Black Silicon with high density and high aspect ratio nanowhiskers

Physical properties of black Silicon (b-Si) formed on Si wafers by reactive ion etching in chlorine plasma are reported in an attempt to clarify the formation mechanism and the origin of the observed optical and electrical phenomena which are promising for a variety of applications. The b-Si consisting of high density and high aspect ratio sub-micron length whiskers or pillars with tip diameters of well under 3 nm exhibits strong photoluminescence (PL) both in visible and infrared, which are interpreted in conjunction with defects, confinement effects and near band-edge emission. Structural analysis indicate that the whiskers are all crystalline and encapsulated by a thin Si oxide layer. Infrared vibrational spectrum of Si-O-Si bondings in terms of transverse-optic (TO) and longitudinal-optic (LO) phonons indicates that disorder induced LO-TO optical mode coupling can be an effective tool in assessing structural quality of the b-Si. The same phonons are likely coupled to electrons in visible region PL transitions. Field emission properties of these nanoscopic features are demonstrated indicating the influence of the tip shape on the emission. Overall properties are discussed in terms of surface morphology of the nano whiskers

Identifying risk factors for blood culture negative infective endocarditis: An international ID-IRI study

Background: Blood culture-negative endocarditis (BCNE) is a diagnostic challenge, therefore our objective was to pinpoint high-risk cohorts for BCNE. Methods: The study included adult patients with definite endocarditis. Data were collected via the Infectious Diseases International Research Initiative (ID-IRI). The study analysing one of the largest case series ever reported was conducted across 41 centers in 13 countries. We analysed the database to determine the predictors of BCNE using univariate and logistic regression analyses. Results: Blood cultures were negative in 101 (11.65 %) of 867 patients. We disclosed that as patients age, the likelihood of a negative blood culture significantly decreases (OR 0.975, 95 % CI 0.963–0.987, p < 0.001). Additionally, factors such as rheumatic heart disease (OR 2.036, 95 % CI 0.970–4.276, p = 0.049), aortic stenosis (OR 3.066, 95 % CI 1.564–6.010, p = 0.001), mitral regurgitation (OR 1.693, 95 % CI 1.012–2.833, p = 0.045), and prosthetic valves (OR 2.539, 95 % CI 1.599–4.031, p < 0.001) are associated with higher likelihoods of negative blood cultures. Our model can predict whether a patient falls into the culture-negative or culture-positive groups with a threshold of 0.104 (AUC±SE = 0.707 ± 0.027). The final model demonstrates a sensitivity of 70.3 % and a specificity of 57.0 %. Conclusion: Caution should be exercised when diagnosing endocarditis in patients with concurrent cardiac disorders, particularly in younger cases

Utility of Third-Week Postoperative Radiographs in the Management of Ankle Fractures

Objectives. To evaluate the costs and efficacy of radiographs taken in the third week after fixation of bimalleolar and trimalleolar fractures. Patients and method. A retrospective evaluation was made of patients who underwent surgical fixation because of bimalleolar and trimalleolar fractures between January 1, 2008, and October 1, 2013. Patient demographics (age, gender, body mass index), fracture type, follow-up periods, and fixation methods were recorded, and the radiographs taken on postoperative day 1, at 3 weeks, 6 weeks, and the final follow-up were examined by 2 orthopedists. Measurements were taken of the medial clear space (MCS ? 4 mm), the tibiofibular clear space (TFCS 10 mm) on the anteroposterior radiograph; residual step (mm) was measured on the lateral radiograph. Results. A total of 263 patients were examined, and of these, 112 were included for evaluation. In the measurements of postoperative day 1, third week, and sixth week and the final radiographs, no statistically significant difference was determined in the MCS, TFCS, TCA, TFO, and residual step values. Because the cost of a series of 3-way ankle radiographs in Turkey is US$3.81 per patient, the cost of the control series for the 112 patients in this study was US$ 427.3. Conclusions. In patients treated surgically for bimalleolar and trimalleolar fractures, the radiographs taken in the third week rarely resulted in a change of patient management. Therefore, it simply constitutes an additional cost for the patient or the hospital. Levels of Evidence: Level III: Retrospective Cohort study. © 2018 The Author(s)

Conventional trans-tibial versus anatomic medial portal technique for femoral tunnel preparation in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction; Comparison of clinical outcomes

Aim: Method of femoral tunnel preparation in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is controversial. In this study, we aimed to determine if there is any difference between the clinical outcomes of two most commonly used drilling techniques; which are conventional trans-tibial (TT) drilling of femoral tunnel and anatomic preparation of femoral tunnel through medial portal (MP), in patients who underwent ACL reconstruction. Material and Methods: One hundred and twenty-nine male patients who underwent ACL reconstruction between 2010 and 2012 were included in the study. Single-bundle reconstruction with a quadrupled autologous hamstring graft was performed in all patients. Femoral tunnel was drilled by the conventional TT technique in 58 patients (Group 1) and through MP in 71 patients (Group 2). Functional evaluation was made about 12 months postoperatively. Functional evaluation included the Lysholm Knee Scale, International Knee Documentation Committee Scoring (IKDC), and Tegner Activity Level Scale were used for assessment. The anteroposterior stability was assessed using KT-1000 arthrometer and the pivot shift test for assessment of rotational stability. Results: Interval between injury and surgery was similar between two groups (median 8.0 vs. 10 weeks, for TT vs. MP, respectively). One hundred twenty-five patients attending the final follow-up examination (96.8%) were evaluated. The results of Lysholm, IKDC, and Tegner scales were found to be similar. According to KT-1000 arthrometer results, MP group revealed slightly better results than TT group. Regarding pivot shift, MP group showed significantly better stability than TT group (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The anatomical single-bundle femoral tunnel preparation in the reconstruction of the ACL seems as effective as the conventional technique in terms of functional stability in the midterm. The technique better preserved the rotational stability in non-professional athletes

Irreducible dorsal distal radius fracture-dislocation with accompanying dorsal displacement of flexor tendons and median nerve: A rare type of injury

INTRODUCTION High energy distal radius fractures may cause significant soft tissue injuries. Dorsal displacement of median nerve and flexor tendons to dorsal compartment between distal radioulnar joint was an unreported type of soft tissue injury.PRESENTATION OF CASE 35-Year male admitted following fall from height diagnosed as closed distal radius fracture with dorsal displacement. The patient had no flexion and extension of all fingers with loss of sensation. Radial artery pulse was not palpable. Radiography and CT imaging revealed distal radius fracture with dorsal displacement with dorsal carpal dislocation. After failure of closed reduction, operative treatment was performed. At surgery, flexor tendons and median nerve was found to be placed at dorsal compartment. Reduction of the soft tissues was facilitated by distraction of distal radioulnar joint.DISCUSSION Dorsal displacement of volar structures as the result of fracture dislocation was found to be an unreported type of injury. Difficulty during reduction of dorsally displaced structures is an important feature of the case.CONCLUSION For severely displaced and deformed distal radial fractures and fracture dislocations, threshold for operative treatment should be kept low. © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd