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Surgery around the ankle is increasingly embedded in outpatient treatment concepts. Unfortunately, the classic "ankle block" as a concept of regional anesthesia is inappropriate for surgery around the ankle because the injection sites are too distal to block this specific region. The "high ankle block" avoids this disadvantage by dislocating the injection points 15 cm proximal to the malleoli. Three of five peripheral nerves necessary to perform the block can be reached by a circumferential subcutaneous wall. The Posterior Tibial Nerve and the Deep Peroneal Nerve are addressed by an ultrasound guided approach. The efficacy of the technique is highlighted by a case series (3 cases) in which the new blockade was used as a stand-alone procedure, i.e. without additional general anesthesia. The "high ankle block" may serve as an ultrasound guided expansion to the classic techniques, extending the operative spectrum to the ankle region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sample Environment Communication Protocol (SECoP) serves as an international standard for the communication between sample environment equipment and the experiment control software at neutron and photon sources. It eases the integration of sample environment equipment supplied by external research groups and by industrial manufacturers. SECoP is designed to be simple, inclusive and self-describing. SECoP facilitates and structures the provision of metadata which is associated with sample environment equipment. Several existing implementations of SECoP support the development of SECoP-compatible sample environment control software. This article introduces SECoP Version 1.0, the first official version of SECoP published in September 2019. It was developed during the SINE2020 project in close cooperation with the International Society for Sample Environment. The complete specifications of SECoP Version 1.0 are available on GitHub. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adverse interactions between intravenous medications which are given simultaneously are a common problem in intensive care medicine. They are usually caused by administering a high number of medications over a limited number of intravenous lines or central venous catheters; however, this issue also arises in routine anesthetic procedures during surgery. The following case report highlights a so far undocumented interaction between the combination of theodrenaline/cafedrine and various antibiotics. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed in a female patient, classified as ASA 1. After induction of general anesthesia 2 g ceftriaxone were administered as a perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis. Simultaneously, i.e. prior to the beginning of surgery, a mild decrease in blood pressure was observed and 2 ml diluted Akrinor® (2 ml theodrenaline/cafedrine + 8 ml NaCl 0.9%) was administered. Directly following this administration a chemical precipitation reaction occurred, and large white pasty flakes were noticed in the intravenous line. The infusion was stopped immediately and all lines were replaced. In order to confirm a causal relationship between the observed precipitation and the simultaneous administration of the two drugs, an in vitro test was performed by mixing Akrinor® with other preparations of cephalosporin antibiotics. The effect observed with ceftriaxone was reproducible and cefazoline also caused a precipitation reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies showed that considerable amounts of glycosaminoglycans are released into maternal blood during normal pregnancy and in hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets (HELLP) syndrome. Maternal endothelia and the syncytiotrophoblast layer have been discussed as a possible origin of these glycocalyx components. Our study aimed to visualize the glycocalyx on the syncytiotrophoblast by electron microscopy, to analyze its structure and composition by immunohistochemistry, and to determine potential differences between healthy women and women with HELLP syndrome. For electron microscopy, a cotyledon was fixed by perfusion of the intervillous space with a 2% lanthanum–nitrate glutaraldehyde solution followed by immersion fixation in the same fixative. For immunohistochemistry, sections of 16 placentas (HELLP patients/healthy women, n = 8 each) were stained with monoclonal antibodies against the main glycocalyx constituents syndecan 1, hyaluronic acid, and heparan sulfate. Semiquantitative evaluation of staining intensity focused on the apical surface of the syncytiotrophoblast and fetal intravillous endothelia as possible localizations of a placental glycocalyx. Electron microscopy revealed a glycocalyx of approximately 250 nm, covering the syncytiotrophoblast layer. This was found to contain large amounts of syndecan 1, but neither hyaluronic acid nor heparan sulfate as major components. Intravillous fetal endothelium did not express any of the investigated glycosaminoglycans. Healthy women and patients with HELLP showed no differences concerning glycocalyx composition and thickness of the syncytiotrophoblast. The composition of the “placental” glycocalyx differs from the adult and fetal vascular glycocalyx. Obviously, the human placental syncytiotrophoblast maintains a special kind of glycocalyx at the fetomaternal interface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Severe inflammation has been shown to induce a shedding of the endothelial glycocalyx (EGX). Inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), impede the thickness of the EGX. While a controlled inflammatory reaction occurs already in normal pregnancy, women with hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets (HELLP) syndrome had an exaggerated inflammatory response. This study investigates the shedding of the glycocalyx during normal pregnancy and in women with HELLP syndrome. Glycocalyx components (syndecan 1, heparan sulfate, and hyaluronic