bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modelling and simulation of robotic production systems
Authors: Sekala A , Kost G , Banas W , Gwiazda A , Grabowik C
Published: July 2022

Modern manufacturing systems consist of a sequence of robotic systems, such as robotic cells, which are widely used in the industry. As they become commonplace and play important roles in modern industrial production, efficient modelling and use of robotic cells become a necessity. Robotization brings many measurable benefits. It enables effective utilization of both human resources and the possessed machine park and thus contributing to the improvement of product quality and efficiency. Industrial robots not only increase the growth of productivity, by replacing man in monotonous works, requiring enormous, not achievable for human precision but above all ensure the accuracy and repeatability of the product quality. Appropriate design and modelling of robotic manufacturing systems are crucial in the efficient integration of work cell components and proper maintenance of robotic production systems. Therefore, new solutions for programming environments in industrial applications are sought which not only allow reprogramming of industrial robots but also enable the virtual design of new production lines, which in turn allows the faster introduction of higher quality products. This article presents the modelling and programming of robotic work cells in the Siemens Process Simulate environment.
Kernel method based on non-linear coherent states in quantum feature space
Authors: Tiwari Prayag , Dehdashti Shahram , Obeid Abdul Karim , Marttinen Pekka , Bruza Peter
Published: July 2022

In this paper, by mapping datasets to a set of non-linear coherent states, the process of encoding inputs in quantum states as a non-linear feature map is re-interpreted. As a result of the fact that the radial basis function is recovered when data is mapped to a complex Hilbert state represented by coherent states, non-linear coherent states can be considered as a natural generalisation of the associated kernels. In this paper, as an example of kernels based on non-linear coherent states, we propose kernel functions based on generalized hypergeometric functions, as orthogonal polynomial functions. The suggested kernel is implemented with the support vector machine (SVM) on two well known datasets (make_circles, and make_moons) and outperforms the baselines, even when the level of noise is high. In addition, we study the impact of the geometrical properties of the feature space, obtained by the non-linear coherent states, on the SVM classification task, by considering the Fubini–Study metric of the associated coherent states.
Response surface methodology to predict the effects of graphene nanoplatelets addition to diesel engine performance
Authors: Daud Sarbani , Hamidi Mohd Adnin , Mamat Rizalman
Published: July 2022

Engine emissions have become one of the major problems of the world today. Therefore, researchers need to find ways to reduce engine emissions. There are many available methods to reduce emissions or improve engine performance such as using an alternative engine or using alternative fuels. The simplest method is by introducing additives to the currently used fuel and engines. Nanoparticles of zinc oxide, titanium oxide, aluminium oxide, and cerium oxide are among the popular additives used by researchers. The results from the research have been very positive, as it successfully reduced engine emissions. However, there are concerns about the toxicity of the emissions that exposed hazards to human health. A few researchers introduced carbon-based nanomaterials as an additive to improve engine performance and reduce engine emissions. The use of carbon-based nanomaterials is very promising since it poses little to no effect on human health. Graphene is a carbon-based nanomaterial used as an additive in this study. This study aimed to forecast the effects of graphene nanoplatelets’ addition to engine performance. The study used torque, power, brake-specific fuel consumption, and brake thermal efficiency as performance parameters. The prediction models consider speed, load, and blend concentration in the calculation. A full-quadratic model with help of Minitab software is used to develop the prediction model. The model is then presented in surface plot and contour plot. The results show that the prediction model agrees with the experimental data with ±10% accuracy. In conclusion, the RSM model of graphene nanoplatelets’ effects on diesel engine performance is producible using full quadratic calculation.
Studies on the catalytic hydrothermal liquefaction of sugarcane bagasse to bio-oil, over cobalt oxide
Authors: Govindasamy Gopalakrishnan , Sharma Rohit , Subramanian Sunu
Published: July 2022

Sugarcane bagasse, a by-product of sugar industry is a potential lignocellulose biomass for bio-oil production by hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL). The catalyst and the reaction parameters are important for the higher bio-oil yield. Hence, by the sol-gel method, cobalt oxide catalyst was synthesized, characterized by FTIR, X-ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption and studied for the HTL of sugarcane bagasse with varying reaction time, catalyst/biomass weight ratio and water/biomass weight ratio. Formation of face-centered cubic spinel of Co3O4 was confirmed from the XRD peaks at 2Θ positions of 18, 31, 37, 45, and 65° and FTIR absorption bands at 558 and 654 cm−1 attributed to stretching vibrations of Co-O, having the Co3+ in octahedral and tetrahedral coordination respectively. A high BET surface area of 413.63 cm2/g obtained may be attributed to the citric acid added during sol-gel synthesis, which got decomposed off during the calcination. The highest yield of bio-oil was found to be 57.6% at the reaction time of 120 min, catalyst/biomass ratio of 0.4, water/biomass ratio of 28, 250°C and initial CO pressure of 45 bars, compared to 35.2% for non-catalytic HTL, confirmed its catalytic activity.
The performance analysis of modified generic model for Lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Rao K Shubha , Vasudha Karanam
Published: July 2022

