bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pension reform and return-to-work policies
Authors: Fitzpatrick Maria D.
Published: December 2018

For many people, working after beginning retirement benefit collection is a way to enhance financial security by increasing income. Existing research has shown that retirees are sensitive to the Social Security earnings test, which restricts the amount of earnings some beneficiaries can receive. However, little is known about the effects of other types of policies on post-retirement employment. Instead of restricting earnings, many public pension plans restrict the number of hours beneficiaries can work. I use return-to-work rules limiting the number of hours of employment in a state's public pension plan and administrative data on employment and retirement to determine the rules’ effects on retirement decisions and post-retirement labor supply. I find that the increases in the maximum number of hours of post-retirement employment lead to no change in retirement benefit collection and to increases in part-time work among retirees. As such, these policies appear to be binding on the labor supply decisions of some employees. These results are relevant for designing policies aimed at extending work-lives or improving the health of pension systems.
A case report of the efficacy and usefulness of asenapine in the treatment of a cancer patient with delirium and aphagia
Authors: Osawa Kyoko , Ukai Satoshi , Kuriyama Toshiyuki
Published: December 2018

Objective

Controlling hyperactive and mixed delirium is extremely important for the continuation of cancer treatment in palliative care. In general, oral antipsychotics are the first-line drug therapy for delirium; however, oral administration is problematic in patients presenting dysphagia. In this case report, we describe an end-stage cancer patient with aphagia who developed delirium and responded to sublingual antipsychotic asenapine for treating delirium. We also discuss the effectiveness of asenapine in hyperactive delirium as well as its usefulness for treating delirium in palliative care.

Method

A cancer patient with delirium was treated with several oral antipsychotics commonly used to treat delirium but did not respond to any of them. The patient subsequently developed aphagia with progression of the disease. Sublingual asenapine was therefore given to treat delirium.

Result

Asenapine was effective in treating delirium without causing any obvious side effects.

Significance of results

In the present case, asenapine was effective in treating hyperactive delirium that did not respond to commonly used antipsychotics. Because asenapine is a sublingual tablet, it can be used in patients with dysphagia and aphagia. In addition, this drug is anticipated to diminish the burden of end-stage patients from taking oral medications. Furthermore, its management is easier compared with injections, and can therefore also be easily used in homecare patients. Based on these perspectives, asenapine may become an important option for treating delirium in palliative care.
Comparing Electron Energetics and UV Brightness in Jupiter's Northern Polar Region During Juno Perijove 5
Authors: Ebert R. W. , Greathouse T. K. , Clark G. , Allegrini F. , Bagenal F. , Bolton S. J. , Connerney J. E. P. , Gladstone G. R. , Imai M. , Hue V. , Kurth W. S. , Levin S. , Louarn P. , Mauk B. H. , McComas D. J. , Paranicas C. , Szalay J. R. , Thomsen M. F. , Valek P. W. , Wilson R. J.
Published: December 2018

We compare electron and UV observations mapping to the same location in Jupiter's northern polar region, poleward of the main aurora, during Juno perijove 5. Simultaneous peaks in UV brightness and electron energy flux are identified when observations map to the same location at the same time. The downward energy flux during these simultaneous observations was not sufficient to generate the observed UV brightness; the upward energy flux was. We propose that the primary acceleration region is below Juno's altitude, from which the more intense upward electrons originate. For the complete interval, the UV brightness peaked at ~240 kilorayleigh (kR); the downward and upward energy fluxes peaked at 60 and 700 mW/m2, respectively. Increased downward energy fluxes are associated with increased contributions from tens of keV electrons. These observations provide evidence that bidirectional electron beams with broad energy distributions can produce tens to hundreds of kilorayleigh polar UV emissions.
Early Forecast of Long‐Period Ground Motions via Data Assimilation of Observed Ground Motions and Wave Propagation Simulations
Authors: Furumura Takashi , Maeda Takuto , Oba Atsuki
Published: December 2018

We propose an efficient approach for the early forecast of long‐period (> 3–10 s) ground motions generated in sedimentary basins by large earthquakes based on the data assimilation of observed ground motions and finite‐difference method simulations of seismic wave propagation in a 3‐D heterogeneous structure. This approach uses the dense K‐NET and KiK‐net nationwide networks in Japan and a high‐performance supercomputer to perform forecasts using the assimilated wavefields at speeds much faster than the actual wave propagation speed. Therefore, an early alert can be issued prior to the occurrence of strong motions in basins due to large, distant earthquakes. We validated the effectiveness of this data‐assimilation‐based forecast approach via numerical tests for the early forecast of long‐period ground motions in central Tokyo using the observed waveform data from the Mw6.6 2007 Off Niigata and Mw9.0 2011 Off Tohoku earthquakes.
Major Driver Leading to Winter SST Variability in the Kuroshio Recirculation Gyre Region and Its Decadal Changes: Refreshening Versus Spring‐Initiated Reemergence Processes
Authors: Pak Gyundo , Yeh Sang‐Wook , Nam SungHyun , Park Young‐Hyang , Kim Young Ho
Published: December 2018

