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Abstract: Scheelite and wolframite :Mo (0.04–0.4wt%) single crystals were studied using the time-resolved spectroscopy under UV excitation over a temperature range of 1.85–300K. The threshold energies for the creation of free charge carriers were measured using the method of photostimulated luminescence. The decay kinetics of the main emission in and the molybdenum-related emission in :Mo was studied and the parameters of the triplet excited states of molybdenum-related oxyanions were calculated. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The effect of replacing Co3+ by Ga3+ and Fe3+ in the perovskite-related tetragonal phase Sr0.75Y0.25CoO2.625 with unit cell parameters: a=2a p, and c=4a p (314 phase) has been investigated. The 314 phase is formed by Sr0.75Y0.25Co1− xMx O2.625+ δ , with x⩽0.375 for M=Ga and x⩽0.625 for M=Fe. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy and electron diffraction revealed frequent microtwinning in the iron-containing compounds, in contrast to the Ga-substituted 314 phases. Diffraction experiments and electron microscope images indicated that at higher Fe contents, 0.75⩽x⩽0.875, a disordered cubic perovskite structure forms. The crystal structures of Sr0.75Y0.25Co0.75Ga0.25O2.625 and Sr0.75Y0.25Co0.5Fe0.5O2.625+ δ were refined using neutron powder diffraction data. It was found that the oxygen content of Sr0.75Y0.25Co0.5Fe0.5O2.625+ δ is higher than in Fe-free 314 phase, so that δ corresponds to 0.076, whereas in Sr0.75Y0.25Co0.75Ga0.25O2.625+ δ . Magnetization measurements on the unsubstituted Sr0.7Y0.3CoO2.62 and Ga-substituted Sr0.75Y0.25Co0.75Ga0.25O2.625 compounds indicate the presence of a ferromagnetic-like contribution to the measured magnetization at 320 and 225K, respectively, while replacing Co by Fe leads to the suppression of this contribution. A neutron diffraction study shows that the Sr0.75Y0.25Co0.5Fe0.5O2.625+ δ compound is G-type antiferromagnetic at room temperature, whereas Sr0.75Y0.25Co0.75Ga0.25O2.625 does not exhibit magnetic ordering at room temperature. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The structural and magnetic properties of the perovskite type compound LaFe0.5Cr0.5O3 have been studied by temperature dependent neutron powder diffraction and magnetization measurements. Rietveld refinement of the neutron diffraction data shows that the compound crystallizes in an orthorhombic perovskite structure with a random positioning of the Fe and Cr cations at the B sublattice. The magnetic structure at 10K is a collinear antiferromagnetic one with the magnetic moment per site being equal to 2.79(4)μB. Magnetisation measurements confirm the overall antiferromagnetic behaviour. Moreover, it indicates a weak uncompensated magnetic moment close to the transition temperature T N ≈265K. This moment can be described by a magnetic cluster state, which remains up to 550K. Electron diffraction patterns along with high-resolution transmission electron microscopy images reveal that the crystallites are composed by domains of different orientation, which share the same cubic perovskite sub-cell reflections. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

6-H perovskites with compositions Ba2Co2-xSbxO6-y, 0.6≤x≤0.8 and x=1.33 (Ba3CoSb2O9) have been prepared in air at 1150 °C. Refinements of the crystal structures of Ba2Co1.4Sb0.6O6-y and Ba3CoSb2O9 were performed in space group P63/mmc, using neutron and X-ray powder diffraction data, respectively: Ba2Co1.4Sb0.6O6-y a=5.7315(1) Å, c=14.1118(4) Å, RF2=0.0669, Rp=0.0464, χ2=1.39; Ba3CoSb2O9 a=5.85321(7) Å, c=14.4454(2) Å, RF2=0.0458, Rp=0.0258, χ2=1.24. In Ba3CoSb2O9 the antimony atoms are located in pairs of face-sharing octahedra separated by cobalt atoms in octahedral layers, while in Ba2Co1.4Sb0.6O6-y a random distribution of B cations was found. In the latter structure, oxygen vacancies are preferably located in BaO3 planes separating the face-sharing octahedra. Electron diffraction and high-resolution electron microscopy studies showed that the structures are well ordered. Results of the magnetic susceptibility measurements of Ba3CoSb2O9 and Ba2Co1.4Sb0.6O6-y are reported. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The novel oxide Sr2Co2−xGaxO5 with brownmillerite-type structure has been synthesized in the compositional range 0.3⩽x⩽0.8. Rietveld refinements using neutron powder diffraction data have been performed for the end compositions, x=0.3 and 0.8. The structure is best described in the space-group Icmm (no. 74) with unit cell parameters a=5.5678(6), 5.6126(7) A˚, b=15.749(2), 15.733(2) A˚ and c=5.4599(6), 5.4559(7) A˚ for the x=0.3 and 0.8 compositions, respectively. The compounds were found to be G-type antiferromagnetic with the magnetic moments parallel to the c-axis. High-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements confirmed the samples to be antiferromagnetic with Ne´el temperatures TN=505, 468 and 423 K for the x=0.3, 0.5 and 0.8 samples, respectively. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy and electron diffraction studies confirmed the I-centred structure and revealed the presence of disorder. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Pressure recovery has been described in aortic stenosis and may explain the difference occasionally observed between Doppler- and catheter-measured gradients. A narrow ascending aorta (AA) and moderately severe stenosis favors pressure recovery. The aims of this study were to investigate the degree to which these conditions are present in patients with aortic stenosis and high Doppler gradients and to evaluate the magnitude of pressure recovery. One hundred sixteen patients were examined with Doppler echocardiography before aortic valve replacement. Patients with a maximum gradient >70 mm Hg (n = 81) were included. The diameter of the AA was measured and compared with the diameter in an age- and body size-matched group of normal controls (n = 23). Pressure recovery was estimated from a previously validated equation by measuring the maximum Doppler gradient, the effective orifice area (EOA), and the diameter of the AA. The diameter of the AA was similar for patients (mean 3.0 cm, range 2.1 to 4.1) and normal controls (mean 3.0 cm, range 2.3 to 3.5). The maximum Doppler gradient was 107 mm Hg (range 71 to 170) and the EOA was 0.6 cm(2) (range 0.2 to 1.3). The calculated pressure recovery was 18 mm Hg (range 6 to 37), which gives a net gradient of 89 mm Hg (range 51 to 151). Twenty-three percent had a net gradient <70 mm Hg. A cutoff of EOA/AA diameter at >0.2 cm identified 84% of patients (16 of 19) with a net gradient <70 mm Hg. In conclusion, we found that important pressure recovery can be expected in most patients with aortic stenosis and high Doppler gradients. Pressure recovery may explain why some patients with high Doppler gradients are asymptomatic. Also, pressure recovery is a factor to consider in patients with atypical symptomatology and high Doppler gradients when one must decide on valvular replacement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium-rich, cobalt-free oxides are promising potential positive electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries because of their high energy density, lower cost, and reduced environmental and ethical concerns. However, their commercial breakthrough is hindered because of their subpar electrochemical stability. This work studies the effect of aluminum doping on Li 1.26 Ni 0.15 Mn 0.61 O 2 as a lithium-rich, cobalt-free layered oxide. Al doping suppresses voltage fade and improves the capacity retention from 46% for Li 1.26 Ni 0.15 Mn 0.61 O 2 to 67% for Li 1.26 Ni 0.15 Mn 0.56 Al 0.05 O 2 after 250 cycles at 0.2 C. The undoped material has a monoclinic Li 2 MnO 3 -type structure with spinel on the particle edges. In contrast, Al-doped materials (Li 1.26 Ni 0.15 Mn 0.61-x Al x O 2 ) consist of a more stable rhombohedral phase at the particle edges, with a monoclinic phase core. For this core-shell structure, the formation of Mn 3+ is suppressed along with the material's decomposition to a disordered spinel, and the amount of the rhombohedral phase content increases during galvanostatic cycling. Whereas previous studies generally provided qualitative insight into the degradation mechanisms during electrochemical cycling, this work provides quantitative information on the stabilizing effect of the rhombohedral shell in the doped sample. As such, this study provides fundamental insight into the mechanisms through which Al doping increases the electrochemical stability of lithium-rich cobalt-free layered oxides., (© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

