bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Outcomes of Laparoscopic and Open Appendectomy in Management of Appendicitis
Authors: Mirza Shahbaz Zahoor , Yousfani Sikandar-e-Azam , Brohi Saifullah , Yousuf Humaira Muhammad , Tagar Sarang , Dal Nawaz Ali 
Published: April 2022

Objective: To compare the outcomes in relations to postoperative pain and complications, and hospital stay of laparoscopic versus open appendectomy in management of appendicitis.
Study Design: Cross sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted in department of surgery Unit III of PUMHS Nawabshah and Suleman Roshan Medical College Tando Adam, Sindh Pakistan, from January 2020 to December 2021.
Methodology: This study consisted of 136 consecutive cases of either gender, aged between 13 to 60 years, that were enrolled during study period and matching with the inclusion and exclusion criteria. After the permission of ethical committee, a detailed history was taken from all the patients with special regard to the pain in RIF, Pain starting around umbilicus, nausea, vomiting, fever and altered bowel habits. All the cases were randomly divided into Group A comprising of 68 cases which were operated by conventional open appendectomy (OA) and other group B also comprising of 68 cases which were operated by laparoscopically appendectomy (LA). All the clinical and demographic data was collected on a proforma designed for the study, and analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software version 22. Effect modifier like age, gender was controlled by stratification and chi-square test was applied to see the effect of these on both open versus laparoscopic appendectomy outcome variable. P <0.05 was taken as significant.
Results: In open appendectomy group male:female ratio of 1.2:1 and in laparoscopically appendectomy group male:female ratio of 1.5:1. The mean age was 31.28±4.30 years for OA group and 35.47±3.23 years for LA group (p 0.02).Alvarado score was showed <4 Score 0% in both groups, where as 4-7 Score in 9(13.23%) patients of OA group and 8(11.76%) patients of LA group, and > 7 Score was seen in 59(86.76%) patients of OA group and 60(83.23%) patients of LA group. The mean time in OA group was 45.21±12.1 minutes and LA group was 43.44±9.4 minutes (p 0.026).Mild pain was felt in 7(10.29%) patients of OA group and 39(57.35%) patients of LA group, Moderate pain was seen in 31(45.58%) patients of OA group and 26(38.23%) patients of LA group, severe pain was described by 30 (44.11%) patients in OA group and 3(4.41%) patients in LA group (p 0.005).The common complications seen in this study Ileus was 29(42.64%) patients in OA and 18(26.47%) patients in LA group) followed by wound infection 10(14.70%) patients in OA and 1(1.47%) patients in LA group. The duration of hospital stay was longer about 3-4 days in 58(85.29%) of OA patients as compared to LA cases where majority 65(95.58%) were discharged within 2 to 3 days.
Conclusion: We conclude that laparoscopic appendectomy procedure has a low rate of complications, earlier mobilization, implies a shorter hospital stay and offers the patient a more comfortable postoperative period than open appendectomy procedure.
Congenital Ocular Melanocytosis: Case Report
Authors: Miguel Thiago Sande , Rocha Fernanda Bekman Diniz Mitleg , Rossett Tais Cristina , Rocha Felipe Bekman Diniz Mitleg , Damasceno Eduardo de França , Costa Daniel Almeida da 
Published: April 2022

Aims: To describe Congenital Ocular Melanocytosis.
Presentation of Case: LPC, 7 years old, male, brown, with no previous comorbidities, was taken to the ophthalmology outpatient clinic of the Hospital Universitário Antônio Pedro, Brazil by parents who alleged the presence of bluish-looking lesions in the sclera of the child's right eye since birth.
Discussion: Congenital Ocular Melanocytosis is a rare pathology characterized by an increase in the number, size and pigmentation of melanocytes. Its pathophysiological picture is unknown, but it is believed to be due to an alteration in the migration of melanocytes from the neural crest to the epidermis during the embryonic process. This condition can be complicated by glaucoma and uveal melanoma. Gonioscopy is essential in these cases to assess whether there is pigmentation of the trabeculae, so that the propaedeutics of investigation of glaucoma becomes essential in these patients, since 10% of cases can complicate this condition.
Conclusions: Congenital Ocular Melanocytosis early in life and the importance of monitoring these patients should be emphasized. Comprehensive tests are important for early detection and treatment, in order to improve the prognosis and avoid more severe consequences than what can happen from melanocytosis.
Predictors of Thirty‐Day Hospital Readmissions in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in the United States: A Nationwide Study
Authors: Najjar Rayan , Alexander Swetha A. , Hughes Grant C. , Yazdany Jinoos , Singh Namrata 
Published: April 2022

