. São escassos os casos na literatura de lipomas gigantes nesta localização. Três pacientes são do sexo feminino, com 51, 58 e 60 anos de idade e um paciente é do sexo masculino, com 58 anos de idade. Em todos os casos tratou-se de uma massa com crescimento lento, que causava dificuldade na mobilização e preensão. O tratamento é cirurgico, com exérese da lesão. Houve uma boa evolução clinica em todos, sem queixas locais ou recidiva.
Papel do desbridamento e sinovectomia artroscópica no tratamento da rizartrose-experiência inicial do serviço
Authors: Ferreira A. , Mendes R. , Costa A. , Canela P. , Freitas R.
Published: September 2017

Objetivos: Apresentar a experiência inicial do serviço com o uso do desbridamento e sinovectomia artroscópica no tratamento da rizartrose.

Realizou-se um estudo retrospetivo de 10 doentes com rizartrose submetidos a desbridamento e sinovectomia artroscópica. Avaliou-se a dor através da escala visual analógica (EVA), o nível funcional com o questionário de QuickDASH, a força de pinça em relação à mão contralateral, o grau de satisfação subjetiva e as complicações no pós-operatório.

O score médio de QuickDASH no pré-operatório foi de 51,5 e no pós-operatório de 20,5 (p=0,036). Houve melhoria a nível da dor com uma avaliação pré operatória de 7,4 pontos para 2,6 pontos no pós-operatório (p= 0,012). Comparativamente ao lado contralateral, a média da força de pinça no pré operatório foi de 61,7 % melhorando para 81% no pós-operatório (p=0,067). A complicação mais grave no pós-operatório foi o desenvolvimento de um quadro de algodistrofia em um doente.

Como em qualquer nova técnica, as indicações para o seu uso serão motivo de debate e evolução ao longo do tempo, o que se aplica ao trabalho apresentado em que algumas das indicações podem ser controversas.

Além disso, trata-se de uma amostra muito pequena e com um tempo de seguimento médio curto, pelo que as conclusões obtidas devem ser interpretadas com cautela.
Update on Pseudotumor Cerebri (Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension)
Authors: Hoffmann Jan , May Arne
Published: September 2017

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension is characterized by an increase of intracranial pressure of unknown etiology. The clinical presentation is dominated by progressive visual disturbances, which are commonly the result of a papilledema, headache and cranial nerve palsies. Clinical studies have revealed over the past years that the syndrome may also be associated with olfactory disturbances, cognitive deficits and a pulsatile tinnitus.

The underlying pathomechanism is probably based on a disturbance of venous outflow, which causes a reduced absorption of cerebrospinal fluid that results in an increase of cerebrospinal fluid pressure. It remains unclear if the venous outflow disturbance results from the overweight-induced increase of intrathoracic pressure, the presence of sinus vein stenoses or both conditions. Recently hormonal factors have also been discussed, but the mechanisms behind a potential influence on intracranial pressure remain unclear.

Treatment of idiopathic intracranial hypertension relies mainly on an effective body weight reduction and medication with carboanhydrase inhibitors, which can reduce the production of cerebrospinal fluid and body weight. Results of the first randomized, placebo-controlled trial as well as a 12-month follow-up show that acetazolamide effectively reduces papilledema, visual disturbances and headache in idiopathic intracranial hypertension. In contrast, the evidence for the carboanhydrase inhibitors topiramate and furosemide still relies on open-label trials, because double-blind, placebo-controlled trials for their efficacy in idiopathic intracranial hypertension do not exist. In addition to the treatment with carboanhydrase inhibitors, increasing evidence suggests that the somatostatin analog octreotide may be effective in the treatment of idiopathic intracranial hypertension, but to date no randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials exist to confirm this observation.
Factors defining expertise in screening colonoscopy
Authors: Patel Kinesh , Pinto Anna , Faiz Omar , Rutter Matt , Thomas-Gibson Siwan
Published: September 2017

Background and study aims There is very little literature defining characteristics of expert endoscopists. It is hypothesised that previously undetermined human factors may correlate with high performance in screening colonoscopists. The aim of this study was to determine factors contributing towards expertise in screening colonoscopy.

Materials and methods A focus group was used to hypothesise skills considered to be relevant to high performance in colonoscopy. The skills were then ranked in order of importance by an independent group of screening colonoscopists for both diagnostic and therapeutic colonoscopy. Twenty screening colonoscopists subsequently participated in individual semi-structured interviews to explore participants’ views of expertise and the factors contributing to it. Data extracted from the interview transcripts were used to identify the thematic framework associated with expertise.

