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Hip resurfacing arthroplasty (HRA) is a bone-conserving alternative to total hip arthroplasty. We present the 2-year clinical and radiographic follow-up of a novel ceramic-on-ceramic HRA in an international multicenter cohort. Patients undergoing HRA between September 2018 and January 2021 were prospectively included. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in the form of the Forgotten Joint Score, Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score Jr., Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index, Oxford Hip Score, and University of California, Los Angeles, Activity Score were collected preoperatively, and at 1 and 2 years postoperation. Serial radiographs were assessed for migration, component alignment, evidence of osteolysis or loosening, and heterotopic ossification formation. The study identified 200 patients who reached a minimum 2-year follow-up (mean 3.5 years). Of these, 185 completed PROMs follow-up at 2 years. There was a significant improvement in Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (P <.001) and Oxford Hip Score (P <.001) between the preoperative, 1-year, and 2-year outcomes. Patients had improved activity scores on the University of California, Los Angeles, Active Score (P <.001), with 45% reporting a return to high-impact activity at 2 years. At 1 and 2 years, the Forgotten Joint Score was not significantly different (P =.38). There was no migration, osteolysis, or loosening of any of the implants. No fractures were reported over the 2-year follow-up, with only 1 patient reporting a sciatic nerve palsy. There were 2 revisions, 1 for unexplained pain at 3 months due to acetabular component malposition and 1 at 33.5 months for acetabular implant failure. The ceramic-on-ceramic resurfacing at 2 years postoperation demonstrates promising results with satisfactory outcomes in all recorded PROMs. Further long-term data are needed to support the widespread adoption of this prosthesis as an alternative to other HRA bearings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is no cause -based treatment for Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (MRONJ). MRONJ is a morbid condition including exposed, infected bone and mandibular fractures in osteoporotic individuals and metastatic cancers patients treated with nitrogen containing bisphosphonates (NBP). NBPs inhibit farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FDPS) in the mevalonate pathway, depriving osteoclasts and other bone cells of small GTPases necessary for their function and survival. We test the hypothesis that geranylgeraniol (GGOH),a metabolite downstream of FDPS, when incorporated into a bone cement pellet, enhances osteoclast function and promotes local bone healing in in vitro and in a proven animal model of MRONJ. 3H labelled GGOH (2 mM) was incorporated into a Hydroset bone cement pellet and release from the cement was assessed over time. To assess the effect on bone cell function, the GGOH-loaded cement was placed in a porous filter above cultured osteoclasts treated with bisphosphonate and the effect on osteoclast survival and function were measured. In a pilot study the effect of GGOH on osteotomy microstructure was measured in a rat model of MRONJ using a split mouth design. The release of GGOH from bone cement increased osteoclast survival/metabolic activity, and promoted resorption of the calcified substrate. In vivo released GGOH limited the effects of the bisphosphonate and promoted healing. In an animal pilot study, GGOH from the infused cement carrier stabilizes bone structure and restores the ability of osteoclasts to remodel. These initial findings point to GGOH in a bone cement carrier as a useful therapeutic approach to prevent or mitigate the pathogenesis of MRONJ. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID pandemic brought the need for more realistic remote consultations into focus. 2D Telemedicine solutions fail to replicate the fluency or authenticity of in-person consultations. This research reports on an international collaboration on the participatory development and first validated clinical use of a novel, real-time 360-degree 3D Telemedicine system worldwide. The development of the system - leveraging Microsoft's Holoportation™ communication technology – commenced at the Canniesburn Plastic Surgery Unit, Glasgow, in March 2020. The research followed the VR CORE guidelines on the development of digital health trials, placing patients at the heart of the development process. This consisted of three separate studies - a clinician feedback study (23 clinicians, Nov–Dec 2020), a patient feedback study (26 patients, Jul–Oct 2021), and a cohort study focusing on safety and reliability (40 patients, Oct 2021–Mar 2022). "Lose, Keep, and Change" feedback prompts were used to engage patients in the development process and guide incremental improvements. Participatory testing demonstrated improved patient metrics with 3D in comparison to 2D Telemedicine, including validated measures of satisfaction (p <0.0001), realism or 'presence' (Single Item Presence scale, p <0.0001), and quality (Telehealth Usability Questionnaire, p = 0.0002). The safety and clinical concordance (95%) of 3D Telemedicine with a face-to-face consultation were equivalent or exceeded estimates for 2D Telemedicine. One of the ultimate goals of telemedicine is for the quality of remote consultations to get closer to the experience of face-to-face consultations. These data provide the first evidence that Holoportation™ communication technology brings 3D Telemedicine closer to this goal than a 2D equivalent. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the scope of a pharmacist's work has grown, continued advocacy is needed to ensure that their skillset is used to the best advantage of the patient. To accomplish this aim, the University of Utah College of Pharmacy created an elective advocacy and leadership class to train students in leadership and advocacy methods, with a focus on enabling students to practice advocacy within the state of Utah throughout the class. In addition to traditional lectures, this class asked students to apply the knowledge learned in class to projects within their sphere of influence. Activities included drafting their own bill, writing to a legislator, attending state legislative and board of pharmacy meetings, and a longitudinal quality improvement project. Students answered a pre- and post-class survey to assess their attitudes towards advocacy efforts and how those attitudes were affected by participation in the class. As expected, a positive change in attitude towards advocacy was observed, and students indicated that they were more likely to engage in advocacy activities