Prediction of postnatal outcome in foetuses at risk for chronic lung disease

In this two-part thesis we assessed the value of prenatal ultrasound predictors for postnatal outcome in foetuses with a congenital anomaly associated with pulmonary hypoplasia and an increased risk of postnatal development of pulmonary hypertension and/or chronic lung disease

Big Gulp Gets Even Bigger: Effects of Apparent Mass and Momentum Flux on the Forces during Baleen Whale Feeding

The feeding behavior of the Balaenoptera physalus, or more commonly known as fin whales, is some of the most extreme and somewhat curious feeding techniques among mammals and other aquatic vertebrate animals. The specific process includes a lunge deep into the ocean, and large gulp of water to catch many krill at one dive. These dives are relatively short due to the high energy expenditure, most likely due to the high drag exerted on the animal during the process. However, this drag is even more significant than previously thought. Due to the effects of apparent mass and momentum flux, the overall force is much greater than previously modeled. By mathematically modeling these effects during the lunge feeding process, researchers can have a more accurate understanding of additional inertial factors of ellipsoids, thus giving a better understanding in airship design

The Emergence of Preprints: Comparing Publishing Behaviour in the Global South and the Global North

Purpose: The recent proliferation of preprints could be a way for researchers worldwide to increase the availability and visibility of their research findings. Against the background of rising publication costs caused by the increasing prevalence of article processing fees, the search for other ways to publish research results besides traditional journal publication may increase. This could be especially true for lower-income countries. Design/methodology/approach: Therefore, we are interested in the experiences and attitudes towards posting and using preprints in the Global South as opposed to the Global North. To explore whether motivations and concerns about posting preprints differ, we adopted a mixed-methods approach, combining a quantitative survey of researchers with focus group interviews. Findings: We found that respondents from the Global South were more likely to agree to adhere to policies and to emphasise that mandates could change publishing behaviour towards open access. They were also more likely to agree posting preprints has a positive impact. Respondents from the Global South and the Global North emphasised the importance of peer-reviewed research for career advancement. Originality: The study has identified a wide range of experiences with and attitudes towards posting preprints among researchers in the Global South and the Global North. To our knowledge, this has hardly been studied before, which is also because preprints only have emerged lately in many disciplines and countries

The appeal of the Functional Fitness MOT to older adults and health professionals in an outpatient setting: a mixed-method feasibility study

Purpose: To understand the views and perceptions regarding the Functional Fitness MOT (FFMOT), a battery of functional tests followed by a brief motivational interview, of both the older people undergoing it and the health professionals delivering it. Patients and methods: Physically inactive older adults (n=29) underwent the FFMOT and subsequently attended focus groups to share their perceptions of it and to discuss the barriers, motivators, health behavior change, and scope to improve physical activity (PA) levels. PA levels were recorded at baseline and again at 12 weeks together with a post-intervention questionnaire concerning behavior change. Participating physiotherapists and technical instructors were interviewed. Results: Most participants felt they had learned about their abilities and comparisons with their peers, had a change in perception about the importance of good balance and strength, and felt the FFMOT helped raise their awareness of local and self-directed physical activity opportunities. Most felt their awareness of the need for PA had not changed, but 25% of participants started a new organized PA opportunity. The health professionals perceived the FFMOT as being easy to administer, educating, and motivating for participants to increase their PA. Space, time, finances, and insecurity about having the necessary skills to conduct the FFMOTs were seen as barriers in implementing the FFMOT in daily practice. Conclusion: Over half of those offered the FFMOT accepted it, suggesting it is appealing. However, most participants felt they were already active enough and that their awareness of the need for PA had not changed. There were positive perceptions of the FFMOT from both professionals and older people, but both felt the FFMOT could be held in a community venue. The overall findings suggest that the FFMOT is feasible in the clinical setting, but its effectiveness has yet to be determined

An S = ½ iron complex featuring N₂, thiolate, and hydride ligands: Reductive elimination of H₂ and relevant thermochemical Fe-H parameters

Believed to accumulate on the Fe sites of the FeMo-cofactor (FeMoco) of MoFe-nitrogenase under turnover, strongly donating hydrides have been proposed to facilitate N₂ binding to Fe and may also participate in the hydrogen evolution process concomitant to nitrogen fixation. Here, we report the synthesis and characterization of a thiolate-coordinated Fe^(III)(H)(N₂) complex, which releases H₂ upon warming to yield an Fe^(II)–N₂–Fe^(II) complex. Bimolecular reductive elimination of H₂ from metal hydrides is pertinent to the hydrogen evolution processes of both enzymes and electrocatalysts, but well-defined examples are uncommon and usually observed from diamagnetic second- and third-row transition metals. Kinetic data obtained on the HER of this ferric hydride species are consistent with a bimolecular reductive elimination pathway, arising from cleavage of the Fe–H bond with a computationally determined BDFE of 55.6 kcal/mol