ObjectiveTo evaluate independent risk factors for readmission and to determine the major reasons for readmission in a nationally representative sample of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).MethodsWe used the Nationwide Readmissions Database to identify adults with SLE who were discharged from hospital to home during January–November of 2016 and 2017. Thirty‐day all‐cause readmissions were identified. A multivariable adjusted survey‐specific logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with readmission.ResultsA total of 132,400 hospitalized adults with SLE were discharged home during the study period; 88.3% were female, with a median age of 51.0 years (interquartile range 38.7–61.9 years). Of these, 18,973 individuals (14.3%) were readmitted within 30 days of discharge from their index hospitalization. In multivariable analyses, the factors associated with the highest odds for readmission were autoimmune hemolytic anemia (odds ratio [OR] 1.86 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.51–2.29]), glomerular disease (OR 1.27 [95% CI 1.19–1.36]), pericarditis (OR 1.35 [95% CI 1.14–1.60]), heart failure (OR 1.34 [95% CI 1.24–1.44]), age 18–30 years (OR 1.28 [95% CI 1.17–1.41] versus age ≥​65 years), and Medicare (OR 1.20 [95% CI 1.13–1.28]) and Medicaid insurance (OR 1.26 [95% CI 1.18–1.34]). Sepsis (7.6%), SLE (7.4%), heart failure (3.5%), and pneumonia (3.2%) were among the most common causes for readmission.ConclusionIn this nationally representative study of SLE readmissions, the strongest risk factors for 30‐day readmission were younger age, SLE‐related manifestations, and public insurance. These results identify patient groups with SLE that would benefit from postdischarge interventions designed to reduce hospitalizations and improve health outcomes.
Origin of the 2D Electron Gas at the SrTiO3 Surface
Authors: Yan Xi , Wrobel Friederike , Tung I‐Cheng , Zhou Hua , Hong Hawoong , Rodolakis Fanny , Bhattacharya Anand , McChesney Jessica L. , Fong Dillon D. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBulk SrTiO3 is a well‐known band insulator and the most common substrate used in the field of complex oxide heterostructures. Its surface and interface with other oxides, however, have demonstrated a variety of remarkable behaviors distinct from those expected. In this work, using a suite of in situ techniques to monitor both the atomic and electronic structures of the SrTiO3 (001) surface prior to and during growth, the disappearance and re‐appearance of a 2D electron gas (2DEG) is observed after the completion of each SrO and TiO2 monolayer, respectively. The 2DEG is identified with the TiO2 double layer present at the initial SrTiO3 surface, which gives rise to a surface potential and mobile electrons due to vacancies within the TiO2−x adlayer. Much like the electronic reconstruction discovered in other systems, two atomic planes are required, here supplied by the double layer. The combined in situ scattering/spectroscopy findings resolve a number of longstanding issues associated with complex oxide interfaces, facilitating the employment of atomic‐scale defect engineering in oxide electronics.
Cyano‐Functionalized n‐Type Polymer with High Electron Mobility for High‐Performance Organic Electrochemical Transistors
Authors: Feng Kui , Shan Wentao , Wang Junwei , Lee Jin‐Woo , Yang Wanli , Wu Wenchang , Wang Yimei , Kim Bumjoon J. , Guo Xugang , Guo Han 
Published: April 2022

Abstractn‐Type organic mixed ionic–electronic conductors (OMIECs) with high electron mobility are scarce and highly challenging to develop. As a result, the figure‐of‐merit (µC*) of n‐type organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) lags far behind the p‐type analogs, restraining the development of OECT‐based low‐power complementary circuits and biosensors. Here, two n‐type donor–acceptor (D–A) polymers based on fused bithiophene imide dimer f‐BTI2 as the acceptor unit and thienylene–vinylene–thienylene (TVT) as the donor co‐unit are reported. The cyanation of TVT enables polymer f‐BTI2g‐TVTCN with simultaneously enhanced ion‐uptake ability, film structural order, and charge‐transport property. As a result, it is able to obtain a high volumetric capacitance (C*) of 170 ± 22 F cm−3 and a record OECT electron mobility (μe,OECT) of 0.24 cm2 V−1 s−1 for f‐BTI2g‐TVTCN, subsequently achieving a state‐of‐the‐art µC* of 41.3 F cm−1 V−1 s−1 and geometry‐normalized transconductance (gm,norm) of 12.8 S cm−1 in n‐type accumulation‐mode OECTs. In contrast, only a moderate µC* of 1.50 F cm−1 V−1 s−1 is measured for the non‐cyanated polymer f‐BTI2g‐TVT. These remarkable results demonstrate the great power of cyano functionalization of polymer semiconductors in developing n‐type OMIECs with substantial electron mobility in aqueous environment for high‐performance n‐type OECTs.
Controllable Directional Liquid Transport in Open Channel
Authors: Zhang Yi , Gan Yang , Zhang Liwen , Guo Yurun , Wang Yan , Wang Zelinlan , Liu Xiaolin , Zhang Pengfei , Ran Tong , Jiang Lei , Chen Huawei 
Published: April 2022

