bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Laser Induced Titanium and Tungsten Coating on 304 Stainless Steel Surfaces for Wear Resistant Improvement
Authors: Dong Jinkui , Niu Gang , Zhi Haofei , Cao Xingang , Li Yongtao , Liu Shilong , Nie Xiaokai , Si Xuekang
Published: April 2019

Laser cladding is a tmenkind of surface treat technology with good prospects for application. By using laser cladding technology, the influence of 304 stainless steel cladding layer on its hardness and wear resistance was explored. This paper studied on different Ti and W ratio of the content of coating on 304 stainless steel. The micro-hardness and wear resistance were compared before and after the coating on the materials. The results represent that the wear property of some cladding layers was improved, which provides some theoretical references for the preparation of composite cladding reinforced of stainless steel surfaces.
Assessment of Compression strength of Concrete Columns Confined with Basalt Fibre Reinforced Polymer
Authors: Chimeremeze CHIADIGHIKAOBI Paschal
Published: April 2019

Columns are the main load bearing element of a structure. Therefore, columns have an important function in many structures and can be vulnerable to exceptional loads. As structures age, the columns often have a lack of transverse reinforcement, which is unable to provide sufficient confinement to the concrete core or to prevent buckling of the longitudinal reinforcement which causes premature strength degradation of the column. The primary objectives of this research are to investigate the behaviour of axially loaded concrete columns confined with an obscure material in civil engineer for strengthening, basalt fibre reinforced polymer jacket (BFRP). This paper presents a test program that was done on concrete blocks confined with basalt fibre reinforced polymer (BFRP) and examination of its compression strength. The test results show that the strength enhancement of the concrete blocks consists of more ductile behaviour.
A new approach to the identification of distortion modes of thin-walled structures based on plate/shell theory
Authors: Zhang Lei , Zhu Weidong , Ji Aimin , Peng Liping
Published: April 2019

In this paper, a new approach to identify cross-section deformation modes is presented and utilized in the establishment of a high-order beam model for dynamic analyses of thin-walled structures. Towards this end, a systematic procedure to extract cross-section in-plane vibration shapes for a thin-walled cross-section is developed based on elastic plate/shell theory. Then the distortion shapes are separated from vibration shapes by removing the components of classic modes involved with the minimum value problem of 2-norm. Sequentially, curve fitting method is utilized to approximate the distortion shape functions along the cross-section midline. It should be noticed that these distortion modes are arranged in hierarchy consistent with the order that they are identified and the number of distortions to be identified depends on the required model precision. Based on this, Hamilton's principle is applied to formulate the dynamic governing equations of the beam by constructing its displacement field with the linear superposition of the cross-section mode shapes including distortions. Numerical examples are also presented to validate the new approach and to demonstrate its efficiency in the reproduction of three-dimensional behaviours of thin-walled structures in dynamic analyses.
Development of a Structural Integrity Non-destructive Inspection System for Bridges Made of Weathering Steel
Authors: Salmen Björn Torsten , Knyazeva Marina , Walther Frank
Published: April 2019

Due to the increasing volume of traffic, bridges are exposed to higher loads as it was considered during the planning phase. Therefore, a regular inspection is necessary in order to detect cracks at very early stages. The use of weathering structural steel in bridges, as well as in composite bridge constructions is an alternative to conventional bridges, not only from an economic but also from an ecological point of view, since it is not necessary to apply a corrosion protection layer and renew it during the lifetime of the bridge. Unfortunately, conventional visual inspection or magnetic particle inspection on the weathering steel bridge are hindered by the protective patina and requires development of new test methods. Within the framework of this project, a combined crack detection technique using non-destructive inspection by means of Active Thermography and by Electro-Magnetic Acoustic Transducer (EMAT) were evaluated in laboratory environments and in real conditions on bridge structures made of weathering structural steel.
Behaviour of Single and Group Helical Piles in Sands from Model Experiments
Authors: Bak Jongho , Choi Byung-hyun , Lee Junwon , Bae Jonghwan , Lee Kicheol , Kim Dongwook
Published: April 2019

Mainly used foundations of oil sand plants are drilled shafts or driven piles. As environmental regulations become increasingly strict, complete removal of the foundation is becoming more important during the step of plant dismantling. However, it is difficult to remove completely drilled shafts or driven piles which are deeply installed to obtain more bearing capacity. Helical piles can be easily removed and recycled after use. This study analyses the behaviour of single and group helical piles in sands. For single helical piles, pile load tests of helical piles were conducted varying helix spacing, rotation speed and weight of axial loading during pile installation. The single pile tests determined the optimal helix spacing, rotation speed, weight of axial loading during pile installation. And then, pile load test of group helical piles was performed varying pile spacing from the centre place of upper connector based on the optimal installation conditions.
A Quantitative Analysis of Creating Genius Loci in a Museum Based on Spatial Visibility Analysis
Authors: Chen Jing , Cao Yuwei , Chen JingJing
Published: April 2019

