Forty-seven nearby main-sequence stars were surveyed with the Keck Interferometer mid-infrared Nulling instrument (KIN) between 2008 and 2011, searching for faint resolved emission from exozodiacal ...dust. Observations of a subset of the sample have already been reported, focusing essentially on stars with no previously known dust. Here we extend this previous analysis to the whole KIN sample, including 22 more stars with known near- and/or far-infrared excesses. In addition to an analysis similar to that of the first paper of this series, which was restricted to the 8-9 mu m spectral region, we present measurements obtained in all 10 spectral channels covering the 8-13 mu m instrumental bandwidth. For solar-type stars with no known infrared excess, likely to be the most relevant targets for a future exo-Earth direct imaging mission, we find that their median zodi level is 12+ or -24 zodis and lower than 60 zodis with 95% confidence, if a lognormal zodi luminosity distribution is assumed.
Abstract Background Patients with complex ventral hernias may benefit from preoperative optimization. This study evaluates the financial impact of preventable comorbidities (PCM) in elective open ...ventral hernia repair. Methods In this single institution prospectively collected data from 2007-2011, hospital charges (included all hernia-related visits, interventions, or readmissions) and wound-related complications in patients with PCM—diabetes, tobacco use, and obesity—were compared to patients without such risks using standard statistical methods. Results Within the study period, there were 118 patients with no PCM; of those, 33 had complications, and 85 did not. In the 131 patients with two or more PCM, 81 had complications; 89 of 251 patients had complications in the group with only 1 PCM; groups with PCM were significantly more likely to have complications compared to the no PCM group (62% versus 35.4% versus 28%, P < 0.05). The majority of the patient population was female (57.2%) with a mean age of 57.8 y (range, 22-84 ys), and median defect size was 150 cm2 (interquartile range, 50-283 cm2 ). Body mass index was higher in PCM group with complications than in PCM without complications (40 versus 36 kg/m2 , P < 0.05). For patients with complications, the average hospital charges were $80,660 in the PCM group compared to $55,444 in the no PCM group ( P = 0.038). Hospital charges in those with PCM without complications compared to no PCM with complications were equivalent ($65,453 versus $55,444, P = 0.55). Even when no complications occurred, patients with PCM incurred higher charges than No PCM for inpatient ($61,269 versus $31,236, P < 0.02), outpatient ($4,185 versus $552, P < 0.04), and total hospital charges ($65,453 versus $31,788, P ≤ 0.001). Those patients without complications but with a single PCM incurred larger charges than those with no PCM during follow-up ($3578 versus $552, P = 0.04), but there was no difference in hospital or overall total charges ( P > 0.05). Interestingly, patients without complications, both hospital ($38,333 versus $61,269, P = 0.02) and total charges ($41,911 versus $65,453, P = 0.01) were increased for patients with 2+ PCM compared to those with only a single PCM. If complications occurred, no difference between the single PCM group compared to the two or more PCM groups existed for hospital, follow-up, or overall charges ( P > 0.05). Conclusions Patients with PCM undergoing open ventral hernia repair are more likely to have complications than patients without comorbidities. Patients with PCM generate higher hospital charges than those without PCM even when no complications occur; furthermore, the more PCM, the patient has the more significant the impact. Interestingly, patients with multiple PCM and no complications had equivalent hospital costs compared to patients with no PCM and with complications. Aggressive risk reduction may translate into significant savings. Preoperative preparation of patients before elective surgery is indicated.
The current epidemic of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) calls for the development of inhibitors of viral replication. Here, we ...performed a bioinformatic analysis of published and purported SARS-CoV-2 antivirals including imatinib mesylate that we found to suppress SARS-CoV-2 replication on Vero E6 cells and that, according to the published literature on other coronaviruses is likely to act on-target, as a tyrosine kinase inhibitor. We identified a cluster of SARS-CoV-2 antivirals with characteristics of lysosomotropic agents, meaning that they are lipophilic weak bases capable of penetrating into cells. These agents include cepharentine, chloroquine, chlorpromazine, clemastine, cloperastine, emetine, hydroxychloroquine, haloperidol, ML240, PB28, ponatinib, siramesine, and zotatifin (eFT226) all of which are likely to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication by non-specific (off-target) effects, meaning that they probably do not act on their 'official' pharmacological targets, but rather interfere with viral replication through non-specific effects on acidophilic organelles including autophagosomes, endosomes, and lysosomes. Imatinib mesylate did not fall into this cluster. In conclusion, we propose a tentative classification of SARS-CoV-2 antivirals into specific (on-target) versus non-specific (off-target) agents based on their physicochemical characteristics.