Results The 5 initial highest-ranked themes were low complication rates, high adenoma detection rates, interpersonal skills with staff, communication skills, and manner with patients. Interviewees considered technical skills (20/20), previous experience of colonoscopy (19/20), judgment/decision-making (18/20), communication (18/20), teamwork (15/20), resources (11/20) and leadership (8/20) to be the most important themes related to expertise.

Conclusions Both technical and non-technical abilities are considered essential components of expertise by experienced colonoscopists. Further research into targeted interventions to improve the rate of acquisition of these skills in training endoscopists may be useful in improving performance.
Dieulafoy’s lesion of the rectum: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Wang Mo , Bu Xiang , Zhang Jing , Zhu Shanshan , Zheng Ying , Tantai Xinxing , Ma Shiyang
Published: September 2017

One patient with Dieulafoy’s lesion (DL) of the rectum who had a history of anal receptive intercourse is described and the relevant literature reviewed. DL is rare in clinical practice and is extremely rare in the rectum. It often affects patients with no history of cirrhosis or gastrointestinal disease and occurs with abrupt or recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding. Visible vessels can usually be found by endoscopy and coinstantaneous treatments are essential while surgical interventions can occur when necessary. The diagnosis of DL is mainly based on clinical manifestations and endoscopic features, and endoscopic treatment is the first option for hemostasis.
Double endoscopic bypass for gastric outlet obstruction and biliary obstruction
Authors: Brewer Gutierrez Olaya , Nieto Jose , Irani Shayan , James Theodore , Pieratti Bueno Renata , Chen Yen-I , Bukhari Majidah , Sanaei Omid , Kumbhari Vivek , Singh Vikesh , Ngamruengphong Saowanee , Baron Todd , Khashab Mouen
Published: September 2017

Background and study aims Double endoscopic bypass entails EUS-guided gastroenterostomy (EUS-GE) and EUS-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) in patients who present with gastric outlet and biliary obstruction. We report a multicenter experience with double endoscopic bypass.

Patients and methods Retrospective, multicenter series involving 3 US centers. Patients who underwent double endoscopic bypass for malignant gastric and biliary obstruction from 1/2015 to 12/2016 were included. Primary outcome was clinical success defined as tolerance of oral intake and resolution of cholestasis. Secondary outcomes included technical success, re-interventions and adverse events (AE).

Results Seven patients with pancreatic head cancer (57.1 % females; mean age 64.6 ± 12.5 years) underwent double endoscopic bypass. Four patients had EUS-GE and EUS-BD performed during the same session with a mean procedure time of 70 ± 20.4 minutes. EUS-GE and EUS-BD were technically successful in all patients, all of whom were able to tolerate oral intake with resolution of cholestasis in 6 (87.5 %). One patient had a repeat EUS-BD with normalization of bilirubin. There were no adverse events.

Conclusions Double endoscopic bypass is feasible and effective when performed by experienced operators. Studies comparing this novel concept to existing techniques are warranted.
Operative Verfahren in der Neurochirurgie und Neurotraumatologie
Authors: Röhrer Stefan , Kapapa Thomas
Published: September 2017

Aufgrund ausgeprägter und residualer neurologischer Störungen bedürfen neurochirurgische Erkrankungen oftmals einer rehabilitativen
Behandlung. Im vorliegenden Übersichtsartikel sollen die kraniellen neurochirurgischen Erkrankungen, die häufig zu einer rehabilitativen
Behandlung führen, näher erläutert werden.
Funktionelle Elektrostimulation als Therapie des neurogenen Fallfußes
Authors: Daniilidis Kiriakos , Stukenborg-Colsman Christina , Kellner Janina , Umbach Oliver , Yao Daiwei
Published: September 2017

Häufige Folge eines Schlaganfalls ist eine Fußlähmung. Sie führt zu wesentlichen Beeinträchtigungen im Gangvorgang. Der Gang wird unsicher.
Der Betroffene ist meist gezwungen, den Kopf zu neigen, da er ein visuelles Feedback des Gehens benötigt. Neben chirurgischen und
konservativen Methoden hat sich in den letzten zehn Jahren die funktionelle Elektrostimulation als therapeutisches Therapiekonzept
bewiesen.
Same-day Routine Chest-X Ray After Thoracic Surgery is Not Necessary!
Authors: Nagy Peter , Antony Christiane , Hegedüs Balazs , Kampe Sandra , Ploenes Till , Aigner Clemens , Welter Stefan
Published: September 2017

Introduction Performing a routine postoperative chest X-ray (CXR) after general thoracic surgery is daily practice in many thoracic surgery departments. The quality, frequency of pathological findings and the clinical consequences have not been well evaluated. Furthermore, exposure to ionising radiation should be restricted to a minimum and therefore routine practice can be questioned.