Analysing building styles and guiding architectural design with architectural phenomenology is essential for spatial design. Architectural phenomenology and especially shaping the genius loci facilitates emotional expression in design. This creates a building-human connection and a meaningful spatial social culture. It also provides a sense of direction and identity. However, architectural phenomenology is abstract and perceptual, helping designers create architecture through qualitative analysis. This complicates practical guidance during their creative process: it lacks a quantitative explanation of its practical design applications. This research focuses on the genius loci (a sense of direction and identity) in architectural phenomenology. It also explores how quantitative analysis creates a museum's genius loci. Associating architectural legibility and narrative with the genius loci to enhance spatial readability and ensure richer description is the best way to accomplish this goal. A space syntax-based visibility graph analysis then determines how to create a legible space with a rich narrative for museum visitors. This is a quantitative method creating a museum's genius loci and provides architects with a standardized design method for creating a building's social culture. Finally, the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders explains how spatial visibility creates and affects the genius loci.
Self-learning and Self-repairing Technologies to Establish Autonomous Building Maintenance
Authors: Cortiços Nuno D.
Published: April 2019

Current maintenance models, applied to the building stock, struggle with the complexity and high costs associated with the necessary interventions to recover the original condition or repair the previous renovation works, related with the workers' experience, site conditions (logistic, climatic and environmental), technical skills, and experts' backgrounds. Thus, circumstances favor the introduction of monitoring by sensors, in active systems (ventilation, acclimatization, surveillance, fire-protection, et cetera), increasing efficiency and reducing operating costs. These goals are aligned with current requirements for passive construction solutions, considering the capacities of sensors and nano-technologies. All supported by Artificial Intelligence (AI), and its ability to learn and react, by monitoring the aging rate and external conditions impact on performance and conditioning the settings of renovation construction materials' and solutions' (future) composition. Nano-Technologies already proved their potential to transform the passive systems infinite structures, in traditional construction materials and solutions. By changing those into a semi-passive condition, able to react and adjust to adverse externalities slowing and/or inverting the performance losses. The research hypothesis an ecosystem to produce autonomous maintenance on buildings, through a digital condition assessment, on the actual system's components, with resort to nano-technology to reset those and trigger self-repairing; to extend properties life-cycle and lifespan, and improve efficiency to maintain high performance, favoring the user's experience.
Fluid-solid coupling characteristics analysis for tripod sliding universal joints
Authors: Yang Fuqin , Liu Xin , Zhao Shun , Sun Linlin
Published: April 2019

Fluid-solid coupling theory is introduced into tripod sliding universal joint design. The geometric models of the tripod sliding universal joint and lubricant film are established respectively and meshed. Fluid-solid coupling analyses of tripod sliding universal joints in unidirectional and bidirectional scenarios are performed to investigate sleeve and lubricant film coupling as well as sliding pin and lubricant film coupling under various differential pressures and frequencies. In the condition of unidirectional and bidirectional coupling, sleeve and sliding pin deformation and stress increase gradually with differential pressure and frequency. Under various differential pressures and frequencies, tripod sliding universal joint bidirectional coupling deformation and stress are greater than those of unidirectional coupling. The theory of fluid-solid coupling is combined with the tripod sliding universal joint for the first time in this paper. The fluid-solid coupling analysis results are of great significance and benefit to the design, application and marketing of tripod sliding universal joints.
The influence of duplex vacuum-plasma treatment on the mechanics of complex-profile cutting tool wearing in the production of aircraft engine parts
Authors: Kuzin Valeriy , Gurin Vladimir , Shein Alexander , Kochetkova Anastasiya , Mikhailova Mariya
Published: April 2019

The paper presents a series of experimental results for assessing the effect of duplex vacuum-plasma processing as sequential ion nitriding and coating (Nb–Ti–Al–V) N on the characteristics of the surface layer and the wear rate of complex profile tools as herringbone broaches and gear-shaping cutters from high-speed steels powder during machining a heat-resistant nickel-based alloy. The rational duplex processing modes for each type of multi-profile cutting tool under investigation were established. Tests of the tool after duplex processing under conditions close to those encountered in production showed an increase in the operational durability of herringbone broaches and gear-shaping cutters up to two times in comparison with the original tool.
Galton–Watson and branching process representations of the normalized Perron–Frobenius eigenvector
Authors: Cerf Raphaël , Dalmau Joseba
Published: April 2019

Let A be a primitive matrix and let λ be its Perron–Frobenius eigenvalue. We give formulas expressing the associated normalized Perron–Frobenius eigenvector as a simple functional of a multitype Galton–Watson process whose mean matrix is A, as well as of a multitype branching process with mean matrix e(A−I)t. These formulas are generalizations of the classical formula for the invariant probability measure of a Markov chain.
Numerical modeling of shape memory alloy problem in presence of perturbation: application to Cu-Al-Zn-Mn specimen
Authors: Abid Fatma , Elhami Abdelkhalak , Merzouki Tarek , Trabelsi Hassen , Walha Lassaad , Haddar Mohamed
Published: April 2019

This paper proposes a methodology for taking into consideration uncertainties based on polynomial chaos (PC). The proposed approach is used in order to determine the response of Cu-Al-Zn-Mn shape memory alloy specimen with uncertainties associated to material parameters. The simulation results are obtained by PC method. The proposed method seems to be an efficient probabilistic tool. It is worth mentioning that PC approach is an interesting alternative for the parametric studies. This technique is more efficient compared to MC approach.
Empathie und frühe Eltern-Kind-Beziehung
Authors: Ziegler Margret
Published: April 2019