An empirical study was conducted to find the role of the Organizational Complexity (OC) on the Business Innovation Model (BMI) when companies are using an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). Three different profiles were contacted in the companies (General Manager, Information Technology Manager and Purchasing Manager). A data collection process through a questionnaire survey was conducted, 132 informants participated in the study, however, 28 of them reported they were not using an ERP in their company. Valid data from 104 enterprises dealing with BMI and simultaneously had implemented an ERP software solution participated to the questionnaire. The scales used for the questionnaire of this study were previously validated in the literature and measured aspects such as the ERP use and perceived usefulness, the organizational complexity and costs and revenues of the business model innovation. All constructs accomplish the validity and reliability commonly accepted. This dataset could be specially useful for conduct multi countries studies to compare results about the impact of Organizational complexity on Business Model Innovation for those companies using and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Author(s).)

Evaporation of cloud droplets accelerates when turbulence mixes dry air into the cloud, affecting droplet-size distributions in atmospheric clouds, combustion sprays, and jets of exhaled droplets. The challenge is to model local correlations between droplet numbers, sizes, and supersaturation, which determine supersaturation fluctuations along droplet paths (Lagrangian fluctuations). We derived a statistical model that accounts for these correlations. Its predictions are in quantitative agreement with results of direct numerical simulations, and explain the key mechanisms at play.

Introduction: Arthrodesis, performed as a salvage surgical procedure to treat intractable joint conditions in dogs and cats, is associated with a high incidence of complications intra and postoperative, proving the need for improved and new techniques in arthrodesis surgery. Adding a new resorbable bone glue to the arthrodesis could potentially add fixation strength and lower complications. The objectives of this experimental ex vivo biomechanical study were therefore to develop a biomechanical test model of partial tarsal arthrodesis and to determine whether the new resorbable bone glue (phosphoserine modified cement) produced measurable fixation strength in canine calcaneoquartal arthrodesis, without orthopedic implants., Methods: Four biomechanical test models with a total of 35 canine tarsal joints were used. Soft tissues were dissected to 4 different test models with variable contributions from soft tissues. The calcaneoquartal joint was prepared as in vivo arthrodesis and the glue was applied to joint surfaces as a liquid/putty (0.4 cc). After curing for 24 h, a shear force was applied to the joint (1 mm per minute) and the failure strength was recorded., Results: Calcaneoquartal joints, where all soft tissues had been completely resected and fixated with glue (1-1.5 cm 2 joint surface), withstood 2-5 mm of displacement and an average of 100 ± 58 N/cm 2 of shear force (Model 1). Similar adhesive fixation strengths were obtained in Model 2 and 3 with increasing contributions from soft tissues (80 ± 44 and 63 ± 23 N/cm 2 , p  = 0.39, ANOVA)., Conclusion: The developed biomechanical model was sensitive enough to measure differences in fixation strengths between different glue formulations. The average fixation strength (60-100 N/cm 2 ) should be strong enough to support short-term load bearing in medium sized canines (20 kg). The developed cadaver biomechanical test model is of potential use for other arthrodesis studies. The new resorbable glue can potentially contribute to stability at arthrodesis surgery, acting as a complement to today's standard fixation, metal implants., Competing Interests: MP-P declares partial ownership in a company that owns all related intellectual property, GPBio LTD. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Lundin, Pujari-Palmer, Svensson and Höglund.)