acid) were measured in serum of healthy women throughout pregnancy (4 time points, n = 26), in women with HELLP syndrome (n = 17) before delivery and in nonpregnant volunteers (n = 10). Serum concentrations of TNF-α and soluble TNF-α receptors (sTNF-Rs) were assessed once in all 3 groups. Syndecan 1 serum concentrations constantly rose throughout normal pregnancy. Immediately before delivery, a 159-fold increase was measured compared to nonpregnant controls (P < .01). Even higher amounts were observed in patients with HELLP prior to delivery (median 12 252 ng/mL) compared to healthy women matched by gestational age (median 5943 ng/mL; P < .01). Relevantly, increased serum levels of heparan sulfate, hyaluronic acid, and sTNF-Rs were only detected in patients with HELLP (P < .01). These findings suggest that considerable amounts of syndecan 1 are released into maternal blood during uncomplicated pregnancy. The HELLP syndrome is associated with an even more pronounced shedding of glycocalyx components. The maternal vasculature as well as the placenta has to be discussed as a possible origin of circulating glycocalyx components. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: A resolution model, which takes into account a violation of the spin-echo conditions for inelastic scattering as it is appropriate for high resolution spin-echo measurements of mode multiplets, is experimentally tested. Phase-sensitive measurements were performed while a dispersion surface is moved through the resolution ellipsoid of a triple-axis background spectrometer. The results are found to be in agreement with the model predictions. A tunable, artificially split dispersion was realized with a double crystal setup mounted on a piezoelectric device allowing for rotation and tilt of the first crystal, while the second one was rigidly fixed. Elastic measurements with the instrument configured in Larmor diffraction geometry were used to probe the crystal orientation with high sensitivity. First inelastic measurements are in agreement with a simplified model indicating persistence of the echo modulation over the entire spin-echo time range probed by the experiment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Healthy vascular endothelium is clothed by the endothelial glycocalyx. This structure plays a key role in the regulation of inflammation and vascular permeability and is known to be degraded by ischemic and inflammatory stress. Our aim was to show whether hydrocortisone and antithrombin stabilize the glycocalyx and, therefore, the vascular barrier, against damage induced by the inflammatory stimulus TNF-α, thus improving the cardio-vascular situation. Isolated guinea pig hearts were perfused with Krebs–Henseleit buffer for 20 min at constant flow (baseline perfusion pressure 70 cmH2O). Hydrocortisone in a stress dose (10 µg/ml) or antithrombin in a physiological dose (1 U/ml) were then applied for 15 min before infusion of TNF-α (4 ng/ml, 10 min). Coronary net fluid filtration was assessed directly by measuring transudate formation on the epicardial surface. Hearts were perfusion-fixed to visualize the glycocalyx. TNF-α induced severe degradation of the glycocalyx, increased coronary resistance, heightened vascular leak and permeability to hydroxyethyl starch and caused mast-cell degranulation. Hydrocortisone and antithrombin both reduced all of these effects. Electron microscopy revealed a mostly intact glycocalyx after treatment with either drug. Both hydrocortisone and antithrombin clearly preserve the endothelial glycocalyx in the face of inflammatory degradation initiated by TNF-α, however, with different mechanisms. This is an important new facet in the pathophysiology and therapy of sepsis, since preservation of the glycocalyx should help prevent vasoconstriction, tissue edema as well as leukocyte and platelet adhesion, thus mitigating inflammation and tissue hypoxia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractObjectiveMaterial and methodsResultsConclusionPostoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) occurs in up to 30% of patients and its pathophysiology and mechanisms have not been completely described. Hypotension and a decrease in cardiac output are suspected to induce nausea. The hypothesis that intraoperative hypotension might influence the incidence of PONV was investigated.The study was conducted as a retrospective large single center cohort study. The incidence of PONV was investigated until discharge from post anesthesia care unit (PACU). Surgical patients with general anesthesia during a 2-year period between 2018 and 2019 at a university hospital in Germany were included. Groups were defined based on the lowest documented mean arterial pressure (MAP) with group H50: MAP <50mmHg; group H60: MAP <60mmHg; group H70: MAP <70mmHg, and group H0: no MAP <70mmHg. Decreases of MAP in the different groups were related to PONV. Propensity-score matching was carried out to control for overlapping risk factors.In the 2-year period 18.674 patients fit the inclusion criteria. The overall incidence of PONV was 11%. Patients with hypotension had a significantly increased incidence of PONV (H0 vs. H50: 11.0% vs.17.4%, Risk Ratio (RR): 1.285 (99%CI: 1.102–1.498), p < 0.001; H0 vs. H60: 10.4% vs. 13.5%, RR: 1.1852 (99%CI: 1.0665–1.3172), p < 0.001; H0 vs. H70: 9.4% vs. 11.2%, RR: 1.1236 (99%CI: 1.013 − 1.2454); p = 0.0027).The study demonstrates an association between intraoperative hypotension and early PONV. A more severe decrease of MAP had a pronounced effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Body core temperature is an important vital parameter during surgery and anaesthesia. It is influenced by several patient-related and surgery-related factors. Laparoscopy is considered beneficial in terms of a variety of parameters, for example, postoperative pain and length of hospital stay. Non-humidified, non-warmed insufflated CO2 applied during laparoscopy is standard of care. This prospective observational trial therefore