in the future after participating in the course. Moreover, a real legislative outcome has been observed as the result of class projects. Enabling students to engage in advocacy activities and guiding them to effect real change is a valuable technique in pharmacy education. Similar efforts can be replicated in other institutions, and similar training should be expanded to required portions of the pharmacy curriculum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tracheobronchomalacia (TBM), a condition where an abnormality of the tracheal walls causes collapse during the respiratory cycle, is a common cause of airway obstruction in childhood. TBM can present with a large spectrum of disease severity and underlying pathologies that may be managed medically and surgically, and it is not always clear which patients would most benefit from surgical intervention. We aim to describe the incidence, patient characteristics, and predictors of surgical intervention in a large cohort of paediatric patients. We performed a retrospective review of all children diagnosed with TBM to a paediatric Otolaryngology unit in the west of Scotland between 2010 and 2020. Odds ratios for clinical predictors of surgery were calculated using logistic regression with uni- and multivariate analysis. 249 patients were identified of which 219 proceeded to data collection. Primary malacia was noted in 161 (73.5%) and secondary in 58 (26.5%). Causes of secondary malacia included compression by the innominate artery (11%) and vascular rings (7.8%). Surgical interventions were performed in 28 patients (12.8%) including division of vascular ring, aortopexy, and surgical tracheostomy. Multivariate analysis showed secondary TBM, acute life-threatening events, and difficulty weaning from mechanical ventilation were independent risk factors for surgical intervention. TBM can present with a myriad of airway symptoms and is frequently associated with other airway and mediastinal pathologies necessitating multiple interventions. Children aged <1 year present with a more severe form of the disease and the presence of particular independent risk factors may indicate a need for surgical intervention. 4 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Glioblastoma stem cells express renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and its bypass loops. • Patients with glioblastoma are treated with a combination of RAS modulators. • The treatment was well tolerated with low side-effects. • The treatment preserves the quality of life and performance status of the patients. • The treatment may lengthen survival time. Glioblastoma is the most common and most aggressive primary brain cancer in adults. Standard treatment of glioblastoma consisting of maximal safe resection, adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy with temozolomide, results in an overall median survival of 14.6 months. The aggressive nature of glioblastoma has been attributed to the presence of glioblastoma stem cells which express components of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). This phase I clinical trial investigated the tolerability and efficacy of a treatment targeting the RAS and its converging pathways in patients with glioblastoma. Patients who had relapsed following standard treatment of glioblastoma who met the trial criteria were commenced on dose-escalated oral RAS modulators (propranolol, aliskiren, cilazapril, celecoxib, curcumin with piperine, aspirin, and metformin). Of the 17 patients who were enrolled, ten completed full dose-escalation of the treatment. The overall median survival was 19.9 (95% CI:14.1–25.7) months. Serial FET-PET/CTs showed a reduction in both tumor volume and uptake in one patient, an increase in tumor uptake in nine patients with decreased (n = 1), unchanged (n = 1) and increased (n = 7) tumor volume, in the ten patients who had completed full dose-escalation of the treatment. Two patients experienced mild side effects and all patients had preservation of quality of life and performance status during the treatment. There is a trend towards increased survival by 5.3 months although it was not statistically significant. These encouraging results warrant further clinical trials on this potential novel, well-tolerated and cost-effective therapeutic option for patients with glioblastoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of unilateral extended autologous latissimus dorsi (EALD) flap harvest and axillary surgery on shoulder function has been well described, but the impact of bilateral EALD flap harvest has not been clearly defined nor is it clear whether reconstructions should be synchronous or staged. In this prospective observational study, patients undergoing bilateral EALD breast reconstruction (February 2003–December 2009) completed the disability, arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) questionnaire preoperatively and at five post-operative timepoints. Intensive shoulder physiotherapy was offered to those whose DASH score was >30 at 6 weeks or >20 at 12 weeks post-operatively. Sixty patients underwent bilateral EALD flap breast reconstruction (51 synchronous, 9 metachronous). Patients with pre-existing shoulder pathology (n = 1) and those who failed to return any post-operative DASH questionnaire (n = 10) were excluded from initial DASH analysis. However, these eleven patients were included in a separate analysis as an intention-to-treat analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using non-parametric, Friedman test and multiple comparison model. Forty-nine patients' DASH scores were analysed. DASH score initially increased after surgery and then returned to functionally normal within 3–6 months (median DASH: preoperative = 1 vs 6 weeks post-operation = 26, p = <0.001; vs 3 months = 19, p = <0.001; vs 6 months = 13, p = <0.001); thereafter, the scores remained less than 12 (p = <0.001). Median DASH score after synchronous reconstruction was not higher than that after metachronous reconstructions, although the metachronous sample size was small. With appropriate patient selection and intensive physiotherapy, bilateral EALD breast reconstruction does not appear to cause significant long-term impairment of shoulder function, and patients can now be counselled about the likely timecourse of shoulder recovery. There seems no reason to stage bilateral reconstruction to reduce shoulder morbidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of black powder in natural gas pipelines can lead to equipment erosion, valve failure, instrumentation malfunction, and increased pressure drop. However, despite its impact on downstream and midstream operations, black powder production is poorly understood. In the present work, black powder formation as a