AbstractDirectional liquid transport has gradually drawn worldwide attention due to its diverse potential applications in precision medicine, microfluidics, and microreactors. However, previous directional liquid control usually resorts to complex hierarchical micro‐nano structures, heterogeneous wettability, or external driving fields, which inevitably limits the flexibility and applicability of liquid manipulation. Here, a novel open channel surface is presented, which exhibits an on‐demand directional transport performance via a shifting mechanism of weak area on liquid precursor. The coupling effect of sidewall wettability and bottom hydrophobic barrier patterns redistributes the surface pressure from the front and rear meniscus of liquid precursor, which determine the position of weak area and transport direction. The impacts of wettability and various barrier patterns on anisotropic liquid transport ability are made clear, and the design principle of unidirectional open channels without complex microstructure is validated. Smart directional transport can also be easily built by use of various stimulus materials, such as thermal responsive polymer. This controllable directional liquid transport can introduce ways for various on‐demand liquid manipulations.
Flexible Mott Synaptic Transistor on Polyimide Substrate for Physical Neural Networks
Authors: Wu Zhenfa , Shi Peng , Xing Ruofei , Yu Tongliang , Zhao Le , Wei Lin , Wang Dong , Yan Shishen , Tian Yufeng , Bai Lihui , Chen Yanxue 
Published: April 2022

AbstractFlexible synaptic devices that emulate biological synapses are the key to developing wearable intelligent equipment. However, there are still challenges to achieving multiple synaptic functions in flexible synaptic devices and realizing large‐scale production of synaptic devices. Herein, a flexible synaptic transistor on polyimide substrate is designed and fabricated using a solid‐state electrolyte gate and a VO2 Mott insulator thin film channel. Four orders conductance modulation is obtained in the VO2 thin film channel across the metal‐insulator transition. Several essential synaptic behaviors, including potentiation, depression, and short‐term/long‐term plasticity, are successfully demonstrated in this flexible synaptic device. More importantly, this synaptic transistor exhibits high cycling stability and good tolerance to bending deformation. A simulated artificial neural network built from this synaptic device achieves high recognition accuracy of 98% in the flat state and 92% in the bending state. In addition, this flexible device is fabricated on polyimide substrate by magnetron sputtering method, which has low cost and is compatible with modern semiconductor technology. This work can pave the way for large‐scale production of flexible synaptic Mott transistor devices.
Negative Emissions as the New Frontier of Photoelectrochemical CO2 Reduction
Authors: May Matthias M. , Rehfeld Kira 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe remaining carbon budgets compatible with limiting global warming to 1.5 or 2 °C above preindustrial levels are shrinking rapidly. An already firmly anticipated, but highly controversial measure to mitigate this challenge is the large‐scale implementation of negative emissions, removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Many of the currently considered negative emission technologies (NET) are based on natural photosynthesis, associated with large land footprints. Photoelectrochemical carbon sinks, on the other hand, promise to combine high conversion efficiencies with versatile storage options. Efficient sink products differ from the products typically considered for solar fuels, which will require novel catalysts and device designs. The development of efficient devices also has to take into account climatic parameters of the local environment as especially the ambient temperature affects device operation. While still in an early stage of development, carbon drawdown by such an artificial photosynthesis approach could be a valuable extension of the portfolio of NET.
Overcoming the Low‐Surface‐Energy‐Induced Wettability Problem of Flexible and Transparent Electrodes for Large‐Area Organic Photovoltaic Modules over 500 cm2
Authors: Kwon Hyeok‐Chan , Jeong Won , Lee Yang‐Soo , Jang Jun‐Ho , Jeong Hyeon‐Seok , Kim Seungchan , Song Daehoon , Park Aeri , Noh Eunjee , Lee Kwanghee , Kang Hongkyu 
Published: April 2022