evaluates the impact of non-humidified CO2 at room temperature on abdominal temperature and its correlation to body core temperature. Methods: Seventy patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery were included in this prospective observational study. Temperature was measured oesophageal and abdominal before induction of anaesthesia (T1), right before skin incision (T2), 15 min, 30 min and 60 min after skin incision. All patients were treated according to actual guidelines for perioperative temperature measurement. Results: Body core temperature and abdominal temperature correlated moderately (r = 0.6123; p < 0.0001). Bland–Altman plot for comparison of methods showed an average difference of 0.4 °C (bias − 0.3955; 95% agreement of bias from − 2.365 to 1.574). Abdominal temperature further decreased after establishing pneumoperitoneum (T2: 36.2 °C (35.9/36.4) to T5: 36.1 °C (35.6/36.4); p < 0.0001), whereas oesophageal temperature increased (T2: 36.2 °C (35.9/36.4) to 36.4 °C (36.0/36.7); p = 0.0296). Values of oesophageal and abdominal measurement points differed at T4 (36.3 °C (36.0/36.6) vs. 36.1 °C (35.4/36.6); p < 0.0001) and T5 (36.4 °C (36.0/36.7) vs. 36.1 °C (35.6/36.4) p = 0.0003). Conclusion: This prospective observational trial shows the influence of insufflated, non-humidified carbon dioxide at room temperature on abdominal temperature during laparoscopic surgery. We show that carbon dioxide applied at these conditions decreases abdominal temperature and therefore might be a risk factor for perioperative hypothermia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Due to a multicenter study early in the coronavirus disease (COVID)-pandemic that revealed an increased risk for postoperative mortality, thromboembolic and pulmonary complications in case of surgery shortly after a COVID infection, current recommendations for planning elective surgeries suggest postponing surgery for at least 7 weeks after COVID infection. However, virus variants have evolved throughout the pandemic, leading to less severe symptoms. Besides, laparoscopic adrenal gland surgery itself is a safe procedure with low morbidity rates. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the perioperative course of patients undergoing laparoscopic adrenalectomy shortly after a COVID-19 infection with those who had not had a recent SARS-CoV-2 infection in 2022. Patients, Material, and Methods All patients who underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy at the Department for General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery at Ludwig-Maximilian University between January and December 2022 were included. Results There was no event of thromboembolic or pulmonary complications in the study population. Duration of surgery did not differ between the two groups; neither did the need for postoperative ICU-admittance nor the duration of ICU-stay. Intraoperative FiO2 did not differ, nor did the SpO2 or the number of different catecholamines. There was a slight trend towards higher noradrenaline dosage among patients after COVID-19 infection. Previous COVID infection did not lead to prolonged hospital stays. Conclusion The results demonstrate that in case of well-standardized surgical procedures, with a limited surgical trauma and the possibility for patients to be mobilized early, surgery shortly after a mild COVID infection seems safe and reasonable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) occurs in up to 26% of patients older than 60 years 1 week after non-cardiac surgery. Intraoperative beach chair positioning (BCP) is advantageous for some types of shoulder surgery. However, this kind of positioning leads to a downward bound redistribution of blood volume, with possible hypoperfusion of the brain. We hypothesized that patients > 60 years undergoing orthopaedic shoulder surgery in a BCP might experience more POCD than patients operated in the supine position (SP). Material and methods: A single-centre, prospective observational trial of 114 orthopaedic patients was performed. Study groups were established according to the type of intraoperative positioning. Anaesthesiological management was carried out similarly in both groups, including types of anaesthetics and blood pressure levels. POCD was evaluated using the Trail Making Test, the Letter–Number Span and the Regensburger Word Fluency Test. The frequency of POCD 1 week after surgery was considered primary outcome. Results: Baseline characteristics, including duration of surgery, were comparable in both groups. POCD after 1 week occurred in 10.5% of SP patients and in 21.1% of BCP patients (p = 0.123; hazard ratio 2.0 (CI 95% 0.794–5.038)). After 4 weeks, the incidence of POCD decreased (SP: 8.8% vs. BCP: 5.3%; p = 0.463). 12/18 patients with POCD showed changes in their Word Fluency Tests. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) values were not lower in patients with POCD compared to those without POCD (54% (50/61) vs. 57% (51/61); p = 0.671). Conclusion: POCD at 1 week after surgery tended to occur more often in patients operated in beach chair position compared to patients in supine position without being statistically significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides information the International Society for Sample Environment (ISSE), which was inaugurated at the 8th International Workshop on Sample Environment held at Eynsham Hall, Oxfordshire, England in October 2014. It discusses the founders of the ISSE, the main purpose of the ISSE and the key role of its institutional members in the organization of its workshops and schools.