Methods As a hospital standard, each patient was given a routine CXR after opening of the pleura and inserting a chest tube. From October 2015 to March 2016, each postoperative patient with a routine CXR was included in a prospective database, including film quality, pathological findings, clinical and laboratory results and cardiorespiratory monitoring, as well as clinical consequences.

Results 546 patients were included. Risk factors for postoperative complications were obesity in 50 patients (9.2%), emphysema in 127 patients (23.3%), coagulopathy in 34 patients (6.2%), longer operation time (more than two hours) in 242 patients (44.3%) and previous lung irradiation in 29 (5.3%) of patients. Major lung resections were performed in 191 patients (35.9%). 263 (48.2%) patients had procedures with minimally invasive access. The quality of the X-ray film was insufficient in 8.2% of patients. 90 (16.5%) of CXRs were found to show pathological findings, with a trend for more pathological findings after open surgery (55/283; 19.4%) compared to minimally invasive surgery (35/263; 13.3%) (p = 0.064). 11 (2.0%) patients needed a surgical or clinical intervention during postoperative observation; this corresponds to 12.2% of patients with a pathological finding on CXR. Nine of these 11 patients were clinically symptomatic and only two (0.37%) patients were asymptomatic with a relevant pneumothorax.

Conclusions Our study cannot support routine postoperative CXR after general thoracic procedures and we believe that restriction to clinically symptomatic cases should be a safe option.
Gearing up for the Pearl Anniversary: AGNP Set to Hold its 30th Meeting in Munich October 4–6, 2017. Overview and Abstracts
Authors: Kronenberg Golo , Wiltfang Jens , Thome Johannes
Published: September 2017

This year, the Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Neuropsychopharmakologie und Pharmakopsychiatrie e.V. (AGNP) will celebrate the 30th anniversary of its scientific conference, without doubt one of the premier gatherings on all things neuro- and psychopharmacology in Central Europe. The society’s get-together, which is held on a roughly biannual basis, has a long and rich tradition of fostering interactions between practitioners, academics, and decision makers from the private and public sectors. Moreover, the meeting provides a variety of formats for young researchers to present and discuss their work in a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere.
Impact of generalized Fourier’s and Fick’s laws on MHD 3D second grade nanofluid flow with variable thermal conductivity and convective heat and mass conditions
Authors: Ramzan M. , Bilal M. , Chung Jae Dong , Lu Dian Chen , Farooq Umer
Published: September 2017

A mathematical model has been established to study the magnetohydrodynamic second grade nanofluid flow past a bidirectional stretched surface. The flow is induced by Cattaneo–Christov thermal and concentration diffusion fluxes. Novel characteristics of Brownian motion and thermophoresis are accompanied by temperature dependent thermal conductivity and convective heat and mass boundary conditions. Apposite transformations are betrothed to transform a system of nonlinear partial differential equations to nonlinear ordinary differential equations. Analytic solutions of the obtained nonlinear system are obtained via a convergent method. Graphs are plotted to examine how velocity, temperature, and concentration distributions are affected by varied physical involved parameters. Effects of skin friction coefficients along the x- and y-direction versus various parameters are also shown through graphs and are well debated. Our findings show that velocities along both the x and y axes exhibit a decreasing trend for the Hartmann number. Moreover, temperature and concentration distributions are decreasing functions of thermal and concentration relaxation parameters.
Ion-acoustic shocks in magnetized quantum plasmas with relative density effects of spin-up and spin-down degenerate electrons
Authors: Hussain S. , Mahmood S.
Published: September 2017

Ion-acoustic shock wave propagation in dense magnetized plasmas with relative density effects of spin-up and spin-down degenerate electrons is studied. The ions are classical, and their dissipative effects on plasma dynamics are included via kinematic viscosity. The electrons with spin-up and spin-down states are taken as separate species. The quantum tunneling effects of electrons are also considered in equations of motions of electrons. The Korteweg de Vries Burgers (KdVB) equation is derived, which admits the shock solution. The KdVB equation is solved numerically to study the transition from shock with oscillatory trails at its wave fronts to the monotonic shock structure with respect to variations in different plasma parameters. The parametric role of the spin density polarization ratio in the propagation characteristics of the shock wave structure is discussed.
Non-renewal statistics for electron transport in a molecular junction with electron-vibration interaction
Authors: Kosov Daniel S.
Published: September 2017