Die Eltern-Kind-Bindung und frühen Beziehungserfahrungen prägen entscheidend die
frühkindliche psychische Entwicklung in allen Facetten, insbesondere das
kindliche soziale Verhalten und die Entwicklung zur Empathie. Was braucht das
Baby von seiner unmittelbaren Umgebung, von seinen primären Bezugspersonen? Was
brauchen die Eltern für eine förderliche Entwicklung ihres Babys und
Kleinkindes?
Superfood Muttermilch (Teil 2)
Authors: Sander Cornelia
Published: April 2019

Um Müttern frühgeborener Kinder eine sichere Stillbeziehung zu ermöglichen,
entstand die Idee, eine Still- und Laktationsberatung speziell für diese
Zielgruppe zu etablieren. Der zweite Teil unseres Beitrags schildert, wie dieses
Ziel schrittweise erreicht werden kann, wie sich das Angebot evaluieren lässt
und wie eine Informationsbroschüre die Gespräche mit den Müttern professionell
unterstützen kann.
HDL-Cholesterin aus einem anderen Blickwinkel
Authors: Herbosch Sus
Published: April 2019

Seit Jahren finden sich in der Literatur genügend Argumente, dass das „böse“ Cholesterin (LDL-C) ein Märchen ist. Vielmehr gilt es als sicher, dass extrem tiefe LDL-C-Werte bei Patienten über 60 Jahren die kardiovaskuläre Mortalität erhöhen. Über die Folgen von extrem hohen „guten“ HDL-C-Werten wurde bisher kaum berichtet. Dabei kam es schon 2006 zu dem Torcetrapib-Debakel. Erst 11 Jahre später bestätigt eine Studie, dass extrem hohes HDL-C gefährlich sein kann. Diese Rolle des HDL-Cholesterins wird unter folgenden Gesichtspunkten dargestellt:

▪ Lipide und Lipoproteine zeigen einen alters- und geschlechtsabhängigen Verlauf.

▪ HDL-C hat einen abweichenden Verlauf und zeichnet sich durch seine Korrelation mit dem Nervensystem sowohl als Marker für Neurotoxizität (Alkohol) als auch für neuropsychische Probleme aus.

▪ Beitrag des PROTEOMIS-Serumprofils.

▪ Richtwerte für neuropsychische Indikatoren sowie therapeutische Maßnahmen.
Elevated C-reactive Protein Levels Independently Predict the Development of Prediabetes Markers in Subjects with Normal Glucose Regulation
Authors: Kato Katsuhito , Otsuka Toshiaki , Saiki Yoshiyuki , Kobayashi Nobuyuki , Nakamura Takayuki , Kon Yoichi , Kawada Tomoyuki
Published: April 2019

Aims Prediabetes is a precursor of diabetes and increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Individuals with prediabetes reportedly have higher C-reactive protein levels, which is a risk factor for diabetes, relative to individuals with normal glucose regulation. Inflammation may play a role in the very early-phase deterioration of glucose metabolism, although there is insufficient knowledge regarding this relationship. Thus, we examined the association between serum C-reactive protein level and the development of three prediabetes markers.

Methods This study included 743 subjects with normal glucose regulation at baseline who completed oral glucose tolerance tests at baseline and after approximately 5 years. Subjects with a history of cardiovascular disease were excluded.

Results During the 5-year follow-up, 55 subjects developed isolated impaired glucose tolerance (IGT; 2h-plasma glucose levels of 7.8–11.0 mmol/L), 24 subjects developed isolated impaired fasting glucose (IFG; fasting plasma glucose levels of 6.1–7.0 mmol/L), 3 subjects developed IFG plus IGT, and 53 subjects developed isolated elevated glycated hemoglobin levels (HbA1c; level of 41–47 mmol/mol). The multivariate analysis revealed that, relative to the lowest quartile, the highest serum C-reactive protein quartile was independently associated with an increased risk of developing isolated elevated HbA1c levels (odds ratio: 2.95, 95% confidence interval: 1.16–7.51, P=0.024) and marginally associated with an increased risk of developing impaired glucose tolerance plus diabetes. However, C-reactive protein levels were not associated with an increased risk of developing IFG.

Conclusions Elevated serum C-reactive protein levels independently predicted elevated HbA1c levels, but not IFG.
Effects of Insulin Therapy and Oral Hypoglycemic Agents on Glycemic Control for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients in China–A Case Control Study
Authors: Zuo PanPan , Shi JianFeng , Yan Juan , Yang LiHong , Liu Chao , Yuan Li , Lou QingQing
Published: April 2019

Objective The purpose of the study was to compare glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) receiving insulin therapy (IT) or oral hypoglycemic agents (OHA), and explore associations between treatment modality and pancreatic beta-cell function.

Methods A matched, case-control study was conducted from April, 2016 to November, 2016. 2 272 patients with T2DM were identified from electronic medical records at four academic hospitals in China. Based on 1 136 eligible patients using IT, eligible 1 136 OHA patients were matched by age and duration at a ratio of 1:1. Logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between IT and glycemic control. Multiple linear regression addressed impact factors of HOMA-β.

