bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Review of the Prevalence, Etiology, Diagnosis, and Management of Pediatric Epilepsies in India
Authors: Kalra Veena , Viswanathan Venkataraman , Shah Harshuti
Published: March 2022

Pediatric seizures are one of the most common neurological manifestations seen in pediatrics. Unravelling the etiology, timely and appropriate investigations followed by suitable therapies are essential for improving quality of life. During the pandemic, focused group discussions were conducted among 50 pediatric neurologists across five cities in India to gather insights on treatment practices in pediatric epilepsy and to optimize therapeutic strategies and alternative approaches for rational use of antiepileptic medications. These discussions were mainly aimed at reviewing current literature on prevalence, etiology, diagnosis, and management of epilepsy in children and subsequently rationalizing diagnostic and treatment approaches in routine clinical practice. Epileptic encephalopathies comprise of childhood epilepsy with progressive cerebral dysfunction. Genomics plays a vital role in identifying the underlying genetic associations, empowering precision therapy. Currently, the ketogenic diet has become a well-recognized modality for reducing severity of seizures. To overcome the high incidence of adverse effects due to older antiepileptic drugs, newer drugs are being developed to improve ease of use, diminish drug interactions, decrease adverse effects, and identify drugs with unique mechanisms of action. Common lacunae in practice include information gaps, educating parents, or caregivers about rational drug use and ensuring compliance to antiepileptic medications. This article discussed the consensus clinical viewpoint of expert clinicians, as well as insights on optimized treatment of pediatric epilepsies in both infancy and childhood. It also discusses aspects, like reducing drug burden, emerging therapies in the identification of the genetic basis of epilepsies, and targeted therapy alternatives, for pediatric populations in the Indian scenario.
Thoracoscopic Resection of a Foregut Duplication Cyst with the Use of a 5-mm Stapling Device in an Infant—A Case Report
Authors: Da Col Marc , Regamey Nicolas , Szavay Philipp O.
Published: March 2022

Esophageal foregut duplication cysts are a rare congenital anomaly predominantly diagnosed in children. With possible growth foregut duplication cysts may cause compression on thoracic or mediastinal structures, respectively. Due to the presence of ectopic gastric mucosa and its potential malignant alteration resection of foregut duplication cysts is recommended. More recently, the use of a thoracoscopic approach for resection has shown to be an advantageous alternative to a conventional open approach. A case of a complete thoracoscopic resection of an esophageal foregut duplication cyst using a 5-mm stapling device is presented.
An Anatomical Study of Posterior Trunk Recipient Vessels, and Comparisons of Outcome following Pedicled- and Free-Flap Transfers for Treatment of Sarcoma in the Posterior Trunk
Authors: Karakawa Ryo , Yoshimatsu Hidehiko , Kamiya Keisuke , Fuse Yuma , Yano Tomoyuki , Muro Satoru , Akita Keiichi
Published: March 2022

Background Reconstruction after wide resection of a large sarcoma arising in the posterior trunk may require free-flap transfer to reduce the postoperative complications. Here, we describe the recipient vessels on the whole posterior trunk. Moreover, to show the reliability of these vessels, we describe an institutional series of free-flap reconstruction.

Methods In the cadaveric study, 20 posterior trunk regions from 10 fixed cadavers were dissected. The location and the diameter of the perforating artery and vein on the posterior were documented. In the clinical study, 54 patients undergoing immediate reconstruction surgery with only a pedicled flap (n = 45) and with a free flap (n = 9) after sarcoma resection on the posterior trunk between July 2005 and September 2021 were identified. One-to-one propensity score matching was performed to compare the postoperative complications.

Results In the cadaveric study, a total of 178 perforators were identified. The average diameter of the superficial cervical artery (SCA) and vein, dorsal scapular artery (DSA) and vein, medial branch of dorsal intercostal artery perforator (m-DICAP) and vein, lateral branch of dorsal intercostal artery perforator (l-DICAP) and vein, and dorsolateral intercostal artery perforator (DLICAP) and vein were 1.03, 1.67, 1.38, 1.84, 1.28, 1.84, 1.01, 1.60, 1.11, and 1.70 mm. In the clinical study, the propensity score-matched analysis involving eight pairs showed a significantly higher occurrence of total complications in the pedicled-flap group than the free-flap group (62.5 vs. 0%, p = 0.03).

Conclusion The cadaveric study showed that the perforators from the SCA, DSA, and posterior intercostal artery are constantly present. The clinical study demonstrated the feasibility and reliability of a free-flap transfer.
Liposomal Bupivacaine and Ropivacaine Adductor Canal Blocks for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Provide Similar Postoperative Analgesia
Authors: DeMaio Emily L. , Hunnicutt Jennifer L. , Haley Rebecca M. , Nazzal Ehab , Chen Yunyun , Premkumar Ajay , Lamplot Joseph D. , Samady Heather A. , Gottschalk Michael B. , Xerogeanes John W.
Published: March 2022