Battery technology has been widely used in various applications such as electric vehicles, smart grids, renewable energy systems, and sustainable power applications in recent years. The type, rating, and operating characteristics of batteries vary from one application to another. For example, Electric Vehicles (EVs) need lightweight batteries capable of producing fast energy and withstanding frequent charge/discharge cycles. Renewable energy applications require batteries that can store large energy in the time of excessive electric power generation and can substitute renewable energy sources to supply power in times of non-generation. As batteries are an electro-chemical phenomenon and are generally expensive, it is essential to establish an effective battery model to analyze its behavior under different operating conditions. In this regard, this paper presents a comprehensive study of various battery modeling approaches widely used for the characterization of batteries employed as energy sources for electric vehicles. A simple modified generic battery model is developed and simulated for the ANR26650M1 Li-ion battery in a MATLAB-Simulink environment. The modified generic model includes a polarization voltage term to represent the open-circuit voltage accurately and the polarization resistance term is slightly modified. The model parameters are deduced from the data sheet provided by the battery manufacturers. The discharge curve obtained through simulation is validated with the one given in the datasheet.
Synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles through a simple wet chemical precipitation method
Authors: Taka Gem , Das T D
Published: July 2022

The research on Zinc oxide nanoparticles has become very important on these days due to its unique property and wide range of applications in all the branches of science. In this study, we synthesized ZnO nanoparticles through a simple and cost-effective wet chemical precipitation approach. The XRD spectra revealed the hexagonal wurtzite structure in the prepared ZnO nanoparticles. The UV-Vis absorption peak of the as - prepared ZnO sample was identified at 301.2 nm and was observed to be blue shifted in comparison to the bulk counterpart. The transmittance analysis of the prepared ZnO sample showed very high transmittance to the visible range of light. The widening of the optical band gap was observed in the preparation ZnO sample. The band gap of the synthesized ZnO sample was found to be 3.7943 eV. The theoretical estimation of particle size in the prepared ZnO sample was performed using the Brus model and the particle size was estimated to be 4.38 nm. This study revealed the potential application of prepared ZnO nanoparticles as transparent electrode in solar cell.
Relationship of Age, Gender, and Body Proportion to Outdoor Thermal Comfort in Open Space, Case Study: Green Park, Kitakyushu, Japan
Authors: Hartabela D , Dewancker B , Vidyana C
Published: July 2022

Outdoor thermal comfort is influenced by many factors, including environmental factors and human factors. A person’s age and gender are thought to influence the survey answers. The older a person is, the lower the standard of comfort will be, and vice versa. Meanwhile, men are easier to gain thermal comfort than women. In addition, the proportion of a person’s body weight and height calculated by Body Mass Index (BMI) is also thought to affect the level of thermal comfort. The greater the distance from the proportional body, the higher the standard of comfort. These hypotheses will be scientifically proven through this research. This research was conducted for one year by quantitative methods using a printed questionnaire media. The total number of respondents was 415 people, with details of 97 people in the summer (2020), 86 people in the fall (2020), 117 people in the winter (2021), and 115 people in the spring (2021). The sampling method used a simple random sampling approach, and the questionnaire was directly distributed in Green Park, one of the urban parks in Kitakyushu, Japan. The relationship between the three variables would be analysed by the multivariate analysis method. Based on the analysis results, there is no significant correlation of age, gender, and body proportion to outdoor thermal comfort.
Evacuation Access Simulation during Earthquake Disaster in Vertical Public Housing, Rancacili Bandung as a Case Study
Authors: Putri S H , Haerdy R S M , Nurdini A
Published: July 2022

In 2015 the local government relocated some residents from several squatter settlements on government land into Rusunawa Rancacili. Consequently, the relocation has affected occupant lifestyle changes as a form of adaptation in the vertical housing. This adaptation process usually has undesirable impacts. One example is the occupation of public circulation and corridors as personal storage by the occupants. This condition can reduce the space for the disaster evacuation process due to obstruction of public access. Therefore, a simulation is conducted to describe the evacuation possibilities using the actual occupation condition of the flats. The simulation compares the evacuation time required by the occupants in the ideal condition with the actual condition. This study focuses on identifying various factors that hinder the disaster process in the circulation area where obstacles exist. The simulation was conducted using the Agent-Based Modeling (ABM) method to describe occupant behavior during the evacuation process. Data were obtained through field observation surveys and interviews with Rusunawa Rancacili Block 2 residents. It is identified that the longer evacuation time is caused by the closure of exit access, the corridor obstacle with personal belongings, and the walking speed of the elderly group of occupants. The results of this study could provide a recommendation based on the design and operation management of public housing.
Audial Comfort Evaluation of the Urban Park Libraries, Case Study: Bima Microlibrary in Bandung, Indonesia
Authors: Dzakiyyah A N , Gaputra A D
Published: July 2022