Results There was no significant difference between IT and OHA groups in gender, age, diabetes duration, body mass index (BMI), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), systolic blood pressure (SBP), serum lipids and smoking history (p>0.05). We stratified subjects by diabetes duration, only when the duration was less than 5 years, HbA1c in OHA group was superior to IT (P=0.017). There were no significant differences between groups in HbA1c when disease duration was≥5 years. Even in subjects with short diabetes duration (<5 years), IT did not significantly impact glycemic control (p=0.071, OR=0.577). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that IT (p=0.001), diabetes duration (p=0.038), BMI (P<0.001), sulfonylurea use (P=0.001) were significant and independent predictors of HOMA-β.

Conclusions In patients with short diabetes duration (<5 years), oral hypoglycemic therapy achieved better glycemic control than insulin therapy. Moreover, insulin use was not an impact factor of poor glycemic control. In addition, using insulin can protect beta-cell function.
Reorganisation mit Kennzahlen: Ein Praxisbericht aus dem Klinikum Heidenheim
Authors: Baierlein Jochen
Published: April 2019

Verspäteter morgendlicher OP-Beginn, lange Wechselzeiten, parallele Prozessgestaltung – das Klinikum Heidenheim hat vor vier Jahren die Probleme im OP erkannt und ist sie konsequent und strukturiert angegangen.
Sortimentstraffung als Erfolgshebel: Ortenau Klinikum hebt siebenstelliges Einsparpotenzial
Authors: Freye Carolin
Published: April 2019

Sachkostenoptimierungen sind auch für Kliniken in Deutschland ein wichtiges Thema. Welche positiven Ergebnisse eine Bündelung von Verbrauchsgütern haben kann, zeigt sich am Beispiel des Ortenau Klinikums.
DSGVO-Compliance in Krankenhäusern: Der Teufel steckt im Detail
Authors: Apel Simon
Published: April 2019

Die Datenschutzgrundverordnung (DSGVO) hat mit ihren zahlreichen Dokumentationspflichten und Anforderungen an die rechtmäßige Verarbeitung von personenbezogenen Daten sowie gravierenden Bußgeldandrohungen bei Verstößen viel Aufregung verursacht. Knapp ein Jahr nach der Einführung zeigt sich, dass nicht alle Vorschriften leicht umsetzbar sind.
Interne Kommunikation: Besser treue Fans statt gehorchender Soldaten
Authors: Hoffmann Simone
Published: April 2019

Viele Krankenhäuser vernachlässigen die interne Kommunikation mit den eigenen Mitarbeitern – mit teilweise verheerenden Konsequenzen für das Betriebsklima. Eine professionelle interne Kommunikation hingegen motiviert und bindet Mitarbeiter viel stärker an das eigene Unternehmen.
Prevalence and Association of Congenital Anomalies According to the Maternal Body Mass Index: Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Moraes Carolina Leão de , Mendonça Carolina Rodrigues , Melo Natália Cruz e , Amaral Waldemar Naves do
Published: April 2019

Objective To evaluate and compare the prevalence of structural congenital anomalies (CAs) according to maternal body mass index (BMI).

Methods The present cross-sectional study involved pregnant women with fetuses diagnosed with structural CAs through morphological ultrasonography between November 2014 and January 2016. The nutritional status of the pregnant women was classified according to the gross value of the body mass index. The pregnant women were categorized into four groups: low weight, adequate weight, overweight, and obesity. Statistical analysis was performed using Stata/SE version 12.0 (Stata Corporation, College Station, TX), with values of p ≤ 0.05 considered statistically significant.

Results A total of 223 pregnant women had fetuses diagnosed with CAs. The prevalence of structural CAs in pregnant women with low weight was of 20.18%, of 43.50% in pregnant women with adequate weight, of 22.87% in pregnant women with overweight, and of 13.45% in pregnant women with obesity. The prevalence of central nervous system (CNS) anomalies and of genitourinary system anomalies was high for the four groups of pregnant women. A positive association was observed between multiple anomalies in pregnant women with adequate weight (prevalence ratio [PR] = 1.65; p ≤ 0.004) and between anomalies of the lymphatic system in obese pregnant women (PR = 4.04, p ≤ 0.000).

Conclusion The prevalence of CNS and genitourinary system anomalies was high in all of the BMI categories. Obese pregnancies were associated with lymphatic system anomalies. Therefore, screening and identification of the risk factors for CAs are important, regardless of the maternal BMI. Our findings reinforce the importance of discussing with pregnant women maternal nutrition and its effect on fetal development and on neonatal outcome.
Dialysis Is Not Associated with Increased Risk of Perioperative Complications in TKA Patients after Adjusting for Pertinent Confounders
Authors: Gwam Chukwuweike U. , Sultan Assem , Rosas Samuel , Sullivan Rashad , Seem Michael , Ohanale Chiemena , Plate Johannes F.
Published: April 2019