ER stress is mediated by three sensors and the most evolutionary conserved IRE1α signals through its cytosolic kinase and endoribonuclease (RNase) activities. IRE1α RNase activity can either catalyze the initial step of XBP1 mRNA unconventional splicing or degrade a number of RNAs through regulated IRE1-dependent decay. Until now, the biochemical and biological outputs of IRE1α RNase activity have been well documented; however, the precise mechanisms controlling whether IRE1α signaling is adaptive or pro-death (terminal) remain unclear. We investigated those mechanisms and hypothesized that XBP1 mRNA splicing and regulated IRE1-dependent decay activity could be co-regulated by the IRE1α RNase regulatory network. We identified that RtcB, the tRNA ligase responsible for XBP1 mRNA splicing, is tyrosine-phosphorylated by c-Abl and dephosphorylated by PTP1B. Moreover, we show that the phosphorylation of RtcB at Y306 perturbs RtcB interaction with IRE1α, thereby attenuating XBP1 mRNA splicing. Our results demonstrate that the IRE1α RNase regulatory network is dynamically fine-tuned by tyrosine kinases and phosphatases upon various stresses and that the extent of RtcB tyrosine phosphorylation determines cell adaptive or death outputs., (© 2022 Papaioannou et al.)

Self-aggregated colloids can be used for the preparation of materials, and we studied long rod-like aggregates formed on the evaporation of water from dispersed particles of colloidal hydrochar. The monodispersed hydrochar particles (100-200 nm) were synthesized by the hydrothermal carbonization of glucose and purified through dialysis. During the synthesis they formed colloidal dispersions which were electrostatically stable at intermediate to high pH and at low ion strengths. On the evaporation of water, macroscopically large rods formed from the dispersions at intermediate pH conditions. The rods formed at the solid-water interface orthogonally oriented with respect to the drying direction. Pyrolysis rendered the rods highly porous without qualitatively affecting their shape. A Cu-Si alloy was reactively infiltrated into the in-situ pyrolyzed hydrochars and composites of tricopper silicide (Cu 3 Si)-silicon carbide (SiC)/carbon formed. During this process, the Si atoms reacted with the C atoms, which in turned caused the alloy to wet and further react with the carbon. The shape of the underlying carbon template was maintained during the reactions, and the formed composite preparation was subsequently calcined into a Cu 3 Si-SiC-based replica of the rod-like assemblies of carbon-based colloidal particles. Transmission and scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction were used to study the shape, composition, and structure of the formed solids. Further studies of materials prepared with reactive infiltration of alloys into self-aggregated and carbon-based solids can be justified from a perspective of colloidal science, as well as the explorative use of hydrochar prepared from real biomass, exploration of the compositional space in relation to the reactive infiltration, and applications of the materials in catalysis., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To examine (i.e., contextualize and visualize) the consequences of a laissez-faire strategy characterized by blinkers to fulfill established pandemic goals. The aim is to shed light on the implementation of pandemic measures based on post hoc (after-the-fact) reactions and actions instead of pre hoc ones (in advance)., Study Design: This study is based on weekly updates of pandemic variables (i.e., cases, tests, percentage of positive tests, hospitalizations, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admissions, deceased, and 7- and 14-day incidence) in Sweden from the start of the pandemic in March 2020 until March 2021., Method: This study reports the empirical findings based on Swedish pandemic variables during 52 consecutive weeks, related to the pandemic, all of which has been divided into three time periods to separate the 1st and 2nd waves of the pandemic, and considers them all together as one time period., Results: The findings illustrate the implementation of pandemic measures and the subsequent consequences of a laissez-faire strategy characterized by blinkers. People become diseased and then deceased. This reveals strong associations between the assessed pandemic variables and its subsequent consequences on morbidity and mortality, based on post hoc reactions and actions., Conclusions: The implementation of a pandemic strategy should react and act pre hoc, and to take the safe with the unsafe. Governments and public health agencies should take into account the inevitable associations between pandemic variables. Intertwined pre hoc measures of prevention, enforcement, and monitoring should be implemented in society to avoid the implementation of a laissez-faire strategy based on post hoc reactions and actions.