The purpose of this study was to compare postoperative pain following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) in patients receiving an adductor canal block (ACB) with ropivacaine (R-ACB) or liposomal bupivacaine (LB-ACB). The secondary purpose was to compare opioid consumption. A prospective cohort study of patients undergoing ACLR at an academic medical center was conducted from November 1, 2018 to November 21, 2019. The first cohort received R-ACB and 30 tablets of 5/325 mg oxycodone/acetaminophen. After June 13, 2019, the second cohort received LB-ACB and 20 tablets of 5/325 mg oxycodone/acetaminophen with the reduction in opioids prescribed resulting from a hospital quality improvement initiative to decrease narcotic consumption. From postoperative days 0 through 6, pain was assessed thrice daily using a numeric rating scale. Total postoperative opioid consumption was reported via tablet count and converted to oral morphine equivalents (OMEs). During this period, 165 subjects underwent ACLR, and 126 met the eligibility criteria (44.4% female, 55.6% male; mean ± standard deviation: 28.7 ± 13.7 years). Sixty-six (52.4%) received LB-ACB, and 60 (47.6%) received R-ACB (p = 0.53). The most common graft utilized was quadriceps autograft (63.6% LB-ACB; 58.3% R-ACB, p = 0.76). Mean postoperative pain scores were similar between groups during the entire postoperative period (p ≥ 0.08 for POD 0–6). While postoperative opioid consumption was lower among patients receiving LB-ACB (median OME [interquartile range]: 28.6 [7.5–63.8] vs. 45.0 [15.0–75.0], p = 0.023), this only amounted to an average of 2.2 tablets. Patients receiving LB-ACB in the setting of ACLR reported similar postoperative pain compared with those receiving R-ACB. Despite the second aim of our study, we cannot make conclusions about the effect of each block on opioid consumption given that each cohort received different numbers of opioid tablets due to institutional pressure to reduce opioid prescribing. As few patients completed their opioid prescriptions or requested refills, further reduction in prescription size is warranted. Future studies are necessary to further elucidate the effect of LB-ACB versus R-ACB on postoperative pain and opioid consumption after ACLR.
Addition of a Vascular Bundle Accelerates Bone Union in Femoral Bone Defects
Authors: Oka Kunihiko , Kaji Yoshio , Nakamura Osamu , Yamaguchi Konosuke , Tobiume Sachiko , Nomura Yumi , Yamamoto Tetsuji
Published: March 2022

Background The Masquelet method has become increasingly popular for the treatment of bone defects in recent years. In this method, an induced membrane (IM) with abundant blood circulation, stem cells, and osteogenesis-promoting factors is formed by implanting bone cement during the first surgery. This IM stimulates bone formation in the bone defect after implantation of the bone graft during the second surgery. However, the Masquelet method requires two surgeries and thus a longer treatment period. In the present study, we investigated whether bone defects could be reconstructed in a single surgery by introducing a vascular bundle into the bone defect as an alternative to the IM, in addition to bone grafting.

Methods Thirty-six 12-week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were used. After creating a 5-mm long bone defect in the femur, a mixture of autologous and artificial bone was grafted into the defect, and a saphenous arteriovenous vascular bundle was introduced. The animals were divided into three groups: the control group (bone defect only), the BG group (bone grafting only), and the BG + V group (bone grafting + vascular bundle introduction). After surgery, radiological and histological evaluations were performed to assess osteogenesis and angiogenesis in bone defects.

Results In the BG + V group, significant bone formation was observed in the bone defect on radiological and histological evaluations, and the amount of bone formation was significantly higher than that in the other two groups. Furthermore, cortical bone continuity was observed in many specimens in the BG + V group. On histological evaluation, the number of blood vessels was also significantly higher in the BG + V group than in the other two groups.

Conclusion Our results suggest that the introduction of a vascular bundle in addition to bone grafting can promote bone formation in bone defects and allow for complete bone defect reconstruction in a single surgery.
Genotype–Phenotype Correlations for Putative Haploinsufficient Genes in Deletions of 6q26-q27: Report of Eight Patients and Review of Literature
Authors: Xie Xiaolei , Chai Hongyan , DiAdamo Autumn , Grommisch Brittany , Wen Jiadi , Zhang Hui , Li Peining
Published: March 2022

Background Cytogenomic analyses have been used to detect pathogenic copy number variants. Patients with deletions at 6q26-q27 present variable clinical features. We reported clinical and cytogenomic findings of eight unrelated patients with a deletion of 6q26-q27. A systematic review of the literature found 28 patients with a deletion of 6q26-q27 from 2010 to 2020.

Results For these 36 patients, the sex ratio showed equal occurrence between males and females; 29 patients (81%) had a terminal deletion and seven patients (19%) had a proximal or distal interstitial deletion. Of the 22 patients with parental studies, deletions of de novo, maternal, paternal, and bi-parental inheritance accounted for 64, 18, 14, and 4% of patients, respectively. The most common clinical findings were brain abnormalities (100%) in fetuses observed by ultrasonography followed by developmental delay and intellectual disability (81%), brain abnormalities (72%), facial dysmorphism (66%), hypotonia (63%), learning difficulty or language delay (50%), and seizures (47%) in pediatric and adult patients. Anti-epilepsy treatment showed the effect on controlling seizures in these patients. Cytogenomic mapping defined one proximal critical region at 6q26 containing the putative haploinsufficient gene PRKN and one distal critical region at 6q27 containing two haploinsufficient genes DLL1 and TBP. Deletions involving the PRKN gene could associate with early-onset Parkinson disease and autism spectrum disorder; deletions involving the DLL1 gene correlate with the 6q terminal deletion syndrome.