A novel setup for measuring magnetic fields of antiferromagnets (i.e., quadrupolar or higher-order magnetic fields) and generally weakly remanent magnetic materials is presented. The setup features a highly sensitive superconducting quantum interference device magnetometer with a magnetic field resolution of ∼ 10 fT and non-electric temperature control of the sample space for a temperature range of 1.5–65 K with a non-electric sample movement drive and optical position encoding. To minimize magnetic susceptibility effects, the setup components are degaussed and realized with plastic materials in sample proximity. Running the setup in magnetically shielded rooms allows for a well-defined ultra-low magnetic background field well below 150 nT in situ. The setup enables studies of inherently weak magnetic materials, which cannot be measured with high field susceptibility setups, optical methods, or neutron scattering techniques, giving new opportunities for the research on, e.g., spin-spiral multiferroics, skyrmion materials, and spin ices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Doping of Li/MgO with additional metal ions is suggested leading to an improved system with respect to the catalytic performance and stability when used for oxidative coupling of methane. We used Gd and Fe as dopants and characterized the resulting materials, showing that Fe seems to be completely and Gd partly incorporated into the MgO lattice. The catalytic performance is improved in most cases, but all materials still suffer from severe deactivation. A loss of Li is observed when being used under reaction conditions, but this Li loss is retarded for Fe-Li/MgO as compared to undoped Li/MgO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Automatic fault detection (AFD) is a key technology to optimize the Operation and Maintenance of photovoltaic (PV) systems portfolios. A very common approach to detect faults in PV systems is based on the comparison between measured and simulated performance. Although this approach has been explored by many authors, due to the lack a common basis for evaluating their performance, it is still unclear what are the influencing aspects in the design of AFD algorithms. In this study, a series of AFD algorithms have been tested under real operating conditions, using monitoring data collected over 58 months on 80 rooftop-type PV systems installed in Germany. The results shown that this type of AFD algorithm have the potential to detect up to 82.8% of the energy losses with specificity above 90%. In general, the higher the simulation accuracy, the higher the specificity. The use of less accurate simulations can increase sensitivity at the cost of decreasing specificity. Analyzing the measurements individually makes the algorithm less sensitive to the simulation accuracy. The use of machine learning clustering algorithm for the statistical analysis showed exceptional ability to prevent false alerts, even in cases where the modeling accuracy is not high. If a slightly higher level of false alerts can be tolerated, the analysis of daily PR using a Shewhart chart provides the high sensitivity with an exceptionally simple solution with no need for more complex algorithms for modeling or clustering. • Recommendations for designing automatic fault detection algorithms for PV systems. • Results based on tests with 5 years monitoring data from 80 rooftop-type PV systems. • Statistical analysis based on clustering shows very few false alerts in all cases. • Using less accurate modeling increases sensitivity, but decreases specificity. • Daily PR monitoring with control chart can be a reasonable and simple solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perioperative fluid management and fluid shifting have been main topics of debate in the recent years. Liberal fluid application is still a common practice and fluid overload believed to be a minor problem. Recent studies, however, have shown that liberal fluid management facilitates fluid shifts into the interstitial space especially in the context of major abdominal surgery. Consequently, the integrity of the vascular barrier is a rediscovered target of research. The endothelial glycocalyx, which covers the endothelial cells on the luminal side of every healthy vessel, plays a key role concerning the barrier properties of healthy blood vessels. Together with bound plasma proteins the glycocalyx forms the endothelial surface layer with a thickness of about 1 µm. With these packed proteins, this layer has its own colloid osmotic force. Damage of the endothelial glycocalyx can lead to protein extravasation and tissue edema. The endothelial glycocalyx is also important concerning leukocyte and platelet adhesion and shear-stressed nitric oxide-release and therefore, very probably, with regard to the pathophysiology of diseases like sepsis and ischemia/reperfusion injury. The purpose of this review is to elucidate the physiological and functional impact of the endothelial glycocalyx in transvascular fluid shifts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precision thermal Hall measurements unlock potential for unraveling fundamental thermal transport principles in novel materials. This work addresses the challenge of resolving sub-mK temperature differences in magnetic fields by employing high-precision capacitance thermometry with thermalized electronics, achieving a background noise of approximately ▪ at ▪. The novelty lies in the improvement and combination of innovative approaches, including the application of attenuators for thermal anchoring, a modular multi-stage approach to reduce thermal gradients, direct thermometer-sample assembly, and the use of individual capacitance bridges for faster measurements. The setup performance is demonstrated for the pyrochlore oxide terbium titanate and the longitudinal and transverse thermal conductivities agree with the literature. We show that the transverse temperature difference is proportional to the product of magnetic field times heating power for fields up to ▪, enabling improved statistics compared to individual sweeps analysis. We conduct an analysis of uncertainties in the transverse thermal conductivity, considering various thermometer calibrations for extracting temperature differences. This analysis reveals a significant influence of the longitudinal conductivity on the transverse thermal conductivity. These advancements