Computational Analysis of Binary Segregation During Colloidal Crytallization with DNA-mediated Interactions

A detailed computational study of compositional segregation during growth of colloidal binary solid-solution crystals is presented. Using a comprehensive set of Metropolis Monte Carlo simulations, we probe the influence of colloid size, interaction strength, and interaction range on the segregation process. The results are interpreted in terms of a simple, but descriptive mechanistic model that allows us to connect to studies of binary segregation in atomic systems. The validity of Metropolis Monte Carlo simulations for the nonequilibrium phenomena investigated in this work is established theoretically and by connections to Brownian dynamics and molecular dynamics simulations. It is demonstrated that standard Metropolis Monte Carlo, properly applied, can provide an efficient framework for studying many aspects of crystallization in colloidal systems

Role of configurational entropy in the thermodynamics of clusters of point defects in crystalline solids

The internal configurational entropy of point defect clusters in crystalline silicon is studied in detail by analyzing their potential energy landscapes. Both on-lattice and off-lattice calculation approaches are employed to demonstrate the importance of off-lattice configurational states that arise due to a large number of inherent structures (local minima) in the energy landscape generated by the interatomic potential function. The resulting cluster configurational entropy of formation is shown to exhibit behavior that is qualitatively similar to that observed in supercooled liquids and amorphous solids and substantially alters the thermodynamic properties of point defect clusters in crystals at high temperature. This behavior is shown to be independent of interatomic potential and cluster type, and suggests that defects in crystals at high temperature should be generally described by a quasicontinuous collection of nondegenerate states rather than as a single ground state structure. The modified thermodynamic properties of vacancy clusters at high temperature are found to explain a longstanding discrepancy between simulation predictions and experimental measurements of vacancy aggregation dynamics in silicon

Magnetic resonance imaging landmarks for preoperative localization of inferior medial genicular artery: a proof of concept analysis

The joint line is a useful landmark to identify IMGAcourse during knee surgery. The IMGA course is closerto the joint line and to the border of the medial tibialplateau in females than in males. Although the interindi-vidual variability these results should be taken into ac-count when performing all surgical procedures involvingthe medial aspect of the knee. Similar interindividualdistances were observed between IMGA and semimem-branosus tendon insertion regardless of gender. How-ever, the proximity to this tendon should be consideredespecially during specific cases of ligamentous balancingin TKA procedure

Can body mass index influence the fracture zone in the fifth metatarsal base? A retrospective review

Fifth metatarsal base fracture are common in routine orthopaedic practice [1–6]. Lawrence and Botte [7] pro- posed a classification based upon the position of the fracture line (zone 1: tuberosity, zone 2: meta-diaphyseal junction, zone 3: proximal diaphysis). Pathomechani- cally, injury patterns develop in different ways: in zone 1, a traction injury caused by peroneus brevis tendon and the lateral band of the plantar fascia determine an avul- sion fracture of the tuberosity, also called “pseudo-Jones’ “fracture; in zone 2, forced foot adduction and excessive plantar flexion determine a fracture in the metaphyseal- diaphyseal junction, also called Jones’ fracture [8, 9]; in zone 3, acute over-bearing onto the area or chronic overload determine a fracture in the proximal portion of the diaphysis, distal to the intermetatarsal joint [10, 11]. To the best of the Authors’ knowledge, no study has been published to date on the relationship between the value of Body Mass Index (BMI) and the prevalence of fractures in a specific portion of the fifth metatarsal base. The aim of this study was to define the impact of BMI on fifth metatarsal base fractures location according to Lawrence and Botte classification [7]

The Utility of Outcome Studies in Plastic Surgery

Summary: Outcome studies help provide the evidence-based science rationalizing treatment end results that factor the experience of patients and the impact on society. They improve the recognition of the shortcoming in clinical practice and provide the foundation for the development of gold standard care. With such evidence, health care practitioners can develop evidence-based justification for treatments and offer patients with superior informed consent for their treatment options. Furthermore, health care and insurance agencies can recognize improved cost-benefit options in the purpose of disease prevention and alleviation of its impact on the patient and society. Health care outcomes are ultimately measured by the treatment of disease, the reduction of symptoms, the normalization of laboratory results and physical measures, saving a life, and patient satisfaction. In this review, we outline the tools available to measure outcomes in plastic surgery and subsequently allow the objective measurements of plastic surgical conditions. Six major outcome categories are discussed: (1) functional measures; (2) preference-based measures and utility outcome scores; (3) patient satisfaction; (4) health outcomes and time; (5) other tools: patient-reported outcome measurement information system, BREAST-Q, and Tracking Operations and Outcomes for Plastic Surgeons; and (6) cost-effectiveness analysis. We use breast hypertrophy requiring breast reduction as an example throughout this review as a representative plastic surgical condition with multiple treatments available

Impaired Cross-Talk between Mesolimbic Food Reward Processing and Metabolic Signaling Predicts Body Mass Index

The anticipation of the pleasure derived from food intake drives the motivation to eat, and hence facilitate overconsumption of food which ultimately results in obesity. Brain imaging studies provide evidence that mesolimbic brain regions underlie both general as well as food related anticipatory reward processing. In light of this knowledge, the present study examined the neural responsiveness of the ventral striatum in participants with a broad BMI spectrum. The study differentiated between general (i.e. monetary) and food related anticipatory reward processing. We recruited a sample of volunteers with greatly varying body weights, ranging from a low BMI (below 20 kg/m²) over a normal (20 to 25 kg/m²) and overweight (25 to 30 kg/m²) BMI, to class I (30 to 35 kg/m² ) and class II (35 to 40 kg/m²) obesity. A total of 24 participants underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging whilst performing both a food and monetary incentive delay task, which allows to measure neural activation during the anticipation of rewards. After the presentation of a cue indicating the amount of food or money to be won, participants had to react correctly in order to earn snack points or money coins which could then be exchanged for real food or money, respectively, at the end of the experiment. During the anticipation of both types of rewards, participants displayed activity in the ventral striatum, a region that plays a pivotal role in the anticipation of rewards. Additionally, we observed that specifically anticipatory food reward processing predicted the individual BMI (current and maximum lifetime). This relation was found to be mediated by impaired hormonal satiety signaling, i.e. increased leptin levels and insulin resistance. These findings suggest that heightened food reward motivation contributes to obesity through impaired metabolic signaling

Ibuprofen treatment after the first days of life in preterm neonates with patent ductus arteriosus

Aim: Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is treated with ibuprofen and it is known that the clearance of ibuprofen increases with postnatal age. We aimed to study whether postnatal age-adjusted ibuprofen dosages improve the effectiveness of treatment compared to standard ibuprofen dosages after the first days of life. Methods: A historical cohort of 207 preterm neonates treated with standard ibuprofen dosages (Group A; 2011–2015) was compared to a prospective cohort of 66 preterm neonates treated with postnatal age-adjusted ibuprofen dosages (Group B; 2015–2016). Results: Both groups had comparable background characteristics. Treatment was started after median 6 (25–75th percentile: 4–11) and 5 (25–75th percentile: 4–11) days and effectiveness was 33.2 and 44.7% (p =.17) in groups A and B, respectively. No hemodynamically significant PDA was found in 23/49 (46.9%) of the patients born before 28 weeks after adjusted ibuprofen dosages compared to 48/162 (29.6%) after standard ibuprofen dosages (p =.04). There were significantly more reversible side effects with the postnatal age-adjusted ibuprofen dosages (p =.04). Conclusions: There seems to be a trend to higher effectiveness with the adjusted ibuprofen dosages in preterm neonates before 28 weeks, but it is associated with more reversible side effects