The analyses using reanalysis data and one‐dimensional ocean model during the past decades (1963–2012) revealed that the epoch‐dependent refreshening and reemergence mechanisms alternatively influenced the winter sea surface temperature (SST) in the Kuroshio recirculation gyre region. During 1971–1985, the refreshening mechanism due to the strong East Asian winter monsoon significantly contributed to the interannual winter SST variability, consistent with previous works. In contrast, the spring‐initiated reemergence process better explains the winter SST variability for 1991–2005, a period corresponding to a declined winter monsoon. The classical winter‐to‐winter reemergence did not occur during either studied period; thus, the observed spring‐to‐winter reemergence is an original feature in the Kuroshio recirculation gyre region. The winter monsoon‐related strong atmospheric forcing and prominent year‐to‐year variability of spring SST are important prerequisites for the regional refreshening and reemergence of the winter SST anomaly, respectively.
Structure of the Current Sheet in the 11 July 2017 Electron Diffusion Region Event
Authors: Nakamura Rumi , Genestreti Kevin J. , Nakamura Takuma , Baumjohann Wolfgang , Varsani Ali , Nagai Tsugunobu , Bessho Naoki , Burch James L. , Denton Richard E. , Eastwood Jonathan P. , Ergun Robert E. , Gershman Daniel J. , Giles Barbara L. , Hasegawa Hiroshi , Hesse Michael , Lindqvist Per‐Arne , Russell Christopher T. , Stawarz Julia E. , Strangeway Robert J. , Torbert Roy B.
Published: December 2018

The structure of the current sheet along the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) orbit is examined during the 11 July 2017 Electron Diffusion Region (EDR) event. The location of MMS relative to the X‐line is deduced and used to obtain the spatial changes in the electron parameters. The electron velocity gradient values are used to estimate the reconnection electric field sustained by nongyrotropic pressure. It is shown that the observations are consistent with theoretical expectations for an inner EDR in 2‐D reconnection. That is, the magnetic field gradient scale, where the electric field due to electron nongyrotropic pressure dominates, is comparable to the gyroscale of the thermal electrons at the edge of the inner EDR. Our approximation of the MMS observations using a steady state, quasi‐2‐D, tailward retreating X‐line was valid only for about 1.4 s. This suggests that the inner EDR is localized; that is, electron outflow jet braking takes place within an ion inertia scale from the X‐line. The existence of multiple events or current sheet processes outside the EDR may play an important role in the geometry of reconnection in the near‐Earth magnetotail.
The Microstructural Evolution of Water Ice in the Solar System Through Sintering
Authors: Molaro J. L. , Choukroun M. , Phillips C. B. , Phelps E. S. , Hodyss R. , Mitchell K. L. , Lora J. M. , Meirion‐Griffith G.
Published: December 2018

Ice sintering is a form of metamorphism that drives the microstructural evolution of an aggregate of grains through surface and volume diffusion. This leads to an increase in the grain‐to‐grain contact area (neck) and density of the aggregate over time, resulting in the evolution of its strength, porosity, thermal conductivity, and other properties. This process plays an important role in the evolution of icy planetary surfaces, though its rate and nature are not well constrained. In this study, we explore the model of Swinkels and Ashby (1981, https://doi.org/10.1016/0001‐6160(81)90154‐1) and assess the extent to which it can be used to quantify sintering timescales for water ice. We compare predicted neck growth rates to new and historical observations of ice sintering and find agreement to some studies at the order of magnitude level. First‐order estimates of neck growth timescales on planetary surfaces show that ice may undergo significant modification over geologic timescales, even in the outer solar system. Densification occurs over much longer timescales, suggesting that some surfaces may develop cohesive, but porous, crusts. Sintering rates are extremely sensitive to temperature and grain size, occurring faster in warmer aggregates of smaller grains. This suggests that the microstructural evolution of ices may vary not only throughout the solar system but also spatially across the surface and in the near surface of a given body. Our experimental observations of complex grain growth and mass redistribution in ice aggregates point to components of the model that may benefit from improvement and areas where additional laboratory studies are needed.
Highly hydrophilic polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS)-containing aptamer-modified affinity hybrid monolith for efficient on-column discrimination with low nonspecific adsorption
Authors: Chen Yiqiong , Zhu Dandan , Ding Xinyue , Qi Guomin , Lin Xucong , Xie Zenghong
Published: December 2018

A highly hydrophilic aptamer-modified POSS-containing hybrid affinity monolith is presented for efficient on-column discrimination with low non-specific adsorption.
Tunable biomaterials from synthetic, sequence-controlled polymers
Authors: Austin Mariah J. , Rosales Adrianne M.
Published: December 2018

This mini-review discusses progress in the synthesis of sequence-controlled polymers and highlights recent studies demonstrating sequence effects on biomaterial properties.
Li4Na2CsB7O14: a new edge-sharing [BO4]5− tetrahedra containing borate with high anisotropic thermal expansion
Authors: Mutailipu Miriding , Zhang Min , Li Hao , Fan Xiao , Yang Zhihua , Jin Shifeng , Wang Gang , Pan Shilie
Published: December 2018

Li4Na2CsB7O14, a new edge-sharing [BO4]5− tetrahedra containing borate with high anisotropic thermal expansion, was obtained under the atmospheric pressure conditions.
Spin-filtering and tunneling magnetoresistance effects in 6,6,12-graphyne-based molecular magnetic tunnel junctions
Authors: Li Jin , Di Maoyun , Yang Zhi , Xu Li-Chun , Yang Yongzhen , Liu Xuguang
Published: December 2018

By designing two kinds of molecular magnetic tunnel junctions based on 6,6,12-graphyne and zigzag graphene nanoribbons, the spin-filtering and tunneling magnetoresistance effects of spintronic devices can be dramatically enhanced.
The synergistic effects between Ce and Cu in CuyCe1−yW5Ox catalysts for enhanced NH3-SCR of NOx and SO2 tolerance
Authors: Shi Jian-Wen , Wang Yao , Duan Ruibin , Gao Chen , Wang Baorui , He Chi , Niu Chunming
Published: December 2018