Conclusion The genotype–phenotype correlations for putative haploinsufficient genes in deletions of 6q26-q27 provided evidence for precise diagnostic interpretation, genetic counseling, and clinical management of patients with a deletion of 6q26-q27.
The Burden of Care in Nasoalveolar Molding Treatment in Cleft Patients
Authors: Magyar Dominika , Nemes Bálint , Pálvölgyi Laura , Pulay Zoltán , Nagy Krisztián
Published: March 2022

Objectives This study, first in Hungary, examined the success of presurgical nasoalveolar molding (NAM) therapy in cleft patients from a caregiver's perspective and revealed factors that can cause inconvenience.

Patients and Methods A survey-based study was performed using a 32-item questionnaire following NAM therapy. The survey was sent to families whose child underwent NAM therapy from 2010 until 2020 at the 1st Department of Paediatrics, Semmelweis University. The questions focused on four main parts: socioeconomic, origin of the cleft, difficulties of therapy, and self-assessment. Fifty-three families received the questionnaire, 17 of them completed it.

Results The mean age was 5 ± 3.7 weeks when NAM therapy started. Fifty-eight percent of the patients were male and 42% female. Patients are living more than 60 km from the cleft center (59%). Patients had to make the journey between their residence and the cleft center ∼10 to 15 times. In most cases, NAM therapy was covered by health insurance (83%). The unilateral cleft and lip palate occurred 58%, while the bilateral were 42%. Thirty-five percent of the patients had an allergic reaction against the adhesive, and 35% were affected by wounds on their lips or noses. The way of feeding was variable. Seventeen percent of the parents were able to breastfeed. In all cases, parents were satisfied with the NAM therapy.

Conclusions The present study highlighted the value of caregivers' role in NAM therapy. The burden of care is acceptable, caregivers have high compliance, and are determined to help the effectiveness of therapy. Limitations of this study include a single-institute data with a small number of cases.
Effect of Trainee Participation on Operative Times in Strabismus Surgery
Authors: Eldib Amgad A. , Pihlblad Matthew S.
Published: March 2022

Introduction This study aimed to describe the difference in operative time during strabismus surgery in the presence and absence of a trainee with the operating physician.

Methods This is a retrospective chart review of pediatric patients who underwent strabismus surgery by three surgeons from January 2016 through September 2019. Electronic medical records were reviewed and noted for operative times as well as the presence or absence of a trainee (postgraduate year [PGY]-3 ophthalmology resident, PGY-5 pediatric ophthalmology fellow, or both).

Results The average time needed for a two-horizontal muscle recession by all the three surgeons in the absence of a trainee averaged at 35.7 minutes (range: 24–48). This is increased by 34% in the presence of a trainee with an average of 47.88 minutes (range: 20–81) with a p-value < 0.001. Similar comparisons were performed for a two-horizontal muscle recession in addition to bilateral inferior oblique weakening procedures for two surgeons. On average, in the absence of a trainee, this required an average of 61.9 minutes for completion with an increase of 31.8% with the participation of a trainee requiring 81.56 minutes.

Discussion The presence of trainees, whether residents or fellows, is a crucial component of medical education and training. It is important for their learning and helps develop strong future surgeons. However, this may increase surgical procedure times and affect the efficiency of the primary surgeon. This has important implications for surgical scheduling, surgical time utilization, and surgical productivity of those involved in trainee education.

Conclusion The presence of a trainee with a primary surgeon, although crucial to surgical training, may result in significant prolongation of strabismus surgical times.
High-frequency spectral density of equilibrium radiation and zero oscillations in the presence of electron gas
Authors: Maslov S. A. , Trigger S. A.
Published: March 2022

Based on the general expression for the spectral density of equilibrium radiation in a nonrelativistic plasma medium, the high-frequency asymptotics is found for an electron gas accounting for the spatial dispersion of the transverse dielectric permittivity. The necessity of modifying zero oscillations in the presence of a collisionless plasma medium is shown.
Simplified Timoshenko–Ehrenfest beam equation to analyze metamaterials
Authors: Elishakoff Isaac , Li Yuchen , Challamel Noël , Reddy J. N.
Published: March 2022

This paper is devoted to the incorporation of rotary inertia and shear deformation in the study of acoustic metamaterials. An overwhelming majority of investigators resort to either Bernoulli–Euler or to the Timoshenko–Ehrenfest beam theories. Here, we demonstrate that the full version of the Timoshenko–Ehrenfest beam theory is not needed, and the truncated version is sufficient. An extensive numerical investigation is conducted to this end.
Demonstration of 16 THz V Johnson's figure-of-merit and 36 THz V fmax·VBK in ultrathin barrier AlGaN/GaN HEMTs with slant-field-plate T-gates
Authors: Wang Peng-Fei , Mi Min-Han , Zhang Meng , Zhu Qing , Zhu Jie-Jie , Zhou Yu-Wei , Chen Jun-Wen , Chen Yi-Lin , Liu Jie-Long , Yang Ling , Hou Bin , Ma Xiao-Hua , Hao Yue
Published: March 2022