The solid state structures of three compounds that contain a perfluorinated chain, CF3(CF2)5CH2CH(CH3)CO2H, CF3(CF2)5(CH2)4(CF2)5CF3 and {CF3(CF2)5CH2CH2}3PO have been compared and a number of ...C–F···F–C and C–F···H–C interactions that are closer than the sum of the van der Waals radii have been identified. These interactions have been probed by a comprehensive computational chemistry investigation and the stabilizing energy between dimeric fragments was found to be 0.26–29.64 kcal/mol, depending on the type of interaction. An Atoms-in-Molecules (AIM) study has confirmed that specific C–F···F–C interactions are indeed present, and are not due simply to crystal packing. The weakly stabilizing nature of these interactions has been utilized in the physisorption of a selected number of compounds containing long chain perfluorinated ponytails onto a perfluorinated self-assembled monolayer, which has been characterized by IRRAS (Infrared Reflection Absorption Spectroscopy).
Purpose
The use of component separation results in myofascial release and increased rates of fascial closure in abdominal wall reconstruction(AWR). These complex dissections have been associated with ...increased rates of wound complications with anterior component separation having the greatest wound morbidity. The aim of this paper was to compare the wound complication rate between perforator sparing anterior component separation(PS-ACST) and transversus abdominus release(TAR).
Methods
Patients were identified from a prospective, single institution hernia center database who underwent PS-ACST and TAR from 2015 to 2021. The primary outcome was wound complication rate. Standard statistical methods were used, univariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression were performed.
Results
A total of 172 patients met criteria, 39 had PS-ACST and 133 had TAR performed. The PS-ACST and TAR groups were similar in terms of diabetes (15.4% vs 28.6%, p = 0.097), but the PS-ACST group had a greater percentage of smokers (46.2% vs 14.3%, p < 0.001). The PS-ACST group had a larger hernia defect size (375.2 ± 156.7 vs 234.4 ± 126.9cm
2
, p < 0.001) and more patients who underwent preoperative Botulinum toxin A (BTA) injections (43.6% vs 6.0%, p < 0.001). The overall wound complication rate was not significantly different (23.1% vs 36.1%, p = 0.129) nor was the mesh infection rate (0% vs 1.6%, p = 0.438). Using logistic regression, none of the factors that were significantly different in the univariate analysis were associated with wound complication rate (all p > 0.05).
Conclusion
PS-ACST and TAR are comparable in terms of wound complication rates. PS-ACST can be used for large hernia defects and promote fascial closure with low overall wound morbidity and perioperative complications.
We report on high-contrast mid-infrared observations of Fomalhaut obtained with the Keck Interferometer Nuller (KIN) showing a small resolved excess over the level expected from the stellar ...photosphere. Given the small field of view of the instrument, the source of this marginal excess must be contained within 2 AU of Fomalhaut. Using a parametric two-dimensional radiative transfer code and a Bayesian analysis, we examine different dust disk structures to reproduce both the near- and mid-infrared data simultaneously The second dust population - inferred from the KIN data at longer mid-infrared wavelengths - consists of larger grains located further out in a colder region where regular astronomical silicates could survive, with an inner edge around 0.4 AU-1 AU. This could either point to some inordinate replenishment rates (e.g., many grazing comets coming from an outer reservoir) or to the existence of some braking mechanism preventing the grains from moving out.
Surface modification of electrodes with glycans was investigated as a strategy for modulating the development of electrocatalytic biofilms for microbial fuel cell applications. Covalent attachment of ...phenyl-mannoside and phenyl-lactoside adlayers on graphite rod electrodes was achieved via electrochemically assisted grafting of aryldiazonium cations from solution. To test the effects of the specific bio-functionalities, modified and unmodified graphite rods were used as anodes in two-chamber microbial fuel cell devices. Devices were set up with wastewater as inoculum and acetate as nutrient and their performance, in terms of output potential (open circuit and 1 kΩ load) and peak power output, was monitored over two months. The presence of glycans was found to lead to significant differences in startup times and peak power outputs. Lactosides were found to inhibit the development of biofilms when compared to bare graphite. Mannosides were found, instead, to promote exoelectrogenic biofilm adhesion and anode colonization, a finding that is supported by quartz crystal microbalance experiments in inoculum media. These differences were observed despite both adlayers possessing thickness in the nm range and similar hydrophilic character. This suggests that specific glycan-mediated bioaffinity interactions can be leveraged to direct the development of biotic electrocatalysts in bioelectrochemical systems and microbial fuel cell devices.
