Symmetry-protected topological crystalline insulators (TCIs) have primarily been characterized by their gapless boundary states. However, in time-reversal- ([Formula: see text]-) invariant (helical) 3D TCIs-termed higher-order TCIs (HOTIs)-the boundary signatures can manifest as a sample-dependent network of 1D hinge states. We here introduce nested spin-resolved Wilson loops and layer constructions as tools to characterize the intrinsic bulk topological properties of spinful 3D insulators.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWe report ultrafast x-ray scattering experiments of the quasi-1D charge density wave (CDW) material (TaSe_{4})_{2}I following ultrafast infrared photoexcitation. From the time-dependent diffraction signal at the CDW sidebands we identify a 0.11 THz amplitude mode derived primarily from a transverse acoustic mode of the high-symmetry structure.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe lowest-lying fundamental excitation of an incommensurate charge-density-wave material is believed to be a massless phason-a collective modulation of the phase of the charge-density-wave order parameter. However, long-range Coulomb interactions should push the phason energy up to the plasma energy of the charge-density-wave condensate, resulting in a massive phason and fully gapped spectrum. Using time-domain terahertz emission spectroscopy, we investigate this issue in (TaSe)I, a quasi-one-dimensional charge-density-wave insulator.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) stances an incredible impact on the quality of life and denigrates the physical and mental health of the patients. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of COVID-19 patients. We conducted this study at the National Institute of Preventive and Social Medicine (NIPSOM) of Bangladesh for the period of June to November 2020.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLancet Reg Health Southeast Asia
April 2023
Background: COVID-19 pandemic imposed a devastating effect on the psychological health of health professionals as they worked nonstop to withstand the hardship of the pandemic. The present study intended to determine the post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD) and coping strategies among health professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh.
Methods: This country-wide cross-sectional study was conducted from July to December 2021 among 1394 health professionals (596 physicians, 713 nurses, 85 medical technologists) who served COVID-19 patients at the secondary, tertiary, and specialized government healthcare facilities in Bangladesh and completed at least one month after exposure to COVID-19 patient-care.
J Cardiovasc Surg (Torino)
December 2022
Introduction: Malignancies involving the inferior vena cava (IVC) have historically been considered not amendable to surgery. More recently, involvement of the IVC by neoplastic processes in the kidney, liver or in the retroperitoneum can be managed successfully.
Evidence Acquisition: In this systematic review we summarize the current evidence regarding the surgical management of the IVC in cases of involvement in neoplastic processes.
Introduction The ability to predict risk of perforation in acute appendicitis (AA) could direct timely management and reduce morbidity. Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) are surrogate severity markers in infections. This study investigates the use of PLR and NLR as a marker for distinguishing uncomplicated (UA) and complicated appendicitis (CA) in children.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSolid pseudopapillary neoplasm (SPN) of the pancreas is a rare malignancy with a low malignant potential and strong female preponderance. Diagnosis during pregnancy is extraordinary, and management must consider the risks to the mother and foetus of tumour growth and rupture. A large 35-cm SPN was identified on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in a 24-year-old woman at 6 weeks of gestation following presentation with an abdominal mass.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction Acute appendicitis (AA) is one of the most common acute general surgical presentations affecting 7% of the population at some point in their lifetime. The ability to assess the risk of complicated appendicitis (CA) from uncomplicated appendicitis (UA) in acute appendicitis (AA) could reduce the associated morbidity and mortality. The value of platelet lymphocyte ratio (PLR) as an inflammatory marker increases when its fluctuations are interpreted along with other complementary hematologic indices, such as neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), which provides additional information about the disease activity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: Susceptibility of patients with cancer to COVID-19 pneumonitis has been variable. We aim to quantify the risk of hospitalisation in patients with active cancer and use a machine learning algorithm (MLA) and traditional statistics to predict clinical outcomes and mortality.
Design: Retrospective cohort study.
Objectives The clinical diagnosis of complicated acute cholecystitis (CAC) remains difficult with several pathological or ultrasonography criteria used to differentiate it from uncomplicated acute cholecystitis (UAC). This study aims to evaluate the use of combined inflammatory markers C-reactive protein (CRP) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as surrogate markers to differentiate between UAC and CAC. Methods We identified 600 consecutive patients admitted with biliary symptoms during an acute surgical take from our electronic prospectively maintained database over a period of 55 months.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground and objective Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is used for the treatment of symptomatic gallstones. Intraoperative cholangiogram (IOC) is used to diagnose common bile duct (CBD) stones. There is controversy surrounding routine vs selective use of IOC based on clinical, biochemical and ultrasound criteria.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: The safety and role of emergency (EA) versus interval appendicectomy (IA) for appendicular abscess and phlegmon remains debatable with no optimal strategy identified. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate outcomes of managing appendicular abscesses and phlegmon with emergency or interval appendicectomy.