Quantum transport of electrons through a molecule is a series of individual electron tunneling events separated by stochastic waiting time intervals. We study the emergence of temporal correlations between successive waiting times for the electron transport in a vibrating molecular junction. Using the master equation approach, we compute the joint probability distribution for waiting times of two successive tunneling events. We show that the probability distribution is completely reset after each tunneling event if molecular vibrations are thermally equilibrated. If we treat vibrational dynamics exactly without imposing the equilibration constraint, the statistics of electron tunneling events become non-renewal. Non-renewal statistics between two waiting times τ1 and τ2 means that the density matrix of the molecule is not fully renewed after time τ1 and the probability of observing waiting time τ2 for the second electron transfer depends on the previous electron waiting time τ1. The strong electron-vibration coupling is required for the emergence of the non-renewal statistics. We show that in the Franck-Condon blockade regime, extremely rare tunneling events become positively correlated.
Note: A 10 Gbps real-time post-processing free physical random number generator chip
Authors: Qian Yi , Liang Futian , Wang Xinzhe , Li Feng , Chen Lian , Jin Ge
Published: September 2017

A random number generator with high data rate, small size, and low power consumption is essential for a certain quantum key distribution (QKD) system. We designed a 10 Gbps random number generator ASIC, TRNG2016, for the QKD system. With a 6 mm × 6 mm QFN48 package, TRNG2016 has 10 independent physical random number generation channels, and each channel can work at a fixed frequency up to 1 Gbps. The random number generated by TRNG2016 can pass the NIST statistical tests without any post-processing. With 3.3 V IO power supply and 1.2 V core power supply, the typical power consumption of TRNG2016 is 773 mW with 10 channels on and running at 1 Gbps data rate.
Periodic layers of a dodecagonal quasicrystal and a floating hexagonal crystal in sedimentation-diffusion equilibria of colloids
Authors: Pattabhiraman Harini , Dijkstra Marjolein
Published: September 2017

We investigate the behaviour of a system of colloidal particles interacting with a hard-core and a repulsive square shoulder potential under the influence of a gravitational field using event-driven Brownian dynamics simulations. We use a fixed square shoulder diameter equal to 1.4 times the hard-core diameter of the colloids, for which we have previously calculated the equilibrium phase diagram considering two-dimensional disks [H. Pattabhiraman et al., J. Chem. Phys. 143, 164905 (2015) and H. Pattabhiraman and M. Dijkstra, J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 20, 094003 (2017)]. The parameters in the simulations are chosen such that the pressure at the bottom of the sediment facilitates the formation of phases in accordance with the calculated phase diagram of the two-dimensional system. It is surprising that we observe the formation of layers with dodecagonal, square, and hexagonal symmetries at the relevant pressures in the three-dimensional sedimentation column. In addition, we also observe a re-entrant behaviour exhibited by the colloidal fluid phase, engulfing a hexagonal crystal phase, in the sedimentation column. In other words, a floating crystal is formed between the colloidal fluid regions.
Optical gain from vertical Ge-on-Si resonant-cavity light emitting diodes with dual active regions
Authors: Lin Guangyang , Wang Jiaqi , Huang Zhiwei , Mao Yichen , Li Cheng , Huang Wei , Chen Songyan , Lai Hongkai , Huang Shihao
Published: September 2017

Vertical resonant-cavity light emitting diodes with dual active regions consisting of highly n-doped Ge/GeSi multiple quantum wells (MQWs) and a Ge epilayer are proposed to improve the light emitting efficiency. The MQWs are designed to optically pump the underlying Ge epilayer under electric injection. Abundant excess carriers can be optically pumped into the Γ valley of the Ge epilayer apart from electric pumping. With the combination of a vertical cavity, the efficiency of the optical-pumping process was effectively improved due to the elongation of the optical length in the cavity. With the unique feature, optical gain from the Ge epilayer is observed between 1625 and 1700 nm at injection current densities of >1.528 kA/cm2. The demonstration of optical gain from the Ge epilayer indicates that this strategy can be generally useful for Si-based light sources with indirect band materials.
Plasma-etching of 2D-poled glasses: A route to dry lithography
Authors: Alexandrov S. E. , Lipovskii A. A. , Osipov A. A. , Reduto I. V. , Tagantsev D. K.
Published: September 2017