The COVID-19 pandemic (SARS-CoV-2) has revealed the need for proactive protocols to react and act, imposing preventive and restrictive countermeasures on time in any society. The extent to which confirmed cases can predict the morbidity and mortality in a society remains an unresolved issue. The research objective is therefore to test a generic model's predictability through time, based on percentage of confirmed cases on hospitalized patients, ICU patients and deceased. This study reports the explanatory and predictive ability of COVID-19-related healthcare data, such as whether there is a spread of a contagious and virulent virus in a society, and if so, whether the morbidity and mortality can be estimated in advance in the population. The model estimations stress the implementation of a pandemic strategy containing a proactive protocol entailing what, when, where, who and how countermeasures should be in place when a virulent virus (e.g. SARS-CoV-1, SARS-CoV-2 and MERS) or pandemic strikes next time. Several lessons for the future can be learnt from the reported model estimations. One lesson is that COVID-19-related morbidity and mortality in a population is indeed predictable. Another lesson is to have a proactive protocol of countermeasures in place., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Purpose: To assess the future direction of sustainable development in public hospitals, focusing on their short- versus long-term time horizons, top-down versus bottom-up paths, and intra-organizational versus inter-organizational actions., Design/methodology/approach: The selection of significant health care organizations was based on judgmental sampling. This study applied an inductive approach. The interviewees were identified according to their knowledge of the future direction of their organizations' sustainable development., Findings: The sustainable development of the studied public hospitals is aimed at the synchronization of actions with other hospitals in the public healthcare system. The public hospitals studied differ in their interconnected elements of time (short- versus long-time horizons), paths (top-down versus bottom-up) and specific actions (intra-organizational versus inter-organizational). RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/: implications Offers insights into how to assess the direction of sustainable development in public hospitals. We stress the importance of time, path and action in conjunction. Furthermore, this study provides a three-dimensional framework to assess the future direction of sustainable development in organizations as well as in industries. Both the former and latter characteristics are shaped by the elements of time, path and action., Managerial Implications: Provides a three-dimensional framework of criteria to assess the direction of sustainable development in organizations. The assessment criteria may be used by organizations to assess the direction of other organizations in their industry. Industry associations or authorities may look into the status and future direction of sustainable development in industries or sectors as a whole. The assessment criteria provide an opportunity and foundation to benchmark against others in the same industry and insights to face pandemic as Covid-19., Originality/value: First study to consider a three-dimensional framework based on time, path and action to assess the future direction of sustainable development in an organization., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors report no declarations of interest., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: The research objective is to assess the corporate planning of future sustainability initiatives in private healthcare organizations., Design/methodology/approach: Private hospital organizations have been selected using a judgmental sampling. A qualitative case study was followed in this research., Findings: The findings shed light on corporate planning of future sustainability initiatives in private healthcare organizations., Research Limitations/implications: The diversity of similarities and differences that has been uncovered between private healthcare organizations on corporate planning, reveals the complexity faced in trying to achieve sector-wide and or industry-wide uniformity of sustainability initiatives., Managerial Implications: These findings offer opportunities to examine criteria to examine the corporate planning of future efforts and priorities in private healthcare sectors across countries and continents., Originality/value: This paper distinguishes between corporate planning approaches in relation to the assessment criteria to examine future sustainability initiatives in private hospitals., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the previous and the current efforts and the priorities of sustainability initiatives in the public sector., Design/methodology/approach: This study has been conducted in one industry, overcoming contextual bias as a judgmental sampling was used to select the public hospitals that were studied. Only knowledgeable key informants were approached and used., Findings: The examination of the previous and the current efforts and the priorities of the sustainability initiatives revealed in this study indicate the existence of different trends in the public hospitals studied., Research Limitations/implications: The results report the key trends that were disclosed in the public hospitals studied in their efforts towards sustainability. In particular, the results show that there appears to be a lack of guidelines and homogeneity in sustainability planning in public hospitals in Spain, accompanied by the near universal absence of the evaluation phase in respect to the outcomes of the sustainability initiatives that have been put in place in these organizations., Managerial Implications: The multi-dimensional factors of sustainability initiatives provide managerial guidance to assess the previous and the current efforts and priorities. These factors also provide organizational guidance to assess the trends of an organization through time., Originality/value: This study contributes to a selection of factors regarding the previous and the current efforts and the priorities of sustainability initiatives applicable in public hospitals. It provides a multi-dimensional framework of factors that can be used in order to describe sustainability trends., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The CO 2 adsorption on various Prussian blue analogue hexacyanoferrates was evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis. Compositions of prepared phases were verified by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, infra-red spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffraction. The influence of different alkali cations in the cubic Fm 3 m structures was investigated for nominal compositions A 2 / 3 Cu[Fe(CN) 6 ] 2/3 at 20 C and 1 bar, while in terms of mmol/g the Na compound exhibits the highest adsorption capability, 3.8 mmol/g at 20 C and 1 bar. The fastest adsorption/desorption is exhibited by the A = vacant, Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs. The Rb and Cs compounds show the highest CO 2 adsorption per unit cell, 3.3 molecules of CO 2 at 20 C and 1 bar, while in terms of mmol/g the Na compound exhibits the highest adsorption capability, 3.8 mmol/g at 20 C and 1 bar. The fastest adsorption/desorption is exhibited by the A -cation free compound and the Li compound. The influence of the amount of Fe(CN) 6 vacancies were assessed by determining the CO 2 adsorption capabilities of Cu[Fe(CN) 6 ] 1/2 ( Fm 3 m symmetry, nominally 50% vacancies), KCu[Fe(CN) 6 ] 3/4 ( Fm 3 m symmetry, nominally 25% vacancies), and CsCu[Fe(CN) 6 ] ( I -4 m 2 symmetry, nominally 0% vacancies). Higher adsorption was, as expected, shown on compounds with higher vacancy concentrations., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Purpose: To frame the sustainable development in private hospitals, based on descriptive determinants of orientation and organization from the past to the present., Design/methodology/approach: Based on an inductive approach, judgmental sampling was used to target relevant health care organizations. Informants were assessed according to their knowledge of their organizations' sustainability initiatives., Findings: Report the main determinants of orientation and organization revealed in relation to the hospitals' past and present sustainability initiatives, providing a foundation for describing their sustainable development., Research Limitations/implications: Reveals a selection of descriptive determinants of sustainable development in private hospitals, all of which offers a basis for assessing whether the evolution of organizational sustainability initiatives is major, minor or non-existent., Managerial Implications: The sustainability orientation has changed from value-based initiatives to business-based ones. It has also resulted in the orientation changing from environmental initiatives to social ones, as well as a change from reactive initiatives to proactive ones., Originality/value: Contributes to framing sustainable development through descriptive determinants in private healthcare organizations. It also divides these determinants into two categories, namely the orientation and organization of sustainability initiatives., (Copyright © 2019. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Microporous activated carbon was prepared by depositing and pyrolyzing propylene within the microporous voids of SAPO-37 and subsequently removing the template by a treatment with HCl and NaOH. The carbon had a high surface area and large micropore and ultramicropore volumes. The yield, crystallinity, morphology, and adsorption properties compared well with those of a structurally related zeolite-Y-templated carbon. No HF was needed to remove the SAPO-37 template in contrast to the zeolite Y template, which could be of industrial importance., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest.