In this work, ultrathin barrier (∼6 nm) AlGaN/GaN high-electron-mobility transistors (HEMTs) with in situ SiN gate dielectric and slant-field plate (SFP) T-gates were fabricated and analyzed. Since the proposed scheme of gate dielectric and SFP effectively suppresses the gate leakage and alleviates the peak electric field (E-field) around gate region, the maximum breakdown voltage (VBK) was improved to 92 V, which is 54 V higher than that of the conventional device. The fabricated ultrathin AlGaN/GaN HEMT with 60-nm SFP-T-gate exhibited the peak fT of 177 GHz and peak fmax of 393 GHz, yielding high figure-of-merits of fT · VBK = 16 THz V and fmax·VBK = 36 THz V. Moreover, load-pull measurements at 30 GHz reveal that these devices deliver output power density (Pout) of 4.6 W/mm at Vds = 20 V and high power-added efficiency up to 52.5% at Vds = 10 V. Essentially, the experimental results indicate that the employment of SFP and in situ SiN gate dielectric is an attractive approach to balance the breakdown and speed for millimeter wave devices.
Motion of submicrometer particles in micrometer-size channel measured by defocusing nano-particle image velocimetry
Authors: Kuwano Yuki , Tanaka Minori , Kazoe Yutaka
Published: March 2022

Understanding the motion of colloidal particles flowing in small spaces is a general issue in various fields such as thermal engineering and micro/nanofluidics. In the present study, we investigated the motion of fluorescent submicrometer particles in a 3-μm microchannel by defocusing nanoparticle image velocimetry. An optical measurement system with controlled spherical aberration and an algorithm for processing defocused particle images with multiple diffraction rings were developed. By detecting the centroid position and the diameter of the outermost diffraction ring, which is proportional to the distance between the focal plane and the particle, the position of particles was determined with the spatial resolutions of 154–204 nm in the streamwise direction and 76–311 nm in the depthwise direction, which are comparable to or smaller than the optical diffraction limit. A reusable microfluidic device containing a size-regulated microchannel made of glass was developed, which is suitable for optical measurements and precise flow control. By controlling the strength of low-temperature glass bonding, detachment of the bonded glass substrates, washing, and reuse were achieved. Based on this method and technology, the velocity of particles with diameters of 199, 457, and 1114 nm was successfully measured in pressure-driven laminar flow. Results suggested that for larger particles comparable to the channel size, the particle velocity is slowed from the flow velocity by particle–wall hydrodynamic interactions. Therefore, the motion of colloidal particles in 100-μm spaces is considered to be affected by particle–wall hydrodynamic interactions, as well as 102-μm spaces reported previously.
A simple time-predicting-based pressure control method for soft pneumatic actuators using on/off solenoid valves
Authors: Zhou Wen , Li Yiqing , Zheng Tengfei , Wang Chaohui
Published: March 2022

The study of soft pneumatic actuator control techniques is an important research topic in soft robotics. However, much of the research has concentrated on upper-level control algorithms, with little attention paid to the bottom-level pneumatic controller. This work aims to develop a simple, low cost, and quick-response pressure controller for soft pneumatic actuators. The controller is designed based on an on/off valve-driven pneumatic supply system, which is high speed, economical, and easy to set up. Using the actual pneumatic properties of a controlled object to estimate the switching time of the valves, the controller avoids complex nonlinear pneumatic computation and can achieve a high control frequency. Experiments demonstrate that the controller performs well in terms of speed and precision, having practical value in the control of soft actuators.
The third golden age of aeroacoustics
Authors: Moreau Stéphane
Published: March 2022

The present review covers the latest evolution of computational aeroacoustics, the field that deals with the noise generated by fluid flows and its propagation in the medium. It highlights the latest findings in both free flows (jet noise) and wall-bounded flows (airfoil, airframe, and turbomachinery noise) in more and more complex environments. Among the computational aero-acoustics methods, high-order schemes of the Navier–Stokes equations on unstructured grids and the lattice Boltzmann method on Cartesian grids have emerged as excellent candidates to tackle noise problems in realistic complex geometries. The latter is also shown to be particularly efficient for both noise generation and propagation, allowing to directly estimate the noise in the far field. Two examples of application of such methods to complex jet noise and to installed airfoil noise are first presented. The first one involves compressible subsonic and supersonic flows in dual-stream nozzles and the second one subsonic flow around an airfoil embedded in the potential core of the open-jet anechoic wind tunnel as in the actual trailing-edge noise experiment. For airframe noise, large eddy simulations of scaled nose landing gear noise and three-element high-lift devices can be tackled to decipher noise sources. For turbomachinery noise, simulations of installed low-speed fans have already unveiled a wealth of details on their noise sources, whereas high-speed turbofans remain a challenge giving the high Reynolds numbers and small tip gaps involved.
Pressure profile calculation using finite element analysis that exploits the continuity of gas flow
Authors: Noh Hyeongrae , Kim Se-Hyun , Kim Jeehoon , Park Chongdo , Ha Taekyun
Published: March 2022