AbstractTo realize the commercialization of nonfullerene acceptor‐based efficient organic solar cells, a low‐cost and indium‐tin‐oxide‐free (ITO‐free) flexible electrode‐based module that can be produced by roll‐to‐roll production should be developed. However, the low surface energy of ITO‐free electrodes hinders the formation of a uniform charge transport layer through solution processing; this is the main cause of the efficiency drop. Herein, the realization of a highly uniform ZnO bilayer on an ultrathin Ag film‐based transparent electrode that is suitable for flexible substrates and large‐area organic photovoltaic (OPV) module fabrication is demonstrated. Based on the sputtered ZnO and blade‐coated ZnO nanoparticle‐based electron transport bilayer, large OPV module areas of 528.5 and 108 cm2 with high efficiencies of 7.67% and 9.15%, respectively, are achieved.
The Synergistic Effect of Pyrrolic‐N and Pyridinic‐N with Pt Under Strong Metal‐Support Interaction to Achieve High‐Performance Alkaline Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Yu Wenhao , Huang Hao , Qin Yingnan , Zhang Dan , Zhang Yanyun , Liu Kang , Zhang Yan , Lai Jianping , Wang Lei 
Published: April 2022

AbstractDeveloping high‐performance Pt‐based catalysts with strong metal‐support interaction (SMSI) is significant for hydrogen production by water electrolysis working at high current density conditions, but still challenging. Herein, Pt/X‐NCNT (X = 4, 8, 12, 16) with SMSI is designed and developed by combining the advantages of Platinum‐based catalysts and nitrogen‐doped carbon material. In‐situ and ex‐situ experiments and density functional theory simulations illustrate that the Gibbs free energies (ΔG) of reaction intermediates (H2O*, OH*, H*) are optimized by the synergistic effect of various N functional groups and Pt under SMSI. The Pt/8‐NCNT only needs overpotentials of 17, 107, and 153 mV to reach current densities of 10, 500, and 1000 mA cm−2. Concurrently, the Pt/8‐NCNT exhibits brilliant stability after 100 h current–time (i–t) tests at 500 mA cm−2. More importantly, this work demonstrates the function of pyrrolic‐N and pyridinic‐N in the reaction, and provides new ideas for the design of advanced SMSI electrocatalysts for various electrochemical and catalytic applications.
Nonlinear Electrochemical Analysis: Worth the Effort to Reveal New Insights into Energy Materials
Authors: Schlüter Nicolas , Novák Petr , Schröder Daniel 
Published: April 2022

AbstractA variety of different methods for the investigation of electrochemical energy storage and conversion systems (e.g., batteries, fuel cells, and electrolyzers) and energy materials thereof are presented in the literature. But especially for scientists who are new to this field it is difficult to select methods that are appropriate for their research endeavors and to decide for the investment in these. In this overview, several starting points are given to facilitate this decision‐making process. First, suitable operando methods (in particular Raman spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and online electrochemical mass spectrometry) are presented with a focus on their advantages and disadvantages. Subsequently, standard electrochemical methods are listed and their limits are given concerning their possible information level. Finally, with the nonlinear electrochemical methods, powerful techniques are introduced that mitigate the drawbacks of standard electrochemical and operando methods. In this regard, the versatile possibilities of these promising approaches are presented; present challenges are pointed out as well. Based on this, a possible future for the use nonlinear methods in the field of energy materials is derived.
Homogeneously Miscible Fullerene inducing Vertical Gradient in Perovskite Thin‐Film toward Highly Efficient Solar Cells
Authors: Kim Kyusun , Wu Ziang , Han Jiye , Ma Yue , Lee Sangsu , Jung Sung‐Kwang , Lee Jin‐Wook , Woo Han Young , Jeon Il 
Published: April 2022