Non-manganese-based metal oxides are promising catalysts for the NH3-SCR (selective catalytic reduction) of NOx at low temperatures.
Flexible Ti3C2Tx/PEDOT:PSS films with outstanding volumetric capacitance for asymmetric supercapacitors
Authors: Li Lu , Zhang Na , Zhang Mingyi , Zhang Xitian , Zhang Zhiguo
Published: December 2018

Ti3C2Tx/PEDOT:PSS hybrid film is developed using a simple mixing and filtration method. The flexible film electrode exhibits a high volumetric capacitance of 1065 F cm−3 with superior rate performance in 1 M H2SO4 electrolyte.
Assembly of porphyrin-based uranium organic frameworks with (3,4)-connected pto and tbo topologies
Authors: Shao Lang , Zhai Fuwan , Wang Yanlong , Yue Guozong , Li Yingru , Chu Mingfu , Wang Shuao
Published: December 2018

(3,4)-Connected uranyl–organic frameworks (UOFs) with pto and tbo topologies were constructed via the utilization of triangular [(UO2)(COO)3]− as the 3-connected node and square organic linker tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin (H4TCPP) as the 4-connected node.
Ag-Functionalized CuWO4/WO3 nanocomposites for solar water splitting
Authors: Salimi R. , Sabbagh Alvani A. A. , Mei B. T. , Naseri N. , Du S. F. , Mul G.
Published: December 2018

A new plasmonic Ag-functionalized CuWO4/WO3 hetero-structured photoanode was successfully prepared via a PVP-assisted sol–gel (PSG) route and electrophoretic deposition which reveals 4 times enhanced photocurrent density compared with pristine WO3.
Systematic differences in the spectroscopic analysis of red giants
Authors: Slumstrup D. , Grundahl F. , Silva Aguirre V. , Brogaard K.
Published: December 2018

Aims. A spectroscopic analysis of stellar spectra can be carried out using multiple approaches such as different methods, line lists, atmospheric models, atomic parameters, and solar abundances. The resulting atmospheric parameters from these choices can vary beyond the quoted uncertainties in the literature. We characterize these differences by systematically comparing some of the commonly adopted ingredients such as line lists, equivalent width measurements, and atomic parameters.

Methods. High-resolution and high signal-to-noise (S/N) spectroscopic data of one helium-core-burning red giant star in each of the three open clusters, NGC 6819, M67, and NGC 188 were obtained with the FIES spectrograph at the Nordic Optical Telescope. The M67 target was used to benchmark the analysis, as it is a well-studied cluster with asteroseismic data from the K2 mission. For the other two clusters we obtained higher quality data than had been analyzed before, which allows us to establish their chemical composition more securely. Using a line by line analysis, we tested several different combinations of line lists and programs to measure equivalent widths of stellar absorption lines to characterize systematic differences within the same spectroscopic method.

Results. The obtained parameters for the benchmark star in M67 vary up to ~170 K in effective temperature, ~0.4 dex in log g and ~0.25 dex in [Fe/H] between the tested setups. Using the combination of an equivalent width measurement program and line list that best reproduce the inferred surface gravity from asteroseismology, we determined the atmospheric parameters for the three stars and securely established the chemical composition of NGC 6819 to be close to solar, [Fe/H] = −0.02 ± 0.01 dex.

Conclusions. We highlighted the significantly different results obtained with different combinations of line lists, programs, and atomic parameters. The results emphasize the importance of benchmark stars studied with several methods to anchor spectroscopic analyses.
Change Management: Die Rückkehr des Status
Authors: Bornemeier Olaf
Published: December 2018

Das Umfeld, in dem Krankenhäuser agieren, ist einem stetigen Wandel unterworfen. Aus einigen dieser externen Aspekte erwächst die Notwendigkeit, auch interne Prozesse und Strukturen auf den Prüfstand zu stellen und ggf. zu ändern. Trotz mittlerweile recht weit entwickelter Programme, Methoden und Instrumente scheitern Veränderungsprozesse aber beachtlich oft. Da sich die Krankenhausorganisation in den nächsten 15 Jahren jedoch aufgrund von Digitalisierung, Telemedizin, Robotik, Automation und Fachkräftemangel grundlegend ändern muss, ist eine neue Sichtweise auf das Change Management notwendig. Von erfolgreich verlaufenden Veränderungsprozessen hängt die Existenz eines Krankenhauses und damit das Niveau der medizinisch-pflegerischen Versorgung einer Region ab.
Prospitalia Best-Practice-Award 2019: Innovative Lösungen für Einkauf und Logistik in Kliniken
Authors: Pott Ariane
Published: December 2018

Die Prospitalia GmbH aus Ulm prämiert auch im Jahr 2019 die besten Ideengeber aus dem Bereich Einkauf und Logistik im Krankenhaus mit dem Best-Practice-Award. Prospitalia Vertragshäuser, die das aus dem Einkauf initiierte Projekt bereits realisiert haben, können sich bis zum 22. Februar 2019 bewerben.
Hauptstadtkongress Medizin und Gesundheit: Deutscher Pflegekongress: Pflege im Zentrum der Gesundheitspolitik
Authors: Völker Ingrid
Published: December 2018

Der Hauptstadtkongress Medizin und Gesundheit ist mit mehr als 8 000 Entscheidern aus Politik und Gesundheitswirtschaft die jährliche Leitveranstaltung der Branche. Der Deutsche Pflegekongress vom 21. bis 23. Mai 2019 in Berlin ist Teil des Hauptstadtkongresses – Stoff für Diskussionen gibt es wieder genug.
Klinikeinkauf: Einkaufsstrategien aus der Industrie auch im Krankenhaus effektiv einsetze
Authors: Kischkewitz Jan-Christoph , Langhans Joline
Published: December 2018

In der Industrie beschaffen Einkäufer nicht einfach, was die Ingenieure aus Produktion und Entwicklung bestellen. Sie analysieren Produkte, sondieren den Markt und ermutigen Lieferanten, neue Lösungen zu entwickeln. Kliniken können diese sogenannten technischen Hebel nutzen, um Sachkosten zu sparen.
Pflegeuntergrenzen: Klinikträger fordern Aussetzung
Authors: Doelfs Guntram
Published: December 2018

Der Widerstand von Kliniken gegen die Personaluntergrenzen ebbt nicht ab. Kommunale Großkrankenhäuser warnen vor massiven Einschränkungen in der Intensivversorgung, fünf Dortmunder Träger fordern in einem Offenen Brief an Jens Spahn eine Verschiebung. Währenddessen kämpfen viele Häuser mit der Umsetzung.
Prozessoptimierung in der Medizintechnik: Jährlich 800 000 Euro gespart
Authors: Pfeiffer Reinhard
Published: December 2018

Medizintechnik kostet Millionen. Doch viel teurer kommen Kliniken oft Folgekosten, die mit der Bewirtschaftung des medizintechnischen Geräteparks verbunden sind. Das wollte die Kliniken Nordoberpfalz AG (KNO) ganz genau wissen und stellte den Bereich Medizintechnik auf den Prüfstand.
Robotik, Pflege und Gesundheitsökonomie: Pflegeroboter: Eine Kosten-Nutzen-Analyse
Authors: Fioranelli Emilio
Published: December 2018

Der Pflegenotstand macht sich langsam in Kliniken bemerkbar. Im Zuge der Digitalisierung könnten Pflegeroboter die Lösung sein. Eine Analyse zu Kosten und Nutzen sowie zur aktuellen Finanzierungslage dieser neuen Technologien könnte für Klinikbetreiber bereits in naher Zukunft schon von hoher Relevanz sein.
Demografischer Wandel: Eine gute Nachricht und die Folgen
Authors: Carl Michael
Published: December 2018

Das Kerngeschäft der Krankenversicherung der Zukunft wird es nicht mehr nur sein, Kranke zu heilen, sondern Gesunde zu unterstützen – von der Prävention von Krankheiten bis zur Optimierung der Gesundheit und Steigerung von Wohlbefinden und Lebenserwartung. Dies ist das Ergebnis einer aktuellen Trendstudie des 2b AHEAD ThinkTanks.
Lung Transplantation for Late-Onset Pulmonary Hypertension in a Patient with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia
Authors: Iacusso Chiara , Morini Francesco , Capolupo Irma , Dotta Andrea , Sgrò Stefania , Parisi Francesco , Carotti Adriano , Bagolan Pietro
Published: December 2018

Lung hypoplasia and pulmonary hypertension (PH) in association with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) may cause fatal respiratory failure. Lung transplantation (Ltx) may represent an option for CDH-related end-stage pulmonary failure. The aim of this study is to report a patient with CDH who underwent Ltx or combined heart-lung transplantation (H-Ltx). Our patient was born at 33 weeks of gestation, with a prenatally diagnosed isolated left CDH. Twenty-four hours after birth, she underwent surgical repair of a type D defect (according to the CDH Study Group staging system). Postoperative course was unexpectedly uneventful, and she was discharged home at 58 days of life. Echocardiography before discharge was unremarkable. Periodic follow-up revealed gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and initial scoliosis. At the age of 10, she was readmitted for severe PH. Lung function progressively deteriorated, and at the age of 14, she underwent H-Ltx due to end-stage respiratory failure. After discharge, she developed recurrent respiratory tract infections, severe malnutrition, and drug-induced diabetes. Scoliosis and GER progressed, requiring posterior vertebral arthrodesis and antireflux surgery, respectively. Bronchiolitis obliterans further impaired her respiratory function, and though she had a second Ltx, she died at the age of 18, 4 and 1.5 years after the first and the second Ltx, respectively. Late-onset PH is an ominous complication of CDH. From our patient and the six further cases collected from the literature, Ltx may be considered as a last-resource treatment in CDH patients with irreversible and fatal respiratory failure, although its prognosis seems unfair.
Intestinal Duplication and Hirschsprung's Disease: An Extremely Rare and Misleading Combination
Authors: Vatta Fabrizio , Raffaele Alessandro , Pasqua Noemi , Brunero Marco , Pelizzo Gloria , Avolio Luigi
Published: December 2018

Hirschsprung's disease and, more rarely, intestinal duplication can both cause intestinal obstruction in neonates. The simultaneous occurrence of these two diseases is reported in only two studies, and in both cases, intestinal duplication was an incidental finding, as it had not determined clinical intestinal occlusion. This paper reports a unique case of coexistence of the two conditions, with both causing intestinal obstruction, delayed appropriate, and definitive surgical treatment.
Analysis of the Personality Diagnostic Test in Children with Severe Allergic Rhinitis
Authors: Hara Akiko , Araki Yasutomo , Kawano Kenji , Kikawada Toru
Published: December 2018