Public libraries have a function as a place of activity for its visitors. Activities performed at this facility require excellent comfort, including spatial comfort, visual comfort, thermal comfort, and most importantly audial comfort. Currently, micro libraries are starting to appear as public libraries in urban parks, among other things, to increase public interest in reading and provide educational space for underprivileged communities. The various activities that occur around and in the urban park produce noise which of course disturbs the micro library in it. This research focuses on the Bima Microlibrary located in Taman Bima, as a prototype micro library designed by SHAU Architecture and Urbanism. This research uses a descriptive quantitative method by measuring the noise level that occurs in the object of study. Through this research, it is known that the noise level that occurs in the object of study reaches a very high and uncomfortable level. Therefore, this research also recommends engineering that can be done for the study object to attain audial comfort. It is hoped that the results of this study can encourage designers to pay more attention to audial comfort for educational facilities, especially those built in public areas, such as micro libraries.
Pinecone Analogy Approach in Designing Low Energy Apartment
Authors: Seftyarizki Debby , Shaleha Dwi Melani , Prihatiningrum Atik , Bahri Samsul
Published: July 2022

Limited land available in big capital cities makes building development change from horizontal into vertical one. High demand for living space along with high-density population causes carbon emissions from electricity used for lighting and cooling increasing as well. This research is trying to invent vertical housing design concept that responsive into environment, especially Bengkulu City, as the solution and alternative for living space that low in energy used. Organic analogy was used as a method to conduct natural principles of Australian Pinecone into apartment design. Pinecone physical appearance and the structure of Pinecone transversal section were interpreted as an apartment plan configuration and exterior design of the building. First, the transversal section of Pinecone structure that consists of seed, wing, and axis, were interpret as an apartment plan configuration, which is the balcony area, apartment unit, and corridor. Next, the spike shape of Pinecone scale inspires angular shape on the outer side area of apartment floor plan and the façade as well. There are three alternatives from design process iteration that later being analyzed using Sefaira simulation to find energy use in the building. Result showed that apartment building design that use a lot of Pinecones principle analogy has lower energy consumption, which is 63 KWh/year/m2. This number is still under the average energy use intensity for apartment building in Indonesia. Nevertheless, there are still some limitations and minus point on the final design that can be further research in the future.
The Design of Bandung Station Area Through Walkability Using Urban Network Analysis
Authors: Soleh M A , Soedarsono W K , Putra B D
Published: July 2022

Walkability is a component of a liveable city; then, a liveable city will be able to improve the quality of life and encourage sustainable urban activities. There are two main aspects of forming a walkable city, namely the physical aspect and non-physical aspects. Bandung City Station is the epicenter of the movement pattern of the city, both seen in the macroscope and micro areas. This area has grown and developed beyond its capacity, giving rise to a motorized vehicle-oriented environment. This creates a lot of city problems. Some of them are areas that are not pedestrian-friendly. This study aims to design a pedestrian-friendly Bandung City Station area based on walkable city principles using Urban Network Analysis (UNA) as an analytical tool. Urban network analysis (UNA) is a software toolbox in ArcGIS software that can be used to describe spatial relationships in a built environment network. Spatial relationships include circulation routes, roads or connecting infrastructure, and building functions. As approached quantitatively, UNA predicts travel volume, route choice, and assessment of infrastructure utilization so that people can walk and cycle comfortably. The results of the UNA simulation show that the spatial characteristics of the region (urban design elements) influence pedestrian movement patterns. Land use and mass intensity of buildings and regional circulation patterns influence the accessibility index (reach index, gravity index, and straightness index) of a region. While the block pattern, the character of the building, and the character of the road network influence the number of trips in a corridor or intersection (betweenness index) and determine the level of isolation of a building (closeness index). By elaborating the results of the UNA analysis with city design elements, this study can determine the effect of urban design elements on pedestrian movement patterns and how planning and design can create a walkable environment.
The Potential Placement of Visual Stimuli for Occupant Interaction Improvement in Compact Living Space at Karawang, West Java: The Isovist of Space Syntax Approach
Authors: Exora R D , Adhitama G P , Nurdini A
Published: July 2022

The small type of landed housing with limited living space (compact living space) has been vastly growing in several of Indonesia’s regency areas, such as in Karawang. However, despite those limited spaces, the house’s role as a hub of family interaction must be preserved. The suggested method to improve the quality of occupant interaction is by applying visual stimuli elements. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the potential placement of a visual stimulus using Karawang’s small housing type as a case study. The primary analysis was processed using the isovist of space syntax approach and focused on Visibility Graph Analysis (VGA). The result shows that the veranda and the transitional area, which intersect with the entrance, have the best visibility value from the living room as the communal space. Those areas are identified as the best placement for visual stimuli. Based on this study, it is suggested for the designer and occupier to organize the veranda area, the transitional area along the side of the living room, and their surrounding walls, using visual stimuli (such as colour, furnishing, or decorations) to get quality family interaction.
High throughput discovery of enhanced visible photoactivity in Fe–Cr vanadate solar fuels photoanodes
Authors: Zhou Lan , Guevarra Dan , Gregoire John M
Published: July 2022