result of corrosion was investigated by simulating sales gas conditions in a glass cell. Steel specimens were systematically exposed to a range of CO 2 , H 2 S, and O 2 partial pressures at differing water condensation rates. The potential for hygroscopic material assisting black powder formation was also investigated. Friable corrosion products found in dewing conditions consisted of siderite (FeCO 3 ), mackinawite (FeS), and hematite (Fe 2 O 3 ). The expected mass of corrosion products, as determined from experimental corrosion rates, are in line with the high levels of black powder that can be experienced. The presence of hygroscopic NaCl crystals facilitated corrosion at relative humidities as low as 33%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We measured vegetation growth 5, 10, and 20 years following plantation establishment at 12 Long-Term Soil Productivity installations in California’s Sierra Nevada and Southern Cascades. The combined effects of soil compaction (none, moderate, severe), organic matter removal (tree bole only, whole tree, whole tree plus forest floor), and competing vegetation control (complete: VC, none: NVC) on aboveground biomass were tested. Soils ranged from sandy loams to clay loams and were compacted (10–25% bulk density increase) prior to planting of mixed-conifer seedlings. Soil compaction resulted in a 15% increase in planted tree biomass on a plot-scale basis, attributed to improved seedling survival, along with reduced competing vegetation biomass on NVC plots. The unexpected response of tree growth to compaction was consistent across the LTSP sites. After year 5, there were no differences among the diverse organic matter treatments in tree biomass, periodic annual increment, or competing vegetation biomass. In contrast, vegetation control had a strong positive effect on tree biomass, about 68% greater tree growth (129.13 Mg ha −1 ) compared to trees grown on NVC plots (76.83 Mg ha −1 ). However, total vegetation biomass (trees + competing vegetation) was greater without vegetation control for the initial 10 years of the study, prior to canopy closure. The results showed near-complete tolerance by forest biomass to soil compaction and surface organic matter manipulation on LTSP plantations across a wide geographic range in California. Vegetation control was the single most important factor affecting 20-year tree biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Battery sorting can help maximize the concentration of cobalt-rich batteries in recycling feedstock. This can increase profitability for recyclers and drive investment in additional recycling capacity. • The greater availability of high cobalt batteries from consumer electronics between 2022 and 2030 before more nickel-rich EV batteries enter the recycling feedstock stream can represent a strong profit incentive for early recyclers. • The benefits of battery sorting for cobalt and nickel recovery rates can outweigh some variations in recycling plant operating costs or process yield. The United States has identified several lithium-ion battery materials as critical for reaching the national emission reduction targets that have been set in accordance with the 2015 Paris Agreement. However, with few natural resources available domestically, there is a rapidly growing focus on the development of a domestic recycling industry to recover these materials from end-of-life batteries. In this paper, we use the Lithium-Ion Battery Resources Assessment (LIBRA) system dynamics model to evaluate the impact of automated battery sorting technology in terms of the shares of cobalt and nickel that are recovered through recycling. Findings show that automated sorting has clear benefits over manual sorting methods by helping recyclers selectively process high-cobalt batteries. By maximizing cobalt recovery, recycling becomes more profitable and drives greater investment in recycling capacity, resulting in a higher share of nickel and cobalt recovered from EOL batteries over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thinning with removal of whole trees in a plantation or natural forest stand raises two main concerns – soil compaction from the ground-based machinery and nutrient depletion particularly with whole tree harvest as is often practiced for attendant fuels reduction. To address these concerns, two sets of experimental treatments were imposed in young ponderosa pine plantations. In the first set, we applied four treatments to test the effects of thinning with biomass removal using progressively more soil manipulations: (I) control, (II) thinning only with all biomass removed, (III) same as (II) but followed by sub-soiling in traffic lanes, and (IV) same as (III) but with nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization within traffic lanes prior to sub-soiling. In the second experiment set we applied four combination treatments to test the further effects of soil manipulations with wood chips and fertilizer on traffic lanes. In thinned stands: (i) the harvested trees were chipped, and spread onto traffic lanes followed by sub-soiling and rototilling, (ii) same as (i) but traffic lanes also received N and P with the chips prior to the sub-soiling, (iii) traffic lanes were sub-soiled, then thinning chips were returned to just the surface of traffic lanes, and (iv) same as (iii) but traffic lanes also received N and P fertilizer with the chips. Tree height and diameter were measured three times, starting immediately following treatments and again at 5 and 15 years post-treatment. In addition, soil bulk density was measured at 6 years and soil chemistry (C, N, and P) was measured at 6 and 16 years. Our results indicate: (1) thinning by itself with no subsoiling did not compact the soils, but increased growth rate of residual trees, although the periodic annual increment of basal area and volume was still higher in the control than other main-plot treatments; (2) neither subsoiling nor rototilling, both of which might mitigate soil compaction, enhanced tree growth; (3) short-term plantation growth was not improved with chip returns or chips with fertilization; (4) since thinning and soil treatments showed more insect damage and higher mortality, any management operations that involve cutting or damaging trees or roots should be avoided during active periods of bark beetle flight; (5) both thinning and soil treatments did not reduce carbon sequestration in the mineral soils. A lack of growth benefits from returning thinning chips, rototilling, and direct fertilization for a longer period appeals to further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Therapeutic botulinum toxin injections are commonly performed in pediatric otolaryngology. Aerodigestive complications from