AbstractFullerene‐based n‐type charge‐collecting materials have emerged as a solution for high‐performance perovskite solar cells. However, their application to perovskite solar cells is limited in the device architecture and only a small amount of fullerene additives have been introduced to the device system, because of the immiscibility of the fullerene species with polar solvents. To overcome this, triethylene glycol monomethyl ether chain‐attached fullerene derivatives are synthesized and applied to normal‐type perovskite solar cells. The newly synthesized fullerenes exhibit excellent solubility in polar solvents. A novel approach to introducing miscible fullerenes into perovskite devices and inducing a favorable vertical gradient is proposed. Forming an overcoat on an electron‐transporting layer and waiting for a few minutes, the fullerene derivatives progressively permeate into the fullerene‐doped perovskite active film. By fabricating perovskite solar cells combining direct mixing, overcoating, and waiting techniques, a remarkably high device efficiency of 23.34% is achieved. The high performance is attributed to the fullerene additives with a vertical gradient passivating the perovskite defect sites effectively and the overcoat enhancing the charge transfer. The device performance is certified by a national laboratory, which is the highest efficiency among the fullerene additives‐used perovskite solar cells.
Nitrogen, sulfur co‐doped porous carbon via high internal phase emulsion template and its potential application as the electrode of high‐performance supercapacitor
Authors: Zhao Yulai , Wang Anjun , Shen Lianzhi , Zhao Zhikui , Xiao Longqiang , Hou Linxi 
Published: April 2022

AbstractHeteroatom doped carbonaceous material with high specific surface area (SSA) is vital for assembling advanced supercapacitor. Here, a moderate and valid strategy is proposed to synthesize N, S co‐doped porous carbons (NSPCs) which are derived from porous resorcinol‐melamine‐formaldehyde‐thiourea (RMFT) resins via high internal phase emulsion (HIPE) template. The morphology, structure, porous characteristics and chemical ingredients of the prepared NSPCs are investigated by SEM, XRD, Raman spectra, and XPS systematically. The obtained NSPCs show typical open‐cell morphology. As the molar ratio of thiourea to melamine (T/M) increased from 0:1 to 2:1, the SSA of NSPC increases gradually from 927 to 1721 m2 g−1. Electrochemical tests show that when T/M is 2:1, the specific capacity of NSPC reaches 213.5 F g−1 at 1 A g−1. After 10,000 charge–discharge cycles at 10 A g−1, the retention ratio of specific capacitance is 99.6%, indicating an excellent cycling stability. Excellent performances together with facile preparation make NSPC via HIPE template a potential candidate as electrode of advanced supercapacitors.
Ontogenetic differences in mandibular morphology of two related macaque species and its adaptive implications
Authors: Toyoda Naoto , Ito Tsuyoshi , Sato Tamaki , Nishimura Takeshi 
Published: April 2022

AbstractMandibular morphology is determined not only by dietary habits, but also by sexual selection and allometry in primates. It is well‐known that African papionins show intra‐ and interspecific variations through varied extensions of a common ontogenetic allometric trajectory in the face. Here, we used geometric morphometrics to compare the ontogenetic trajectories of large‐bodied Japanese macaques and small‐bodied long‐tailed macaques in the sister clade of African papionins. The two species showed a major common allometric trend that was comparable to that of African papionins, but the allometric trajectory was transposed parallel to each other with few interspecies differences in mandibular shape. A minor allometric trend occurred before the eruption of the first molar. During extensino of this allometric trend in Japanese macaques, mandibular shape becomes mechanically suitable for processing tough food items in their dietary repertoire in winter. The decoupling of size and shape in the major allometric trend can allow for adaptive modifications in mandibular shape, which in turn may play a central role in speciation in macaques. Compared to other African papionins, macaques are widely distributed in temperate areas and have survived in fluctuating climates and habitats. Thus, evolutionary modifications that occur in different ontogenetic bases can result in variations in size and shape that are uniquely adaptive for a given clade.
Prediction of electricity prices for non‐regulated markets based on a power transformed mean reverting process
Authors: Castañeda‐Leyva Netzahualcóyotl , Hernández‐Ramos Hugo , Pérez‐Hernández Leonel Ramón , Rodríguez‐Narciso Silvia 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe electricity price time series for non‐regulated markets presents two basic properties: (a) a mean reversion trend around a constant or deterministic function and (b) a price process with high volatility and marginal, conditional, and asymptotic distributions skewed to the right. We propose a microeconomic‐based model for the dynamics of electricity prices that provides a satisfactory explanation of the stylized features observed in non‐regulated electricity markets. The suggested model is based on a power transformation of the Ornstein–Uhlenbeck process, which accounts for the unobserved demand process. This means that the model requires only the spot price of the electricity price to be available. Parameter estimates were obtained using the maximum likelihood method. This approach was implemented for data from the Alberta electricity market in Canada, with satisfactory results in terms of residual analysis and forecasting. The success rate of predicting the price jump sign (upward and downward) was approximately . Moreover, the statistical properties for the maximum likelihood parameter estimators are shown via a Monte Carlo simulation of the electricity price time series.