The basis of a lithographic technique for producing glassy structures of diffractive optics, integrated optics, microfluidics, plasmonics, etc., is presented. The technique is based on the integration of two “dry” procedures: (1) glass polarization with structured (with relief surface) anodic electrode and (2) plasma-chemical etching of the poled glass. A pilot relief structure (that is, relief pattern 0.5 μm in depth) on the glass surface has been produced with the proposed technique.
Regulation mechanism of negative permittivity in percolating composites via building blocks
Authors: Xie Peitao , Wang Zhongyang , Sun Kai , Cheng Chuanbing , Liu Yao , Fan Runhua
Published: September 2017

Percolating composites with negative permittivity can be promising candidates for metamaterials; however, building blocks of negative permittivity have not yet been put forward in percolating composites. Here, the dielectric properties of a ternary composite with Fe and SiO2-coated Fe particles dispersed in a polymer matrix were investigated in the range of 10 MHz–1 GHz. By gradually controlling the Fe/coated-Fe ratio (x), a three-dimensional conductive network could be constructed when x exceeds 0.75. The Drude-type negative permittivity was achieved by the conductive network, and its Lorentz-type dispersion was mainly attributed to dielectric resonance of coated-Fe particles. Equivalent circuit analysis demonstrated that the inductive conductive network was the decisive building block to achieve negative permittivity. Moreover, the dielectric resonance caused by coated-Fe particles was LC resonance, and this indicated that the capacitive isolated metallic particles acted as another building block to control the dispersion of negative permittivity by LC resonance. Our reported work provides a highly efficient strategy to adjust negative permittivity and will facilitate applications of negative permittivity materials.
High power terahertz radiation generation by optical rectification of a shaped pulse laser in axially magnetized plasma
Authors: Singh Ram Kishor , Singh Monika , Rajouria Satish Kumar , Sharma R. P.
Published: September 2017

An analytical expression has been derived for terahertz (THz) emission by optical rectification of a laser pulse having a Gaussian as well as hyperbolic-secant shape in axially magnetised ripple density plasma. The interaction between short laser pulses of sub picoseconds duration and plasma leads to the radiation of a wave having frequency in THz regime. The non-uniform intensity profile, say supper-Gaussian, of laser beam exerts a quasi-static ponderomotive force to the electron. The electron acquired a nonlinear transverse drift velocity component. Hence, a strong transient current density having a frequency component in the THz regime produces due to coupling of this velocity component with ripple density plasma and derives a strong THz wave. The generated THz field amplitude is directly proportional to the amplitude of the density ripple and field amplitude of the laser beam. In this generation mechanism, the ripple wave number plays a critical role. The THz field amplitude is maximized when cyclotron frequency approaches to the THz frequency and higher value of profile index. For typical laser plasma parameter, the emitted normalised amplitude of THz field is on the order of 10−2.
Uncertainty propagation by using spectral methods: A practical application to a two-dimensional turbulence fluid model
Authors: Riva Fabio , Milanese Lucio , Ricci Paolo
Published: September 2017

To reduce the computational cost of the uncertainty propagation analysis, which is used to study the impact of input parameter variations on the results of a simulation, a general and simple to apply methodology based on decomposing the solution to the model equations in terms of Chebyshev polynomials is discussed. This methodology, based on the work by Scheffel [Am. J. Comput. Math. 2, 173–193 (2012)], approximates the model equation solution with a semi-analytic expression that depends explicitly on time, spatial coordinates, and input parameters. By employing a weighted residual method, a set of nonlinear algebraic equations for the coefficients appearing in the Chebyshev decomposition is then obtained. The methodology is applied to a two-dimensional Braginskii model used to simulate plasma turbulence in basic plasma physics experiments and in the scrape-off layer of tokamaks, in order to study the impact on the simulation results of the input parameter that describes the parallel losses. The uncertainty that characterizes the time-averaged density gradient lengths, time-averaged densities, and fluctuation density level are evaluated. A reasonable estimate of the uncertainty of these distributions can be obtained with a single reduced-cost simulation.
Analytic model for electromagnetic fields in the bubble regime of plasma wakefield in non-uniform plasmas
Authors: Golovanov A. A. , Kostyukov I. Yu. , Thomas J. , Pukhov A.
Published: September 2017

Based on a model of plasma wakefield in the strongly nonlinear (bubble) regime, we develop a lowest-order perturbation theory for the components of electromagnetic fields inside and outside the bubble using the assumption of small thickness of the electron sheath on the boundary of the bubble. Unlike previous models, we derive simple explicit expressions for the components of electromagnetic fields not only in the vicinity of the center of the bubble, but in the whole volume of the bubble (including the areas of driving or accelerated bunches) as well as outside it. Moreover, we apply the results to the case of radially non-uniform plasma and, in particular, to plasma with a hollow channel. The obtained results are verified with 3D particle-in-cell simulations which show a good correspondence to our model.
3D ion velocity distribution function measurement in an electric thruster using laser induced fluorescence tomography
Authors: Elias P. Q. , Jarrige J. , Cucchetti E. , Cannat F. , Packan D.
Published: September 2017