Metal oxide solar absorbers are well suited for photoelectrochemical applications where requisite properties include stability in highly oxidizing environments, in addition to solar energy conversion. Metal vanadates are of particular interest due to their relatively low band gap energies compared to traditional, wide-gap photocatalysts. Concerted efforts on BiVO4-based photoanodes have revealed multiple avenues for improving the solar conversion efficiencies for photon energies above 2.5 eV but have not addressed the ultimate performance limitations from the undesirably high band gap energy. Fe and Cr vanadates have a lower band gap and thus a higher potential solar conversion efficiency, although to-date the absorbed 2–2.5 eV photons are not effectively converted to the desired anodic photocurrent. By using combinatorial synthesis and high throughput screening, we demonstrate that cation substitutions with the monoclinic MVO4 phase (M = Cr, Fe) improves the utilization of photons in this energy range. Given the portfolio of photoanode improvement techniques available, we suggest optimization of (Cr0.5Fe0.5)VO4-based photoanodes as a promising path for enable solar fuel technologies.
Quantum neural networks force fields generation
Authors: Kiss Oriel , Tacchino Francesco , Vallecorsa Sofia , Tavernelli Ivano
Published: July 2022

Accurate molecular force fields are of paramount importance for the efficient implementation of molecular dynamics techniques at large scales. In the last decade, machine learning (ML) methods have demonstrated impressive performances in predicting accurate values for energy and forces when trained on finite size ensembles generated with ab initio techniques. At the same time, quantum computers have recently started to offer new viable computational paradigms to tackle such problems. On the one hand, quantum algorithms may notably be used to extend the reach of electronic structure calculations. On the other hand, quantum ML is also emerging as an alternative and promising path to quantum advantage. Here we follow this second route and establish a direct connection between classical and quantum solutions for learning neural network (NN) potentials. To this end, we design a quantum NN architecture and apply it successfully to different molecules of growing complexity. The quantum models exhibit larger effective dimension with respect to classical counterparts and can reach competitive performances, thus pointing towards potential quantum advantages in natural science applications via quantum ML.
Global Branding: A Research Review
Authors: Wang Jian
Published: July 2022

Global branding has become a key strategic option for businesses and organizations to capture growth opportunities beyond national boundaries. In this context, global branding broadly refers to marketing brands across geographic markets. While the essence of branding remains the same—to achieve differentiation and relevance for competitive advantage, the discussions and debates surrounding global branding center on accounting cross-national and cross-cultural commonalities and differences regarding consumers’ brand perception and behavior. Geographic markets continue to be principally defined by the cultural unit of country, even as regionalization of markets and branding is growing. Research on global branding is therefore built on such spatial associations and cultural manifestations. Meanwhile, given the shifting geo-political economy and the onset of a technological age, the relative stability of cultural units in a connected global system is constantly being challenged. Both consumer identity and producer identity are in a state of flux. In this respect, global branding offers a window into who we are and what we aspire to be in an ever-expanding web of cultural mobility. This article highlights the main streams of research in global branding based on the core ideas and perspectives underlying recent studies in select English-language academic publications. It is intended not as a comprehensive survey but to open up analytical possibilities in this area of inquiry. The article begins with a discussion of the general business environment for global branding to contextualize the research endeavors in this space. It then examines the key topical domains and conceptual lenses in the extant literature. It concludes with observations about some of the gaps in current research and implications for future studies.
Unruly Multiculture: Struggles for Arts and Media Diversity in the Anglophone West
Authors: Ang Ien
Published: July 2022

During the past half century, advanced Western democracies have all become so-called multicultural societies, hosting in their midst people of various ethnic, racial, and religious backgrounds as a consequence of mass immigration from other areas of the world. However, the arts and media sectors have been lagging behind in representing this increased cultural diversity and are therefore failing to contribute fully to the making of a dynamic and vibrant multiculture: the flourishing of a plurality of cultural forms and practices to represent different perspectives on society and the world, expressed by different sections of society and from different corners of the world. Instead, the issue of diversity is increasingly recognized as one of the most problematic quandaries afflicting arts and media organizations. As a consequence, diversity is now widely made a policy priority across the sector, as reflected in the diversity and inclusion policies and strategies that virtually every self-reflecting arts or media organization now has to incorporate in their strategic and operational plans, especially in Anglophone Western societies. Nevertheless, the lack of progress made by such diversity measures in the past few decades suggests that diversity may be pursued as a stated cause but remains elusive in practice. The problem of diversity, in short, is a symptom of deep institutional ambivalence in relation to the making of multiculture. This ambivalence can be understood by considering the word with which diversity is constantly associated: inclusion.

“Inclusion” is a paradoxical goal because it is surreptitiously based on continued marginalization: To be included does not mean becoming an integral part of the mainstream; it means to be content with hovering on the periphery of the mainstream. In other words, the vision of inclusion is limited because it does not undermine the hegemony of the dominant culture; instead, it shores it up by containing diversity within its allocated specialist box—be it as “multicultural arts,” “Black cinema,” “minority culture,” etc.