We present a numerical method of calculating the pressure profile of a large ultra-high vacuum (UHV) system using finite-element analysis (FEA) that exploits the continuity of gas flow. In this study, we introduce a modified FEA (MFEA) that excludes the redundant count of aperture conductance of the element by the Oatley method and uses a correction factor compensating the beaming effect. Along with the correction and by choosing an appropriate length of the element, we improve the result for a cylindrical tube to show a small difference of 5% or less from that of the test particle Monte Carlo (TPMC) simulation. As an example of a practical application, we calculate the pressure profile of an accelerator vacuum system with a split chamber using the MFEA, and the result is validated by comparison with the TPMC. The MFEA method will be useful to design a large UHV system at an early stage that requires design iteration using a simple and fast calculation procedure.
Propagating backward-volume spin waves in epitaxial Fe films
Authors: Nezu S. , Scheike T. , Sukegawa H. , Sekiguchi K.
Published: March 2022

The propagation characteristics of backward-volume magnetostatic spin-waves in epitaxial Fe(001) films were studied by frequency-domain and time-domain spin-wave propagation spectroscopies using a vector network analyser. Due to the combination of cubic-magnetocrystalline anisotropy and anisotropic spin-wave dispersion, the backward-volume spin-wave exhibited a complicated packet propagation. For the hard-axis propagation, the group velocity of the spin wave was greatly enhanced at low external magnetic fields and propagation occurred even under no magnetic field. By analysing within a theoretical model and micromagnetic simulations, these transmission character of the backward-volume magnetostatic spin-waves in an epitaxial iron film was well reproduced. The observed characteristics are essential information to promote two-dimensional magnonic devices utilizing cubic-anisotropic materials.
Residual stress tuned magnetic properties of thick CoMnP/Cu multilayers
Authors: Chen Yu-Shan , Lin Chiao-Chi , Chin Tsung-Shune , Chang Jen-Yuan (James) , Sung Cheng-Kuo
Published: March 2022

Electrodeposited hard magnetic thick films have vast applications in the microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). Yet the very large residual stresses (σr) built-up in monolayered thick magnetic films leads to cracks, dimensional changes and deteriorated magnetic properties. Here, we explored quantitatively magnetic properties of CoMnP/Cu multilayers tuned by σr, which in turn are varied by the inserted soft Cu interlayer and thickness of single CoMnP magnetic layers. The configuration of the multilayers is an alternating CoMnP/Cu on Cu-substrate. The thickness of Cu interlayer was 1.4 μm. We kept a sum of all magnetic layers in the multilayers at ∼20 μm to benchmark with a 19.4 μm monolayered CoMnP. The magnetic layers are 94 wt.% Co and possess highly textured (002) hexagonal close packed microstructures. We characterized the apparent crystallite stresses through sin2ψ method by X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and residual film stress by curvature method. The insertion of Cu interlayers effectively reduces σr by 23% through stacking with six single-layered CoMnP. The out-of-plane (OP) anisotropy is slightly reduced. While the maximum energy product in the in-plane (IP) direction can be significantly enhanced by 430% ∼ 690% with increasing the number of the CoMnP single layer in the multilayers. The magneto-elastic behaviors well explain the evolution of the total anisotropy energy of the mono- and multi-layers. By CoMnP/Cu configurations we successfully worked out a strategy to preserve prestigious OP performance while to enhance IP properties by 4 to 6 times to meet ever increasing challenges in MEMS applications.
Magnetotransport of SrIrO3-based heterostructures
Authors: Jaiswal A. K. , Schneider R. , Le Tacon M. , Fuchs D.
Published: March 2022

Transition-metal oxide (TMO) based heterostructures provide fertile playground to explore or functionalize novel quantum materials. In this regard, the combination of 3d and 5d TMOs have gained special interest because of the simultaneous appearance of strong spin–orbit coupling and electron correlation at the interface of those heterostructures. Artificial breaking of the inversion symmetry in heterostructures may also result in a distinct interfacial Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI) and the formation of non-collinear magnetic spin structures in case of magnetic TMOs. Among the 5d TMOs, SrIrO3 (SIO) has gained significant attention because of its large spin–orbit coupling and the semi-metallic ground state, which are highly susceptible to structural distortions. Here, we report on the preparation and the characterisation of structural, electronic and magnetic properties of epitaxial heterostructures consisting of the 5d TMO SIO and the 3d antiferromagnetic insulator LaFeO3.
Extraction, Fabrication, and Mechanical Aspects in Composites of Bamboo Fiber
Authors: Kumar Sanjeev , Bhatt Geeta , Kant Rishi , Patel Vinay Kumar
Published: March 2022