The concept of feedback is key in assessing whether a perturbation to a system is amplified or damped by mechanisms internal to the system. In polar regions, climate dynamics are controlled by both radiative and non-radiative interactions between the atmosphere, ocean, sea ice, ice sheets and land surfaces. Precisely quantifying polar feedbacks is required for a process-oriented evaluation of climate models, a clear understanding of the processes responsible for polar climate changes, and a reduction in uncertainty associated with model projections. This quantification can be performed using a simple and consistent approach that is valid for a wide range of feedbacks, offering the opportunity for more systematic feedback analyses and a better understanding of polar climate changes.

Objectives: Despite progress in management, mitral valve endocarditis (MVE) is still a life-threatening disease. We report our experience in surgical treatment of infective isolated MVE., Methods: A total of 140 operations in 128 patients for MVE performed between January 2000 and December 2015 were included in a retrospective study. There were 109 (78%) operations for native and 31 (22%) operations for prosthetic valve endocarditis. Preoperative and postoperative characteristics and mortality of patients were registered. Cox regression identified factors associated with mortality. Mean follow-up period was 68 months (range 1-168 months) and 100% complete., Results: There were 13 deaths within 30 days after the 140 operations (9%). Severe perioperative complications occurred in 59 (42%) operations. Overall cumulative survival was 73% ± 4 at 5 years and 62 ± 5% at 10 years after the first operation. Age, diabetes, EuroSCORE II and perivalvular abscess were independent predictors for long-term mortality. Valve repair was performed in 76 (54%) operations and replacement in 64 (46%) operations. Thirty-day mortality for repair was 1%, and 5-year and 10-year cumulative survival was 86 ± 4% and 77 ± 6%, respectively. In the replacement group the 30-day mortality was 19% and cumulative survival at 5 years and 10 years was 55 ± 7% and 41 ± 8%, respectively. Postoperative complications occurred in 21% and 67%, respectively, after operations for repair and replacement. Ten (8%) patients had 12 reoperations for recurrent endocarditis., Conclusions: MVE requiring surgical treatment is a challenging disease with high hospital mortality after valve replacement. Mitral valve repair can be performed in suitable endocarditis patients with excellent results. Age, diabetes and EuroSCORE were independently associated with mortality in a multivariable model., (© The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.)

Background: Specialised palliative care is given around the clock to palliative patients who have severe symptoms or special needs., Aim: The aim of this study was to describe patients' perceptions of what it is like to be cared for by a specialised palliative care team within hospital-based palliative home care (HPHC)., Method: A qualitative method with semi-structured interviews was used. Fourteen patients enrolled in HPHC at a unit for specialised palliative care linked to the hospital in the southeast of Sweden participated. The analysis was performed with a phenomenographical approach., Results: Four description categories were identified: 'it is safe to receive care at home,' 'support and commitment', 'having access to a multiprofessional team', and 'how HPHC changes everyday life'. To be cared for by HPHC was perceived as safe, and the patients thought that having access to competent staff who supported them around the clock had improved their care and daily life., Conclusion: The need for specialised palliative care will likely grow with an ageing population and this form of care was perceived as functioning well.

Background: Reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract with a conduit is an established surgical procedure in congenital heart disease and reinterventions are common., Objective: An increasing number of patients have a conduit, but there are few population-based studies of long-term outcomes after conduit surgery, reoperations, and transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement., Methods: In April 2015, all adult patients with a conduit were identified in the Swedish National Registry for Congenital Heart Disease (SWEDCON). Data on patients who died before age of 16 years are not included in the registry and thus not included in the study., Results: We found 574 patients with a mean age 36.1 years. The largest proportion had tetralogy of Fallot (45%). In total there were 762 operations and 50 transcatheter pulmonary valve replacements. Mean age at first conduit operation was 20.2 years. Long-term survival up to 48 years including perioperative mortality (<1%) was 93% at 20 years. The most common cause of death was cardiac-related. Higher age at first conduit operation was associated with increased mortality risk. Reintervention-free survival was 77% and 54% at 10 and 20 years, respectively. Conduit reinterventions were common. Ten-year reintervention-free survival after first conduit reintervention (n = 176) was significantly lower than after first conduit operation (70% vs 77% p = .04). Higher age at first conduit operation was associated with a reduced risk of reintervention, whereas male sex and complex malformations were associated with increased risk of reintervention., Conclusions: The mortality of repeated conduit reinterventions is low. The need for reintervention of conduits is considerable, and reintervention-free survival after the first conduit reintervention is poorer than after first conduit implantation. The findings in this study only applies for patients reaching 16 years of age.

Objective: The use of a conduit is an established surgical method for reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract in congenital heart disease; however, its limited durability makes reintervention almost inevitable. We studied the trends in new implantation, reoperation, and transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement (TPVR) from a Swedish national perspective., Design and Results: The Swedish registry of congenital heart disease (SWEDCON) was used to collect data. From 2000-2014, there was an increase in adult patients with conduits from 122 to 536. There were 60 surgical conduit replacements, 40 TPVRs and 176 new conduit implantations in the study period. Perioperative mortality was <1%. The yearly number of new implantations and reoperations both doubled over the study period. Patients with new implantations were older (mean age, 36 years) compared with the reoperation and TPVR groups (mean age, 26 years) with the majority of patients having tetralogy of Fallot. The majority of conduit reinterventions were surgical also after the introduction of TPVR in 2007, with no significant difference regarding diagnosis, gender, age, or previous number or longevity of conduits., Conclusion: The number of adults with conduits increased steadily with most conduit-related operations being new implantations in patients with tetralogy of Fallot. Surgical conduit replacements increased significantly and represented the majority of conduit reinterventions after the introduction of TPVR, indicating that TPVR is not used for the majority of patients with conduit failure. Diagnosis, gender, age, or previous number or longevity of conduits had no impact on choosing surgical replacement vs. TPVR.