Many cultural institutions in the West bear the traces of White hegemony in their DNA but are so deeply embedded within the cultural infrastructure of modern society that getting rid of them is nigh unimaginable. This is a structural double bind that informs the fractiousness and divisiveness across the field of multiculture today. Outside the established cultural sector, there is a proliferation and fragmentation of multiculture on a global scale, where digital platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok are the new cultural infrastructures carrying vast flows of heterogeneous and capricious multiculture in ways that are distinctly transgressive, disrupting and transcending the biases and confinements of the dominant, nationally defined cultural sphere in unruly ways.
Performance of Brown Sexualities
Authors: Moreman Shane
Published: July 2022

Moored to Brown, the performance of Brown sexualities is an event, method, and critique of modern subjectivity. The performance of Brown sexualities has had and continues to have a prominent if sometimes ephemeral role in the development of performance studies in communication. Beyond solely a genetic ethnic understanding, Brown has an affective presence. Brown sexualities spans multiple gender and sexual positionalities as it also spans from the Communication field and into interdisciplinary sources. The performance of Brown sexualities is best understood through its aesthetic enactments of the stage and the everyday. Ultimately, the difficulty of locating and defining the performance of Brown sexualities can be reframed as the potentiality of the concept to offer solidarity across multiple differences.
The Groundnut Scheme and Colonial Development in Tanganyika
Authors: Rizzo Matteo
Published: July 2022

The East African Groundnut Scheme (EAGS) in Tanganyika stands among the most dramatic examples of failure of British late colonial developmentalism and imperialism. Frantically planned and launched in Tanganyika in 1946, the EAGS was the most colossal attempt in the history of colonialism to apply modern technology and mechanization to farming in Africa. Aiming to cover over 3.5 million acres of land—an area the size of the state of Connecticut in the United States, or of Yorkshire in the United Kingdom—the EAGS envisaged the annual production of six hundred thousand tons of peanuts by its fifth year of operation, and eight hundred thousand tons annually once at full capacity. A new port, new railway lines, and new roads were built as part of it. Such large-scale production of groundnuts, and of the vegetable oil that could be derived from them, had two strategic goals. First, it aimed to address the increasing shortage of oil rations affecting British households post-World War II (WWII). Second, through the export of surplus groundnuts and/or oil, and a scheduled annual saving of £10 million to the British government’s bill for food imports, the EAGS was meant to play a key role in repaying the $3.5 billion debt that the United Kingdom accrued to the United States after the war. However, in stark contrast with its grandiose goals, when the EAGS was abandoned, in 1952, it had imported more groundnuts as seed than what it actually harvested, and £36 million of British taxpayer money had been spent for the undertaking. A series of shortcomings, all rooted in the inadequacy of the planning of the EAGS and the lack of a pilot phase, brought about the demise of the scheme following its dramatic failure to meet its goals.
Holy Books and Manuscripts
Authors: Parsons Mikeal C.
Published: July 2022

Most religious traditions venerate a certain corpus of writings as authoritative for the beliefs, practices, doctrine, and ethics of that community. Often that corpus is a closed canon of sacred texts collected in one document that may be accompanied by traditions of interpretive strategies, which in turn may be formal and written, ad hoc and oral, or some combination of the two. Reverence for those writings often manifested itself in the care of and attention to the ongoing production of those texts. Illustrations, illuminations, or decorative designs frequently accompanied the reproduction of the text, further revealing the devotion to and reverence for the community’s holy book. Judaism and Christianity are two such religious traditions, and their adherents are often called “people of the Book.” Manuscripts (in particular illuminated ones) played a crucial role in establishing and sustaining the religious authority of the Bibles of Judaism and, especially, of Christianity.
Debate Traditions in Premodern Japan
Authors: Sango Asuka
Published: July 2022

In its simplest definition, debate is a formal discussion of a topic in which different (usually oppositional) arguments are submitted and examined. In premodern Japan, there were many overlapping practices that could be called debate, or rongi論義 (literally, “discussing meanings”). Originating in the intellectual traditions of Buddhism and Confucianism, rongi came to encompass a variety of activities, ranging from oral examinations and group discussions to formal debates and lecture and answer sessions. Some were specialized and targeted for a scholarly audience; others were held as public entertainment for secular audiences. Whereas scholars debated to advance their academic knowledge and gain status and promotion, secular authorities—be they the emperor or shogun—also sponsored scholarly debates to help legitimize their power. Rongi thus shows a bewildering variety of practices combining seemingly opposite qualities: the serious and the playful, or the political and the scholarly.