In this chapter, reinforcement of bamboo fibers in different polymer composites is reviewed. Further, the different manufacturing processes of these composites and bamboo fiber–reinforced composites (BFCs) are discussed. Bamboo fibers offer several advantages over synthetic fibers such as low weight, wide availability, cost efficiency, environmental benignness, etc. The limitations of bamboo fibers owing to their hydrophilic nature are also discussed; these limitations make these fibers difficult to use in engineering applications. However, these can be overcome by different surface modification techniques that enhance both their adhesion and mechanical properties. Many manufacturing methods like hand lay-up process, resin transfer molding (RTM), vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VRTM), compression molding (CM), and vacuum bag molding are outlined. These methods help obtain better finished products through the reinforcement of bamboo fibers in different polymeric resin matrices. Different mechanical properties like tensile/flexural strength, impact load bearing ability, and surface hardness of these composites are detailed. Major challenges involved in the fabrication of BFCs and different processing methods, mechanical properties, and BFC applications are also highlighted.
Importance of Chemically Treated Natural Fibers in the Fabrication of Natural Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites
Authors: Kumar Sanjeev , Verma Rajesh Kumar , Kumar Avinash , Patel Vinay Kumar
Published: March 2022

Natural fibers (NFs) as a substitute of synthetic or lab grown fibers in fiber reinforced plastics have rapidly expanded and opened up a wide scope in many industrial applications and contexts. NFs possess several benefits, including low overall expense, low density, and biodegradability. In practice, the major flaw existing in the use of NFs for reinforcements within composites of polymer composites is their immense degree of absorption of moisture, low dimensional stability, etc. This chapter analyzes the various surface treatment processes that are provided to natural fibers for advancing their physico-mechanical properties, which greatly affect the natural fiber reinforced polymer composites (NFRPCs). Various chemical treatment processes are suitably detailed. The main objective of the surface treatment of NFs is to exaggerate the bonding strength so that it could increase the stress transferability of the composites. The mechanical performance of NFRPCs mainly depends on the aspect ratio, their water loving nature, and the dimensional stability of NFs. The chemical treatment of fibers also contributes to improve the fiber density and weaken their thermal stability. Therefore, chemical treatment processes should be adopted to customize the fiber's surface properties to improve the physico-mechanical properties of the polymer composites and not for any purpose beyond this.
Potassium silicate and zinc oxide nanoparticles modulate antioxidant system, membranous H
Authors: Shah Anis Ali , Ahmed Shakil , Malik Aqsa , Naheed Kishwar , Hussain Saber , Yasin Nasim Ahmad , Javad Sumera , Siddiqui Manzer H. , Ali Hayssam M. , Ali Aamir
Published: March 2022

Current research focused on the potential role of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) and potassium (K+) in mitigation of arsenic (As) toxicity in Vicia faba L. seedlings. Faba bean seedlings were grown for 30 days in potted soil. As stress curtailed root and shoot length, chlorophyll (Chl) content and net photosynthetic rate in V. faba seedlings. However, ZnONPs and K+ curtailed As stress in faba bean seedling through enhanced activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) enzyme. Furthermore, ZnONPs and K+ significantly enhanced cysteine (Cys) content and serine acetyletransferase (SAT) activity in faba bean seedling exposed to As-toxificated soil. Application of ZnONPs and K+ curtailed superoxide ionic content and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) accumulation in V. faba seedlings exposed to As-polluted soil. Nitric oxide (NO) content also increased in faba bean seedlings treated with ZnONPs and K+ in normal and As-polluted soil. As stress alleviation was credited to reduce As uptake in faba bean seedlings treated with synergistic application of ZnONPs and K+. It is proposed that K+ interaction with nanoparticles can be exploited at molecular level to understand the mechanisms involved in abiotic stress tolerance.
Common goals, different stages: the state of the ARTs for reptile and amphibian conservation
Authors: Clulow Simon , Clulow John , Marcec-Greaves Ruth , Della Togna Gina , Calatayud Natalie E.
Published: March 2022

Amphibians and reptiles are highly threatened vertebrate taxa with large numbers of species threatened with extinction. With so many species at risk, conservation requires the efficient and cost-effective application of all the tools available so that as many species as possible are assisted. Biobanking of genetic material in genetic resource banks (GRBs) in combination with assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) to retrieve live animals from stored materials are two powerful, complementary tools in the conservation toolbox for arresting and reversing biodiversity decline for both amphibians and reptiles. However, the degree of development of the ARTs and cryopreservation technologies differ markedly between these two groups. These differences are explained in part by different perceptions of the taxa, but also to differing reproductive anatomy and biology between the amphibians and reptiles. Artificial fertilisation with cryopreserved sperm is becoming a more widely developed and utilised technology for amphibians. However, in contrast, artificial insemination with production of live progeny has been reported in few reptiles, and while sperm have been successfully cryopreserved, there are still no reports of the production of live offspring generated from cryopreserved sperm. In both amphibians and reptiles, a focus on sperm cryopreservation and artificial fertilisation or artificial insemination has been at the expense of the development and application of more advanced technologies such as cryopreservation of the female germline and embryonic genome, or the use of sophisticated stem cell/primordial germ cell cryopreservation and transplantation approaches. This review accompanies the publication of ten papers on amphibians and twelve papers on reptiles reporting advances in ARTs and biobanking for the herpetological taxa.
A unified model for conductivity, electric breakdown, energy storage, and discharge efficiency of linear polymer dielectrics
Authors: Min Daomin , Ji Minzun , Gao Ziwei , Cai Zhuoli , Wu Qingzhou , Liu Jie , Li Shengtao , Liu Wenfeng
Published: March 2022