allow for unprecedented temperature resolution and stability, while identified resolution limitations pave the way for next-generation setups. • Extraordinary high temperature resolution is achieved for longitudinal and transverse thermal conductivity measurements. • Quantitative analysis underscores the critical role of the thermometer calibration in interpreting thermal Hall effect data. • Analyzing transverse temperature differences as a function of B-field multiplied by power yields the thermal Hall constant. • Enhanced transverse thermal conductivity accuracy is achieved by using the offset-compensated longitudinal conductivity. • Temperature-dependent longitudinal and transverse thermal conductivity confirm the rare literature data for terbium titanate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intravenous fluids can impair coagulation and affect the endothelial glycocalyx, whereas glycocalyx shedding itself can cause an impairment of clot formation and firmness. We hypothesized that hydroxyethyl starch 6% (130/0.4) has a more distinct effect on coagulation and glycocalyx shedding than albumin 5%. Presented data derive from an exploratory subgroup analysis of a prospective randomized, single-blinded trial comparing albumin 5% versus balanced hydroxyethyl starch 6% (130/0.4). Patients between 46 and 85 years undergoing cystectomy were included. Prothrombin time, plasma fibrinogen concentration, partial thromboplastin time, thrombelastometry and platelet function were analyzed before and after surgery. Glycocalyx components were assessed before and after surgery, 2 to 4 h after surgery and at 1st and 3rd postoperative day. Primary outcome parameter was the change of thrombelastometric variables at the end of surgery. Further variables included calculated blood loss, infusion amount and transfusion rate. 55 patients (albumin group n = 28; hydroxyethyl starch group n = 27) were included. Thrombelastometric variables were significantly more compromised in the hydroxyethyl starch than in the albumin group whereas platelet function, glycocalyx shedding, partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin time and fibrinogen were not different between groups. Mean intraoperative calculated blood loss was higher in the hydroxyethyl starch group (1557 ± 825 ml versus 1245 ± 709 ml; p = 0.042). Transfusion requirements did not differ. Rotational thrombelastometric variables were significantly more reduced when hydroxyethyl starch was used compared to albumin 5%. This effect was independent from a shedding of the endothelial glycocalyx. However, results presented here are from a subgroup analysis and must be considered with caution. Trial registration EudraCT number 2010-018343-34. • Intravenous fluid therapy can impair clot formation and cause glycocalyx shedding. • Subgroup analysis of a randomized trial comparing albumin 5% and hydroxyethyl starch 6%. • Hydroxyethyl starch impairs thrombelastometric parameters more than albumin 5%. • Glycocalyx shedding was not associated with reduced clot formation or platelet function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale, aims, and objectives: During general anaesthesia, body core temperature is influenced by several factors that are either anaesthesia‐related (type and duration of anaesthesia and fluid management), surgery‐related (type of surgery and extent of the surgical procedure), or patient‐related (age, gender, body weight, and preoperative body core temperature). Interestingly, data concerning body mass index (BMI) and its influence on patients' temperature are sparse. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of BMI on body core temperature under general anaesthesia. Methods: A single centre, prospective, observational study was conducted at a university hospital. Two cohorts (lower limb surgery and abdominal surgery) were evaluated. Patients were treated according to actual German guidelines for the prevention of hypothermia. Temperature was measured sublingually prior to anaesthesia and during the first 60 minutes of anaesthesia. Each cohort was divided in three subgroups (BMI < 24 kg m−2, BMI 25‐34.9 kg m−2, and BMI > 35 kg m−2) according to body weight. Results: A total of 206 patients were evaluated. One hundred four underwent lower limb surgery; 102 underwent abdominal surgery. After induction of anaesthesia, temperature dropped in all subgroups, but this decline was more pronounced in patients with lower BMI. Significant differences concerning temperature changes were observed in abdominal surgery between low and high BMI groups. After 60 minutes of anaesthesia, group‐dependent temperature differences had levelled out, and relevant differences compared with preoperative temperatures could no longer be observed in any of the groups. Conclusion: Current guidelines provide effective protection against perioperative hypothermia. In the current study, this was true for obese as well as normal weight patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) are complications of general anesthesia. Patient-specific factors, type of surgery and a variety of drugs determine the frequency. Clinical experience shows nausea and vomiting to be very frequent in morbidly obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Aim: To detect the onset and extent of nausea and vomiting in the group of morbidly obese patients undergoing laparoscopic bariatric surgery. Material and methods: We conducted a retrospective data bank analysis (since 2004) of all patients with body mass index > 35 kg/m² undergoing laparoscopic bariatric surgery in comparison to patients with a body mass index < 35 kg/m² undergoing gastric surgery. Propensity score matching was applied to minimize bias effects. The frequency of postoperative nausea was defined as the primary outcome parameter. Results: One hundred and thirty-eight patients were included. There was a significant difference between the morbidly obese group and the control group concerning the frequency of postoperative nausea (15.9% vs. 