Japan’s rich and diverse debate traditions traverse the realms of religion, politics, and the performing arts.
Treatment of Chronic Femoral Neck Fracture With Cemented Bipolar Hemiarthroplasty and Management of Intraoperative Fracture With Cerclage Cabling
Authors: Campbell David H. , McKee Michael D.
Published: July 2022

We cover the operative treatment of a neglected chronic femoral neck fracture nonunion treated at 6 months. We begin with a description of the case and concomitant injuries. The operative portion includes the direct lateral approach with the patient in lateral decubitus position, exposure of the fracture site, osteotomy of the neck, debridement of the nonunion site, broaching, trialing, recognition and treatment of an intraoperative proximal femur fracture using cerclage cabling above and below the lesser trochanter, cementation of final components, and reduction. We conclude with the patient's radiographs at 2 weeks and clinical outcome at 6-week follow-up.
Repair of the Galeazzi Fracture
Authors: Campbell Hilary T. , Lowe Dylan T. , Egol Kenneth A.
Published: July 2022

This is a case of a 36-year-old female patient presenting with left forearm and wrist pain after a ground-level fall onto her outstretched left hand. Clinical and radiographic evaluation is consistent with a left distal radial shaft fracture with disruption of the distal radioulnar joint, known as a Galeazzi fracture. The purpose of this video is to review the appropriate management of Galeazzi fractures and demonstrate our treatment with this surgical approach.
Revision Patella Tendon Repair With Hamstring Tendon Autograft Augmentation Following Failed Inferior Pole Patella Fracture Open Reduction and Internal Fixation
Authors: Lowe Dylan T. , Jazrawi Laith M. , Egol Kenneth A.
Published: July 2022

A 46-year-old man presents with left knee bucking 3 months after open reduction and internal fixation of a left knee inferior pole patella fracture. Radiograph and magnetic resonance imaging evaluation reveal displacement and comminution of the inferior pole of the patella confirming failure of the repair. The purpose of this video is to demonstrate the surgical management of failed inferior pole patella fractures using suture anchors for repair of the patella tendon and augmentation with ipsilateral autologous hamstring grafts.
Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of a Partial Articular (OTA-43B) Pilon Fracture Through a Direct Anterior Approach
Authors: Olszewski Nathan , Tornetta Paul
Published: July 2022

We present the management of an OTA-43B Pilon fracture with a depressed plafond fragment, medial comminution, and displacement of the Chaput fragment. The patient was initially managed with external fixation to gain initial reduction of the pilon fracture and to allow the soft tissues to heal. As demonstrated, the extensile anterior approach can be modified and used to see the anteromedial and anterolateral tibial plafond so an anatomic reduction could be obtained. Also detailed is the reduction and fixation strategy and soft tissue closure, all of which plays a critical role in the outcome.
Operative Repair of a Schatzker II Tibial Plateau Fracture Using a Combined Anterolateral and Posterolateral Approach Without Fibular Head Osteotomy
Authors: Solasz Sara Jo , Ganta Abhishek , Konda Sanjit R.
Published: July 2022

We present the case of a 49-year-old male pedestrian struck by a car while cycling, sustaining a displaced anterolateral tibial plateau fracture and a large coronal plane fracture of the posterolateral plateau involving approximately one-third of the anterior posterior dimension of the articular surface. The posterolateral approach without a fibular osteotomy allows direct access to the posterolateral plateau and avoids complications associated with a fibular head osteotomy. The combined anterolateral and posterolateral approach to the proximal tibia without fibular osteotomy is a viable technique to achieve biomechanically sound fixation for lateral tibial plateau fractures that involve the anterolateral and posterolateral aspects of the tibial plateau.
Flexible Nailing of Pediatric Both Bone Forearm Fracture
Authors: Solasz Sara Jo , Lott Ariana , Ganta Abhishek , Konda Sanjit R.
Published: July 2022

This is the case of a 12-year-old boy presented with a displaced radial and ulnar shaft fracture. Historically, these fractures were managed conservatively with closed reduction and cast immobilization; however, there has been an increasing trend toward operative fixation. Malalignment is an indication for operative fixation of pediatric both bone forearm fractures. Flexible nailing was performed in this case because of the small incisions, minimal tissue disruption, shorter operative time, and ease of implant removal. Five years postoperatively, the patient's fracture was healed. Patient presented with an excellent clinical outcome including full range of motion and no pain. He had full strength of his arm and no deficits.
Posteromedial Talar Body Fracture: Case Discussion and Surgical Technique
Authors: Carlock Kurtis D. , Bunzel Eli W. , Goodnough L. Henry , Githens Michael F.
Published: July 2022

Posteromedial talar body fractures are a rare form of talus fracture that involves the tibiotalar and subtalar joints. In cases of displaced injuries, open reduction and internal fixation is typically recommended to minimize the risk of instability and post-traumatic osteoarthritis. This video presents a case of a posteromedial talar body fracture and highlights the technique for operative fixation through a posteromedial approach. Multiple methods to obtain reduction are discussed, and considerations with implant placement are described. The indications for surgical intervention are reviewed, and published outcomes following operative and nonoperative management of these injuries are presented.
Bundled Payments for Hip Fracture Surgery Are Associated With Improved Access, Quality, and Health Care Utilization, but Higher Costs for Complex Cases: An Interrupted Time Series Analysis
Authors: Pereira Michelle J. , Molina Joseph A. D. , Tan Bryan Y. , Yam Michael G. J. , Ramason Rani , Chua Ivan T. H.
Published: July 2022

Objectives:

To study the impact of bundled payments for surgically managed hip fractures on care access, care quality, health care resource utilization, clinical impact, and acute care cost.