Measuring the full ion velocity distribution function (IVDF) by non-intrusive techniques can improve our understanding of the ionization processes and beam dynamics at work in electric thrusters. In this paper, a Laser-Induced Fluorescence (LIF) tomographic reconstruction technique is applied to the measurement of the IVDF in the plume of a miniature Hall effect thruster. A setup is developed to move the laser axis along two rotation axes around the measurement volume. The fluorescence spectra taken from different viewing angles are combined using a tomographic reconstruction algorithm to build the complete 3D (in phase space) time-averaged distribution function. For the first time, this technique is used in the plume of a miniature Hall effect thruster to measure the full distribution function of the xenon ions. Two examples of reconstructions are provided, in front of the thruster nose-cone and in front of the anode channel. The reconstruction reveals the features of the ion beam, in particular on the thruster axis where a toroidal distribution function is observed. These findings are consistent with the thruster shape and operation. This technique, which can be used with other LIF schemes, could be helpful in revealing the details of the ion production regions and the beam dynamics. Using a more powerful laser source, the current implementation of the technique could be improved to reduce the measurement time and also to reconstruct the temporal evolution of the distribution function.
Electronic transport coefficients in plasmas using an effective energy-dependent electron-ion collision-frequency
Authors: Faussurier G. , Blancard C. , Combis P. , Decoster A. , Videau L.
Published: September 2017

We present a model to calculate the electrical and thermal electronic conductivities in plasmas using the Chester-Thellung-Kubo-Greenwood approach coupled with the Kramers approximation. The divergence in photon energy at low values is eliminated using a regularization scheme with an effective energy-dependent electron-ion collision-frequency. Doing so, we interpolate smoothly between the Drude-like and the Spitzer-like regularizations. The model still satisfies the well-known sum rule over the electrical conductivity. Such kind of approximation is also naturally extended to the average-atom model. A particular attention is paid to the Lorenz number. Its nondegenerate and degenerate limits are given and the transition towards the Drude-like limit is proved in the Kramers approximation.
Threading dislocation reduction in three-dimensionally grown GaN islands on Si (111) substrate with AlN/AlGaN buffer layers
Authors: Chang Shane , Lung Wei Lin , Tung Luong Tien , Chang Ching , Chang Li
Published: September 2017

Three-dimensional GaN island growth without any masks was first introduced under high pressure in metalorganic chemical vapor deposition after the growth of AlN and AlGaN buffer layers on Si (111) substrate, followed by two-dimensional GaN growth to form a continuous GaN film with improvement of the crystalline quality and surface smoothness. X-ray diffraction and cross-sectional scanning transmission electron microscopy analyses show that a high-quality GaN film can be achieved by bending of edge threading dislocations (TDs) and the formation of dislocation half-loops. It is observed that most of edge TDs bend 90° from the growth direction along c-axis, whereas mixed TDs bend about 30° towards the inclined sidewall facets of the islands. Consequently, a 1.2 μm thick GaN epitaxial film with a low threading dislocation density of 2.5 × 108 cm−2 and a smooth surface of 0. 38 nm roughness can be achieved on Si substrate.
Seed dormancy and germination of three grassy woodland forbs required for diverse restoration
Authors: Vening Gabrielle S. , Guja Lydia K. , Spooner Peter G. , Price Jodi N.
Published: September 2017

Restoration is vital for the re-establishment and maintenance of biodiversity of temperate grassy woodlands, but limited understanding of species’ reproductive biology restricts the efficiency of restoration practice. The present study aimed to explore germination cues and seed dormancy of Dianella longifolia R.Br., Dianella revoluta R.Br., and Stackhousia monogyna Labill., three native Australian forb species that have been difficult to germinate in large-scale restoration projects. A series of experiments investigated the effect of various dormancy-alleviation or germination-promoting treatments on germination of these three species. Significant interactions were found between some treatments and germination temperatures for D. longifolia and S. monogyna, but no significant interactions were observed for D. revoluta. At optimal temperatures, scarification treatment produced the highest mean germination for D. longifolia and S. monogyna, and this was significantly higher than for control seeds. Storage conditions (ambient, dry, frozen) did not decrease viability after 10 weeks of storage, suggesting that seeds of all species are likely to be orthodox. To maximise the effectiveness of seed use in restoration programs, it is recommended that scarification of D. longifolia and S. monogyna seed be undertaken to improve field germination. Further work should focus on how to scale up application of the scarification treatment, optimise methods for alleviating dormancy in D. revoluta, and examine the ecological cues that naturally alleviate dormancy and promote germination of these three species.
Educational and economic dimensions in the Israeli project against occupied Jerusalem
Authors: Al-Deen Nadia Sa’d
Published: September 2017