Pediatric allergic rhinitis is a disease characterized by paroxysmal sneezing, runny nose, and nasal obstruction. In addition, there can be mental/psychological problems, but these aspects have not been precisely clarified. We investigated the psychological characteristics of children with severe pediatric allergic rhinitis. The subjects were 40 children with drug-resistant severe pediatric allergic rhinitis. Personality diagnostic tests were conducted using the TS-type infant/child character diagnostic test method. Compared with normal children, children with severe allergic rhinitis had more emotional instability (i.e., lack of confidence in daily life and strained tension), a greater lack of self-control (i.e., outrageous anger induced by immature control of emotions and a lack of self-suppression), and more dependency (i.e., a lack of independence from parents and surrounding people, and a lack of desirable social development during childhood). Instability at home was also observed. These results suggested that severe allergic rhinitis affected mental and personality traits of children. Therefore, it might be important to take these mental/psychological problems into consideration while considering the medical treatment of these patients.
Retrospective Observational Study into the Early Causes of Death Following Surgery for NSCLC
Authors: Smelt Jeremy , Martin Fionna , Al-Sahaf May , Simon Natalie , King Juliet , Veres Lukacs , Bille Andrea , Pilling John , Routledge Tom , Harrison-Phipps Karen
Published: December 2018

Introduction Respiratory failure has historically been the major cause of mortality after elective lung resections. With improved intubation using fiber-optic scopes, better preoperative respiratory risk assessment, more advanced anesthetic single lung ventilation, and minimally invasive surgical technique, this may have changed. Our objective was to assess the main causes of mortality over the past 10 years in patients undergoing elective lung surgery in a major UK center.

Materials and Methods A retrospective unit data search was made for all deaths during the 10-year period between January 2007 and December 2016 inclusive. All inpatient deaths within 30 days of an elective anatomical lung resection for lung malignancies were included.

Results Three-thousand three-hundred sixteen lung resections for malignancy were performed in the 10-year period. There were 44 (1.3%) deaths during this period, 27 (61.4%) after open lobectomies, 8 (18.2%) after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery lobectomies, 5 (11.4%) after sleeve lobectomies, and 4 (9%) after pneumonectomies. Causes of death included 24 (54.5%) respiratory failure, 10 (22.7%) ischemic bowel, 4 (9%) coronary events, 2 (4.5%) strokes, 2 (4.5%) on table hemorrhage, 1 (2.3%) massive pulmonary embolus, and 1 (2.3%) postoperative hemorrhage.

Conclusion Although respiratory failure is still a major cause of mortality in the postoperative patient, bowel ischemia has been found to be the second greatest cause of death. This study highlights the need to identify those at risk of this fatal complication during preoperative assessment and their postoperative management.
Ultrasound Diagnosed Rare Partial Nephrectomy Complication
Authors: Ettorre Almut , Alejandre-Lafont Enrique , Syed Faeq , Most Astrid , Hamm Christian , Bauer Pascal
Published: December 2018

Renal artery pseudoaneurysm (RAP) is a serious complication that can lead to severe hematuria, blood loss, and life-threatening hemorrhagic shock. A pseudoaneurysm is defined as an arterial wall deficiency that results in the accumulation of oxygenated blood in the nearby extraluminal region. Partial nephrectomy, a parenchymal sparing method, carries a lower risk of postoperative development of chronic kidney disease than total nephrectomy but a higher risk of iatrogenic vascular lesions such as RAP or arteriovenous fistulas. Pseudoaneursyms may develop secondary to arterial transection during tumor resection or due to arterial puncture during suture ligation of the resection bed. Emergency transarterial embolization is an effective treatment modality for patients with hemodynamic instability that does not lead to significant worsening of renal function. The recent literature reports an incidence of 2.7 to 21.7% of RAP or arteriovenous fistulas after partial nephrectomy. We report a case of severe bleeding with massive hematuria due to RAP, which was detected with duplex sonography.
Audit of Complications in an Otolaryngology Led Skull-Base Surgical Practice
Authors: Patnaik Uma , Panda Smriti , Thakar Alok
Published: December 2018

Objective This study was aimed to classify and study complications of surgery of the cranial base, primarily from an otorhinolaryngology perspective.

Design This study was designed with consecutive cohort of skull base surgical cases.

Setting Tertiary referral academic center.

Participants Patients having skull-base surgery at a otorhinolaryngology based skull-base unit, from 2002 to 2015.

Main Outcome Measures Enumeration of complications is the main outcome of this study. Surgical procedures, categorized for complexity as per a unified system, are applicable to endoscopic and open procedures. Complications were categorized as per the British Association of Otolaryngologists coding of surgical complications. Complication classified as major if life-threatening, causing permanent disability, or compromising the result of surgery.

Results A total of 342 patients (n = 342) were operated; 13 patients' records were excluded due to < 6 months posttreatment follow-up. The study group constituted 204 anterior skull-base (endoscopic, 120; open/external, 84) and 125 lateral skull-base procedures. Complication rates noted to increase in both groups with increasing complexity of surgical intervention. Anterior skull-base surgery (total complications, 11%; major, 3%; death, 0.5%) noted to have significantly less surgical complications than lateral skull-base surgery (total complications, 33%; major, 15%; death, 1.6%; p < 0.001). Among the anterior procedures no significant difference noted among endoscopic and external approaches when compared across similar surgical complexity.