Design:

An observational retrospective cohort study using a quasi-experimental design comparing prebundled and postbundled payments through an interrupted time series analysis.

Setting:

A public acute care general hospital.

Patients:

Patients 60 years and older, with surgery for an isolated, unilateral, nonpathological hip fracture during 2014–first quarter of 2019 [diagnosis-related group codes: I03A, I03B, I08A, and I08B] and transferred to specific rehabilitation institutions were studied.

Intervention:

Bundled payments for funder-to-provider reimbursement.

Main Outcomes Measurements:

Care access, care quality, health care resource utilization, clinical impact, and cost.

Results:

Of 1477 patients, 811 were assigned to prebundled and 666 to postbundled payments. Although there was an improving trend of ward admission waiting times during postbundled payments [odds ratio (OR) = 1.14; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02–1.28], ward admission waiting times were longer when compared with prebundled payments (OR = 0.45; 95% CI: 0.23–0.85). Rates of 30-day all-cause readmissions were lower (OR = 0.08; 95% CI: 0.01–0.67), and trends of reducing inpatient rehabilitation and overall episode length of stay (OR = 1.26; 95% CI: 1.16–1.37 and OR = 1.17; 95% CI: 1.07–1.28, respectively) were demonstrated during postbundled payments. Acute care cost for complex cases were higher (OR = 0.49; 95% CI: 0.26–0.92) during bundled payments, compared with prebundled payments.

Conclusions:

Bundled payments for surgically managed hip fractures were associated with benefits for several outcomes pertinent to clinical improvement initiatives. More work, especially concerning cost-effective surgical implants and better care cost computations, are critically needed to contain the growth of acute medical care cost for these patients.

Level of Evidence:

Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
A Dedicated Orthopaedic Trauma Room Improves Efficiency While Remaining Financially Net Positive
Authors: Lex Johnathan R. , Abbas Aazad , Oitment Colby , Wolfstadt Jesse , Wong Paul , Abouali Jihad , Yee Albert , Kreder Hans J. , Larouche Jeremie , Toor Jay
Published: July 2022

Objectives:

To determine the impact of dedicated orthopaedic trauma room (DOTR) implementation on operating room efficiency and finances.

Design:

Retrospective cost-analysis.

Setting:

Single midsized academic-affiliated community hospital in Toronto, Canada.

Participants:

All patients that underwent the most frequently performed orthopaedic trauma procedures (hip hemiarthroplasty, open reduction internal fixation of the ankle, femur, elbow and distal radius), over a 4-year period from 2016 to 2019 were included.

Intervention:

Patient data acquired for 2 years before the implementation of a DOTR was compared with data acquired for a 2-year period after its implementation, adjusting for the number of cases performed.

Main Outcome Measurements:

The primary outcome was surgical duration. The secondary outcome was financial impact, including after-hours costs incurred and opportunity cost of displaced elective surgeries.

Results:

One thousand nine hundred sixty orthopaedic cases were examined pre- and post-DOTR. All procedures had reduced total operative time post-DOTR (mean improvement of 33.4%). The number of daytime operating hours increased 21%, whereas after-hours decreased by 37.8%. Overtime staffing costs were reduced by $24,976 alongside increase in opportunity costs of $22,500. This resulted in a net profit of $2476.

Conclusions:

Our results support the premise that DOTRs improve operating room efficiency and can be cost efficient. Our study also specifically addresses the hesitation regarding potential loss of profit from elective surgeries. Widespread implementation can improve patient care while still remaining financially favorable.

Level of Evidence:

Economic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Treatment updates on tenosynovial giant cell tumor
Authors: Palmerini Emanuela , Staals Eric L.
Published: July 2022

Purpose of review

Diffuse-type tenosynovial giant cell tumor (dt-TGCT) is a benign clonal neoplastic proliferation arising from the synovium. Patients are often symptomatic, require multiple surgical procedures during their lifetime, and have reduced quality of life (QoL). Surgery is the main treatment with relapse rates ranging from 14 to 55%. The treatment strategy for patients with dt-TGCT is evolving. The purpose of this review is to describe current treatment options, and to highlight recent developments in the knowledge of the molecular pathogenesis of dt-TGCT as well as related therapeutic implications.

Recent findings

TGCT cells overexpress colony-stimulating factor 1 (CSF1), resulting in recruitment of CSF1 receptor (CSF1R)-bearing macrophages that are polyclonal and make up the bulk of the tumor, has led to clinical trials with CSF1R inhibitors. These inhibitors include small molecules such as pexidatinib, imatinib, nilotinib, DCC-3014 (vimseltinib), and the monoclonal antibody RG7155 (emactuzumab).