Background  A considerable proportion of patients with acute infective endocarditis require surgical treatment. The aim of this study was to collate our short- and medium-term results of surgical treatment of infective endocarditis and to compare the results in native and prosthetic endocarditis. Method  Total 254 operations for infective endocarditis from January 2008 to May 2015 were included in this retrospective study. There were 182 operations for native valve endocarditis and 72 for prosthetic valve endocarditis. Patient characteristics, operative details, complications, and mortality were registered. Results  The endocarditis was left sided in 247 operations (146 aortic, 78 mitral, and 23 double-valve) and right-sided in 7 (5 tricuspid and 2 pulmonary). Twenty-two patients (8.7%) died within 30 days (7.7% with native valve endocarditis and 11.1% with prosthetic valve endocarditis, p  = 0.31). Severe perioperative complications occurred in 99 of 254 operations (39%). Overall cumulative survival at 1 and 5 years was 86% and 75%, respectively, and it was not significantly different for native and prosthetic endocarditis ( p  = 0.31). Eighteen patients (8%) had one ( n  = 16) or two ( n  = 2) recurrent episodes of endocarditis requiring surgery. Conclusion  Surgery for infective endocarditis is still associated with a high early mortality rate and a considerable complication rate. Long-term outcome is acceptable. In our study population, morbidity and mortality were not significantly different in native and prosthetic endocarditis., (Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

The aim of this study was to compare the reduction of spinal cord compression after surgical treatment of dogs with acute thoracolumbar intervertebral disc (IVD) extrusion achieved using hemilaminectomy versus mini-hemilaminectomy techniques. This was a prospective randomized study with client-owned dogs presented with acute IVD extrusion that were allocated to surgical treatment using hemilaminectomy ( n  = 15) or mini-hemilaminectomy ( n  = 15) techniques. Plain and intravenous-contrast computed tomography was performed pre- and postoperatively. The preoperative minimal cross-sectional dimension of the spinal cord (MDSC pre ) and the postoperative minimal cross-sectional dimension of the spinal cord (MDSC post ) were measured at the level of greatest compression. The minimal diameter of the uncompressed spinal cord was measured in a similar way both pre- (MDUSC pre ) and postoperatively (MDUSC post ). Dogs in the mini-hemilaminectomy group had significantly greater reduction of compression (RC) ( p  < 0.01) after surgery compared to dogs in the hemilaminectomy group. The mean RC in the hemilaminectomy group was 34.6% and in the mini-hemilaminectomy group 62.6%. Our results showed a significantly greater reduction of spinal cord compression for mini-hemilaminectomy compared to hemilaminectomy. Additionally, mini-hemilaminectomy could be a preferred method due to its minimal invasiveness and easier access to lateral fenestration.

Perovskite-related (La 1-x Sr x ) 2 NiO 4-δ (x=0.5-0.8) phases were explored for possible use as oxygen electrodes in solid electrolyte cells with a main focus on the effect of oxygen deficiency on the electrocatalytic activity. (La 1-x Sr x ) 2 NiO 4-δ solid solutions were demonstrated to preserve the K 2 NiF 4 -type tetragonal structure under oxidizing conditions. Acceptor-type substitution by Sr is compensated by the formation of oxygen vacancies and electron holes and progressively increases high-temperature oxygen nonstoichiometry, which reaches as high as δ=0.40 for x=0.8 at 950 °C in air. The electrical conductivity of (La 1-x Sr x ) 2 NiO 4-δ ceramics at 500-1000 °C and p(O 2 )≥10 -3  atm is p-type metallic-like. The highest conductivity, 300 S cm -1 at 800 °C in air, is observed for x=0.6. The average thermal expansion coefficients, (14.0-15.4)×10 -6  K -1 at 25-900 °C in air, are sufficiently low to ensure the thermomechanical compatibility with common solid electrolytes. The polarization resistance of porous (La 1-x Sr x ) 2 NiO 4-δ electrodes applied on a Ce 0.9 Gd 0.1 O 2-δ solid electrolyte decreases with increasing Sr concentration in correlation with the concentration of oxygen vacancies in the nickelate lattice and the anticipated level of mixed ionic-electronic conduction. However, this is accompanied by increasing reactivity between the cell components and necessitates the microstructural optimization of the electrode materials to reduce the electrode fabrication temperature., (© 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

SUePDF is a graphical user interface program written in MATLAB to achieve quantitative pair distribution functions (PDFs) from electron diffraction data. The program facilitates structural studies of amorphous materials and small nanoparticles using electron diffraction data from transmission electron microscopes. It is based on the physics of electron scattering as well as the total scattering methodology. A method of background modeling is introduced to treat the intensity tail of the direct beam, inelastic scattering and incoherent multiple scattering. Kinematical electron scattering intensity is scaled using the electron scattering factors. The PDFs obtained after Fourier transforms are normalized with respect to number density, nanoparticle form factor and the non-negativity of probability density. SUePDF is distributed as free software for academic users.