Conclusion Despite improvement in surgical and perioperative care, the overall major complication rate in a contemporary otolaryngology led, primarily extradural, skull-base practice is noted at 8%. Perioperative mortality, though rare, was encountered in 1%. A standard method for categorization of surgical complexity and the grade of complications as reported here is recommended.
Pregnancies Complicated by Familial Hypertriglyceridemia: A Case Report
Authors: Cao Suzanne , Dao NhuChi , Roloff Kristina , Valenzuela Guillermo
Published: December 2018

Background Although rare, familial hypertriglyceridemia can cause acute and life-threatening complications in pregnancy.

Cases The first patient's pregnancy was complicated by multiple admissions for pancreatitis due to hypertriglyceridemia and noncompliance with gemfibrozil. In her second pregnancy, she was compliant with gemfibrozil and only experienced pancreatitis episodes toward the end of pregnancy. The second patient had diabetes mellitus and familial hypertriglyceridemia. She required multiple hospitalizations for diabetic ketoacidosis secondary to insulin noncompliance. In both pregnancies, she was compliant with gemfibrozil and had no complications related to hypertriglyceridemia.

Conclusion Treatment with gemfibrozil in pregnancies complicated by hypertriglyceridemia may prevent complications without adverse maternal or fetal effects and could be considered in treating pregnant patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia. These cases also demonstrate the importance of medication compliance in the prevention of poor outcomes.
Non-destructive characterization of surfaces and thin coatings using a large-bandwidth interdigital transducer
Authors: Fall Dame , Duquennoy Marc , Ouaftouh Mohammadi , Smagin Nikolay , Piwakowski Bogdan , Jenot Frederic
Published: December 2018

This paper deals with non-destructive testing of thin layer structures using Rayleigh-type waves over a broad frequency range (25–125 MHz). The dispersion phenomenon was used to characterize a layer-on-substrate-type sample comprising a thin layer of platinum 100 nm thick on a silicon substrate. The originality of this paper lies in the investigation of different ways of generating surface acoustic waves (SAWs) with large bandwidth interdigital transducers (IDTs) as well as the development of a measuring device to accurately estimate the SAW phase velocity. In particular, this study focuses on comparing the performance (in terms of SAW amplitude and bandwidth) of different excitations imposed on IDTs. The three types of excitations are burst, impulse, and chirp. The interest of chirp excitation compared to the other two types was clearly demonstrated in terms of the SAW bandwidth and amplitude of displacement. With these IDT transducers, measurements could be performed over a wide frequency band (20-125 MHz), and consequently, dispersion curves could be obtained over a wide frequency band with a range of velocity variations in the order of 100 m/s. Under these conditions, an extremely accurate estimate of the phase velocity as a function of the frequency could be obtained using a Slant Stack transformation. Finally, from these experimental dispersion curves and theoretical dispersion curves, an accurate estimate of the thickness of the layer could be obtained by inversion. This estimated thickness was then confirmed using profilometer measurements.
Numerical prediction of the driving performance of liquid crystal actuators
Authors: Tsuji Tomohiro , Chono Shigeomi
Published: December 2018

To study the performance of liquid crystal actuators, we prepared a sandwich cell with a movable upper plate and drove this upper plate in its plane. To predict the driving performance of such an actuator, we proposed a simple one-dimensional model that combines the motion of the upper plate of the liquid crystal cell with the flow of the liquid crystal, and then, we compared the predicted motion of the plate with reported experimental results. The proposed model qualitatively predicted the motion of the upper plate. Using this model, we studied the rotation of the liquid crystal molecules and the velocity profiles between the two plates. When the applied voltage has a frequency of 1 Hz, the molecules between the two plates return completely to their initial angle when the electric field is released; at 10 Hz, the molecules do not return to their initial angle but instead return to approximately 40°; at 100 Hz, they oscillate around 90° with a small amplitude. At 10 Hz, the induced velocity profile is S-shaped, while at 20 Hz, the profile is double-S-shaped; this unusual behavior stems from the so-called kickback effect.
Investigation of the yield degradation of the first shaped-pulse implosion experiments on the SG-III laser facility
Authors: Gu Jianfa , Ge Fengjun , Zou Shiyang , Dai Zhensheng , Huang Tianxuan , Pu Yudong , Song Peng , Wu Changshu , Li Chuanying , Kang Dongguo , Ye Wenhua , Zheng Wudi , Jiang Wei , Chen Tao , Chen Zhongjing , Yan Ji , Zhang Xing , Yu Bo , Chen Jiabin , Song Zifeng , Tang Qi , Deng Bo , Wang Feng , Yang Jiamin , Jiang Shaoen , Ding Yongkun , Zhu Shaoping
Published: December 2018

The first shaped-pulse inertial confinement fusion implosion experiments of the deuterium-deuterium (DD) gas-filled plastic (CH) capsules have been done at the SG-III laser facility [He and Zhang, Eur. Phys. J. D 44, 227 (2007); Zheng et al., Matter Radiat. Extremes 2, 243 (2017)]. The measured neutron yield is much lower than that predicted by one-dimensional (1D) simulations, and as the trough duration of the drive source increases, the neutron yield over clean decreases rapidly to less than 1%. To understand the primary reason for this decrease in yield, we numerically simulated the capsule implosion to investigate the effects of the support tent and the various capsule-surface defects on the implosion performance. The validity of the underlying 1D model is supported by the agreement between the results of the 1D simulation and experimental data for the implosion trajectory and fuel areal density. Compared with square-pulse implosions, shaped-pulse implosions exhibit a much larger growth in hydrodynamic instabilities. The numerical neutron yields of the shaped-pulse implosions are much more sensitive to perturbations seeded by inward-facing divots on the outer ablator surface. Yield degradation is mainly caused by a reduction in mechanical power exerted by the distorted shell on the central DD gas, which significantly lowers the fuel temperature and pressure.
Reactor design and integration with product detection to accelerate screening of electrocatalysts for carbon dioxide reduction
Authors: Jones Ryan J. R. , Wang Yu , Lai Yungchieh , Shinde Aniketa , Gregoire John M.
Published: December 2018