55.1%; p < 0.001). In patients receiving volatile anesthetics a significant difference between groups concerning frequency of PONV was not observed. Intravenous anesthetics were suitable to reduce PONV in the control group but not in the morbidly obese group (12.5% vs. 56.8%, p < 0.001). With given prophylaxis PONV events still occurred in 15.6% vs. 48.8% (p = 0.003). Conclusions: Morbidly obese patients undergoing laparoscopic bariatric surgery are at higher risk of suffering from PONV than non-morbidly obese patients. To reduce the PONV incidence in morbidly obese patients, further research, especially focusing on more efficient use of antiemetic drugs, seems to be necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the design and the performances of a precision humidity chamber for neutron diffraction which is the result of a very fruitful collaboration between the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin and the Institut Laue-Langevin. The sample temperature can be set between 10 and 85°C. The relative humidity is controlled from 10 to 99.9 % ± 0.01 % by controlling the temperatures of the sample and a water bath at the millidegree Celsius scale. Sample exchanges are extremely easy and the operation only requires entering two parameters: sample temperature and relative humidity. The performances are confirmed by neutron diffraction measurements performed on DMPC and DOPC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing efforts in material science to create new and purpose tailored materials and the deeper understanding of the complexity of condensed matter represent a major driving force for science constantly pushing the limits towards extreme experimental conditions and towards experiments with higher degree of complexity. The ability to develop and build new sample environment setups enables novel experiments with neutron scattering instruments. We present a modern, compact split-pair cryomagnet which maximises neutron beam access avoiding support structures in the beam to minimise the background. It provides a large 50 mm diameter sample space in a compact outer diameter for magnetic fields of up to 10 Tesla. The system does not require a lambda-stage and allows fast ramping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the status of the low-temperature devices shared by several neutron instruments of the Materials and Life Science Experimental Facility (MLF), J-PARC. In recent years, the Cryogenics and Magnets group of the Sample Environment (SE) team has introduced three cryostats at the MLF: a top-loading 4He cryostat, a bottom-loading 3He cryostat, and a 3He–4He dilution refrigerator insert. The group also manages a superconducting magnet which entered into service in 2012. Progress has been made with these SE, including the development of a new system for controlling the 3He cryostat and an oscillating radial collimator for using efficiently the superconducting magnet. These innovations have significantly increased the frequency with which these cryostats and magnet are used. During the last Japanese fiscal year, some of them were used approximately half of the total number of days of beam operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We recently designed and developed a furnace for small-angle neutron scattering, enabling small-angle neutron scattering data with a very low background level to be obtained. The furnace consists of an internal heater and external vacuum chamber. The internal heater consists of an alumina tube around which a heating coil is wound. There are two open windows in the alumina tube for the incident and scattered neutron beams. In the vacuum chamber, there are two aluminium windows of thickness 0.5 mm. As a result, only these aluminium windows are in the path of the beam, and the background scattering from elements other than the sample is significantly reduced in the detected signals. The opening angle for the scattered beam is ±15°. This is adequate for the small-angles detector bank in TAIKAN (BL15) at the Materials and Life Science Experimental Facility (MLF) at the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J-PARC). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the past seven years, we have been preparing the sample environment equipment and related devices for light irradiation experiments at the Materials and Life Science Experimental Facility (MLF) in Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J-PARC). Two light sources are available at the facility: a xenon lamp (300 W) and a mercury lamp (250 W). Samples can be irradiated by homogeneous wide-area (25 mm × 25 mm) light using an optical fibre and a lens unit. The shutter of the light source can be controlled remotely from the operation cabin at the MLF. The timing of the opening and closing of the shutter is recorded using a photodetector and the data acquisition system at the MLF. Software for measuring the time-dependent neutron reflectivity is available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A longstanding problem in facility based experiments is the time one must wait whilst changing sample temperature. This issue is most often confronted at cryogenic temperatures above 100 K, where thermal response times can be very slow. These can be drastically reduced by minimising the amount of material being controlled to as little as possible beyond the sample itself. Peltier elements provide an effective way to achieve this, but are mostly used to regulate with respect to room temperature. We report on the Huginn sub-cryostat, a cryostat insert with dual Peltier regulation, useable down to 100 K, that enables large and rapid temperature jumps of up of 10 K to 20 K in minutes or less. Moreover, temperature stability is improved by an order of magnitude in the presence of a variable background temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A compact and movable pulsed magnet system for high magnetic fields up to 30 T has been developed for new sample environment equipment