With a growing prevalence for chronic renal failure, arthroplasty surgeons will find it more likely to have dialysis dependent patients present for knee replacement. Previous retrospective studies using a matched cohort of patients have reported worse perioperative outcomes for dialysis-dependent patients. However, many of these studies failed to control for pertinent confounders. This study aims to fill in that void. The present study compares lengths of stay, discharge status, and 30-day outcomes between dialysis-dependent TKA recipients and a matched cohort of nondialysis dependent TKA recipients. The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was used to identify the study cohorts. Patients were propensity score matched based on patient-specific demographic variables, preoperative functional status, and preoperative laboratory values. Generalized regression models were conducted to assess the effects of dialysis dependency on perioperative outcomes. Dialysis dependent patients demonstrated longer mean lengths of stay (+1.14) and a lower likelihood for home discharge (odds ratio [OR] = 0.503). There was no increased risk of 30-day complications in dialysis dependent TKA patients. Our findings demonstrate no increased risk of 30-day complications after TKA when adjusting for pertinent confounders. This suggests TKA is safe for well optimized dialysis dependent patients prior to surgery.
Proprioception following the Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction with Tibialis Anterior Tendon Allograft
Authors: Büyükafşar Enes , Başar Selda , Kanatli Ulunay
Published: April 2019

After the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, a loss of proprioception is observed and it can continue years after the operation. The aim of this study is to evaluate proprioception in standing position at different knee flexion angles in patients who underwent ACL reconstruction with tibialis anterior tendon allograft. The study included 34 patients who underwent ACL reconstruction with tibialis anterior tendon allograft and 34 healthy individuals. Proprioception was evaluated in standing position at 15°, 30°, 60° flexion angles with the active joint position sense (AJPS) method using digital inclinometer. Proprioception deviation angle was found to be higher in the operated leg at 30° and 60° flexion angles in the patient group compared with the other leg (p < 0.05), the biggest proprioception difference was between the 15° and 60° flexion angles in both the patient and the control group (p < 0.05) that the difference between 15° and 30° flexion angles is lowest (p < 0.05), and that these differences are higher in the operated leg of the patient group compared with the other leg of the patient group and to the dominant leg of the control group (p < 0.05). As approximately 4 years after ACL reconstruction with tibialis anterior tendon allograft, loss of proprioception at 60° knee flexion continued, ACL injury related to loss of proprioception may occur at angles higher than 30° flexion. Thus, patients may be provided with proprioception-enhancing rehabilitation in the long term, particularly, at flexion angles above medium levels.
Outcomes of Total Knee Arthroplasty in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Positive Patients
Authors: Roof Mackenzie A. , Anoushiravani Afshin A. , Chen Kevin K. , Moses Michael J. , Wolfson Theodore , Poultsides Lazaros , Schwarzkopf Ran
Published: April 2019

Successful management of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has lengthened the life expectancy of HIV-positive (HIV + ) patients; consequently, increasing numbers of this patient population are candidates for total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This study seeks to provide detailed results of TKA in HIV+ patients and compare them to an HIV-negative (HIV − ) cohort. We performed a multicenter retrospective case–control study comparing 25 HIV+ patients to 25 HIV− patients undergoing TKA. The analysis included a cohort and subgroup stratification based on the presence or absence of postoperative complications. Prior to TKA, all 25 patients had a documented history of HIV infection. No intraoperative complications were reported. Ninety-day postoperative complications included knee contracture (one HIV + , no HIV − , p = 0.3124), periprosthetic joint infection requiring revision (one HIV + , no HIV − , p = 0.3124), mechanical fall requiring incision and drainage (one HIV + , no HIV − , p = 0.3124), and death (one HIV + , no HIV − , p = 0.3124). The average follow-up was 18.80 months. HIV+ patients stayed in the hospital for an average of 3.8 days following surgery, which was significantly greater than HIV− patients (2.28 days; p = 0.0040). As the life expectancy for HIV+ patients improves, a greater number will be TKA candidates. This study has shown an acceptable postoperative complication risk in an HIV+ patient population undergoing TKA, albeit with a significantly increased hospital length of stay.
Soft Tissue Reconstruction for Deep Defects over a Complicated Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review
Authors: Coombs Demetrius M. , Churchill Jessica , Cartwright Paul , Chughtai Morad , Sultan Assem A. , Samuel Linsen T. , Moskal Joseph T. , Hendrickson Mark F. , Mont Michael A.
Published: April 2019

Deep soft tissue defects after complicated primary or revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA) can be devastating to the patient and technically challenging. The purpose of this review was to (1) discuss different methods used to provide coverage for deep defects of the knee following TKA, as well as to (2) report on their success rates. A comprehensive literature search was performed. Reports were only included if they (1) were case series, (2) were level III studies or above (including retrospective cohort studies and meta-analyses), (3) were in English, and (4) discussed the outcome of graft or flap coverage of soft tissue defects after total knee arthroplasty. A total of 28 case series and four retrospective comparative studies were retrieved. In 16 studies, 195 out of 241 patients who received gastrocnemius flaps (81%) experienced successful outcomes. In seven studies including 84 patients that underwent fasciocutaneous flap coverage, over 90% of patients experienced successful outcomes. In the four studies examining 144 patients with delayed versus prophylactic soft tissue reconstruction, up to 81% of patients experienced a successful outcome. Various factors must be taken into consideration when assessing full-thickness defects over a TKA and collaboration between plastic and orthopaedic surgeons is required to select the optimal approach.
Relationship of the Posterior Condylar Line and the Transepicondylar Axis: A CT-Based Evaluation
Authors: Fitz David W. , Johnson Daniel J. , Hartwell Matthew J. , Sullivan Ryan , Keller Tyler J. , Manning David W.
Published: April 2019

