Spontaneous Hall effect in chiral p-wave superconductor

In a chiral superconductor with broken time-reversal symmetry a ``spontaneous Hall effect'' may be observed. We analyze this phenomenon by taking into account the surface properties of a chiral superconductor. We identify two main contributions to the spontaneous Hall effect. One contribution originates from the Bernoulli (or Lorentz) force from spontaneous currents running along the surfaces of the superconductor. The other contribution has a topological origin and is related to the intrinsic angular momentum of Cooper pairs. The latter can be described in terms of a Chern-Simons-like term in the low-energy field theory of the superconductor and has some similarities with the quantum Hall effect. The spontaneous Hall effect in a chiral superconductor is, however, non-universal. Our analysis is based on three approaches to the problem: a self-consistent solution of the Bogoliubov-de Gennes equation, a generalized Ginzburg-Landau theory, and a hydrodynamic formulation. All three methods consistently lead to the same conclusion that the spontaneous Hall resistance of a two-dimensional superconducting Hall bar is of order h/(e k_F\lambda)^2, where k_F is the Fermi wave vector and \lambda is the London penetration depth; the Hall resistance is substantially suppressed from a quantum unit of resistance. Experimental issues in measuring this effect are briefly discussed.Comment: 22 pages including 12 figure

Electrostatic potential in a superconductor

The electrostatic potential in a superconductor is studied. To this end Bardeen's extension of the Ginzburg-Landau theory to low temperatures is used to derive three Ginzburg-Landau equations - the Maxwell equation for the vector potential, the Schroedinger equation for the wave function and the Poisson equation for the electrostatic potential. The electrostatic and the thermodynamic potential compensate each other to a great extent resulting into an effective potential acting on the superconducting condensate. For the Abrikosov vortex lattice in Niobium, numerical solutions are presented and the different contributions to the electrostatic potential and the related charge distribution are discussed.Comment: 19 pages, 11 figure

Drawings of very preterm-born children at 5 years of age: a first impression of cognitive and motor development?

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to examine differences in drawing skills between very preterm and term children, and to determine whether very preterm children's cognitive and motor development is reflected in the draw-a-person test (DAP) at age 5. Seventy-two very preterm children (birth weight <1,500 g and/or gestational age <32 weeks) and 60 term children at 5 years of age were compared on the DAP. Cognitive and motor skills of the very preterm children had been assessed four times, at 1/2, 1, 2, and 5 years of age. Very preterm children showed a developmental delay in drawing ability. Structural equation modeling revealed a positive relation between both cognitive as well as motor development and the DAP. CONCLUSION: The DAP could be a crude parameter for evaluating cognitive and motor deficits of very preterm children. A worrisome result should be followed by more standardized tests measuring cognitive and motor skill

Порядок рассмотрения замечаний на протокол судебного заседания: проблемы реализации

Раздел IV. Гражданский процесс, трудовое право и право социального обеспечени

Outcome in patient-specific PEEK cranioplasty: A two-center cohort study of 40 implants

The best material choice for cranioplasty following craniectomy remains a subject to discussion. Complication rates after cranioplasty tend to be high. Computer-assisted 3-dimensional modelling of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) was recently introduced for cranial reconstruction. The aim of this study was to evaluate patient- and surgery-related characteristics and risk factors that predispose patients to cranioplasty complications. This retrospective study included a total of 40 cranial PEEK implants in 38 patients, performed at two reference centers in the Netherlands from 2011 to 2014. Complications were registered and patient- and surgery-related data were carefully analysed. The overall complication rate of PEEK cranioplasty was 28%. Complications included infection (13 %), postoperative haematoma (10 %), cerebrospinal fluid leak (2.5 %) and wound-related problems (2.5 %). All postoperative infections required removal of the implant. Nonetheless removed implants could be successfully re-used after re-sterilization. Although overall complication rates after PEEK cranioplasty remain high, outcomes are satisfactory, as our results compare favourably to recent literature reports on cranial vault reconstructio

The use of cranial resection templates with 3D virtual planning and PEEK patient-specific implants: A 3 year follow-up