Polymer dielectric capacitors are widely used as high-power-density energy storage devices. However, their energy storage density is relatively low and they cannot meet the requirements for high temperature resistant and high energy density dielectric capacitors. In order to clarify the key factors affecting the energy storage performance and improve the energy storage density and energy efficiency synergistically, it is urgent to establish a unified model to simultaneously study the volt−ampere characteristics, space charge distribution, breakdown strength, discharged energy density, and charge–discharge efficiency of linear dielectrics. Based on the bipolar charge transport (BCT) model, we establish a unified model by a comprehensive consideration of charge injections from electrodes, carrier migration, trapping effects of exponentially distributed deep traps, and damage caused by energy gain. The BCT unified model is first used to simulate the breakdown strengths at different temperatures, the discharged energy densities, and charge–discharge efficiencies at different voltages and temperatures for biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film and SiO2-coated BOPP multilayer film. The simulation results are consistent with the experiments. They show that carrier injection and transport are key factors to determine the conductivity, electric breakdown, and energy storage performance for linear dielectrics. Coating a layer of SiO2 on BOPP film can increase the injection barrier and reduce the charge injection, which can reduce the conductivity and Joule heat, and can alleviate the electric field distortion, resulting in the improvement of the breakdown strength. Meanwhile, reducing the space charge accumulation during the charging process by suppressing the charge injection can elevate the voltage at the beginning of the discharging process, which can improve the discharged energy density and the charge–discharge efficiency of linear dielectric capacitors.
Pseudorapidity dependence of the p
T spectra of charged hadrons in pp collisions at

s

= 0.9 and 2.36 TeV
Authors: Yang Pei-Pin , Ajaz M , Waqas M , Liu Fu-Hu , Suleymanov M K
Published: March 2022

We report the predictions of different Monte Carlo event generators including HIJING, Pythia, and QGSJETII in comparison with the experimental data measured by the CMS Collaboration at CERN in proton–proton (pp) collisions at center-of-mass energy

s

= 0.9 and 2.36 TeV. The CMS experimental transverse momentum (p
T or p
⊥) spectra of charged hadrons were measured for pseudorapidity range 0 ⩽ η ⩽ 2.4 with bin width of η = 0.2 (for p
T from 0.1 to 2 GeV/c) and a single bin of η for |η| < 2.4 (for p
T from 0.1 to 4 GeV/c). Pythia reproduced the p
T spectra with reasonable agreement for most of the p
T range. It depicts better results in the case of the |η| < 2.4 than HIJING and QGSJETII which could reproduce the spectra in a limited p
T range. Furthermore, to analyze the p
T spectra of charged hadrons measured by the CMS Collaboration, we used a three-component function (structured from the Boltzmann distribution) and the q-dual function (from the q-dual statistics) to extract parameter values relevant for the study of bulk properties of hadronic matter at high energy. We have also applied the two analytic functions over the model predictions. The values extracted by the functions from the HIJING and Pythia models are closer to the experimental data than the QGSJETII model. Although the models could reproduce the p
T spectra of all charged particles in some of the p
T range but none of them could reproduce the distributions over the entire p
T range and in all the pseudorapidity regions.
Anisotropic large diamagnetism in Dirac semimetals ZrTe5 and HfTe5
Authors: Singh Sukriti , Kumar Nitesh , Roychowdhury Subhajit , Shekhar Chandra , Felser Claudia
Published: March 2022

Dirac semimetals, e.g., ZrTe5 and HfTe5, have been widely investigated and have exhibited various exotic physical properties. Nevertheless, several properties of these compounds, including diamagnetism, are still unclear. In this study, we measured the temperature- and field-dependent diamagnetism of ZrTe5 and HfTe5 along all three crystallographic axes (a-, b-, and c-axis). The temperature-dependent magnetization shows an anomaly, which is a characteristic of Dirac crossing. Diamagnetic signal reaches the highest value of 17.3 × 10−4 emu mol−1 Oe−1 along the van der Waals layers, i.e., the b-axis. However, the diamagnetism remains temperature-independent along the other two axes. The field-dependent diamagnetic signal grows linearly without any sign of saturation and maintains a large value along the b-axis. Interestingly, the observed diamagnetism is anisotropic like other physical properties of these compounds and is strongly related to the effective mass, indicating the dominating contribution of orbital diamagnetism in Dirac semimetals induced by interband effects. ZrTe5 and HfTe5 show one of the largest diamagnetic value among previously reported state-of-the-art topological semimetals. Our present study adds another important experimental aspect to characterize nodal crossing and search for other topological materials with large magnetic susceptibility.
The onset of tapering in the early stage of growth of a nanowire
Authors: Raj Gosain Saransh , Bellet-Amalric Edith , den Hertog Martien , André Régis , Cibert Joël
Published: March 2022