Posterior condylar referencing, a common method for determining femoral axial orientation during total knee arthroplasty (TKA), relies upon an assumed consistent relationship between the posterior condylar line (PCL) and the transepicondylar axis (TEA) of 3 degrees rotation. A total of 3,010 computed tomography (CT) scans and three-dimension (3D)-reconstructions for presurgical creation of patient-matched TKA instrumentation were analyzed. Demographic data and five anthropometric measurements (hip–knee angle [HKA], distal femoral angle [DFA], proximal tibial angle [PTA], tibial slope [TS], and PCL–TEA relationship) were recorded for each scan. A logistic regression model was fit to assess interaction between the PCL–TEA relationship and demographic and radiological variables. The mean (standard deviation [SD]) PCL–TEA was +2.9 degrees (0.8 degree). The range varied between +0.5 and +16.5 degrees. In 2,758 knees (91.6%), the PCL–TEA was within 3 ± 1 degrees, whereas 252 knees (8.4%) fell outside this range. There were no significant demographic or anthropometric differences between those knees with PCL–TEA relationship between 3 ± 1 degrees and those falling outside that range. The posterior condyles of diseased knees undergoing TKA can be reliably used to indirectly reference the TEA of the distal femur with an error of only 1 degree in 92% of patients.
Numerical simulation and experiment of pulsed switching of a ferromagnetic core
Authors: Shi Chengyu , Gao Jingming , Li Song , Cui Yancheng , Yang Hanwu
Published: April 2019

Ferromagnetic core based magnetic switches are widely used in various pulsed power facilities. The dynamic characteristics of high-power magnetic switches, which have important impacts on the pulse modulation process, are analyzed via an improved numerical model in this paper. The model is established by simultaneously solving the circuit equations and the magnetic field diffusion equations. An implicit finite difference method is used in solving the diffusion equations, which has no numerical convergence problems, and the Jiles-Atherton model is used to obtain an accurate hysteresis loop of the core. The improved model predicts the performance of the magnetic switch quite well. It is then used to analyze the detailed dynamic saturation process of a core, and the core’s saturation time predicted by the model is consistent with the experimental data, the error being less than 5%. Furthermore, the interlamination electric field is calculated and analyzed, and it is predicted that breakdown is most likely to occur at the inner side of the core and at the edge of the lamination.
On the penetration of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species generated by a plasma jet into and through mice skin with/without stratum corneum
Authors: Duan J. , Gan L. , Nie L. , Sun F. , Lu X. , He G.
Published: April 2019

In this work, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) generated by a plasma jet penetrating through and left in the skin after the plasma treatment are measured, and the effects of stratum corneum (SC) on the penetration of the RONS are also investigated. It is found that the RONS generated by the plasma jet can penetrate through the skin, and that the penetration of some kinds of the RONS could be enhanced significantly by tape stripping the SC layer of the skin. Further investigations find that the typical reactive oxygen species, including OH, 1O2, O3, and H2O2, cannot penetrate through the mice skin at all (under the detection limit) no matter whether the SC layer of the skin is present or not, where the thickness of the mice skin is about 200–300 μm. This result is very different from the experimental results obtained from the muscle tissue model and gelatin model. Finally, it is found that high concentrations of long-lived RONS (H2O2, NO2−, and NO3−) are left in the skin after the plasma treatment, which means that the plasma treatment could have a long-time scale therapy effect. This finding is important for the applications of plasma medicine.
Fully versus constrained statistical fragmentation of carbon clusters and their heteronuclear derivatives
Authors: Aguirre Néstor F. , Díaz-Tendero Sergio , IdBarkach Tijani , Chabot Marin , Béroff Karine , Alcamí Manuel , Martín Fernando
Published: April 2019

The Microcanonical Metropolis Monte Carlo (MMMC) method has been shown to describe reasonably well fragmentation of clusters composed of identical atomic species. However, this is not so clear in the case of heteronuclear clusters as some regions of phase space might be inaccessible due to the different mobility of the different atomic species, the existence of large isomerization barriers, or the quite different chemical nature of the possible intermediate species. In this paper, we introduce a constrained statistical model that extends the range of applicability of the MMMC method to such mixed clusters. The method is applied to describe fragmentation of isolated clusters with high, moderate, and no heteronuclear character, namely, CnHm, CnN, and Cn clusters for which experimental fragmentation branching ratios are available in the literature. We show that the constrained statistical model describes fairly well fragmentation of CnHm clusters in contrast with the poor description provided by the fully statistical model. The latter model, however, works pretty well for both Cn and CnN clusters, thus showing that the ultimate reason for this discrepancy is the inability of the MMMC method to selectively explore the whole phase space. This conclusion has driven us to predict the fragmentation patterns of the C4N cluster for which experiments are not yet available.
Fluid simulation of the plasma uniformity in pulsed dual frequency inductively coupled plasma
Authors: Sun Xiao-Yan , Zhang Yu-Ru , Chai Sen , Wang You-Nian , He Jian-Xin
Published: April 2019