Methods: We conducted a systematic search of electronic databases using key terms including 'appendicular abscess', 'appendicular phlegmon' and 'interval appendicectomy'.
Laparoscopic colectomy has become the standard practice for colorectal cancer surgery. A variety of techniques are described for anastomosis including extracorporeal and intracorporeal techniques. Intracorporeal anastomosis may be associated with better cosmesis and post-operative recovery.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCholecystocolonic fistula with associated idiopathic megabowel (megacolon and megarectum) is a rare presentation as acute large bowel obstruction. Frequently presenting with chronic constipation, acute bowel obstruction is rarely encountered in the presence of concomitant cholecystocolonic fistula. This presents diagnostic and management difficulties with no consensus on appropriate surgical approach.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnn Med Surg (Lond)
September 2020
Pilonidal sinus disease is chronic acquired condition leading to significant morbidity and associated healthcare costs. Several techniques have been described to manage this condition with no treatment gaining universal acceptance. With the shift towards minimally invasive surgery, Video Assisted-Ablation of Pilonidal Sinus (VAAPS) and Endoscopic Pilonidal Sinus Treatment (EPiST) have gained prominence.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFColorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of death worldwide, despite progress made in detection and management through surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy. Novel therapeutic agents have improved survival in both the adjuvant and advanced disease settings, albeit with an increased risk of toxicity and cost. However, metastatic disease continues to have a poor long-term prognosis and significant challenges remain due to late stage diagnosis and treatment failure.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNiNb_{2}O_{6} is an almost ideal realization of a 1D spin-1 ferromagnetic Heisenberg chain compound with weak unidirectional anisotropy. Using time-domain THz spectroscopy, we measure the low-energy electrodynamic response of NiNb_{2}O_{6} as a function of temperature and external magnetic field. At low temperatures, we find a magnonlike spin excitation, which corresponds to the lowest energy excitation at q∼0.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEpitaxial bilayer films of Bi(110) and Ni host a time-reversal symmetry breaking superconducting order with an unexpectedly high transition temperature T_{c}=4.1 K. Using time-domain THz spectroscopy, we measure the low energy electrodynamic response of a Bi/Ni bilayer thin film from 0.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOverdoped high-temperature cuprate superconductors have often been understood within the standard BCS framework of superconductivity. However, measurements in a variety of overdoped cuprates indicate that the superfluid density is much smaller than expected from BCS theory and decreases smoothly to zero as the doping is increased. Here, we combine time-domain THz spectroscopy with kHz range mutual inductance measurements on the same overdoped La_{2-x}Sr_{x}CuO_{4} films to determine the total, superfluid, and uncondensed spectral weight as a function of doping.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArtificial immune systems (AIS) are intelligent algorithms derived from the principles inspired by the human immune system. In this study, electroencephalography (EEG) signals for four distinct motor movements of human limbs are detected and classified using a negative selection classification algorithm (NSCA). For this study, a widely studied open source EEG signal database (BCI IV-Graz dataset 2a, comprising nine subjects) has been used.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The use of abdominoperineal resection (APR) in the management of low rectal cancer has received criticism over high rates of incomplete resection due to tumour involvement at the circumferential resection margin. Extralevator abdominoperineal resection has been advocated as a means of improving complete resection. However, Extralevator abdominoperineal resection can result in increased cost, morbidity and reduced quality of life.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Laparoscopic Roux Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) are the most commonly performed bariatric procedures. Improvement in techniques and perioperative management of patients have resulted in shorter hospital stay and reduced overall costs. Many post-operative protocols aspire to post-operative day 1 discharge with studies showing reduction in length of stay without increasing complications.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Laparoscopic surgery is the favoured method of colorectal cancer resections. It is surgeon expertise and discretion to choose whether to mobilize colon lateral-to-medial or medial-to-lateral. We aim to identify the advantage of one approach over the other in short-term and cancerrelated outcomes.
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