The early stage of growth of semiconductor nanowires is studied in the case where the sidewall adatoms have a short diffusion length due to a strong desorption. Experimental results are described for the growth of ZnSe nanowires by molecular beam epitaxy. They are discussed and interpreted using the Burton–Cabrera–Frank description of the propagation of steps along the sidewalls, and compared to other II–VI and III–V nanowires. The role of the growth parameters and the resulting shape of the nanowires (cylinder, cone, or both combined) are highlighted.
Synchronous detection of IgG subtypes based on SERS combined with immunoassay
Authors: Zhao Huixue , Song Bailing , Sun Shijiao , Zhou Hao , Liu Tingwei , Jiao Feiyan , Wang Lei , Li Xinxia , Li Jiutong
Published: March 2022

In this study, a rapid, simple, highly sensitive and anti-interference method for the joint detection of four IgG subtypes is established by using Raman microspheres with four characteristic Raman spectra. The results show that the concentrations of IgG1 in the range of 0–1500 ng ml−1, IgG2 in the range of 0–1100 ng ml−1, IgG3 in the range of 0–88.7 ng ml−1, IgG4 in the range of 0–77.2 ng ml−1, it shows a good correlation with the response value of The Raman signal. The lowest detection limits are 25.4 ng ml−1, 21.7 ng ml−1, 1.6 ng ml−1, 1.7 ng ml−1, respectively. Reproducibility is good, the coefficient of variation of low, medium and high concentration standard solution are within 10%. The recoveries of four IgG subtypes are in the range of 90%–110%, and the accuracy of the method is good. The coefficients of variation between and within the three batches of reagents are all less than 11%, showing good precision. There is no cross reaction with Procalcitonin (20 ng ml−1), Interleukin-6 (1 ng ml−1) and bovine serum albumin (10 mg ml−1), and the specificity is good. Common interfering substances such as bilirubin, triglyceride and trisodium citrate do not affect the determination results, and heparin sodium only affects the determination results of IgG1. This method has good anti-interference ability. The method has high sensitivity, simple operation and strong anti-interference ability, and has good correlation with the IgG detection methods commonly used in clinic. This simple and quantitative method can be used for the rapid detection of IgG subtypes in the future, which can improve the efficiency of clinical diagnosis.
An updated approach for deriving PTV margins using image guidance and deformable dose accumulation
Authors: Frederick Amy , Quirk Sarah , Grendarova Petra , van Dyke Lukas , Meyer Tyler , Weppler Sarah , Roumeliotis Michael
Published: March 2022

Objective. To demonstrate an updated approach for deriving planning target volume (PTV) margins for a patient population treated with volumetric image-guided radiotherapy. Approach. The approach uses a semi-automated workflow within commercial radiotherapy applications that combines dose accumulation with the bidirectional local distance (BLD) metric. The patient cohort is divided into derivation and validation datasets. For each patient in the derivation dataset, a treatment plan is generated with a 0 mm PTV margin (the idealized treatment scenario without the influence of the standard margin). Deformable image registration enabled dose accumulation of these zero-margin plans. PTV margins are derived by using the BLD to calculate the geometric extent of underdosed regions of the clinical target volume (CTV). The PTV margin is validated by ensuring the specified CTV coverage criterion is met when the margin is applied to the validation dataset. Main results. The methodology was applied to two cohorts: 40 oropharyngeal cancer patients and 50 early-stage breast cancer patients. Ten patients from each cohort were used for validation. PTV margins derived for the oropharyngeal and early-stage breast cancer patient cohorts were 3 and 5 mm, respectively, and ensure that 95% of the prescription dose is delivered to 98% of the CTV for 90% of patients. Dose accumulation showed that the CTV coverage criterion was achieved for at least 90% of patients when the margins were applied. Significance. This methodology can be used to derive appropriate PTV margins for realistic treatment scenarios and any disease site, which will improve our understanding of patient outcomes.
Motion compensation for non-periodic dynamic tracer distributions in multi-patch magnetic particle imaging
Authors: Brandt C , Schmidt C
Published: March 2022

Objective. While the spatial and temporal resolution of magnetic particle imaging is very high, the size of the field of view is limited due to physiological constraints. Multi-patch scans allow for covering larger areas by sequentially scanning smaller subvolumes, so-called patches. The visualization of tracer dynamics with a high temporal resolution are of particular interest in many applications, e.g. cardiovascular interventions or blood flow measurements. The reconstruction of non-periodic dynamic tracer distributions is currently realized by the reconstruction of a time-series of frames under the assumption of nearly static behavior during the scan of each frame. While this approach is feasible for limited velocities, it results in data gaps in multi-patch scans leading thus to artifacts for strong dynamics. In this article, we are aiming for the reconstruction of dynamic tracer concentrations with high velocities and the compensation of motion and multi-patch artifacts. Approach. We present a reconstruction method for dynamic tracer distributions using a dynamic forward model and representing the concentration within each voxel by a spline curve. The method is evaluated with simulated single- and multi-patch data. Main results. The dynamic model enables for the reconstruction of fast tracer dynamics from few frames and the spline approach approximates the missing data which reduces multi-patch artifacts. Significance. The presented method allows to compensate motion and multi-patch artifacts and to reconstruct fast dynamic tracer distributions with arbitrary motion patterns.