Situation Report - Yugoslavia 17 August 1989

Articles relating to Yugoslavia\u27s economic and political situtation in 1989, the reuslts of the plenum of the Central Committee of the Legue of Communists, inflation within Yugoslavia, and Serbia\u27s 1989 public loan program

Impact of Covid-19 on the global orthopaedic research output

The pandemic led to a significant change in the clinical routine of many orthopaedic surgeons. To observe the impact of the pandemic on scientific output all studies published in the fields of orthopaedics listed in the Web of Science databases were analysed regarding the scientific merit of the years 2019, 2020, and 2021. Subsequently, correlation analyses were performed with parameters of regional pandemic situation (obtained from WHO) and economic strength (obtained from the World Bank). The investigations revealed that the Covid-19 pandemic led to a decrease in the annual publication rate for the first time in 20 years (2020 to 2021: –5.69%). There were regional differences in the publication rate, which correlated significantly with the respective Covid-19 case count (r = –.77, p < 0.01), associated death count (r = –.63, p < 0.01), and the gross domestic product per capita (r = –.40, p < 0.01) but not with the number of vaccinations (r = .09, p = 0.30). Furthermore, there was a drastic decrease in funding from private agencies (relative share: 2019: 36.43%, 2020: 22.66%, 2021: 19.22%), and a balanced decrease in publication output for research areas of acute and elective patient care. The Covid-19 pandemic resulted in a decline in orthopaedic annual publication rates for the first time in 20 years. This reduction was subject to marked regional differences and correlated directly with the pandemic load and was associated with decreased research funding from the private sector

Comparison of the scientific performance in hip and knee arthroplasty between the leading continents

Background: Scientific progress in the field of knee and hip arthroplasty has enabled the preservation of mobility and quality of life in the case of patients with many primary degenerative and (post-) traumatic joint diseases. This comparative study aims to investigate differences in scientific performance between the leading continents in the field of hip and knee arthroplasty. Methods: Using specific search terms all studies published by the scientific leading continents Europe, North America, Asia and Oceania listed in the Web of Science databases were included. All identified publications were analysed and comparative conclusions were drawn regarding the qualitative and quantitative scientific merit of each continent. Results: Europe, followed by North America, Asia, and Oceania, had the highest overall number of publications in the field of arthroplasty. Since 2000, there has been a strong increase in knee arthroplasty publication rate, particular pronounced in Asia. Studies performed and published in North America and those on knee arthroplasty received the highest number of fundings. Publications regarding hip arthroplasty achieved the highest average citation rate. In contradistinction to the others, in North America most funding was provided by private agencies. Conclusion: Although Europe showed the highest total number of publications, authors and institutions, arthroplasty research from North America received greater scientific attention and financial support. Measured by citations, publications on hip arthroplasty attained higher scientific interest and studies on knee arthroplasty received higher economic affection

Exceptional Response with Immunotherapy in a Patient with Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer

Chemotherapy with or without radiation is the standard therapy for anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC), although the response rate is not high and not durable. We describe a 62-year-old male who was diagnosed with ATC and initially treated with a thyroidectomy and lymph node dissection, followed by chemotherapy. Next generation sequencing was then performed to guide therapy and the tumor was found to have BRAF and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) positivity that was subsequently treated with vemurafenib and nivolumab. This led to substantial regression of tumor nodules. Genomic sequencing-based approaches to identify therapeutic targets has potential for improving outcomes. Currently, the patient continues to be in complete radiographic and clinical remission 20 months after beginning treatment with nivolumab. KEY POINTS: Programmed death-1 (PD-1)/PD-L1 immunotherapy has shown evidence of durable responses in certain malignancies such as melanoma, lung cancer, and renal cell carcinoma.PD-L1 positive tumors promote autoimmunity against the tumor; therefore, PD-1/PD-L1 blockade may be beneficial.Molecular profiling could possibly result in improved targeted therapy for certain malignancies

Subgroup analysis of scientific performance in the field of arthroplasty

Introduction: Arthroplasty is the final treatment option for maintaining mobility and quality of life in many primary degenerative and (post-) traumatic joint diseases. Identification of research output and potential deficits for specific subspecialties may be an important measure to achieve long-term improvement of patient care in this field. Methods: Using specific search terms and Boolean operators, all studies published since 1945 to the subgroups of arthroplasty listed in the Web of Science Core Collection were included. All identified publications were analysed according to bibliometric standards, and comparative conclusions were drawn regarding the scientific merit of each subgroup. Results: Most publications investigated the subgroups of septic surgery and materials followed by approach, navigation, aseptic loosening, robotic and enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS). In the last 5 years, research in the fields of robotic and ERAS achieved the highest relative increase in publications In contrast, research on aseptic loosening has continued to lose interest over the last 5 years. Publications on robotics and materials received the most funding on average while those on aseptic loosening received the least. Most publications originated from USA, Germany, and England, except for research on ERAS in which Denmark stood out. Relatively, publications on aseptic loosening received the most citations, whereas the absolute scientific interest was highest for the topic infection. Discussion: In this bibliometric subgroup analysis, the primary scientific outputs focused on septic complications and materials research in the field of arthroplasty. With decreasing publication output and the least financial support, intensification of research on aseptic loosening is urgently recommended

Wind Energy and the Turbulent Nature of the Atmospheric Boundary Layer

Wind turbines operate in the atmospheric boundary layer, where they are exposed to the turbulent atmospheric flows. As the response time of wind turbine is typically in the range of seconds, they are affected by the small scale intermittent properties of the turbulent wind. Consequently, basic features which are known for small-scale homogeneous isotropic turbulence, and in particular the well-known intermittency problem, have an important impact on the wind energy conversion process. We report on basic research results concerning the small-scale intermittent properties of atmospheric flows and their impact on the wind energy conversion process. The analysis of wind data shows strongly intermittent statistics of wind fluctuations. To achieve numerical modeling a data-driven superposition model is proposed. For the experimental reproduction and adjustment of intermittent flows a so-called active grid setup is presented. Its ability is shown to generate reproducible properties of atmospheric flows on the smaller scales of the laboratory conditions of a wind tunnel. As an application example the response dynamics of different anemometer types are tested. To achieve a proper understanding of the impact of intermittent turbulent inflow properties on wind turbines we present methods of numerical and stochastic modeling, and compare the results to measurement data. As a summarizing result we find that atmospheric turbulence imposes its intermittent features on the complete wind energy conversion process. Intermittent turbulence features are not only present in atmospheric wind, but are also dominant in the loads on the turbine, i.e. rotor torque and thrust, and in the electrical power output signal. We conclude that profound knowledge of turbulent statistics and the application of suitable numerical as well as experimental methods are necessary to grasp these unique features (...)Comment: Accepted by the Journal of Turbulence on May 17, 201