Identifying new catalyst materials for complex reactions such as the electrochemical reduction of CO2 poses substantial instrumentation challenges due to the need to integrate reactor control with electrochemical and analytical instrumentation. Performing accelerated screening to enable exploration of a broad span of catalyst materials poses additional challenges due to the long time scales associated with accumulation of reaction products and the detection of the reaction products with traditional separation-based analytical methods. The catalyst screening techniques that have been reported for combinatorial studies of (photo)electrocatalysts do not meet the needs of CO2 reduction catalyst research, prompting our development of a new electrochemical cell design and its integration to gas and liquid chromatography instruments. To enable rapid chromatography measurements while maintaining sensitivity to minor products, the electrochemical cell features low electrolyte and head space volumes compared to the catalyst surface area. Additionally, the cell is operated as a batch reactor with electrolyte recirculation to rapidly concentrate reaction products, which serves the present needs for rapidly detecting minor products and has additional implications for enabling product separations in industrial CO2 electrolysis systems. To maintain near-saturation of CO2 in aqueous electrolytes, we employ electrolyte nebulization through a CO2-rich headspace, achieving similar gas-liquid equilibration as vigorous CO2 bubbling but without gas flow. The instrument is demonstrated with a series of electrochemical experiments on an Au-Pd combinatorial library, revealing non-monotonic variations in product distribution with respect to catalyst composition. The highly integrated analytical electrochemistry system is engineered to enable automation for rapid catalyst screening as well as deployment for a broad range of electrochemical reactions where product distribution is critical to the assessment of catalyst performance.
Extracellular matrix alignment dictates the organization of focal adhesions and directs uniaxial cell migration
Authors: Wang William Y. , Pearson Alexander T. , Kutys Matthew L. , Choi Colin K. , Wozniak Michele A. , Baker Brendon M. , Chen Christopher S.
Published: December 2018

Physical features of the extracellular matrix (ECM) heavily influence cell migration strategies and efficiency. Migration in and on fibrous ECMs is of significant physiologic importance, but limitations in the ability to experimentally define the diameter, density, and alignment of native ECMs in vitro have hampered our understanding of how these properties affect this basic cell function. Here, we designed a high-throughput in vitro platform that models fibrous ECM as collections of lines of cell-adhesive fibronectin on a flat surface to eliminate effects of dimensionality and topography. Using a microcontact printing approach to orthogonally vary line alignment, density, and size, we determined each factor's individual influence on NIH3T3 fibroblast migration. High content imaging and statistical analyses revealed that ECM alignment is the most critical parameter in influencing cell morphology, polarization, and migratory behavior. Specifically, increasing ECM alignment led cells to adopt an elongated uniaxial morphology and migrate with enhanced speed and persistence. Intriguingly, migration speeds were tightly correlated with the organization of focal adhesions, where cells with the most aligned adhesions migrated fastest. Highly organized focal adhesions and associated actin stress fibers appeared to define the number and location of protrusive fronts, suggesting that ECM alignment influences active Rac1 localization. Utilizing a novel microcontact-printing approach that lacks confounding influences of substrate dimensionality, mechanics, or differences in the adhesive area, this work highlights the effect of ECM alignment on orchestrating the cytoskeletal machinery that governs directed uniaxial cell migration.
Water nucleation at extreme supersaturation
Authors: Lippe Martina , Chakrabarty Satrajit , Ferreiro Jorge J. , Tanaka Kyoko K. , Signorell Ruth
Published: December 2018

We report water cluster formation in the uniform postnozzle flow of a Laval nozzle at low temperatures of 87.0 and 47.5 K and high supersaturations of lnS ∼ 41 and 104, respectively. Cluster size distributions were measured after soft single-photon ionization at 13.8 eV with mass spectrometry. Critical cluster sizes were determined from cluster size distributions recorded as a function of increasing supersaturation, resulting in critical sizes of 6-15 and 1, respectively. Comparison with previous data for propane and toluene reveals a systematic trend in the nucleation behavior, i.e., a change from a steplike increase to a gradual increase of the maximum cluster size with increasing supersaturation. Experimental nucleation rates of 5 · 1015 cm−3 s−1 and 2 · 1015 cm−3 s−1 for lnS ∼ 41 and 104, respectively, were retrieved from cluster size distributions recorded as a function of nucleation time. These lie 2-3 orders of magnitude below the gas kinetic collision limit assuming unit sticking probability, but they agree very well with a recent prediction by a master equation model based on ab initio transition state theory. The experimental observations are consistent with barrierless growth at 47.5 K, but they hint at a more complex nucleation behavior for the measurement at 87.0 K.
Structures and infrared spectroscopy of large sized protonated ammonia clusters
Authors: Malloum Alhadji , Fifen Jean Jules , Conradie Jeanet
Published: December 2018