The behavioral response of the larval parasitoid Spintherus dubius (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) to volatile compounds derived from its Apion weevil hosts was investigated in two-choice bioassays. Odor source candidates were the larval and adult stages of weevils, clover flowers, and feces from adult weevils. Despite S. dubius being a larval parasitoid, the odor of weevil larvae isolated from the clover flowers was not attractive to female parasitoids. Surprisingly, S. dubius females were instead attracted by the odor from the feces of adult weevils. The female parasitoids were similarly attracted to the feces produced by the two main hosts, the red clover weevil ( A. trifolii ) and the white clover weevil ( A. fulvipes ) . Chemical analysis of the volatile composition of feces produced by the two hosts revealed qualitatively similar odor profiles, correlating with the observed attraction by the parasitoid towards both odor sources. Some of the identified volatile compounds are commonly present in clover plant headspace fractions and may function as a kairomone to facilitate orientation by S. dubius to Apion -infested clover flowers. Larval and adult weevils were not attractive for parasitoid females, whereas, for the white clover weevil-plant association, infested flowers were highly attractive. These data show the use by the clover weevil parasitoid of an alternative source of olfactory information for locating its host.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the value of electrocardiogram (ECG)-gated computed tomography (CT) in the surgical decision-making and preoperative evaluation in patients with aortic prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE)., Methods: Sixty-eight prosthetic valves in 67 patients with aortic PVE were prospectively evaluated with ECG-gated CT and transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Imaging findings considered indications for surgery were as follows: (i) abscess/pseudoaneurysm formation; (ii) prosthetic valve dehiscence; (iii) valve destruction with valvular regurgitation; (iv) large vegetations (>1.5 cm). The coronary arteries were evaluated with ECG-gated CT. Clinical data including surgical reports and mortality data were collected., Results: Fifty-eight of 68 cases had indication for surgery based on imaging findings (ECG-gated CT/TEE). In 8 of these cases (14%), there was indication for surgery based on CT but not on TEE findings (all had perivalvular pseudoaneurysms). In 11 cases (19%), there was indication for surgery based on TEE but not on CT findings [non-drained abscess (n = 5), prosthetic valve dehiscence (n = 4), large vegetation (n = 1), valve destruction (n = 1)]. In 31 of 32 patients with indication for preoperative coronary angiography, ECG-gated CT coronary angiography was diagnostic. In 1 patient, ECG-gated CT coronary angiography was inconclusive and invasive coronary angiography was performed., Conclusions: In patients with aortic PVE, ECG-gated CT provides additional information over TEE regarding perivalvular extension of infection, which can influence surgical decision-making. Furthermore, ECG-gated CT provides a non-invasive coronary angiogram and can in most cases replace invasive coronary angiography in the preoperative evaluation., (© The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.)

Background Increased wall thickness in the aortic root has been suggested as an early sign of prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE). However, there are no previous studies on the aortic wall thickness after aortic valve replacement (AVR) or in patients with PVE. Purpose To identify a clinically useful cutoff value for aortic wall thickness to detect PVE. Material and Methods Chest computed tomography (CT) studies (n = 303) on patients with a prosthetic aortic valve were retrospectively analyzed. CT studies on patients without PVE (n = 260) were compared with CT studies on patients with definite PVE (n = 43). A receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed. Results In non-PVE patients, the wall thickness during the first 3 months postoperatively (n = 70, 4.5 ± 1.7 mm) was increased compared to beyond 3 months postoperatively (n = 190, 3.2 ± 1.0 mm, P < 0.001). Beyond 3 months postoperatively, the wall thickness 95th percentile was 5.0 mm without signs of further decrease with time. The wall thickness in PVE patients was 6.8 ± 3.0 mm (n = 43). Beyond 3 months postoperatively, ROC analysis yielded an area under the curve of 0.89 (95% CI, 0.81-0.96). With a cutoff value of 5 mm the sensitivity was 67%, specificity 95%, positive likelihood ratio 14.1, and negative likelihood ratio 0.35 of increased wall thickness in detecting PVE. Conclusion In the early postoperative period after AVR, the aortic wall thickness is increased compared to the late postoperative period. After 3 months, the wall thickness has decreased and stabilized. Increased wall thickness (>5 mm) beyond 3 months postoperatively significantly increases the likelihood of PVE.

Aim To develop and evaluate the use of a specific picture book aiming to prepare children for anaesthesia and surgery. Methods An intervention comparing two different information methods before ear, nose and throat day surgery was performed. The intervention involved using a specific information sheet and a specific picture book. Parents (n=104) of children aged 2-12 years completed open-ended questions that were analysed with qualitative content analysis. They were divided into two groups: one group received routine information and one received routine information and the intervention. Findings The picture sheet and picture book were valuable aids to prepare small children for anaesthesia and surgery by explaining the procedures that would take place. The parents expressed that knowledge of the procedures made them and the child feel secure. Conclusion Peri-operative information through pictures supports children and their parents during day surgery and may be helpful in future healthcare visits.

Weather and climate models struggle to represent lower tropospheric temperature and moisture profiles and surface fluxes in Arctic winter, partly because they lack or misrepresent physical processes that are specific to high latitudes. Observations have revealed two preferred states of the Arctic winter boundary layer. In the cloudy state, cloud liquid water limits surface radiative cooling, and temperature inversions are weak and elevated. In the radiatively clear state, strong surface radiative cooling leads to the build-up of surface-based temperature inversions. Many large-scale models lack the cloudy state, and some substantially underestimate inversion strength in the clear state. Here, the transformation from a moist to a cold dry air mass is modelled using an idealized Lagrangian perspective. The trajectory includes both boundary layer states, and the single-column experiment is the first L agrangian Arc tic air form ation experiment (Larcform 1) organized within GEWEX GASS (Global atmospheric system studies). The intercomparison reproduces the typical biases of large-scale models: Some models lack the cloudy state of the boundary layer due to the representation of mixed-phase micro-physics or to the interaction between micro-and macrophysics. In some models, high emissivities of ice clouds or the lack of an insulating snow layer prevent the build-up of surface-based inversions in the radiatively clear state. Models substantially disagree on the amount of cloud liquid water in the cloudy state and on turbulent heat fluxes under clear skies. Observations of air mass transformations including both boundary layer states would allow for a tighter constraint of model behaviour.

Al/AlOx/Al Josephson junctions are the building blocks of a wide range of superconducting quantum devices that are key elements for quantum computers, extremely sensitive magnetometers and radiation detectors. The properties of the junctions and the superconducting quantum devices are determined by the atomic structure of the tunnel barrier. The nanoscale dimension and disordered nature of the barrier oxide have been challenges for the direct experimental investigation of the atomic structure of the tunnel barrier. Here we show that the miniaturized dimension of the barrier and the interfacial interaction between crystalline Al and amorphous AlOx give rise to oxygen deficiency at the metal/oxide interfaces. In the interior of the barrier, the oxide resembles the atomic structure of bulk aluminium oxide. Atomic defects such as oxygen vacancies at the interfaces can be the origin of the two-level systems and contribute to decoherence and noise in superconducting quantum circuits.

Copper hexacyanoferrate, Cu(II)[Fe(III)(CN)6]2/3·nH2O, was synthesized, and varied amounts of K(+) ions were inserted via reduction by K2S2O3 (aq). Ideally, the reaction can be written as Cu(II)[Fe(III)(CN)6]2/3·nH2O + 2x/3K(+) + 2x/3e(-) ↔ K2x/3Cu(II)[Fe(II)xFe(III)1-x(CN)6]2/3·nH2O. Infrared, Raman, and Mössbauer spectroscopy studies show that Fe(III) is continuously reduced to Fe(II) with increasing x, accompanied by a decrease of the a-axis of the cubic Fm3̅m unit cell. Elemental analysis of K by inductively coupled plasma shows that the insertion only begins when a significant fraction, ∼20% of the Fe(III), has already been reduced. Thermogravimetric analysis shows a fast exchange of water with ambient atmosphere and a total weight loss of ∼26 wt % upon heating to 180 °C, above which the structure starts to decompose. The crystal structures of Cu(II)[Fe(III)(CN)6]2/3·nH2O and K2/3Cu[Fe(CN)6]2/3·nH2O were refined using synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data. In both, one-third of the Fe(CN)6 groups are vacant, and the octahedron around Cu(II) is completed by water molecules. In the two structures, difference Fourier maps reveal three additional zeolitic water sites (8c, 32f, and 48g) in the center of the cavities formed by the -Cu-N-C-Fe- framework. The K-containing compound shows an increased electron density at two of these sites (32f and 48g), indicating them to be the preferred positions for the K(+) ions.

Recent studies have shown promising results using (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography ((18)F-FDG PET/CT) in the diagnosis of prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE). However, previous studies did not include negative controls. The aim of this study was to compare (18)F-FDG-uptake around prosthetic aortic valves in patients with and without PVE and to determine the diagnostic performance of (18)F-FDG PET/CT in the diagnosis of PVE. (18)F-FDG PET/CT examinations in patients with a prosthetic aortic valve performed 2008-2014 were retrieved. Eight patients with a final diagnosis of definite PVE were included in the analysis of the diagnostic performance of (18)F-FDG PET/CT. Examinations performed on suspicion of malignancy in patients without PVE (n = 19) were used as negative controls. Visual and semi-quantitative analysis was performed. Maximal standardized uptake value (SUVmax) in the valve area was measured and SUVratio was calculated by dividing valve SUVmax by SUVmax in the descending aorta. The sensitivity was 75 %, specificity 84 %, positive likelihood ratio [LR(+)] 4.8 and negative likelihood ratio [LR(-)] 0.3 on visual analysis. Both SUVmax and SUVratio were significantly higher in PVE patients [5.8 (IQR 3.5-6.5) and 2.4 (IQR 1.7-3.0)] compared to non-PVE patients [3.2 (IQR 2.8-3.8) and 1.5 (IQR 1.3-1.6)] (p < 0.001). ROC-curve analysis of SUVratio yielded an area under the curve of 0.90 (95 % CI 0.74-1.0). (18)F-FDG-uptake around non-infected aortic prosthetic valves was low. The level of (18)F-FDG-uptake in the prosthetic valve area showed a good diagnostic performance in the diagnosis of PVE.

Background: Despite progress in diagnostic methods and treatment, aortic prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) remains a life-threatening disease. We report the outcome of all operations for aortic PVE performed at our institution over the past 20 years., Methods: Eighty-seven operations performed in 84 patients between 1993 and 2013 were included in this retrospective study. An aortic homograft was used in 56 (64%) cases, a mechanical prosthesis was used in 20 (23%) cases, and a bioprosthesis was used in 11 (13%) cases. Early and late complications and mortality were compared between the first and second decades of our experience. Predictors of mortality were identified with Cox regression. Mean follow-up was 5.5 years (range 0-17 years)., Results: Nine patients (10%) died within 30 days, and severe perioperative complications occurred in 36 patients (41%). Overall cumulative survival was 80% at 5 years and 65% at 10 years. Four (12.9%) of the patients treated with mechanical or biological prostheses had a recurrent episode of endocarditis, compared with none of the patients treated with homografts (p = 0.006). During the second decade, 30-day mortality was lower (3.6% versus 22%; p = 0.007) and 5-year cumulative survival was higher (88% versus 66%; p = 0.027). Age, preoperative serum creatinine, and severe perioperative complications were independent predictors of mortality during follow-up., Conclusions: Aortic PVE is associated with a high rate of early complications and substantial early mortality. Patients who survive the immediate postoperative period have satisfactory long-term survival. The risk of recurrent endocarditis is low, especially in patients treated with homografts. The results have improved during the past decade., (Copyright © 2016 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)