botulinum toxin injections, although rare, may be serious. Oral pyridostigmine is effective in the symptomatic treatment of these complications. We report 2 cases of aerodigestive complications arising from injection of botulinum toxin that were successfully treated with pyridostigmine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preparticipation evaluations (PPEs) are common in team, organized, or traditional sports but not common in wilderness sports or adventures. Regarding ethical, legal, and administrative considerations, the same principles can be used as in traditional sports. Clinicians should be trained to perform such a PPE to avoid missing essential components and to maximize the quality of the PPE. In general, participants' privacy should be observed; office-based settings may be best for professional and billing purposes, and adequate documentation of a complete evaluation, including clearance issues, should be essential components. Additional environmental and personal health issues relative to the wilderness activity should be documented, and referral for further screening should be made as deemed necessary, if unable to be performed by the primary clinician. Travel medicine principles should be incorporated, and recommendations for travel or adventure insurance should be made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Windrowing site preparation often displaces significant amounts of topsoil including nutrients and carbon into the strip-piles. Although short-term growth may increase due to the early control of competing vegetation, this practice can reduce long-term plantation productivity. Here, we report an experiment established in 1989 in a 28-year-old ponderosa pine ( Pinus ponderosa ) plantation to determine if redistributing topsoil, along with several shrub control measures, have influenced soil fertility and tree growth. Five treatments from a partial factorial design with three levels of shrub treatment and two levels of soil manipulation were applied in each of five blocks and consisted of: Control (C, do nothing); understory hydroaxed (masticated) to chips and left in the plot (H); windrows redistributed over brush (S); understory hydroaxed and windrows redistributed over chips (SH); and understory manually removed off-site and windrows redistributed (SM). Over the next 21 year period total windrowed topsoil volume and mass were determined, soil nutrient concentrations in and between windrows including soil mineralizable N, total N and C were determined, understory biomass measured, tree diameter, basal area, and volume measured in 1989, 1994, 2005 and 2010, and nitrogen concentration of tree foliage was measured in 1989, 1991 and 1994. Results showed that about 18 cm of topsoil had been displaced into windrows, including 1.98 (±0.13) Mg N ha −1 and 41.04 (±2.46) Mg carbon ha −1 . In general, redistributing windrowed topsoil (S, SH, and SM) yielded a consistently positive effect on quadratic mean diameter, basal area (BA), and volume compared to C and H. No difference in growth was found between SH and SM. These results were supported by higher soil nitrogen and mineralizable nitrogen contents in the three topsoil redistribution treatments. Higher foliage nitrogen concentrations in the redistribution treatments further supported these higher tree growth rates. The positive effects of shrub removal were evidenced only on the treatments without topsoil redistribution (C versus H); the difference in BA and volume between C and H was only significant in 1994. Redistributing topsoil reduced woody plant biomass but significantly enhanced herbaceous biomass six years after treatment. This shows that windrowing site preparation reduces plantation growth and stand development through displacement of topsoil and its nutrients. These negative effects can be mitigated by carefully redistributing windrowed topsoil, even in an established plantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The performance of dual-junction solar cells with a Si bottom cell has been investigated both theoretically and experimentally. Simulations show that adding a top junction with an energy bandgap of 1.6 -1.9 eV to a standard silicon solar cell enables efficiencies over 38%. Currently, top junctions of GaInP (1.8 eV) are the most promising as they can achieve 1-sun efficiencies of 20.8% [1]. We fabricated mechanically stacked, four terminal GaInP/Si tandem solar cells using a transparent adhesive between the subcells. These tandem devices achieved an efficiency of 27% under AM1.5 g spectral conditions. Higher efficiencies can be achieved by using an improved Si-bottom cell and by optimizing the dual-junction device for long-wavelength light and luminescent coupling between the two junctions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work we use an effective weighting function to include the internal quantum efficiency (IQE) and the effective thickness, T e , of the active cell layer in the optical modeling of the antireflection coating (ARC) of very thin crystalline silicon solar cells. The spectrum transmitted through the ARC is hence optimized for efficient use in the given cell structure and the solar cell performance can be improved. For a 2-μm thick crystalline silicon heterojunction solar cell the optimal thickness of the Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) ARC is reduced by ∼8 nm when IQE data and effective thickness are taken into account compared to the standard ARC optimization, using the AM1.5 spectrum only. The reduced ARC thickness will shift the reflectance minima towards shorter wavelengths and hence better match the absorption of very thin cells, where the short wavelength range of the spectrum is relatively more important than the long, weakly absorbed wavelengths. For this cell, we find that the optimal thickness of the ITO starts at 63 nm for very thin (1 μm) active Si layer and then increase with increasing T e until it saturates at 71 nm for T e > 30 μm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Objective To examine the effect of the quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine, Gardasil, on the disease course of patients with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP). Methods A retrospective chart review of patients with RRP was conducted and 20 patients were selected who had received the Gardasil vaccine as part of their treatment. Efficacy was assessed by calculating the intersurgical interval (ISI) before and after receiving the vaccine, as well as number of complete and partial remissions. Results Analysis of all patients found a significant increase in the ISI of 3.1 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02–5.19, P = 0.0061). Male patients experienced an increase in the ISI