Emboldened by American partiality for the Israeli occupation and the feeble Arab-Islamic support for the Palestinian cause, Israel has been taking advantage, over the last five years, of the current events and changing conditions prevailing in the regional Arab system. The Israeli occupation authority employs the two contingent devices of education and the economy in occupied Jerusalem as a base for counter-action in its desperate effort to hit the collective political consciousness that demands terminating occupation, liberation and self-determination. The occupation authority in occupied Jerusalem has employed a systematic scheme to isolate the city from the rest of the West Bank territories. Their aim is to destroy its trade movement in order to tighten the loop of hegemony around the vital economic and social sectors, and to deprive the Palestinian Authority from returns of tourism. Life for the residents of the city has become complicated in every possible way, prompting them to abandon their city. All this would be a part of a ‘voluntary immigration’ policy as a prelude to Judaizing the city, evacuating its residents, replacing them with settlers and, ultimately, dropping the city off the partition claims. The measures adopted by the occupation authorities take advantage of the educational and economic dimensions and employ them as leverage for penetrating the articulating points of the resisting Jerusalemite society. This goal is being achieved by shaking the foundations of the educational system and by obstructing endeavours seeking to improve and propagate it. The occupation authority continued to perpetrate its scheme of ‘displacement/settlement’ when it recently expelled 100,000 Jerusalemites from their city. In light of the aforesaid, this research examines, as its main theme, the impact of putting the educational and economic dimensions to use in the Israeli project against occupied Jerusalem, on the fate of the city, and on the equation of the Arab–Israeli conflict. The paper also argues that it would be natural that a popular youth movement emerging in the face of Israel’s intransigence will nominate its own political leadership, dissociated from the political leadership of the Palestinian factions, so that insurrection can continue.
Civic engagement at Arab universities
Authors: Jouny Ghada
Published: September 2017

This paper addresses the civic engagement concept within the discourse and curriculum of 36 universities in 15 Arab countries. Several keywords, such as ‘civic/civil’, ‘public affairs’ and ‘civil responsibility’, were searched for in the official discourse, as well as in programmes and courses. The findings showed that these words were used with different meanings and connotations in different circumstances. Most importantly, they were unrelated to the civic engagement concept and did not reflect the true adoption of, or serious orientation towards, the cause of civic engagement that was claimed to be championed when several of these 36 universities became part of theMa’an Alliance and ratified the Talloires Declaration.
Heegner points on modular curves
Authors: Cai Li , Chen Yihua , Liu Yu
Published: September 2017

In this paper, we study the Heegner points on more general modular curves other than

X
0

(
N
)

X_0(N)

, which generalizes Gross’ work “Heegner points on

X
0

(
N
)

X_0(N)

”. The explicit Gross-Zagier formula and the Euler system property are stated in this case. Using such a kind of Heegner points, we construct certain families of quadratic twists of

X
0

(
36
)

X_0(36)

, with the ranks of Mordell-Weil groups being zero and one respectively, and show that the

2
2

-part of their BSD conjectures hold.
Wave front sets of reductive Lie group representations II
Authors: Harris Benjamin
Published: September 2017

In this paper it is shown that the wave front set of a direct integral of singular, irreducible representations of a real, reductive algebraic group is contained in the singular set. Combining this result with the results of the first paper in this series, the author obtains asymptotic results on the occurrence of tempered representations in induction and restriction problems for real, reductive algebraic groups.
Breeding for cuticle-associated traits in crop species: traits, targets, and strategies
Authors: Petit Johann , Bres Cécile , Mauxion Jean-Philippe , Bakan Bénédicte , Rothan Christophe
Published: September 2017