In conclusion, D-TGCT impairs patients’ QoL. The evidence that the pathogenetic loop of D-TGCT can be inhibited has changed the therapeutic armamentarium for this condition. Clinical trials of agents that target CSF1R are currently ongoing. All this new evidence should be taken into consideration within multidisciplinary management.
Associations of muscle mass, strength, and quality with all-cause mortality in China: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Wu Man , Wei Yuxia , Lv Jun , Guo Yu , Pei Pei , Li Jiachen , Du Huaidong , Yang Ling , Chen Yiping , Sun Xiaohui , Zhang Hua , Chen Junshi , Chen Zhengming , Yu Canqing , Li Liming ,   on behalf of the China Kadoorie Biobank Collaborative Group
Published: July 2022

Background

It remains unclear about the association of muscle mass, strength, and quality with death in the general Chinese population of diverse economical and geographical backgrounds. The present study aimed to comprehensively examine such associations across different regions in China.

Methods

Based on the China Kadoorie Biobank study, the present study included 23,290 participants who were aged 38 to 88 years and had no prevalent cardiovascular diseases or cancer. Muscle mass and grip strength were measured using calibrated instruments. Arm muscle quality was defined as the ratio of grip strength to arm muscle mass. Low muscle mass, grip strength, and arm muscle quality were defined as the sex-specific lowest quintiles of muscle mass index, grip strength, and arm muscle quality, respectively. Cox proportional hazards models yielded hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for risks of all-cause mortality in relation to muscle mass, strength, and quality.

Results

During a median follow-up of 3.98 years, 739 participants died. The HR (95% CI) of all-cause mortality risk was 1.28 (1.08–1.51) for low appendicular muscle mass index, 1.38 (1.16–1.62) for low total muscle mass index, 1.68 (1.41–2.00) for low grip strength, and 1.41 (1.20–1.66) for low arm muscle quality in models adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, and medical histories.

Conclusion

Low muscle mass, grip strength, and arm muscle quality are all associated with short-term increased risks of mortality, indicating the importance of maintaining normal muscle mass, strength, and quality for general Chinese adults.
Driving forces and current trends in private equity acquisitions within ophthalmology
Authors: Del Piero Juliet , Parikh Ravi , Weng Christina Y.
Published: July 2022

Purpose of review

Private equity investment in ophthalmology has dramatically increased over the past 20 years. Despite a massive influx in private equity investment in ophthalmology, little is known regarding if and how private equity investment might affect practice behavior. This review seeks to discuss why private equity investment may be expanding in ophthalmology and explore recent data on demographic and billing trends before and after private equity acquisition.

Recent findings

Recent publications have identified ophthalmology and optometry practices acquired by private equity from 2012 to 2021. Practice demographics and provider billing habits before and after private equity acquisition were analyzed from 2012 to 2019 and 2012 to 2017, respectively, using Internal Revenue Service, United States Census, and Medicare fee-for-service data.

Private equity investment in ophthalmology is increasing and may be because of a growing demand from an aging population, fragmented network of healthcare practices, and potential for ancillary billable services. Private equity practices acquired between 2012 and 2019 were mostly in metropolitan areas with higher proportions of private insurance coverage. Ophthalmologists and optometrists in practices acquired between 2012 and 2016 showed increased utilization of diagnostic testing and cataract surgery in the year following private equity acquisition compared with the year prior to private equity acquisition.
Novel insights in intestinal and hepatic fructose metabolism: from mice to men
Authors: Koene Evi , Schrauwen-Hinderling Vera B. , Schrauwen Patrick , Brouwers Martijn C.G.J.
Published: July 2022

Purpose of review

The rise in fructose consumption in parallel with the current epidemic of obesity and related cardiometabolic disease requires a better understanding of the pathophysiological pathways that are involved.

Recent findings

Animal studies have shown that fructose has various effects on the intestines that subsequently affect intrahepatic lipid accumulation and inflammation. Fructose adversely affects the gut microbiome – as a producer of endotoxins and intermediates of de novo lipogenesis – and intestinal barrier function. Furthermore, intestinal fructose metabolism shields fructose away from the liver. Finally, fructose 1-phosphate (F1-P) serves as a signal molecule that promotes intestinal cell survival and, consequently, intestinal absorption capacity. Intervention and epidemiological studies have convincingly shown that fructose, particularly derived from sugar-sweetened beverages, stimulates de novo lipogenesis and intrahepatic lipid accumulation in humans. Of interest, individuals with aldolase B deficiency, who accumulate F1-P, are characterized by a greater intrahepatic lipid content. First phase II clinical trials have recently shown that reduction of F1-P, by inhibition of ketohexokinase, reduces intrahepatic lipid content.

Experimental evidence supports current measures to reduce fructose intake, for example by the implementation of a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages, and pharmacological inhibition of fructose metabolism to reduce the global burden of cardiometabolic disease.