We investigated in this work the structures and relative population of large sized protonated ammonia clusters, H+(NH3)n, n = 18, 20, 25, 30. To this end, we generated initial geometries using the ABCluster code. The 30 most stable geometries for each of the clusters have been fully optimized at the APFD/6-31++g(d,p) level of theory. The results show that the proton is asymmetrically shared by two ammonia molecules to form the NH4+⋯NH3 complex. The NH4+⋯NH3 complex occupies the center of the structures, and it is gradually solvated with increasing cluster size. For n = 25 and n = 30, the first solvation shell of NH4+⋯NH3 is completely filled with some ammonia molecules present in the second solvation shell. Besides, we have reported the relative population of the investigated clusters at the thermodynamic equilibrium. As a result, the three most stable structures dominate the population of the clusters. For each cluster size, we found that the IR spectra of these three most stable structures are in agreement with experiments. This agreement could be an indication of the reliability of our investigations. Overall, the structures of large sized protonated ammonia clusters are cage-like and exhibit an amorphous behavior.
A rotating sample cell for in situ measurements of adsorption with x-rays
Authors: Kosheleva Ramonna I. , Varoutoglou Athanasios T. , Bomis George A. , Kyzas George Z. , Favvas Evangelos P. , Mitropoulos Athanasios Ch.
Published: December 2018

A sample cell which facilitates adsorption in conjunction with small angle x-ray scattering under a rotational field is presented. The device allows dynamic phenomena that take place within a pore system to be investigated in situ by x-rays. As an example, a sample of Vycor porous glass was measured at relative pressures p/po = 0 and p/po = 0.5. For the static measurements, the results were as expected. Under rotation, an increase in the scattered intensity of the loaded sample, over the corresponding static one, is observed. Fractal analysis has shown an increase in the fractal dimension even higher than that of the dry sample. It was suggested that the increase in the scattered intensity was due to the rotation, while the abnormality in the fractal dimension was due to asymmetric ripples of the adsorbed layers. The limits of the technique are given too.
Continuum models of the electrochemical diffuse layer in electronic-structure calculations
Authors: Nattino Francesco , Truscott Matthew , Marzari Nicola , Andreussi Oliviero
Published: December 2018

Continuum electrolyte models represent a practical tool to account for the presence of the diffuse layer at electrochemical interfaces. However, despite the increasing popularity of these in the field of materials science, it remains unclear which features are necessary in order to accurately describe interface-related observables such as the differential capacitance (DC) of metal electrode surfaces. We present here a critical comparison of continuum diffuse-layer models that can be coupled to an atomistic first-principles description of the charged metal surface in order to account for the electrolyte screening at electrified interfaces. By comparing computed DC values for the prototypical Ag(100) surface in an aqueous solution to experimental data, we validate the accuracy of the models considered. Results suggest that a size-modified Poisson-Boltzmann description of the electrolyte solution is sufficient to qualitatively reproduce the main experimental trends. Our findings also highlight the large effect that the dielectric cavity parameterization has on the computed DC values.
Evaluating physical properties of the orthorhombic crystal phase of ammonium perchlorate using a Class II force field
Authors: Tow Garrett M. , Maginn Edward J.
Published: December 2018

The applicability of an atomistic Class II force field to capture the properties of the orthorhombic crystal phase of ammonium perchlorate was investigated. Structural and dynamical behaviors including density, lattice parameters, bulk modulus, infrared spectrum, and rotational dynamics were calculated from the trajectories of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Properties calculated from MD were compared to available experimental data over a range of temperatures, including those significantly higher than the parameterization temperature of 10 K.
Calculations of positron binding and annihilation in polyatomic molecules
Authors: Swann A. R. , Gribakin G. F.
Published: December 2018

A model-potential approach to calculating positron-molecule binding energies and annihilation rates is developed. Unlike existing ab initio calculations, which have mostly been applied to strongly polar molecules, the present methodology can be applied to both strongly polar and weakly polar or nonpolar systems. The electrostatic potential of the molecule is calculated at the Hartree-Fock level, and a model potential that describes short-range correlations and long-range polarization of the electron cloud by the positron is then added. The Schrödinger equation for a positron moving in this effective potential is solved to obtain the binding energy. The model potential contains a single adjustable parameter for each type of atom present in the molecule. The wave function of the positron bound state may be used to compute the rate of electron-positron annihilation from the bound state. As a first application, we investigate positron binding and annihilation for the hydrogen cyanide molecule. Results for the binding energy are found to be in accord with existing calculations, and we predict the rate of annihilation from the bound state to be Γ = 0.1–0.2 × 109 s−1.
Self-assembly of phospholipid molecules in solutions under shear flows: Microstructures and phase diagrams
Authors: Shan Yue , Wang Xianghong , Ji Yongyun , He Linli , Li Shiben
Published: December 2018

Shear-induced microstructures and their phase diagrams were investigated for phospholipid molecules in aqueous solution by dissipative particle dynamic simulation. Self-assembled microstructures, including spherical and cylindrical micelles, spherical vesicles, lamellae, undulated lamellae, perforated lamellae, and continuous networks, were observed under various shear flows and phospholipid concentrations, where the spatial inhomogeneity and symmetry were analysed. A series of phase diagrams were constructed based on the chain lengths under various phospholipid concentrations. The phase distributions showed that the structures with spherical symmetry could be shear-induced to structures with cylindrical symmetry in the dilute solutions. In the semi-concentrated solutions, the lamellae were located in most spaces under zero shear flows, which could be shear-induced into undulated lamellae and then into cylindrical micelles. For the concentrated solutions, the strong shear flows oriented the directions of multilayer lamellae and phase transitions appeared between several cylindrical network structures. These observations on shear-induced microstructures and their distributions revealed a promising approach that could be used to design bio-microstructures based on phospholipid molecules under shear flows.