Improving crop productivity and quality while promoting sustainable agriculture have become major goals in plant breeding. The cuticle is a natural film covering the aerial organs of plants and consists of lipid polyesters covered and embedded with wax. The cuticle protects plants against water loss and pathogens and affects traits with strong impacts on crop quality such as, for horticultural crops, fruit brightness, cracking, russeting, netting, and shelf life. Here we provide an overview of the most important cuticle-associated traits that can be targeted for crop improvement. To date, most studies on cuticle-associated traits aimed at crop breeding have been done on fleshy fruits. Less information is available for staple crops such as rice, wheat or maize. Here we present new insights into cuticle formation and properties resulting from the study of genetic resources available for the various crop species. Our review also covers the current strategies and tools aimed at exploiting available natural and artificially induced genetic diversity and the technologies used to transfer the beneficial alleles affecting cuticle-associated traits to commercial varieties.
Prevalence and Prognosis Impact of Patient–Ventilator Asynchrony in Early Phase of Weaning according to Two Detection Methods
Authors: Rolland-Debord Camille , Bureau Côme , Poitou Tymothee , Belin Lisa , Clavel Marc , Perbet Sébastien , Terzi Nicolas , Kouatchet Achille , Similowski Thomas , Demoule Alexandre
Published: September 2017

Background

Patient–ventilator asynchrony is associated with a poorer outcome. The prevalence and severity of asynchrony during the early phase of weaning has never been specifically described. The authors’ first aim was to evaluate the prognosis impact and the factors associated with asynchrony. Their second aim was to compare the prevalence of asynchrony according to two methods of detection: a visual inspection of signals and a computerized method integrating electromyographic activity of the diaphragm.

Methods

This was an ancillary study of a multicenter, randomized controlled trial comparing neurally adjusted ventilatory assist to pressure support ventilation. Asynchrony was quantified at 12, 24, 36, and 48 h after switching from controlled ventilation to a partial mode of ventilatory assistance according to the two methods. An asynchrony index greater than or equal to 10% defined severe asynchrony.

Results

A total of 103 patients ventilated for a median duration of 5 days (interquartile range, 3 to 9 days) were included. Whatever the method used for quantification, severe patient–ventilator asynchrony was not associated with an alteration of the outcome. No factor was associated with severe asynchrony. The prevalence of asynchrony was significantly lower when the quantification was based on flow and pressure than when it was based on the electromyographic activity of the diaphragm at 0.3 min–1 (interquartile range, 0.2 to 0.8 min–1) and 4.7 min–1 (interquartile range, 3.2 to 7.7 min–1; P < 0.0001), respectively.

Conclusions

During the early phase of weaning in patients receiving a partial ventilatory mode, severe patient–ventilator asynchrony was not associated with adverse clinical outcome, although the prevalence of patient–ventilator asynchrony varies according to the definitions and methods used for detection.
Risk of Knee Sepsis After Treatment of Open Tibia Fractures: A Multicenter Comparison of Suprapatellar and Infrapatellar Approaches
Authors: Marecek Geoffrey S. , Nicholson Luke T. , Broghammer Frances H. , Talerico Michael , Tougas Caroline , Donegan Derek J. , Scolaro John A.
Published: September 2017

Objectives:

The suprapatellar approach for medullary nailing of the tibia is increasing. This requires intra-articular passage of instruments, which theoretically places the knee at risk of postoperative sepsis in the setting of open fracture. We hypothesized that the risk of knee sepsis is similar after suprapatellar or infrapatellar nailing of open tibia fractures.

Design:

Retrospective, multicenter.

Setting:

Three urban level 1 trauma centers.

Patients:

All patients treated with medullary nailing for open diaphyseal tibia fractures (OTA 42) from 2009 to 2015. Patients younger than 18 years of age and with less than 12 weeks of follow-up were excluded. We identified 289 fractures in 282 patients.

Intervention:

Suprapatellar (SP) or infrapatellar (IP) medullary nailing of open tibia fractures.

Main Outcome Measurement:

Occurrence of ipsilateral knee sepsis, defined as presence of a positive culture from knee aspiration or arthrotomy. Deep infection requiring operative debridement, superficial infection requiring antibiotic therapy alone, and all-cause reoperation were also recorded.

Results:

IP nailing was used for 142 fractures. There were 20 infections (14.1%), of which 14 (9.8%) were deep. Fourteen tibias (9.8%) required reoperation for noninfectious reasons for 28 total reoperations (19.7%). SP nailing was used in 147 fractures. There were 24 infections (16.2%), of which 16 (10.8%) were deep. Fourteen additional tibias (9.5%) required reoperation for noninfectious reasons for a total of 30 reoperations (20.4%). There were no differences in the rates of infection, deep infection, or reoperation between groups. There were 2 cases of knee sepsis after SP nailing (1.4%) but zero cases after IP nailing (P = 0.5).

Conclusions:

There was no significant difference in the rate of knee sepsis with SP or IP approaches. The risk of knee sepsis after SP nailing of open fractures is low, but present.

Level of Evidence:

Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.