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of resection templates in cranioplasties in order to facilitate a one-stage resection and cranial reconstruction. Patients and methods: In three cases, cranial resections were combined with direct reconstructions using the principles of computer-aided design, manufacturing, and surgery. The precision of the resection template was evaluated through a distance map, comparing the planned and final result. Results: The mean absolute difference between the planned and actual reconstructed contour was less than 1.0 mm. After 3 years, no clinical signs of infection or rejection of the implants were present. The computed tomography scans showed no irregularities, and the aesthetic results remained satisfactory. Conclusion: One-stage resection and cranial reconstruction using a resection template, control template, and a prefabricated patient-specific implant of poly(ether-ether-ketone) (PEEK) proved to be a viable and safe method

Properties of an In Vivo Fractured Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) Cranioplasty After 15 Years

Background: In 2001, a 27-year-old man was diagnosed with a meningioma with skull bone involvement. A craniectomy was performed and a CMW-3 poly(methyl methacrylate) cranioplasty was manually manufactured to reconstruct the remaining cranial defect. In 2016, he complained about progressive neurologic impairment. A computed tomography scan revealed that the cranioplasty had fractured into 4 dislocated pieces. Removal was indicated, and during the same operation a polyetheretherketone patient-specific implant was inserted. Methods: The fractured cranioplasty was compared with freshly prepared CMW-3 specimens to determine whether the material properties had changed during 15 years in vivo. Gel permeation chromatography, microcomputed tomography, and flexural strength tests were performed. The fracture itself was analyzed using finite element analysis. Results: The polydispersity index and molecular weight were not significantly different for the fractured cranioplasty and CMW-3. The fractured cranioplasty contained a total porosity of 10.7%, fresh CMW-3 cured at atmospheric pressure contained 4.1%, and 0.06% when cured at 2.2 bar. The flexural strength of the CMW-3 cured at 2.2 bar was significantly higher than both the fractured cranioplasty and CMW-3 cured at atmospheric pressure. Finite element analysis showed stress of 12.2 MPa under a load of 100 N on a weak spot. Conclusions: This ex vivo study shows that CMW-3 after 15 years in vivo was not influenced in molecular weight or flexural strength. However, the design of the implant and the handling of the poly(methyl methacrylate) seem to be important factors to improve mechanical properties of cranial reconstructions

Autologous Bone Is Inferior to Alloplastic Cranioplasties: Safety of Autograft and Allograft Materials for Cranioplasties, a Systematic Review

Background: Currently, various materials are routinely used for cranioplasty after decompressive craniectomy, each with their own features, potential benefits, and harms. Objectives: To systematically review available literature about safety (infection, resorption, and removal) of different materials used for cranioplasty for any indication. Methods: A comprehensive search in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane library was performed for relevant studies published up to January 2017. Study quality was assessed according to the Cochrane Collaboration risk of bias assessment tool, and a set of 27 predetermined parameters was extracted by 2 investigators independently for further analysis. Results: The search yielded 2 randomized, 14 prospective, and 212 retrospective studies, totaling 10,346 cranioplasties in which 1952 (18.9%) complications were reported in patients between 0 and 90 years old. Overall, study quality was low and heterogeneity was large. Graft infections and resorption were most prevalent: overall infection rate was 5.6%. Autologous cranioplasties showed an infection rate of 6.9% versus 5.0% in combined alloplastic materials, including poly(methyl methacrylate) with 7.8%. Resorption occurred almost exclusively in autologous cranioplasties (11.3%). The greatest removal rate was reported for autologous cranioplasties (overall: 10.4%), which was significantly greater than that of combined alloplastic materials (overall: 5.1%; risk difference = 0.052 [95% confidence interval: 0.039–0.066]; NNT = 19 [95% confidence interval: 15–25]). Conclusions: Available evidence on the safety of cranioplasty materials is limited due to a large diversity in study conduct, patients included, and outcomes reported. Autografts appear to carry a greater failure risk than allografts. Future publications concerning cranioplasties will benefit by a standardized reporting of surgical procedures, outcomes, and graft materials used