Hydrazine Formation via Coupling of a Ni^(III)-NH₂ Radical

M(NH_x) intermediates involved in N–N bond formation are central to ammonia oxidation (AO) catalysis, an enabling technology to ultimately exploit ammonia (NH₃) as an alternative fuel source. While homocoupling of a terminal amide species (M–NH₂) to form hydrazine (N₂H₄) has been proposed, well‐defined examples are without precedent. Herein, we discuss the generation and electronic structure of a Ni^(III)–NH₂ species that undergoes bimolecular coupling to generate a Ni^(II)₂(N₂H₄) complex. This hydrazine adduct can be further oxidized to a structurally unusual Ni₂(N₂H₂) species; the latter releases N₂ in the presence of NH₃, thus establishing a synthetic cycle for Ni‐mediated AO. Distribution of the redox load for H₂N–NH₂ formation via NH₂ coupling between two metal centers presents an attractive strategy for AO catalysis using Earth‐abundant, late first‐row metals

H₂ Evolution from a Thiolate-Bound Ni(III) Hydride

Terminal Ni^(III) hydrides are proposed intermediates in proton reduction catalyzed by both molecular electrocatalysts and metalloenzymes, but well-defined examples of paramagnetic nickel hydride complexes are largely limited to bridging hydrides. Herein, we report the synthesis of an S = 1/2, terminally bound thiolate–Ni^(III)–H complex. This species and its terminal hydride ligand in particular have been thoroughly characterized by vibrational and EPR techniques, including pulse EPR studies. Corresponding DFT calculations suggest appreciable spin leakage onto the thiolate ligand. The hyperfine coupling to the terminal hydride ligand of the thiolate–Ni^(III)–H species is comparable to that of the hydride ligand proposed for the Ni–C hydrogenase intermediate (Ni^(III)–H–Fe^(II)). Upon warming, the featured thiolate–Ni^(III)–H species undergoes bimolecular reductive elimination of H₂. Associated kinetic studies are discussed and compared with a structurally related Fe^(III)–H species that has also recently been reported to undergo bimolecular H–H coupling

User experience and clinical effectiveness with two wearable global positioning system devices in home dementia care

Introduction: The user experience and clinical effectiveness with wearable global positioning system (GPS) devices for persons with dementia (PwDs) and caregivers (CGs) remain unclear although many are available. Methods: Using a crossover design, 20 dyads tested two similar commercial GPS watches (products A and B) at home for 4 weeks each. Usability, product functions, design features and product satisfaction at home and the clinic were investigated. Caregiver burden and quality of life assessed clinical effectiveness. Results: The final 17 dyads rated the usability, telephone function, overall design features, font, buttons, and battery life of B significantly better than A. PwDs rated the overall design features and buttons of A significantly better than CGs. Product satisfaction with both products was significantly lower at home. Clinical effectiveness was not found. Discussion: User experience can be improved by optimizing specific product details. This might translate to clinical effectiveness. Social desirability bias may explain different product satisfaction ratings

High rate of unexpected positive cultures in presumed aseptic revision of stiff shoulders after proximal humerus osteosynthesis

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of positive microbiology samples after osteosynthesis of proximal humerus fractures at the time of revision surgery and evaluate clinical characteristics of patients with positive culture results. Methods: All patients, who underwent revision surgery after locked platting, medullary nailing or screw osteosynthesis of proximal humeral fractures between April 2013 and July 2018 were retrospectively evaluated. Patients with acute postoperative infections, those with apparent clinical signs of infection and those with ≤1 tissue or only sonication sample obtained at the time of implant removal were excluded. Positive culture results of revision surgery and its correlation with postoperative shoulder stiffness was analyzed in patients with an interval of ≥6 months between the index osteosynthesis and revision surgery. Results: Intraoperatively obtained cultures were positive in 31 patients (50%). Cutibacterium acnes was the most commonly isolated microorganism, observed in 21 patients (67.7%), followed by coagulase negative staphylococci in 12 patients (38.7%). There were significantly more stiff patients in the culture positive group compared to the culture-negative group (19/21, 91% vs. 15/26, 58%, p = 0.02). Furthermore, 11 of 12 (91.7%) patients with growth of the same microorganism in at least two samples had a stiff shoulder compared to 23 of 35 (65.7%) patients with only one positive culture or negative culture results (p = 0.14). Conclusion: Infection must always be considered as a possibility in the setting of revision surgery after proximal humerus osteosynthesis, especially in patients with postoperative stiffness