bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extracellular vesicles as cancer liquid biopsies: from discovery, validation, to clinical application
Authors: Zhao Zhen , Fan Jia , Hsu Yen-Michael S. , Lyon Christopher J. , Ning Bo , Hu Tony Y.
Published: March 2019

Substantial research has been devoted to elucidate the roles that extracellular vesicles (EVs) play in the regulation of both normal and pathological processes, and multiple studies have demonstrated their potential as a source of cancer biomarkers.
Array based real-time measurement of fluid viscosities and mass-densities to monitor biological filament formation
Authors: Oliva Paolo , Bircher Benjamin Andreas , Schoenenberger Cora-Ann , Braun Thomas
Published: March 2019

A membrane-based resonator detecting filament formation of biological samples in a label- and functionalization-free manner.
Tailoring surface acoustic wave atomisation for cryo-electron microscopy sample preparation
Authors: Ashtiani Dariush , de Marco Alex , Neild Adrian
Published: March 2019

Surface acoustic wave (SAW) atomisation is investigated in the context of cryo electron microscopy grid preparation. Here, the primary requirements are a reproducible and narrow plume of droplets delivering a low fluid flow rate.
Fate of cisplatin and its main hydrolysed forms in the presence of thiolates: a comprehensive computational and experimental study
Authors: Minervini Thibault , Cardey Bruno , Foley Sarah , Ramseyer Christophe , Enescu Mironel
Published: March 2019

Interaction of platinum-based drugs with proteins containing sulphur amino acids is usually argued as one of the major reasons for the observed resistance to these drugs, mainly due to the deactivation of the native compounds by very efficient thiolation processes in the organism. In this work, we have investigated the detailed thermodynamics and kinetics of reaction between cisplatin cis-[PtCl2(NH3)2] and its major hydrolysed forms (monohydroxocisplatin cis-[PtCl(OH)(NH3)2] and monoaquacisplatin cis-[PtCl(H2O)(NH3)2]+) with various thiolates (methanethiolate, cysteine and glutathione) and methionine. We have used a demanding quantum chemistry approach at the MP2 and DFT levels of theory to determine the Gibbs free energies and the barrier of reactions of the most possible reaction paths. The substitution of the four ligands of the complexes studied here (Cl−, OH−, H2O and NH3) can either proceed by direct thiolations or bidentations. Our Raman spectroscopy measurements show that only two thiolations actually occur, although four are possible in principle. The reason could lie in the bidentation reactions eventually taking place after each thiolation, which is backed up by our computational results. The observed lability scale of the ligands under thiolate exposure was found to be in the following order H2O > Cl− ≈ NH3(trans) > NH3(cis) > OH−, the difference between ammine ligands being induced by a significant trans-labilization by thiolates. Finally, the S,N bidentation is shown to be preferred with respect to the S,O one.
Nanoscale uniformity in the active tuning of a plasmonic array by polymer gel volume change
Authors: Hamajima Satoru , Mitomo Hideyuki , Tani Takeharu , Matsuo Yasutaka , Niikura Kenichi , Naya Masayuki , Ijiro Kuniharu
Published: March 2019

Nanoscale imaging and spectral analyses support the tremendous potential of the active tuning of nanostructures by hydrogels.
A mechano-responsive fluorescent xerogel based on an anthracene-substituted acylhydrazone derivative
Authors: Chen Yilin , Bai Binglian , Chai Qing , Wei Jue , Wang Haitao , Li Min
Published: March 2019

AHBP-8 can form a stable organogel and enhanced fluorescence emission has been observed after gelation. The AHBP-8 xerogel exhibited favorable mechano-fluorochromism behavior.
Theoretical modeling of pKa's of thiol compounds in aqueous solution
Authors: Zheng Yuanyuan , Zheng Wenrui , Zhu Danfeng , Chang Huifang
Published: March 2019

The pKa's of different kinds of thiols (R-SH) were investigated by using the M06-2X method with a SMDsSAS model.
Predicting the preferred morphology of hexagonal boron nitride domain structure on nickel from ReaxFF-based molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Liu Song , Comer Jeffrey , van Duin Adri C. T. , van Duin Diana M. , Liu Bin , Edgar James H.
Published: March 2019

An understanding of the nucleation and growth of hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) on nickel substrates is essential to its development as a functional material.
Enhanced water transport in AEMs based on poly(styrene–ethylene–butylene–styrene) triblock copolymer for high fuel cell performance
Authors: Gao Xueqiang , Yu Hongmei , Qin Bowen , Jia Jia , Hao Jinkai , Xie Feng , Shao Zhigang
Published: March 2019

Anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) have received a considerable amount of attention in the past decades as a lower cost alternative to proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs).
The Michael addition reaction of Meldrum's acid (MA): an effective route for the preparation of reactive precursors for MA-based thermosetting resins
Authors: Huang Chien-Ho , Liu Ying-Ling
Published: March 2019

Reactive monomers and polymers possessing Meldrum's acid groups from the Michael addition reaction are demonstrated.
Influence of the capping material on pyridine-induced chemical interface damping in single gold nanorods
Authors: Moon Seong Woo , Ha Ji Won
Published: March 2019

Chemical interface damping (CID) is one of the plasmon decay processes that occur in gold nanoparticles.
Facile fabrication of 2D stanene nanosheets via a dealloying strategy for potassium storage
Authors: Ma Jingui , Gu Jianan , Li Bin , Yang Shubin
Published: March 2019

In this work, a facile dealloying strategy was developed for the large scale fabrication of 2D stanene nanosheets under ambient conditions.
A catalytic asymmetric one-pot [3+2] cyclization/semipinacol rearrangement sequence: an efficient construction of a multi-substituted 3H-spiro[benzofuran-2,1′-cyclopentane] skeleton
Authors: Liu Lin , Lei Lin-Sheng , Zhan Zong-Song , Liu Si-Zhan , Wang Yu-Xiao , Tu Yong-Qiang , Zhang Fu-Min , Zhang Xiao-Ming , Ma Ai-Jun , Wang Shao-Hua
Published: March 2019

We report an asymmetric construction of multi-substituted 3H-spiro[benzofuran-2,1’-cyclopentane]s with three new stereocenters and two new ring systems.
Pd(ii)-Catalyzed decarboxylative meta-C–H difluoromethylation
Authors: Zhao Huaxin , Ma Guobin , Xie Xiaojuan , Wang Yong , Hao Jian , Wan Wen
Published: March 2019

Palladium(ii)-catalyzed decarboxylative meta-C–H difluoromethylation reactions have been developed. Initial mechanistic studies disclosed that a migratory insertion would be involved in this meta-selective C–H functionalization.
Lewis acid base chemistry of Bestmann's ylide, Ph3PCCO, and its bulkier analogue, (cyclohexyl)3PCCO
Authors: Brar Amandeep , Unruh Daniel K. , Aquino Adelia J. , Krempner Clemens
Published: March 2019

The phosphoranylideneketenes R3PCCO (R = phenyl, cyclohexyl) and their Lewis acid base adducts were synthesized and structurally as well as spectroscopically characterized.
Direct conversion of carbon nanofibers into diamond nanofibers using nanosecond pulsed laser annealing
Authors: Bhaumik Anagh , Narayan Jagdish
Published: March 2019

The formation of DNFs utilizing a low-temperature budget route will revolutionize their use in electronic, biomedical, and photonic devices.
Strongly luminescent 5d/4f heterometal–organic macrocycles with open metal sites: post-assembly modification and sensing
Authors: Zhu Qiang-Yu , Zhou Li-Peng , Sun Qing-Fu
Published: March 2019

Strongly luminescent 5d/4f heterometal–organic macrocycles featuring open metal sites have been constructed, along with their post-assembly modification and sensing properties.
Catalyst-free visible-light-initiated oxidative coupling of aryldiazo sulfones with thiols leading to unsymmetrical sulfoxides in air
Authors: Liu Qishun , Wang Leilei , Yue Huilan , Li Jiang-Sheng , Luo Zidan , Wei Wei
Published: March 2019

A facile visible-light-driven method has been developed to construct sulfoxides from aryldiazo sulfones and thiols in air under photocatalyst-free conditions.
Truncated octahedral bipyramidal TiO2/MXene Ti3C2 hybrids with enhanced photocatalytic H2 production activity
Authors: Li Yang , Zhang Dainan , Feng Xionghan , Liao Yulong , Wen Qiye , Xiang Quanjun
Published: March 2019

MXene Ti3C2/TiO2 hybrids with a 2D multilayer structure, prepared by calcination of F-terminated Ti3C2, exhibited an enhanced photocatalytic H2-production activity.
Pattern recognition of melatonin using stochastic sensors
Authors: Stefan-van Staden Raluca-Ioana , Lungu-Moscalu Alexandrina , van Staden Jacobus Frederick
Published: March 2019

Modified graphene paste stochastic sensors detect melatonin in biological fluids, whole blood, and pharmaceutical products.
Aerodynamic mechanisms in bio‐inspired micro air vehicles: a review in the light of novel compound layouts
Authors: Chen Long , Zhang Yanlai , Zhou Chao , Wu Jianghao
Published: March 2019

Modern designs of micro air vehicles (MAVs) are mostly inspired by nature's flyers, such as hummingbirds and flying insects, which results in the birth of bio‐inspired MAVs. The history and recent progress of the aerodynamic mechanisms in bio‐inspired MAVs are reviewed in this study, especially focused on those compound layouts using bio‐inspired unsteady aerodynamic mechanisms. Several successful bio‐mimicking MAVs and the unsteady high lift mechanisms in insect flight are briefly revisited. Four types of the compound layouts, i.e. the fixed/flapping‐wing MAV, the flapping rotary wing MAV, the multiple‐pair flapping‐wing MAV, and the cycloidal rotor MAV are introduced in terms of recent findings on their aerodynamic mechanisms. In the end, future interests in the field of MAVs are suggested. The authors' review can provide solid background knowledge for both future studies on the aerodynamic mechanisms in bio‐inspired MAVs and the practical design of a bio‐inspired MAV.
Abundance to age ratios in the HARPS-GTO sample with Gaia DR2
Authors: Delgado Mena E. , Moya A. , Adibekyan V. , Tsantaki M. , González Hernández J. I. , Israelian G. , Davies G. R. , Chaplin W. J. , Sousa S. G. , Ferreira A. C. S. , Santos N. C.
Published: March 2019

Aims. The purpose of this work is to evaluate how several elements produced by different nucleosynthesis processes behave with stellar age and provide empirical relations to derive stellar ages from chemical abundances.

Methods. We derived different sets of ages using Padova and Yonsei–Yale isochrones and HIPPARCOS and Gaia parallaxes for a sample of more than 1000 FGK dwarf stars for which he have high-resolution (R ~ 115 000) and high-quality spectra from the HARPS-GTO program. We analyzed the temporal evolution of different abundance ratios to find the best chemical clocks. We applied multivariable linear regressions to our sample of stars with a small uncertainty on age to obtain empirical relations of age as a function of stellar parameters and different chemical clocks.

Results. We find that [α/Fe] ratio (average of Mg, Si, and Ti), [O/Fe] and [Zn/Fe] are good age proxies with a lower dispersion than the age-metallicity dispersion. Several abundance ratios present a significant correlation with age for chemically separated thin disk stars (i.e., low-α) but in the case of the chemically defined thick disk stars (i.e., high-α) only the elements Mg, Si, Ca, and Ti II show a clear correlation with age. We find that the thick disk stars are more enriched in light-s elements than thin disk stars of similar age. The maximum enrichment of s-process elements in the thin disk occurs in the youngest stars which in turn have solar metallicity. The slopes of the [X/Fe]-age relations are quite constant for O, Mg, Si, Ti, Zn, Sr, and Eu regardless of the metallicity. However, this is not the case for Al, Ca, Cu and most of the s-process elements, which display very different trends depending on the metallicity. This demonstrates the limitations of using simple linear relations based on certain abundance ratios to obtain ages for stars of different metallicities. Finally, we show that by using 3D relations with a chemical clock and two stellar parameters (either Teff, [Fe/H] or stellar mass) we can explain up to 89% of age variance in a star. A similar result is obtained when using 2D relations with a chemical clock and one stellar parameter, explaining up to a 87% of the variance.

Conclusions. The complete understanding of how the chemical elements were produced and evolved in the Galaxy requires the knowledge of stellar ages and precise chemical abundances. We show how the temporal evolution of some chemical species change with metallicity, with remarkable variations at super-solar metallicities, which will help to better constrain the yields of different nucleosynthesis processes along the history of the Galaxy.
The pavilions of Expo 2015 in Milan, as a privileged observatory about the concept of sustainable construction in all languages of the world
Authors: La Tegola Alberto , Longo Fabio , Lanzilotti Andrea
Published: March 2019

The organization of Expo 2015 in the city of Milan has prompted massive organizational efforts to set up a new fair district in one of the largest Italian cities. The urban layout of the metropolitan city has been redesigned in order to accommodate all participating nations event. Expo 2015 established through guidelines the necessity to adopt sustainable solutions for the temporary buildings of the exhibition. The article aims to see how the concepts of sustainability and recyclability have been interpreted in the language of 40 designers from different countries. Through data provided by information papers of the exhibition, a valuation of materials used in buildings was made. This research led to an analysis of different building typology involved and the materials most used to reach the goals of guidelines drawn up by Expo 2015. The perception of an event characterized by green constructions was achieved, but not every construction was aimed to be a nearly zero emission building.
Burosumab: Neue Horizonte in der Behandlung der
X-chromosomalen hypophosphatämischen Rachitis (XLH)
Authors: Raimann Adalbert
Published: March 2019

Die X-chromosmale hypophosphatämische Rachitis (XLH) ist eine seltene, durch
chronische Mineralisationsstörung, skelettale Deformitäten und Minderwuchs
gekennzeichnete Erkrankung mit Erstmanifestation in Kleinkindesalter. Durch
genetische Veränderungen im PHEX Gen kommt es zur übermäßigen Synthese des
Phosphatregulators Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 (FGF23) und somit zu einem
krankheitsverursachenden chronischen Phosphatverlust. Die konventionelle
Behandlung von Patienten mit XLH mit Phosphatsalzen und aktiven Vitamin
D-Derivaten stellt einen klinischen Drahtseilakt zwischen Hypomineralisation und
Nephrokalzinose, Knochenschmerz und Hyperparathyreoidismus dar. Mit der
Zulassung von Burosumab, einem monoklonalen Antikörper gegen humanes FGF23,
steht nun erstmals ein direkt in den Pathomechanismus eingreifende Therapie zur
Verfügung. Im Rahmen dieses Übersichtsartikels werden Hintergrund und rezente
Studiendaten erläutert, sowie auf offene Diskussionspunkte hinsichtlich der
neuen Antikörpertherapie hingewiesen.
Teriparatid – Das molekulare und klinische Profil bei der
Therapie der Osteoporose
Authors: Jakob Franz , Müller-Deubert Sigrid , Ebert Regina
Published: March 2019

PTH und PTHrP fördern situationsabhängig Knochenformation, -umbau und -abbau. Sie
binden an den PTH Rezeptor Typ 1 (PTH1R) auf Osteoblasten, Osteozyten und
T-Zellen und vermitteln Genregulation. Kurze Pulse wirken anabol, chronische
Stimulation wirkt stark katabol. Teriparatid ist von PTH abgeleitet (Aminosäuren
1–34) und induziert Knochenformation, die durch mechanische Belastung auch an
instabilen Stellen verstärkt wird. Klinische Endpunkte sind Zunahme an
Knochenmasse und -struktur und deutliche Reduktion der Frakturrate der
Wirbelkörper und – mit geringerer Effizienz – der non-vertebralen Frakturen. Die
Wirkung ist in einem umfangreichen Studienprogramm in randomisierten
kontrollierten und „Real-Life“-Studien evidenzbasiert belegt. Teriparatid wirkt
bei Frauen und Männern, unter Glukokortikoid-Therapie und nach
Bisphosphonat-Vorbehandlung. Es kann nur einmalig über 24 Monate verabreicht
werden, nachfolgende Gabe von Antiresorptiva verbessert den Outcome.
Gesundheitspolitische Vorgaben beschränken seine Anwendung in Deutschland auf
die Situation neuer Frakturen unter Antiresorptiva. Teriparatid ist sicher, hat
ein sehr gutes Nebenwirkungsprofil und ist das erste Beispiel einer
Regenerativen Therapie in der Osteologie.
Fibre-type-specific and Mitochondrial Biomarkers of Muscle Damage after Mountain Races
Authors: Carmona Gerard , Roca Emma , Guerrero Mario , Cussó Roser , Bàrcena Cristina , Mateu Mercè , Cadefau Joan
Published: March 2019

Consequences of running mountain races on muscle damage were investigated by analysing serum muscle enzymes and fibre-type-specific sarcomere proteins. We studied 10 trained amateur and 6 highly trained runners who ran a 35 km and 55 km mountain trail race (MTR), respectively. Levels of creatine kinase (CK), CK-MB isoform (CK-MB), sarcomeric mitochondrial CK (sMtCK), transaminases (AST and ALT), cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and fast (FM) and slow myosin (SM) isoforms, were assessed before, 1 h, 24 h and 48 h after the beginning of MTR. Significant SM increases were found at 24 h in the 55 km group. Levels of CK, CK-MB, AST and cTnI were significantly elevated in both groups following MTR, but in the 55 km group they tended to stabilize in at 48 h. Using pooled data, time-independent serum peaks of SM and CK-MB were significantly correlated. Moreover, concentration of sMtCK was significantly elevated at 1 and 24 h after the race in the 35 km group. Although training volume could confer protection on the mitochondria, the increase in serum CK-MB and SM in the 55 km group might be related to damage to the contractile apparatus type I fibres. Competing in long-distance MTRs might be related to deeper type I muscle fibre damage, even in highly trained individuals
Multiple Wirbelkörperfrakturen bei einem 44- jährigen Mann
– die Abklärung sekundärer Ursachen lohnt sich
Authors: Gollisch Katja S. C. , Lamersdorf Annette , Werner Mathias , Siggelkow Heide , Heppner Christina
Published: March 2019

Wir beschreiben den Fall eines 44-jährigen Patienten, der sich 2011 mit akuten
Rückenschmerzen und radiologisch nachgewiesener frischer LWK Fraktur vorstellte.
Neben der frischen Fraktur fielen ältere Kompressionsfrakturen im Bereich der
Brust- und Lendenwirbelsäule auf. Die Knochendichtemessung zeigte eine
ausgeprägte Osteoporose. Klinisch fiel der Patient durch kleine Hoden auf. Die
Diagnostik bezüglich sekundärer Ursachen der Osteoporose zeigte nicht nur einen
hypergonadotropen Hypogonadismus sondern auch das Vorliegen einer systemischen
Mastozytose. Die der Osteoporose zugrundeliegenden Pathologien steuerten die
Therapieentscheidung. Neben einer Testosteronsubstitution wurde eine
Bisphosphonattherapie eingeleitet. Hierunter konnte eine Stabilisierung erreicht
werden. Die Knochendichte verbesserte sich um 8 %, und es traten keine weiteren
osteoporotischen Frakturen auf. Der Fall zeigt die Wichtigkeit einer
vollständigen Diagnostik bezüglich sekundärer Ursachen einer Osteoporose,
insbesondere wenn ein ungewöhnlicher Kontext wie bei jungen Männern oder
prämenopausalen Frauen vorliegt.
Die modifizierte SLAM (scapholunate axis method) Technik
zur sekundären SL-Band-Rekonstruktion – Erste Ergebnisse
Authors: Dolderer Jürgen H. , Zimny Katja , Klein Silvan , Koller Michael , Prantl Lukas , Geis Sebastian
Published: March 2019

Hintergrund Die gängigen Verfahren zur sekundären Rekonstruktion des
skapholunären (SL) Bandes erzielen eine Schmerzreduktion und Sicherung des
Repositionsergebnisses meist nur auf Kosten der Beweglichkeit und Kraft.
Dahingegen scheint die SLAM- (scapholunate axis method) Technik eine
Stabilisierung von Skaphoid und Lunatum ohne Verlust an Beweglichkeit zu
erlauben. Wir haben die Technik durch zusätzliche Fixierung eines Endes des
Sehnentransplantates am Kapitatum modifiziert, hoffend dass so eine
Palmarkippung des Skaphoids noch besser verhindert wird.

Ziel Die Studie hatte zum Ziel, ob mittels der modifizierten SLAM-Technik
eine Stabilisierung von Skaphoid und Lunatum sowie Schmerzreduktion möglich ist,
ohne dass es zu einem Verlust an Beweglichkeit und Kraft kommt.

Patienten und Methoden 5 männliche Patienten mit einer veralteten
SL-Band-Läsion (3–10 Monate) im Alter zwischen 36 und 60 Jahren wurden mit der
modifizierten SLAM-Technik operiert. Präoperativ und nach 12 Monaten wurden die
Beweglichkeit, die Grobkraft, die Schmerzen, der SL-Winkel sowie der DASH- und
der Mayo Wrist-Scores erfasst und miteinander verglichen.

Ergebnisse Bei allen Patienten zeigte sich bei der Untersuchung nach 12
Monaten eine Verbesserung im DASH- Score von durchschnittlich 60,4 auf 34,4
Punkte sowie beim Mayo Wrist-Score von 41 auf 74 Punkte. Die Grobkraft nahm von
durchschnittlich 24,6 kg auf 38 kg zu. Ruhe- und Belastungsschmerzen sanken von
durchschnittlich 1,4 auf 0,2, respektive von 5,4 auf 1,4 auf der 10stelligen
visuellen Analogskala. Der SL-Winkel zeigte sich im Mittel mit 64,8°
postoperativ gegenüber 63,2° nahezu unverändert, wobei lediglich bei 2 Patienten
eine Verbesserung erzielt wurde. Die Beweglichkeit war zwar bei der
Nachuntersuchung im Mittel in allen Freiheitsgraden gegenüber präoperativ
verbessert (Extension/Flexion: 58–0–60 vs. 50–0–49; Radial-/Ulnarduktion:
19–0–45 vs. 15–0–25 und Supination/Pronation: 87–0–90 vs. 81–0–81), allerdings
nicht bei allen Patienten in allen Ebenen.

Schlussfolgerung Zwar konnte eine Verbesserung des DASH- und Mayo Wrist
Scores sowie der Grobkraft und eine Schmerzreduktion erzielt werden, jedoch
keine Verbesserung des SL-Winkels, noch eine Verbesserung der
Handgelenksbeweglichkeit bei allen Patienten in allen Ebenen. Somit bleibt die
Studie den Nachweis schuldig, dass mit der modifizierten SLAM-Technik eine
Stabilisierung von Skaphoid und Lunatum sowie Schmerzreduktion möglich ist, ohne
dass es zu einem Verlust an Beweglichkeit kommt.
Synthesis of Flavone Derivatives through Versatile Palladium-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling Reactions of Tosyloxy- and Mesyloxyflavones
Authors: So Chau , Yuen On , Pang Wai , Chen Xiangmeng , Chen Zicong , Kwong Fuk
Published: March 2019

Tosyloxy- and mesyloxyflavones derived from abundant and biologically important hydroxyflavones were used to synthesize a series of functionalized flavones through versatile palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions. A Pd(OAc)2/2-[2-(dicyclohexylphosphino)phenyl]-1-methyl-1H-indole system effectively catalyzed the reactions of a broad range of tosyloxy- and mesyloxyflavones as electrophilic coupling partners with various nucleophiles to give the corresponding products in good to excellent yields. Catalyst loadings of as little as 0.1 mol% Pd were successfully used. Importantly, we demonstrated that this protocol provided a significantly improved efficiency in the synthesis of a potential chromen-4-one-based analogue of a potent inhibitor of DNA-dependent protein kinase.
Silicon-Tethered Frameworks as Directing Groups for Carbon–Carbon and Carbon–Heteroatom Bond Formation
Authors: Liu Wen-Bo , Usman Muhammad , Zhang Xiao-Wen
Published: March 2019

Recent advances in the use of silicon-tethered frameworks as directing groups for the efficient construction of C–C, C–B, C–O and C–X (X = halogen) bonds are discussed in this short review. In addition, mechanistic insights are briefly discussed. Hence, the goal of this short review is to give an overview of the state of the art in this field, encompassing the reactivity, selectivity and efficiency of different processes.

1 Introduction

2 Carbon–Carbon Bond Formation

2.1 Alkenylation

2.2 Arylation

2.3 Carbonylation

3 Carbon–Boron Bond Formation

4 Carbon–Oxygen and Carbon–Halogen Bond Formation

5 Conclusion
Efficacy of a Second-Generation Rotating Bearing Tibial Platform in Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study with Registry Analysis
Authors: Scholes Corey , Ebrahimi Milad , Ektas Nalan , Ireland John
Published: March 2019

There is a lack of clinical outcomes reported for the rotating bearing knee (RBK) total knee arthroplasty (TKA), which is a second-generation rotating platform knee, with purported benefits over earlier versions. The purpose of the study was to report the complications, short-term (minimum 1 year) patient-reported outcomes and long-term (up to 15 years) procedure survival in a consecutive series of patients receiving a rotating platform TKA (RBK) from an independent clinic. A retrospective analysis of a single-surgeon, private/public practice, with prospectively collected data in a subset of patients were performed. A total of 1,130 procedures (primary, revision from unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) to TKA) were crossmatched with manufacturer records. Clinical outcomes (complications, reoperations) were summarized and linked to patient-reported outcome measures (Eq. 5D, KSS-function, Oxford knee score [OKS]). OKS results were classified using minimally clinical important difference (MCID) and patient acceptable symptom state (PASS). PROMs were summarized and regression models used to determine relationships between patient factors and outcomes in this cohort. Cumulative percent revision was reported by the Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry (AOANJRR) and compared between the senior author and national data using Kaplan–Meier survival analysis. We report a complication rate of 19.7% with the majority (> 60%) being thromboembolic events and complaints of stiffness. Significant improvements were observed in general health, knee pain, and function with > 89% exceeding the MCID for the OKS and > 65% exceeding the PASS for the OKS at an average follow-up of 3.2 years. We report a cumulative revision rate of 4.3% at 5 years and 4.8% at 14 years, with significantly lower revision rates in females and patients aged 55 to 64 years compared with AOANJRR data for fixed bearing designs. The RBK rotating platform TKA provides good functional outcomes, with relatively low revision and complications rates at up to 14 years follow-up. This design in conjunction with a gap balancing technique may be advantageous in certain patient subgroups.
Risk Factors for Very Preterm Births in French Guiana: The Burden of Induced Preterm Birth
Authors: Leneuve-Dorilas Malika , Favre Anne , Louis Alphonse , Bernard Stéphanie , Carles Gabriel , Nacher Mathieu
Published: March 2019

Background Early preterm births are still represented as a major public health problem in French Guiana. The objective of the present study was to study factors associated with early preterm birth in French Guiana.

Methods A monocentric age-matched case control study was conducted at the sole level 3 maternity in French Guiana. In utero fetal deaths and multiple pregnancies were not included. Cases were defined as giving birth prematurely between 22 and 32 weeks of pregnancy. Controls were defined as women delivering on term. For each case three controls were matched on age. In utero deaths, medical pregnancy interruptions and multiple pregnancies (a known major cause of preterm delivery) were excluded from the study. Sociodemographic variables, medical and obstetrical history, the complications of the current pregnancy, and the results of the last vaginal swab before delivery were recorded in the second or the third trimester. Thematic conditional logistic regression models were computed.

Results Overall 94 cases and 282 matched controls were included. Preterm delivery was spontaneous in 47.9% (45/94) of the cases and induced in 52.1% (49/94).A history of preterm birth was associated with both spontaneous and induced preterm delivery. The absence of health insurance was associated with spontaneous early preterm delivery AOR (adjusted odd ratio) = 9.1 (2.2–38.3), p = 0.002 but not induced preterm delivery adjusted odd ratio (AOR) = 2.1 (0.6–6.7), p = 0.2. Gravidic hypertension, placenta praevia, intrauterine growth retardation and mostly preeclampsia (66%, 32/49) were linked to induced preterm delivery but not spontaneous delivery. Gardnerellavaginalis and group B Streptococcus infections were significantly associated with induced early preterm delivery but not spontaneous early preterm delivery.

Conclusions Social factors were associated with spontaneous early preterm delivery, suggesting that efforts to reduce psychosocial stressors could lead to potential improvements. Vaginal infections were also associated with induced preterm labor suggesting that early diagnosis and treatment could reduce induced early preterm delivery. Preeclampsia was a major contributor to induced early preterm delivery. Reliable routine predictors of preeclampsia are still not available which makes its prevention impossible in first pregnancies.
Cross-Leg Flaps for Lower Extremity Salvage: A Scoping Review
Authors: Van Boerum Melody Scheefer , Wright Thomas , McFarland Mary , Fiander Michelle , Pannucci Christopher J.
Published: March 2019

Background Lower extremity trauma with soft tissue loss presents a challenge to the reconstructive surgeon. Cross-leg flaps, first described by Hamilton in 1854, are still used to salvage traumatized lower extremities in patients not suitable for free tissue transfer, or those who are receiving care in locations with limited resources.

Methods A scoping review methodology was used to examine the evidence supporting the use of cross-leg flaps in modern healthcare.

Results There have been 409 cases of cross-leg flaps reported in the modern literature, with the majority of flap cases occurring outside the United States in Turkey, India, and Japan. The most common indication was trauma, mentioned in 93.2% of patients (n = 353 of 379), and anatomic limitation, including inadequate vasculature, was the main reason for not performing free tissue transfer (52.8% of patients; n = 170 of 322). The majority are cross-leg fasciocutaneous flaps (85.8%, n = 273 of 318), based off the posterior tibial artery (27.5%, n = 50 of 182) and peroneal artery (26.9%, n =  49 of 182) and, covering defects of the distal third of the leg (55.5%, n = 151 of 272), or the foot (27.9%, n = 76 of 272). The pedicles are typically divided at 3 weeks (mean 20.9 days) after external fixation is used as the immobilization method (57.7%, n = 184 of 319). Flap survival was 100% across all publications except one (n = 349 of 350 patients), making cross-leg flaps a robust and reliable reconstructive option.

Conclusion In resource-limited environments or in patients who are unsuitable for microvascular free tissue transfer, the cross-leg flap remains an impactful and reliable option for limb salvage.
Pancreatic Giant Cell Tumor: A Variant of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma with Aggressive Course
Authors: Jajodia Ankush , Koyyala Venkata Pradeep Babu , Goel Varun , Dash Prasantha Kumar , Rajappa Suhas Kodasoge , BP Amrith
Published: March 2019

Ductal adenocarcinoma of pancreas is the most common pancreatic neoplasm and is the third leading cause of death due to cancer, with a 5-year survival of 8% only. Although pancreatic neoplasms are broadly classified into endocrine and exocrine variety based on cell of origin, on imaging they are classified into solid and cystic types. Pancreatic giant cell tumor (PGCT) is a very uncommon and aggressive pancreatic neoplasm. We report a case of PGCT presenting as a pancreatic tail mass and liver lesions with a morphological overlap with other cystic benign and malignant lesions of pancreas on imaging.
Robot-Assisted Surgery Avoids Mandibulotomy in a Case of Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of Base of the Tongue
Authors: Vidhyadharan Sivakumar , Thankappan Krishnakumar , Subramaniam Narayana , Ramu Janarthanan , Ajith Arya , Balasubramanian Deepak , Iyer Subramania
Published: March 2019

Surgical management is increasingly preferred in human papilloma–related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Robotic surgery has a different role to play in oropharyngeal salivary origin tumors, where surgery is the primary essential modality. This modality may be used for better access to the oropharynx, avoiding a lip split approach with mandibulotomy. The organ preservation approach such as in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, with nonsurgical modalities like chemoradiotherapy, is not preferred in such cancers, as in the present case. In this context, robot-assisted surgery helps in reducing the morbidity by avoiding the mandibulotomy.
Overcoming disciplinary divides in higher education: the case of agricultural economics
Authors: Ng Desmond , Litzenberg Kerry
Published: March 2019

As global problems have become ever more complex, the production and organization of knowledge in society is increasingly based on the sharing, integration and collaboration of diverse experiences. For instance, global ‘grand challenges’, such as world hunger, poverty, climate change, and sustainability often require an interdisciplinary (ID) approach, in which integrating the insights of different disciplines provides a more comprehensive solution than can be offered by any given discipline. Universities or higher educational institutions face increasing pressures to engage in such interdisciplinary collaboration. This interdisciplinarity, however, raises particular organizational challenges to departments in higher educational institutions. In particular, while departments have been traditionally organized around a disciplinary core, interdisciplinarity has placed increasing pressures on departments, such as agricultural economics, to integrate insights from disciplines that do not advance a department’s disciplinary core. Few ID researchers have addressed the issue of how this internal conflict can be resolved in a departmental setting. Resolving this internal conflict is important to developing a greater interdisciplinarity among the disciplines of departmental units where a greater variety of disciplinary insights can be drawn upon to solve complex social problems. Here, we call for a unique organizational structure that can resolve this internal conflict. In using agricultural economics departments as a case study, we appeal to a concept of a “gatekeeper” whose role is to institute “loosely coupled” connections that can reconcile a department’s internal conflicts. This “gatekeeper” can advance the “normal science” of a department’s core and peripheral disciplines, while at the same time support a ‘common ground’ that appeals to these disciplines’ common interests. A key conclusion is that “gatekeepers” can sustain the integration of disciplinary insights necessary for the advancement of interdisciplinarity in higher educational institutions.
Correction: Revising the eclipse prediction scheme in the Antikythera mechanism
Authors: Freeth Tony
Published: March 2019

In Figure 7c, the character in the second row under the numeral 213 in the L.29 group should have been the symbol “2”, not the Greek Letter Psi. This has now been corrected in the article.
Glass softening kinetics in the limit of high heating rates
Authors: Cubeta Ulyana S. , Sadtchenko Vlad
Published: March 2019

Surface-facilitated, front-propagated softening of glassy materials is now a well-known phenomenon, which is common to stable vapor deposited glasses. As we demonstrate in our recent communication, this softening pathway is not unique to vapor-deposited vitreous phases and can be observed in ordinary melt-cooled glasses in the limit of high heating rates [Cubeta et al., J. Chem. Phys. 147(7), 071101 (2017)]. Expanding on this preliminary report, we use our thin-wire, quasi-adiabatic fast scanning calorimetry technique to investigate softening kinetics of micrometer scale, viscous liquid methylbenzene, and 2-propanol films, which are fully equilibrated at distinct temperatures near the compounds’ standard glass hardening transition ranges. Heating of each sample with rates in excess of 105 K·s−1 results in softening kinetics that are well approximated by an Arrhenius temperature function. Remarkably, the apparent activation energy barriers to non-equilibrium, front-propagated softening matches the barriers to near-equilibrium self-diffusivity at the samples’ initial temperatures. Furthermore, our analysis also shows an exceptionally strong correlation between the high temperature softening rate and the self-diffusion coefficients at low initial temperatures. Finally, our front softening velocities are also strongly dependent on the samples’ initial states, much more so than previously observed. Based on these results, we propose an extended Wilson-Frenkel model of non-equilibrium phase transformations as a general theoretical framework to describe front propagated softening in glassy materials.
Interaction of Ce-char catalyst and partial oxidation on changes in biomass syngas composition
Authors: Li Wen-Ping , Wei Mi-Mi , Liu Yun-Quan , Li Shui-Rong , Ye Yue-Yuan , Wang Meng , Wang Duo
Published: March 2019

Tars produced with syngas greatly restricted the industrial application of biomass gasification technology. In this study, various char-supported catalysts including Ce-char, Ni-char, Fe-char, K-char, and Ca-char were prepared by the wetness impregnation method. Catalytic activity of char-supported catalysts was investigated for syngas reforming during the partial oxidation process in a lab-scale gasifier. The char-supported catalysts were also characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, XRD, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller theory, and scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive spectroscopy. The novel catalyst, Ce-char, exhibited the best catalytic activity in tar removal among all the tested catalysts. At an optimum set of reaction parameters (a reaction temperature of 800 °C and 13% of air addition), the interaction of the Ce-char catalyst and partial oxidation reached a tar removal rate of 99.28% and a lower heating value of 8.55 MJ/Nm3 for syngas. Highly dispersed CeO2 as the active component was observed from the Ce-char catalyst. The Ce-char catalyst was verified to be a promising catalyst for syngas reforming even better than Ni-char.
Interplay between Ca- and Ti-driven ferroelectric distortions in (Ba, Ca)TiO3 solid solutions from first-principles calculations
Authors: Amoroso Danila , Cano Andrés , Ghosez Philippe
Published: March 2019

(Ba,Ca)(Ti,Zr)O3 solid solutions are promising lead-free piezoelectrics near their polymorphic phase boundary, which is believed to be linked to the interplay between B-site driven ferroelectricity and A-site driven ferroelectricity. Focusing on (Ba,Ca)TiO3, we support this picture from first-principles calculations. In particular, we show how steric effects related to the partial substitution of Ba by Ca largely enhance the Ca-driven ferroelectricity, already virtually allowed in the parent CaTiO3. The emergent interplay between the Ca-driven and Ti-driven mechanisms lowers the energy barrier between different polar states, which eventually results in a quasi-isotropic polarization under substitution of a small concentration of Ba by Ca. A sizeable enhancement of the piezoelectric response directly results from these features.
Full particle-in-cell simulation of the interaction between two plasmas for laboratory experiments on the generation of magnetized collisionless shocks with high-power lasers
Authors: Umeda Takayuki , Yamazaki Ryo , Ohira Yutaka , Ishizaka Natsuki , Kakuchi Shin , Kuramitsu Yasuhiro , Matsukiyo Shuichi , Miyata Itaru , Morita Taichi , Sakawa Youichi , Sano Takayoshi , Sei Shuto , Tanaka Shuta J. , Toda Hirohumi , Tomita Sara
Published: March 2019

A preliminary numerical experiment is conducted for laboratory experiments on the generation of magnetized collisionless shocks with high-power lasers by using one-dimensional particle-in-cell simulation. The present study deals with the interaction between a moving aluminum plasma and a nitrogen plasma at rest. In the numerical experiment, the nitrogen plasma is unmagnetized or magnetized by a weak external magnetic field. Since the previous study suggested the generation of a spontaneous magnetic field in the piston (aluminum) plasma due to the Biermann battery, the effect of the magnetic field is of interest. Sharp jumps of the electron density and magnetic field are observed around the interface between the two plasmas as long as one of the two plasmas is magnetized, which indicates the formation of tangential electron-magneto-hydro-dynamic discontinuity. When the aluminum plasma is magnetized, strong compression of both the density and the magnetic field takes place in the pure aluminum plasma during the gyration of nitrogen ions in the aluminum plasma region. The formation of a shock downstream is obtained from the shock jump condition. The results suggest that the spontaneous magnetic field in the piston (aluminum) plasma plays an essential role in the formation of a perpendicular collisionless shock.
Dielectric response in the vicinity of an ion: A nonlocal and nonlinear model of the dielectric properties of water
Authors: Berthoumieux H. , Paillusson F.
Published: March 2019

The goal of this work is to propose a simple continuous model that captures the dielectric properties of water at the nanometric scale. We write an electrostatic energy as a functional of the polarisation field containing a term in P4 and non-local Gaussian terms. Such a hamiltonian can reproduce two key properties of water: the saturation of the polarisation response of water in the presence of a strong electrostatic field and the nanometric dipolar correlations of the solvent molecules modifying the long range van der waals interaction. This model explores thus two fundamental aspects that have to be included in implicit models of electrolytes for a relevant description of electrostatic interactions at nanometric scales.
Statistics of small length scale density fluctuations in supercooled viscous liquids
Authors: Pedersen Ulf R.
Published: March 2019

Many successful theories of liquids near the melting temperature assume that small length scale density fluctuations follow Gaussian statistics. This paper presents a numerical investigation of density fluctuations in the supercooled viscous regime using an enhanced sampling method. Five model systems are investigated: the single component Lennard-Jones liquid, the Kob-Andersen binary mixture, the Wahnström binary mixture, the Lewis-Wahnström model of ortho-terphenyl, and the TIP4P/Ice model of water. The results show that the Gaussian approximation persists to a good degree into the supercooled viscous regime; however, it is less accurate at low temperatures. The analysis suggests that non-Gaussian fluctuations are related to crystalline configurations. Implications for theories of the glass transition are discussed.
Holey graphene with enhanced near-infrared absorption: Experimental and DFT study
Authors: Sedelnikova O. V. , Stolyarova S. G. , Chuvilin A. L. , Okotrub A. V. , Bulusheva L. G.
Published: March 2019

In this report, we use optical absorption spectroscopy and density functional theory simulations to investigate the optical behavior of a graphitic material with nanoscale holes. The material, produced by heating of graphite oxide in concentrated sulfuric acid followed by annealing at 1000 °C, demonstrated enhanced near-infrared absorption as compared to the pristine graphitic material. The computational study of graphene models containing holes of different sizes and different edge terminations revealed the major interband transitions defining the peaks in the absorption spectra. Our results suggest that the enhancement of near-infrared absorption of the material is caused by electron excitations involving hole edge states. The optical spectrum is strongly dependent on the distance between the holes and almost independent of both hole sizes and the functionalization family.
Investigation of electron beam effects on L-shell Mo plasma produced by a compact LC generator using pattern recognition
Authors: Yilmaz M. F. , Danisman Y. , Ozdemir M. , Karlık B. , Larour J.
Published: March 2019

In this paper, the effects of an electron beam on X-pinch-produced spectra of L-shell Mo plasma are investigated for the first time by principal component analysis (PCA); this analysis is compared with that of line ratio diagnostics. A spectral database for PCA extraction is arranged using a non-Local Thermodynamic Equilibrium (non-LTE) collisional radiative L-shell Mo model. PC vector spectra of L-shell Mo, including F, Ne, Na and Mg-like transitions are studied to investigate the polarization types of these transitions. PC1 vector spectra of F, Ne, Na and Mg-like transitions result in linear polarization of Stokes Q profiles. Besides, PC2 vector spectra show linear polarization of Stokes U profiles of 2p53s of Ne-like transitions which are known as responsive to a magnetic field [Träbert, Beiersdorfer, and Crespo López-Urrutia, Nucl. Instrum Methods Phys. Res., Sect. B 408, 107–109 (2017)]. A 3D representation of PCA coefficients demonstrates that addition of an electron beam to the non-LTE model generates quantized, collective clusters which are translations of each other that follow V-shaped cascade trajectories, except for the case f = 0.0. The extracted principal coefficients are used as a database for an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) to estimate the plasma electron temperature, density and beam fractions of the time-integrated, spatially resolved L-shell Mo X-pinch plasma spectrum. PCA-based ANNs provide an advantage in reducing the network topology, with a more efficient backpropagation supervised learning algorithm. The modeled plasma electron temperature is about Te ∼ 660 eV and density ne = 1 × 1020 cm−3, in the presence of the fraction of the beams with f ∼ 0.1 and centered energy of 5 keV.
Reduced-order modeling of left ventricular flow subject to aortic valve regurgitation
Authors: Di Labbio Giuseppe , Kadem Lyes
Published: March 2019

The present focus of heart flow studies is largely based on flow within the left ventricle and how this flow changes when subject to disease. However, despite recent advancements, a simple tractable model of even healthy left ventricular flow has not been produced and made available. Reduced-order modeling techniques, such as proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) and dynamic mode decomposition (DMD), offer an effective means of expressing the large datasets obtained from experiments or numerical simulations using low-dimensional models. While POD and DMD are often used to identify coherent structures in fluid dynamics, their use as a modeling tool has not found much merit in the cardiovascular flow community. In this work, we use POD and DMD to construct reduced-order models for a healthy left ventricular flow as well as for that under the influence of a particular disease shown to exhibit rich and unique intraventricular fluid dynamics, namely, aortic regurgitation (a leaking aortic valve). The performance of the two methods in reconstructing the intraventricular flows and derived quantities is evaluated, and the selected reduced-order models are made available.
Electronic structure of SnSe2 films grown by molecular beam epitaxy
Authors: Lochocki Edward B. , Vishwanath Suresh , Liu Xinyu , Dobrowolska Malgorzata , Furdyna Jacek , Xing Huili G. , Shen Kyle M.
Published: March 2019

SnSe2 is a layered main-group metal dichalcogenide that has exhibited gate-tunable interfacial superconductivity as well as promising optoelectronic applications. Here, we synthesize SnSe2 films by molecular beam epitaxy and investigate their electronic structure with angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES). A comparison between density functional theory calculations and ARPES data from a thick film reveals the importance of spin-orbit coupling and out-of-plane dispersion in the SnSe2 valence bands, which were neglected in previous studies of its electronic structure. We conclude that the conduction band minimum lies along the M-L direction in momentum space, while the valence band maximum lies along Γ−K.