of 4.2 months (95% CI: 1.6–6.7, P = 0.0048). Female patients had a nonsignificant increase in ISI of 1.2 months (95% CI: 3.1–5.4, P = 0.51). Eight patients (40%; six male and two female) experienced complete remission. Five patients (25%) overall (three male and two female) experienced partial remission. In total, complete or partial remission was achieved in a total of 13 (65%) patients (nine male and four female). Conclusions The Gardasil vaccine can modulate the severity of RRP and induce remission in some patients. The effect was much greater in males and in females in low estrogen states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A middle-aged man with rheumatoid arthritis, without pulmonary involvement, on disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD) presented with right sided pleuritic chest pain due to recurrent, right sided, loculated pleural effusion. Non-typhi Salmonella was isolated from pleural fluid sampling and the patient was successfully treated with open thoracotomy with decortication and six weeks of antibiotic therapy. Pulmonary salmonellosis is a rare infection typically found in immunocompromised patients that typically presents abruptly and requires prolonged antibiotic therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine whether hip arthroscopy can be performed using conventional knee-length arthroscopy instrumentation. Methods We included 116 consecutive hip arthroscopies (104 patients) in this study. Age, side of surgery, height (in inches), weight (in pounds), body mass index (BMI), and a subjective assessment of body type (1, muscular; 2, somewhat overweight; 3, overweight; 4, thin; and 5, normal weight) were recorded. The depth from the skin at 2 portal sites to 3 commonly accessed positions (12 o’clock, 3 o’clock, and acetabular fossa) was assessed using a guide with marked notches (in millimeters). Subgroup analysis was performed according to BMI and subjective biotype for each patient. Results We included 104 patients with a mean age of 35 years (range, 14 to 55 years). As categorized by BMI, 60% of patients were normal weight, 22% were overweight, 16% were obese, and 2% were underweight. All but 8 procedures were performed with conventional knee-length arthroscopic shavers and burrs. The 8 procedures that needed additional hip instrumentation were performed in patients who required ligamentum teres debridement or those with iliopsoas tenotomy. Overall, the distance from skin to socket was less than 11 cm at the 12-o’clock and 3-o’clock positions from both the anterolateral and anterior portals. Obese and overweight patients had statistically longer distances from skin to socket at all 3 measurement points compared with underweight and normal-weight patients. Considering biotype, the distances from skin to socket in underweight, normal-weight, and muscular patients were all equal to or less than 10 cm. Conclusions The distance from skin to socket at the 12- and 3-o’clock positions is less than 11 cm, suggesting that hip arthroscopy can be performed with conventional knee-length instrumentation devices. In obese and overweight patients and patients requiring ligamentum teres debridement or iliopsoas tendon release, specific hip arthroscopic tools should be available. Level of Evidence Level IV, therapeutic case series. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Time-dependent electrochemical behavior of carbon steel was evaluated in CO 2 -loaded monoethanolamine (MEA) solutions in simulated carbon capture environments. Tests were conducted in 30 wt.% MEA solution with different combinations of controlling factors (oxygen [O 2 ], heat stable salts [HSS], flow and temperature) for 7 days. Corrosion behavior of carbon steel was evaluated by using electrochemical techniques (linear polarization resistance [LPR] and potentiodynamic polarization measurements), weight loss method and surface analytical techniques. Solution pH and ferrous/ferric ion concentration were also measured to monitor the change of water chemistry with time. The results showed that the corrosion rate of carbon steel decreased with time and then stabilized to very low values in the MEA/CO 2 condition. XPS characterization revealed formation of a very thin protective FeCO 3 layer on the surface, as well as adsorption of MEA. However, when O 2 was present in the system, the corrosion rates remained at relatively high values, further increasing with flow. The presence of HSS resulted in a higher corrosion rate at the initial stage, but had a minimal effect on the corrosion rate for longer time exposure. Temperature had a slight effect on the corrosion rate because the solubility of CO 2 and O 2 decreases with increasing temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Objective Botulinum toxin is used to treat a wide range of dystonias in the head and neck. Occasionally, patients receiving laryngeal botulinum toxin experience severe dysphagia, dyspnea, or even distant and autonomic symptoms. Rarely, these patients may require hospitalization with possible intubation and placement of nasogastric tubes. Botulinum antitoxin is not readily available and ineffective once symptoms have progressed, so patients must wait until the toxin wears off over weeks to months. Pyridostigmine prevents the breakdown of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction, thus making more neurotransmitter available for the muscles. Study Design A retrospective case study of patients receiving botulinum toxin for dystonia in the head and neck from 1998 to 2012 who experienced adverse effects that were successfully treated with pyridostigmine. Methods Twenty cases were selected and reviewed to demonstrate how pyridostigmine was used to modulate severe dysphagia, breathiness, dyspnea, and some distant/autonomic symptoms. Results Pyridostigmine was well tolerated and resulted in significant symptom improvement. Only one significant adverse effect, bradycardia, occurred in a patient with severe cardiac disease. Conclusions Given the safety and efficacy of this medication, pyridostigmine should be considered to modulate severe sequelae of botulinum toxin in select patients when conservative management is deemed insufficient. Also, physicians should be aware that patient complaints of symptoms at distant sites and temporally delayed from the injection may be a result of the botulinum toxin and relieved with pyridostigmine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe the design, fabrication and results of passivated contacts to n-type silicon utilizing thin SiO 2 and transparent conducting oxide layers. High temperature silicon dioxide is grown on both surfaces of an n-type wafer to a thickness <50 Å, followed by deposition of tin-doped indium oxide (ITO) and a patterned metal contacting layer. As deposited, the thin-film stack has a very high J 0,contact , and a non-ohmic, high contact resistance. However, after a forming gas anneal, the passivation quality and the contact resistivity improve significantly. The contacts are characterized by measuring the recombination parameter of the contact (J 0,contact ) and the specific contact resistivity (ρ contact ) using a TLM pattern. The best ITO/SiO 2 passivated contact in this study has J 0,contact = 92.5 fA/cm 2 and ρ contact = 11.5 mOhm-cm 2 . These values are placed in context with other passivating contacts using an analysis that determines the ultimate efficiency and the optimal area fraction for contacts for a given set of (J 0,contact , ρ contact ) values. The ITO/SiO 2 contacts are found to have a higher J 0,contact , but a similar ρ contact compared to the best reported passivated contacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Summary Objective Chemical denervation with botulinum toxin A is the current standard of treatment for spasmodic dysphonia, but dosage is determined individually after a titration period that can take months to years. The objective of this study was to determine if age, body mass index (BMI), overall health, and socioeconomic factors were associated with a patient's optimal dose of botulinum toxin. Study design and methods This retrospective chart review looked at 32 patients with stabilized doses of botulinum toxin. Age and BMI were obtained from patient charts, and overall health was assessed by the Short-Form 36 survey. Results Analysis showed that BMI was positively correlated with botulinum toxin dose ( r = 0.42, P = 0.02). Overall health showed a positive but nonsignificant association with dose, but subgroup analysis found that adductor spasmodic dysphonia (ADSD) patients without tremor had a significant positive correlation between overall health and dose ( r = 0.50, P = 0.04), whereas tremor-only and mixed dystonia showed a negative nonsignificant correlation. Age was found to have no significant association with dose. Although socioeconomic factors were found to impact the number and frequency of injections, they had no significant impact on the ultimate dosage. Conclusion BMI and overall health are positively correlated with higher effective dose and may be useful in guiding clinicians during the titration period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A small external magnetic field of 0.072T was reported to significantly influence the specific capacitances of the supercapacitor with magnetic carbon - metal (iron, cobalt or nickel) oxides microtubular nanocomposite fabrics as flexible electrodes. The decorated metal oxide species and annealing method (microwave-assisted vs. conventional tubular annealing) were discovered to play important roles in the increase or decrease of the capacitance. All the electrodes demonstrated excellent cycling retention performances, for example, upto ~350% for nickel oxide doped carbon nanocomposite electrodes. The corresponding mechanism for the magnetic field influence on the capacitance has been interpreted in term of a synergistic effect of three internal resistances, solution resistance in electrolyte solution, charge transfer resistance at electrode/electrolyte interface and leakage resistance in electric double layer region. The applied magnetic field is able to change the solution resistance due to the magnetohydrodynamic phenomena as well as the electrode resistance (directly corresponds to charge transfer resistance) by the magnetoresistance (MR) behavior. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] Corrosion rate of carbon steel was very high (∼20mm/y) at high CO2 conditions. [•] 5Cr steel showed 3 times lower corrosion rate in comparison with carbon steel. [•] 13Cr steel showed very low corrosion rates (∼0.1mm/y) under testing conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate and validate the accuracy and safety of a technique using an anterior approach for non-image-guided intra-articular injection of the hip by use of anatomic landmarks. Methods: We enrolled 55 patients. Injections were performed before supine hip arthroscopy after landmarking and before application of traction. After the needle insertion, success was confirmed with an air arthrogram and by direct visualization after arthroscope insertion. Accuracy and difficulty achieving correct needle placement were correlated with age, weight, height, body mass index, body type, gender, and surgical indication, as well as femoral and pelvic morphology. Forty-five patients who underwent injection in the office were followed up separately to document injection side effects. Needle placement accuracy was correlated to patients' demographics. All statistical tests with P values were 2 sided, with the level of significance set at P < .05. Results: There were 51 correct needle placements and 4 misses, yielding a 93% success rate. The most common location for needle placement was the upper medial head-neck junction. Female gender was correlated with a more difficult needle placement and misses in relation to group size (P = .06). The reasons for misplacements of the needle were a high-riding trochanter, increased femoral version, thick adipose tissue over the landmarks, and variant of ilium morphology. Of 45 patients in the side effect study arm, 3 reported sensory changes of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve that resolved within 24 hours. Conclusions: Hip injections by use of the direct anterior approach, from the intersection of the lines drawn from the anterior superior iliac spine and 1 cm distal to the tip of the greater trochanter, are safe and reproducible. Patient characteristics, such as increased subcutaneous adipose tissue or osseous anatomic variants, can lead to difficulty in placing the needle successfully. These characteristics can be predicted with the aid of physical examination and careful study of the pelvic radiographs. Level Of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic case series. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We examined 10th year above-ground planted tree and total stand biomass, and planted tree foliar N and P concentrations across gradients in soil disturbance at 45 North American Long-Term Soil Productivity (LTSP) installations. While ranging across several climate regions, these installations all share a common experimental design with similar measurement protocols. Across all installations planted tree biomass with stem-only harvest (OM0), no compaction (C0) and chemical vegetation control (VC), ranged from 2 to 90Mgha−1. When compared with the OM0, full-tree harvest (OM1) had little consistent effect on any response variable. Full-tree harvest plus forest floor removal (OM2) also demonstrated few consistent effects on planted tree biomass, although Boreal – Great Lakes conifers showed some positive effects, reflecting high survival, but also negative effects on foliar nutrition. Compaction (C2), regardless of OM treatment, increased planted tree stand biomass consistently in Warm Humid climates, and compaction with intact forest floors (OM0C2) did so across all regions. However, most installations had medium – or coarse-textured soils and compaction did not achieve theoretical growth-limiting bulk densities. Combining OM2 with C2 resulted in lesser gains in planted tree biomass. Planted tree biomass gains with the OM0C2 were attributed largely to changes in physical soil characteristics, not to vegetation control or nutrient availability. Total stand biomass (Mgha−1) was either unaffected or, with aspen, reduced by compaction. Vegetation control (VC) consistently enhanced planted tree biomass, regardless of climate, and also enhanced foliar nutrient concentrations on Warm Humid and Mediterranean sites. VC also increased total stand biomass on sites without abundant woody competitors, but decreased it on shrub-dominated Mediterranean sites. For many of the site types and species investigated, harvest-related organic matter removal and soil compaction (excepting aspen vegetative reproduction) have not resulted in large losses in stand biomass 10year after harvest. Most stands, however, have not yet reached canopy closure, and treatment effects may continue to evolve. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background & Aims: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are related to interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) and often contain activating stem cell factor receptor (Kit) or platelet-derived growth factor receptor α (Pdgfra) mutations. Kit/Pdgfra inhibitors such as imatinib mesylate have increased progression-free survival in metastatic GIST but are not curative. In mouse models we investigated whether Kitlow ICC progenitors could represent an inherently Kit/Pdgfra inhibitor-resistant reservoir for GIST. Methods: Isolated KitlowCd44+Cd34+ cells were characterized after serial cloning. The tumorigenic potential of spontaneously transformed cells was investigated in nude mice. The KitlowCd44+Cd34+ cells'' responsiveness to Kit activation and blockade was studied by enumerating them in Kit K641E mice (a GIST model), in mice with defective Kit signaling, and pharmacologically. Results: Single isolated KitlowCd44+Cd34+ cells were clonogenic and capable of self-renewal and differentiation into ICC. In nude mice, spontaneously transformed cells formed malignant tumors expressing GIST markers. The KitlowCd44+Cd34+ cells were resistant to in vitro Kit blockade, including by imatinib, and occurred in normal numbers in mice with reduced Kit signaling. In Kit K641E mice, the mutant ICC stem cells were grossly hyperplastic but remained imatinib-resistant. In contrast, the cancer stem, cell-targeting drug salinomycin blocked the proliferation of KitlowCd44+Cd34+ cells and increased their sensitivity to imatinib. Conclusions: KitlowCd44+Cd34+ progenitors are true stem cells for normal and hyperplastic ICC and give rise to GIST. Resistance to Kit/Pdgfra inhibitors is inherent in GIST and is caused by the native ICC stem cells'' lack of dependence on Kit for survival, which is maintained after the acquisition of oncogenic Kit mutation. Cancer stem cell drugs may target these cells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Nablus masklike facial syndrome (NMLFS), characterized by tight, expressionless facial features resembling a mask, was first described in 2000. Since then, 10 cases have been identified with the same phenotype and genotype. Although detailed descriptions of the facial and external ear characteristics unique to the syndrome exist, no clear description of the ocular anatomic findings and management of ocular complications has been detailed. We present a confirmed case of NMLFS with detailed descriptions of the ocular anatomy encountered in this patient and a discussion regarding the clinical significance of these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Purpose: Apert syndrome, a disorder of craniosynostosis, syndactyly, and other craniofacial malformations, is caused by point mutations (Ser252Trp or Pro253Arg) in the fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 gene. This study’s goal was to determine ophthalmic phenotype/genotype correlations in patients with either mutation. Methods: A retrospective chart review of demographic and ophthalmologic data was performed for 18 children carrying either the S252W (11) or the P253R (7) mutation. Fisher exact tests were performed to determine significance of variable phenotypes between the two mutation groups. Results: In the P253R group, 85% had strabismus (14% required surgery), 71% had ptosis, 43% had amblyopia, 14% had nasolacrimal duct obstruction, 14% had myopia, 14% had hyperopia, and 14% had astigmatism. In the S252W group, 91% had strabismus (64% required surgery), 73% had ptosis, 73% had amblyopia, 100% had nasolacrimal duct obstruction, 36% had myopia, 9% had hyperopia, and 82% had astigmatism. Overall, S252W and P253R groups showed significantly different numbers of patients with strabismus requiring surgery (p = 0.039), superior rectus muscle underaction (p = 0.024), nasolacrimal duct obstruction (p = 0.0002), and astigmatism (p = 0.005). Conclusions: Compared with patients with the P253R mutation, Apert syndrome patients with the S252W mutation may have more severe ocular phenotypes with a higher likelihood of developing strabismus, especially vertical deviation. They also are more likely to develop astigmatic refractive errors and tearing secondary to nasolacrimal system anomalies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We report the presentation of an acute sciatic nerve palsy, arising as a result of an inflammatory mass in the posterior thigh containing polyethylene debris from an adjacent, well-fixed total knee arthroplasty. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: To investigate the vascularity of femoral heads after Birmingham hip resurfacing (BHR), we used a visual scale to assess technetium Tc 99m HDP planar and single photon emission computed tomography bone scans of 36 arthroplasties in 32 asymptomatic patients for an average of 26 months after BHR. The validity of this method was demonstrated by comparing levels of radiation detected from within and immediately adjacent to a BHR prosthesis placed on a technetium Tc 99m radioisotope tracer–filled hollow tube and further validated in vivo by comparing radiation levels from bilateral hip scans in human subjects with 2 normal hips and with unilateral BHR. All femoral heads scanned postoperatively appeared vascular. We speculate that preserved femoral head vascularity after BHR may be related to increased intraosseous blood supply from metaphyseal vessels in arthritic hips. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: To evaluate the quality of Recommended Clinical Protocols and Guidelines for the Practice of Chiropractic (ICA guidelines) published by the International Chiropractors Association (ICA), August, 2000. Methods: The Appraisal Instrument for Clinical Guidelines (Cluzeau instrument) was applied to the ICA guidelines by 10 independent experienced evaluators. An independent, global assessment was also made by each evaluator. Results: Mean scores (with 95% confidence limit) for each of the instrument's 3 dimensions were Rigor of Development, 27% (5.1); Context and Content, 18.3% (9.4); and Application, 2% (3.9). The unanimous global assessment was "not recommended as suitable for utilization in practice." Comparison of the ICA guideline scores with the Council on Chiropractic Practice's Clinical Practice Guideline No. 1, Vertebral Subluxation in Chiropractic Practice (CCP guidelines) scores and Guidelines for Chiropractic Quality Assurance and Practice Parameters (Mercy guidelines) Cluzeau instrument-based scores revealed that the ICA guidelines received slightly higher scores than the CCP guidelines but substantially lower scores than the Mercy guidelines for all dimensions. Conclusion: The ICA guidelines were assessed as not suitable for utilization in chiropractic practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Allometric equations were established by harvesting 108 ponderosa pines in Calif. • Equations for tree bole, root, and foliage components are site specific. • Stand level biomass scaled with site quality, as did tree component allocations. • The absolute gain from the combined fertilizer and herbicide treatment was large. • Magnitude of fertilized growth increase depends on soil moisture availability. Forests not only provide forest products to meet people's demands, but also sequester enough carbon to offset more than 11% of anthropogenic CO 2 release in the United States. An accurate estimate of forest carbon sequestration over different forest and forest product combinations requires the species-specific and site-specific allometric biomass equations for trees and understory vegetation at particular forest developmental stages. Here, we constructed the above- and below-ground allometric equations by harvesting 108 20-year-old ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) trees grown under four different silvicultural treatments (four combinations of with and without competing vegetation control (H) and fertilization (F): C = control with no vegetation control and no fertilization, H, F, and HF) at three diverse site conditions in northern California. We found that the logarithmic regressions provided superior estimations of biomass for total, aboveground, bole, coarse roots, branches, and foliage compared to simple or scaled power-law fits. Treatment effect in allometric equations was generally lacking but site effect was significant, suggesting site specific allometric relations exist. With the best allometric equations, we estimated the biomass and carbon for each plot among treatments and sites. In addition, understory woody plant biomass was also measured with fixed area subplots. Results show significantly more total carbon sequestration at the high-quality sites with 113.1–162.5 Mg ha−1 than the lower ones with 85.8–105.9 Mg ha−1 at the intermediate site and 29.3–70.4 Mg ha−1 at the poorest site, respectively. The range of carbon stocks indicates the treatment differences at each site, with the largest effect (240%) at the poorest site and similar at other two sites (~130%). If planted trees only were considered, a trend among sites exists with 93.4 – 149.3 Mg ha−1 at the richest site, 26.2–88.1 Mg ha−1 at the intermediate site, and 17.1–64.2 Mg ha−1 at the poorest site, respectively. Therefore, if we manage forests for carbon or forest products, intensive management practices will substantially enhance plantation productivity and stand development while site quality cannot be changed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • TiO 2 @CTF-Py is combined by a CTF and TiO 2 nanoparticles by covalent bonds. • TiO 2 @CTF-Py exhibits high catalytic activity for the photoreduction of CO 2 to CO. • Covalent connection and NNN pincer group affect the catalytic activities. Pyridine CTF (CTF-Py) grafted on the surface of NH 2 -functionalized TiO 2 (NH 2 -TiO 2) nanoparticles gave composite TiO 2 @CTF-Py covalently linking the inorganic semiconductor to the nitrogen-rich porous, conjugated and coordinating organic functionality. Co2+-modified TiO 2 @CTF-Py was an efficient photocatalyst for the reduction of CO 2 to CO with high selectivity using water as the electron donor and without exogenous photosensitizers or a sacrificial agent. The covalent connection between the semiconductors and NNN coordination group were important for this photocatalytic activity and selectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Our purpose is to report our experience with balloon catheter dilation of the nasolacrimal duct after failed probing for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Methods: We undertook a retrospective chart review. Patients who were enrolled had symptoms of persistent nasolacrimal duct obstruction after simple probing and irrigation. Balloon nasolacrimal ductoplasty was performed using the LacriCATH system (Quest Medical, Inc. An Atrion Company, Allen, TX). Outcomes were determined by postoperative examination and telephone follow-up. Results: Thirty-nine lacrimal systems of 26 patients (age range, 10 months to 84 months) were treated. Of the obstructed ducts treated, 82% (32/39) showed resolution of epiphora. There were 9 children older than the age of 2, with 15 nasolacrimal systems studied. These had 11 of 15 successes for a success rate of 73%. There were 17 children between the ages of 10 months and 2 years with 24 nasolacrimal systems studied. These had 21 of 24 successes for a success rate of approximately 88%. The difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.28). Conclusion: Balloon dilation of the nasolacrimal duct is an alternative to silicone intubation in the treatment of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction after failed simple probing. Although our success rate was slightly lower than some published reports of nasolacrimal system intubation, this simple and atraumatic procedure was successful in 82% of cases for this specific situation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]