at the MLF in the J-PARC. It consists of (1) a capacitor bank power supply with a control unit, (2) a small solenoid coil and (3) a cryostat-insert. Neutron scattering experiments have been performed at a few beam-lines in the MLF and characteristics of the pulsed magnet system are described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The progress in sample environment at the China Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS) is presented. During the past two years, the Sample Environment group (SE Group) has made substantial efforts towards the procurement, design, development and maintenance of a series of sample environments for the three commissioning instruments. The equipment includes cryostats, an 3He insert, magnets, furnaces, continuously-loaded pressure cells, clamp cells, a gas handling panel, automatic sample changers, etc. The SE Group also constructs and maintains three user laboratories for sample preparation, characterization and complimentary analysis. Future developments are also briefly described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The neutron time-of-flight spectrometer NEAT has a long history of successful applications and is best suited to probe dynamic phenomena directly in the large time domain 10−14 – 10−10 s and on the length scale ranging from 0.05 to up to about 5 nm. To address user community needs for more powerful instrumental capabilities, a concept of the full upgrade of NEAT has been proposed. The upgrade started in 2010 after a rigorous internal and external selection process and resulted in 300-fold neutron count rate increase compared to NEAT′1995. Combined with new instrumental and sample environmental capabilities the upgrade allows NEAT to maintain itself at the best world class level and provide an outstanding experimental tool for a broad range of scientific applications. The advanced features of the new instrument include an integrated guide-chopper system that delivers neutrons with flexible beam properties: either highly homogeneous beam with low divergence suitable for single crystals studies or "hot-spot" neutron distribution serving best small samples. Substantial increase of the detector angle coverage is achieved by using 416 3He position sensitive detectors. Placed at 3 m from the sample, the detectors cover 20 m2 area and are equipped with modern electronics and DAQ using event recording techniques. The installation of hardware has been completed in June 2016 and on January 23, 2017 NEAT has welcomed its first regular users who took advantage of the high counting rate, broad available range of incoming neutron wavelengths and high flexibility of NEAT. Here we present details of NEAT upgrade, measured instrument characteristics and show first experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Fe3N and Fe3C nanocomposites have a wide range of applications thanks to their ceramic nature, magnetic properties, conductivity and catalytic activity, just to cite some. In many fields optimal performances are ensured by crystallinity, homogeneity and hierarchical organization. In the present paper, crystalline, magnetic and well‐defined nanofibres of iron nitride and iron carbide/carbon nanocomposite with tunable composition and size were prepared via electrospinning. The starting polymeric material was directly electrospun into fibres and then calcined, leading to a highly homogeneous final product of nanoparticles along the fibres (both outside and inside). A mechanistic study was undertaken and here discussed. The magnetic properties of the as‐prepared nanofibres were also studied. The as‐prepared final fibre mat composite material can serve as active catalyst, for example, in oxygen reduction reaction (where nanofibres outperformed mere nanoparticles), it can serve as functional support for classical catalytic processes or, thanks to its magnetic properties, can be applied in magnetic‐field assisted separation or as magneto‐active membranes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem The endothelial glycocalyx ( EGX) plays an important role in vascular integrity. Recently, increased levels of EGX components were detected in the circulating blood of healthy pregnant women and were related to the increased tendency to edema formation during gestation. However, the EGX has not yet been systematically studied in non-pregnant women during ovulatory cycles. Method of study Serum levels of EGX components syndecan-1, heparan sulfate, and hyaluronan in healthy women (n = 16) at 3 phases of the ovulatory cycle (early follicular phase, at ovulation, and mid-luteal phase) were compared with a control group of healthy men (n = 10). Using immunofluorescence microscopy in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells, the effects of progesterone and estrogen on the EGX were measured. Results Syndecan-1 increased from 11.1 ± 2.4 ng/ mL at ovulation to 12.6 ± 2.3 ng/ mL in mid-luteal phase ( P = .031) and of heparan sulfate from 663 ± 35 ng/ mL to 782 ± 55 ng/ mL ( P = .011). In contrast to estrogen, there was a detrimental effect of progesterone on the EGX in HUVECs. Conclusion The relationship between the natural menstrual cycle and the EGX as an indicator of vascular permeability may provide a new explanation for premenstrual edema in healthy women. This may be an attendant phenomenon of a regular physiological process, the hormonal downregulation of the vascular barrier during pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The use of artificial colloids has declined in critical care, whereas they are still used in perioperative medicine. Little is known about the nephrotoxic potential in noncritically ill patients during routine surgery. The objective of this trial was to evaluate the influences of albumin 5% and balanced hydroxyethyl starch 6% (130/0.4) on renal function and kidney injury.Methods: One hundred urologic patients undergoing elective cystectomy were randomly assigned for this prospective, single-blinded, controlled study with two