As the wafer size increases, pulsed dual frequency inductively coupled plasma sources have been proposed as an effective method to achieve large-area uniform plasmas. A two-dimensional (2D) self-consistent fluid model, combined with an electromagnetic module, has been employed to investigate the influence of the pulse duty cycle and the pulse phase shift on the plasma radial uniformity in an argon discharge. When both antennas are pulsed, the best radial uniformity is obtained at 30%, due to the balance between the positive feedback and diffusion loss. When the duty cycle decreases, the bulk plasma density becomes lower since the power absorption is limited during the shorter active-glow period. As the duty cycle decreases to 10%, the plasma density is characterized by an edge-high profile because of the strong diffusion. When the pulse duty cycle of the outer two-turn coil is fixed at 70%, the plasma density profiles shift from center-high over uniform to edge-high as the pulse duty cycle of the inner coil decreases from 50% to 10%, and the best plasma uniformity appears at 30%. In addition, by adjusting pulse phase shifting of two antennas, the plasma uniformity could also be improved, and the nonuniformity degree decreases from 0.138 for the synchronous pulse to about 0.101 for the asynchronous pulse.
Boundary conditions derived from a microscopic theory of hydrodynamics near solids
Authors: Camargo Diego , de la Torre J. A. , Delgado-Buscalioni Rafael , Chejne Farid , Español Pep
Published: April 2019

The theory of nonlocal isothermal hydrodynamics near a solid object derived microscopically in the study by Camargo et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 148, 064107 (2018)] is considered under the conditions that the flow fields are of macroscopic character. We show that in the limit of macroscopic flows, a simple pillbox argument implies that the reversible and irreversible forces that the solid exerts on the fluid can be represented in terms of boundary conditions. In this way, boundary conditions are derived from the underlying microscopic dynamics of the fluid-solid system. These boundary conditions are the impenetrability condition and the Navier slip boundary condition. The Green-Kubo transport coefficients associated with the irreversible forces that the solid exert on the fluid appear naturally in the slip length. The microscopic expression for the slip length thus obtained is shown to coincide with the one provided originally by Bocquet and Barrat [Phys. Rev. E 49, 3079 (1994)].
Carbon solubility in liquid silicon: A computational analysis across empirical potentials
Authors: Luo Jinping , Alateeqi Abdullah , Liu Lijun , Sinno Talid
Published: April 2019

The nucleation and growth of SiC precipitates in liquid silicon is important in the crystallization of silicon used for the photovoltaic industry. These processes depend strongly on the carbon concentration as well as the equilibrium solubility relative to the precipitate phase. Here, using a suite of statistical thermodynamic techniques, we calculate the solubility of carbon atoms in liquid silicon relative to the β-SiC phase. We employ several available empirical potentials to assess whether these potentials may reasonably be used to computationally analyze SiC precipitation. We find that some of the Tersoff-type potentials provide an excellent picture for carbon solubility in liquid silicon but, because of their severe silicon melting point overestimation, are limited to high temperatures where the carbon solubility is several percent, a value that is irrelevant for typical solidification conditions. Based on chemical potential calculations for pure silicon, we suggest that this well-known issue is confined to the description of the liquid phase and demonstrate that some recent potential models for silicon might address this weakness while preserving the excellent description of the carbon-silicon interaction found in the existing models.
Understanding the anharmonic vibrational structure of the carbon dioxide dimer
Authors: Maystrovsky Samuel , Keçeli Murat , Sode Olaseni
Published: April 2019

Understanding the vibrational structure of the CO2 system is important to confirm the potential energy surface and interactions in such van der Waals complexes. In this work, we use our previously developed mbCO2 potential function to explore the vibrational structure of the CO2 monomer and dimer. The potential function has been trained to reproduce the potential energies at the CCSD(T)-F12b/aug-cc-pVTZ level of electronic structure theory. The harmonic approximation, as well as anharmonic corrections using vibrational structure theories such as vibrational self-consistent field, vibrational second-order Møller-Plesset perturbation, and vibrational configuration interaction (VCI), is applied to address the vibrational motions. We compare the vibrational results using the mbCO2 potential function with traditional electronic structure theory results and to experimental frequencies. The anharmonic results for the monomer most closely match the experimental data to within 3 cm−1, including the Fermi dyad frequencies. The intermolecular and intramolecular dimer frequencies were treated separately and show good agreement with the most recent theoretical and experimental results from the literature. The VCI treatment of the dimer vibrational motions accounts for vibrational mixing and delocalization, such that we observe the dimer Fermi resonance phenomena, both in the intramolecular and intermolecular regions.
Analysis of rheological behaviors of two-dimensional emulsion globules with asymmetric internal structures in modest extensional flows
Authors: Liu Qingbei , Xu Shen , Chen Zhijian , Wang Jingtao
Published: April 2019