Background
Despite advances in diagnostic imaging capabilities, little information exists concerning the impact of physical dimensions of a paraesophageal hernia (PEH) on intraoperative decision ...making. The authors hypothesized that computerized volumetric analysis and multidimensional visualization to measure hiatal defect area (HDA) and intrathoracic hernia sac volume (HSV) would correlate to operative findings and required surgical techniques performed.
Methods
Using volumetric analysis software (
Aquarius iNtuition, TeraRecon, Inc
), HDA and HSV were measured in PEH patients with preoperative computerized tomography (CT) scans, and used to predict the likelihood of intraoperative variables. Multidimensional rotation of images enabled visualization of the entire hiatal defect in a plane mimicking the surgeon’s view during repair. The intrathoracic hernia sac was outlined producing volume measurements based on a summation of exact dimensions.
Results
A total of 213 PEHR patients had preoperative CT imaging, with 14.1% performed emergently. Primary cruroplasty was performed in 89.2%, salvage gastropexy in 10.3%, and diaphragmatic relaxing incisions in 4.2%. Median HDA was 25.7 cm
2
(IQR17.8–35.6 cm
2
); median HSV was 365.0 cm
3
(IQR150.0–611.0 cm
3
). Incremental 5 cm
2
increase in HDA was associated with greater likelihood of presenting emergently (OR 1.27; 95%CI 1.124–1.428,
p
= 0.0001), incarceration (OR 1.27; 1.074–1.499,
p
= 0.005), gastric volvulus (OR 1.13; 1.021–1.248,
p
= 0.02), and requiring either relaxing incision (OR 1.43; 1.203–1.709,
p
< 0.0001) or salvage gastropexy (OR 1.13; 1.001–1.274,
p
= 0.04). Similarly, HSV increases of 100 cm
3
were associated with 23% greater likelihood of emergent repair (CI 1.121–1.353,
p
< 0.0001), and were more likely to require a relaxing incision (OR 1.18; 1.043–1.339,
p
= 0.009) or salvage gastropexy (1.19; 1.083–1.312,
p
= 0.0003).
Conclusions
Utilization of CT volumetric measurements is a valuable adjunct in preoperative planning, allowing the surgeon to anticipate complexity of repair and operative approach, as incremental increases in HSV by 100 cm
3
and HDA by 5 cm
2
are more likely to require complex techniques or bailout procedures and/or present emergently.
Metal‐free carbon electrodes with well‐defined composition and smooth topography are prepared via sputter deposition followed by thermal treatment with inert and reactive gases. X‐ray photoelectron ...spectroscopy (XPS) and Raman spectroscopy show that three carbons of similar N/C content that differ in N‐site composition are thus prepared: an electrode consisting of almost exclusively graphitic‐N (NG), an electrode with predominantly pyridinic‐N (NP), and one with ≈1:1 NG:NP composition. These materials are used as model systems to investigate the activity of N‐doped carbons in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) using voltammetry. Results show that selectivity toward 4e‐reduction of O2 is strongly influenced by the NG/NP site composition, with the material possessing nearly uniform NG/NP composition being the only one yielding a 4e‐reduction. Computational studies on model graphene clusters are carried out to elucidate the effect of N‐site homogeneity on the reaction pathway. Calculations show that for pure NG‐doping or NP‐doping of model graphene clusters, adsorption of hydroperoxide and hydroperoxyl radical intermediates, respectively, is weak, thus favoring desorption prior to complete 4e‐reduction to hydroxide. Clusters with mixed NG/NP sites display synergistic effects, suggesting that co‐presence of these sites improves activity and selectivity by achieving high theoretical reduction potentials while facilitating retention of intermediates.
Co‐presence of pyridinic and graphitic N‐sites in metal‐free carbon electrodes modulates the binding energy of hydroperoxide/hydroperoxyl intermediates and promotes selectivity toward 4e‐reduction in the oxygen reduction reaction.
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