parallel groups to receive either albumin 5% or balanced hydroxyethyl starch 6% (130/0.4) as the only perioperative colloid. The primary endpoint was the ratio of serum cystatin C between the last visit at day 90 and the first preoperative visit. Secondary endpoints were estimated glomerular filtration rate and serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin until the third postoperative day and risk, injury, failure, loss, and end-stage renal disease criteria at postoperative days 3 and 90.Results: The median cystatin C ratio was 1.11 (interquartile range, 1.01 to 1.23) in the albumin and 1.08 (interquartile range, 1.00 to 1.20) in the hydroxyethyl starch group (median difference = 0.03; 95% CI, -0.09 to 0.08; P = 0.165). Also, there were no significant differences concerning serum cystatin C concentrations; estimated glomerular filtration rate; risk, injury, failure, loss, and end-stage renal disease criteria; and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin. Infusion requirements, transfusion rates, and perioperative hemodynamics were similar in both groups.Conclusions: With respect to renal function and kidney injury, this study indicates that albumin 5% and balanced hydroxyethyl starch 6% have comparable safety profiles in noncritically ill patients undergoing major surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aims to investigate the effects of a modified, balanced crystalloid including phosphate in a perioperative setting in order to maintain a stable electrolyte and acid-base homeostasis in the patient.Methods/design: This is a single-centre, open-label, randomized controlled trial involving two parallel groups of female patients comparing a perioperative infusion regime with sodium glycerophosphate and Jonosteril® (treatment group) or Jonosteril® (comparator) alone. The primary endpoint is to maintain a stable concentration of weak acids [A-] according to the Stewart approach of acid-base balance. Secondary endpoints are measurement of serum phosphate levels, other acid-base parameters such as the strong ion difference (SID), the onset and severity of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), electrolyte levels and their excretion in the urine, monitoring of renal function and glycocalyx components, haemodynamics, amounts of catecholamines and other vasopressors used and the safety of the infusion regime.Discussion: Perioperative fluid replacement with the use of currently available crystalloid preparations still fail to maintain a stable acid-base balance and experts agree that common balanced solutions are still not ideal. This study aims to investigate the effectivity and safety of a new crystalloid solution by adding sodium glycerophosphate to a standardized crystalloid preparation in order to maintain a balanced perioperative acid-base homeostasis.Trial Registration: EudraCT number 201002422520 . Registered on 30 November 2010. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The random fluctuations of spins give rise to many interesting physical phenomena, such as the 'order-from-disorder' arising in frustrated magnets and unconventional Cooper pairing in magnetic superconductors. Here we show that the exchange of spin waves between extended topological defects, such as domain walls, can result in novel magnetic states. We report the discovery of an unusual incommensurate phase in the orthoferrite TbFeO3 using neutron diffraction under an applied magnetic field. The magnetic modulation has a very long period of 340?Å at 3?K and exhibits an anomalously large number of higher-order harmonics. These domain walls are formed by Ising-like Tb spins. They interact by exchanging magnons propagating through the Fe magnetic sublattice. The resulting force between the domain walls has a rather long range that determines the period of the incommensurate state and is analogous to the pion-mediated Yukawa interaction between protons and neutrons in nuclei. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetism has been predicted to occur in systems in which dipolar interactions dominate exchange. We present neutron scattering, specific heat, and magnetic susceptibility data for LiErF4, establishing it as a model dipolar-coupled antiferromagnet with planar spin-anisotropy and a quantum phase transition in applied field Hcll = 4.0 ± 0.1 kilo-oersteds. We discovered non-mean-field critical scaling for the classical phase transition at the antiferromagnetic transition temperature that is consistent with the two-dimensional XY/h4 universality class; in accord with this, the quantum phase transition at Hc exhibits three-dimensional classical behavior. The effective dimensional reduction may be a consequence of the intrinsic frustrated nature of the dipolar interaction, which strengthens the role of fluctuations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Magnetic oxide CuFeO2 is a magnetoelectric multiferroic with new type of spin–polarization coupling different from that in the spin-current mechanism, where magnetic field-induced or nonmagnetic impurity-induced proper helical magnetic ordering generates a spontaneous electric polarization parallel to the helical axis. Using a CuFe1− x Ga x O2 sample with x=0.035, in which the single ferroelectric phase is realized below T N∼8K in zero magnetic field unlike CuFe1− x Al x O2, we have performed pyroelectric current, thermally stimulated current (TSC) and polarized neutron diffraction measurements to study a memory effect that the electric polarization is partially preserved even for 2nd-cooling from above T N without poling electric field. It was found that the charge trapped during 1st-cooling with poling electric field, which is released as TSC on heating, plays an important role in the memory effect. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Iron nitride and carbide nanoparticles are obtained from an aqueous slurry of iron oxide particles, urea, and agar (N2 atmosphere, 800 °C, 1 h). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]