The rheological behaviors of complex emulsion globules (CEGs) and its three asymmetric daughter droplets (DDs) have been studied numerically in this paper. Unlike simple eccentric emulsion globules (SEEGs), two more DDs are added into the globules and the three DDs are located initially in an asymmetric distribution with a triangular shape. Through this investigation, an oriented shift and an inverse of CEGs are observed. Especially, the movement of CEGs under more conditions is still caused by the interaction of the asymmetric inner pressure distribution and the total outer drag force. Due to the asymmetric internal structure, the deformation of CEGs caused by the outer flow is asymmetric and so is the interfacial curvature which results in the oriented inner circulation. Compared to SEEGs, the addition of two extra DDs leads to the bigger deformation of CEGs, and more CEGs will shift to the left in the parameter range of our investigation. The increases of the parameters in the discussed ranges will promote CEGs to move to the right. In addition, DDs will move away from the original position and move away from or close to the interface of the mother droplet (MD), which may result in interface contact between DDs and MD. The results investigated in this paper further prove the mechanical mechanism of the oriented shift of the complex emulsions globules and are helpful to the controllable movement of soft globules driven by the asymmetric curvatures.
Electron transport in the presence of valley-orbit interaction
Authors: Kim Meeri
Published: April 2019

New theoretical study investigates the valley aspect of lateral tunneling transport in bilayer graphene and calculates its valley dependence in electron transport in 2D material-based quantum structures.
Provenance modulates sensitivity of stored seeds of the Australian native grass Neurachne alopecuroidea to temperature and moisture availability
Authors: Gray Friday , Cochrane Anne , Poot Pieter
Published: April 2019

In the present study we assessed the sensitivity of stored seeds of the common grass Neurachne alopecuroidea R.Br. from south-western Australian sources to varying temperature and moisture conditions as a tool to anticipate potential adaptability of seeds to climate change. We examined among-population germination responses, focusing on germination of excised seeds to overcome possible dormancy imparted by the lemma and palea. We hypothesised that temperature above and below the optimum and low moisture potentials would adversely affect germination, and that conditions for successful germination would be associated with the local climate at each seed source site. Experiment 1 used a bi-directional temperature gradient plate to measure responses to constant and alternating temperatures (5–40°C). Experiment 2 examined responses to moisture availability using polyethylene glycol (PEG 8000) solutions at different temperatures. Temperature optima varied among populations with significant reductions in germination occurring only below 15°C. Germination speed and success declined with decreasing moisture availability, with greater impact at higher temperatures. Significant population variation was observed. Tolerance to temperature and moisture availability was higher than expected and some of this variation suggests adaptation to local climates across the species Western Australian distribution. We discuss these results in the context of seed use in restoration and global warming.
Genome-wide association study of four composite reproductive traits in Iranian fat-tailed sheep
Authors: Abdoli R. , Mirhoseini S. Z. , Ghavi Hossein-Zadeh N. , Zamani P. , Ferdosi M. H. , Gondro C.
Published: April 2019

Composite reproductive traits are a combination of growth and reproductive traits. They have the advantage of being better attuned to the market drivers since producers are paid on a per kilogram basis and not on a per head basis. In this study, 124 Lori­­–Bakhtiari ewes were genotyped using the medium-density Illumina Ovine SNP50 array. A genome-wide association study was performed on estimated breeding values of four composite reproductive traits and genetic parameters were also estimated. The traits were litter mean weight at birth, litter mean weight at weaning, total litter weight at birth and total litter weight at weaning. Several suggestive and associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified. Neighbouring the top SNPs there were five genes, inhibin β E subunit (INHBE), inhibin β C subunit (INHBC), testis expressed 12 (TEX12), β-carotene oxygenase 2 (BCO2) and WD Repeat Domain 70 (WDR70) identified as possible candidate genes for composite reproductive traits of the Lori–Bakhtiari sheep. These genes are in pathways known to be relevant to fertility and growth characteristics. The results provide new information for the functional annotation of genes associated with fertility traits and add new evidence towards a consensus of quantitative trait loci associated with reproductive traits in sheep.
Applying principles of metrology to historical Earth observations from satellites
Authors: Mittaz Jonathan , Merchant Christopher J , Woolliams Emma R
Published: April 2019

Approaches from metrology can assist earth observation (EO) practitioners to develop quantitative characterisation of uncertainty in EO data. This is necessary for the credibility of statements based on Earth observations in relation to topics of public concern, particularly climate and environmental change. This paper presents the application of metrological uncertainty analysis to historical Earth observations from satellites, and is intended to aid mutual understanding of metrology and EO. The nature of satellite observations is summarised for different EO data processing levels, and key metrological nomenclature and principles for uncertainty characterisation are reviewed. We then address metrological approaches to developing estimates of uncertainty that are traceable from the satellite sensor, through levels of data processing, to products describing the evolution of the geophysical state of the Earth. EO radiances have errors with complex error correlation structures that are significant when performing common higher-level transformations of EO imagery. Principles of measurement-function-centred uncertainty analysis are described that apply sequentially to each EO data processing level. Practical tools for organising and traceably documenting uncertainty analysis are presented. We illustrate these principles and tools with examples including some specific sources of error seen in EO satellite data as well as with an example of the estimation of sea surface temperature from satellite infra-red imagery. This includes a simulation-based estimate for the error distribution of clear-sky infra-red brightness temperature in which calibration uncertainty and digitisation are found to dominate. The propagation of these errors to sea surface temperature is then presented, illustrating the relevance of the approach to derivation of EO-based climate datasets. We conclude with a discussion arguing that there is broad scope and need for improvement in EO practice as a measurement science. EO practitioners and metrologists willing to extend and adapt their disciplinary knowledge to meet this need can make valuable contributions to EO.