Hybrid magnon-phonon localization enhances function near ferroic glassy states.

Ferroic materials on the verge of forming ferroic glasses exhibit heightened functionality that is often attributed to competing long- and short-range correlations. However, the physics underlying these enhancements is not well understood. The NiCoMnIn Heusler alloy is on the edge of forming both spin and strain glasses and exhibits magnetic field-induced shape memory and large magnetocaloric effects, making it a candidate for multicaloric cooling applications.

Giant Modulation of Refractive Index from Picoscale Atomic Displacements.

It is shown that structural disorder-in the form of anisotropic, picoscale atomic displacements-modulates the refractive index tensor and results in the giant optical anisotropy observed in BaTiS, a quasi-1D hexagonal chalcogenide. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies reveal the presence of antipolar displacements of Ti atoms within adjacent TiS chains along the c-axis, and threefold degenerate Ti displacements in the a-b plane. Ti solid-state NMR provides additional evidence for those Ti displacements in the form of a three-horned NMR lineshape resulting from a low symmetry local environment around Ti atoms.

Phonon Thermal Transport in UO_{2} via Self-Consistent Perturbation Theory.

Computing thermal transport from first-principles in UO_{2} is complicated due to the challenges associated with Mott physics. Here, we use irreducible derivative approaches to compute the cubic and quartic phonon interactions in UO_{2} from first principles, and we perform enhanced thermal transport computations by evaluating the phonon Green's function via self-consistent diagrammatic perturbation theory. Our predicted phonon lifetimes at T=600  K agree well with our inelastic neutron scattering measurements across the entire Brillouin zone, and our thermal conductivity predictions agree well with previous measurements.

Vibrations and Phase Stability in Mixed Valence Antimony Oxide.

α-SbO (cervantite) and β-SbO (clinocervantite) are mixed valence compounds with equal proportions of Sb and Sb as represented in the formula SbSbO. Their structure and properties can be difficult to calculate owing to the Sb lone-pair electrons. Here, we present a study of the lattice dynamics and vibrational properties using a combination of inelastic neutron scattering, Mössbauer spectroscopy, nuclear inelastic scattering, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations.

(Mg,Mn,Fe,Co,Ni)O: A rocksalt high-entropy oxide containing divalent Mn and Fe.

High-entropy oxides (HEOs) have aroused growing interest due to fundamental questions relating to their structure formation, phase stability, and the interplay between configurational disorder and physical and chemical properties. Introducing Fe(II) and Mn(II) into a rocksalt HEO is considered challenging, as theoretical analysis suggests that they are unstable in this structure under ambient conditions. Here, we develop a bottom-up method for synthesizing Mn- and Fe-containing rocksalt HEO (FeO-HEO).

Implications of phonon anisotropy on thermal conductivity of fluorite oxides.

Fluorite oxides are attractive ionic compounds for a range of applications with critical thermal management requirements. In view of recent reports alluding to anisotropic thermal conductivity in this face-centered cubic crystalline systems, we perform a detailed analysis of the impact of direction-dependent phonon group velocities and lifetimes on the thermal transport of fluorite oxides. We demonstrate that the bulk thermal conductivity of this class of materials remains isotropic despite notable anisotropy in phonon lifetime and group velocity.

Thermal Energy Transport in Oxide Nuclear Fuel.

To efficiently capture the energy of the nuclear bond, advanced nuclear reactor concepts seek solid fuels that must withstand unprecedented temperature and radiation extremes. In these advanced fuels, thermal energy transport under irradiation is directly related to reactor performance as well as reactor safety. The science of thermal transport in nuclear fuel is a grand challenge as a result of both computational and experimental complexities.

Hepatocyte-Specific Deletion of Yes-Associated Protein Improves Recovery From Acetaminophen-Induced Acute Liver Injury.

Overdose of acetaminophen (APAP) is the major cause of acute liver failure (ALF) in the Western world with very limited treatment options. Previous studies from our groups and others have shown that timely activation of liver regeneration is a critical determinant of transplant-free survival of APAP-induced ALF patients. Here, we report that hepatocyte-specific deletion of Yes-associated protein (Yap), the downstream mediator of the Hippo Kinase signaling pathway results in faster recovery from APAP-induced acute liver injury.

Assessment of empirical interatomic potential to predict thermal conductivity in ThOand UO.

Computing vibrational properties of crystals in the presence of complex defects often necessitates the use of (semi-)empirical potentials, which are typically not well characterized for perfect crystals. Here we explore the efficacy of a commonly used embedded-atomempirical interatomic potential for the UThOsystem, to compute phonon dispersion, lifetime, and branch specific thermal conductivity. Our approach for ThOinvolves using lattice dynamics and the linearized Boltzmann transport equation to calculate phonon transport properties based on second and third order force constants derived from the empirical potential and from first-principles calculations.

Patient-Specific Implants for Focal Cartilage Lesions in The Knee: Implant Survivorship Analysis up to Seven Years Post-Implantation.

In the quest for increased surgical precision and improved joint kinematics, Computer-Assisted Orthopedic Surgery (CAOS) shows promising results for both total and partial joint replacement. In the knee, computer-assisted joint design can now be applied to the treatment of younger patients suffering pain and restriction of activity due to focal defects in their femoral articular cartilage. By taking MRI scans of the affected knee and digitally segmenting these scans, we can identify and map focal defects in cartilage and bone.

High frequency atomic tunneling yields ultralow and glass-like thermal conductivity in chalcogenide single crystals.

Crystalline solids exhibiting glass-like thermal conductivity have attracted substantial attention both for fundamental interest and applications such as thermoelectrics. In most crystals, the competition of phonon scattering by anharmonic interactions and crystalline imperfections leads to a non-monotonic trend of thermal conductivity with temperature. Defect-free crystals that exhibit the glassy trend of low thermal conductivity with a monotonic increase with temperature are desirable because they are intrinsically thermally insulating while retaining useful properties of perfect crystals.

Phonon Spectroscopy in Antimony and Tellurium Oxides.

α-SbO (senarmontite), β-SbO (valentinite), and α-TeO (paratellurite) are compounds with pronounced stereochemically active Sb and Te lone pairs. The vibrational and lattice properties of each have been previously studied but often lead to incomplete or unreliable results due to modes being inactive in infrared or Raman spectroscopy. Here, we present a study of the relationship between bonding and lattice dynamics of these compounds.

Yttrium-90 selective internal radiation therapy, examining dose rates and radiation protection precautions.

Methods: Dose rates from 30 patients, treated over a 3-year period (2016-2018) were measured post therapy in contact with the patients' upper abdomen and at distances of 0.3 m and 1 m. Dose rates were compared with theoretical predictions and used as model inputs for calculating radiation doses received by family members and carers based on interaction patterns previously described in the literature.

Capsular Sparing Total Hip Replacement Technique Applied with a Dual-mobility Cup to Reduce Dislocations.

Regardless of the surgical approach used, dislocation remains a complication following total hip replacement. In recent years, newer technologies, such as the use of large femoral heads, have reduced the rate of postoperative dislocation. The combination of such technology, together with a soft tissue repair technique, may reduce the dislocation rate even further.

Increased YAP Activation Is Associated With Hepatic Cyst Epithelial Cell Proliferation in ARPKD/CHF.

Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease/congenital hepatic fibrosis (ARPKD/CHF) is a rare but fatal genetic disease characterized by progressive cyst development in the kidneys and liver. Liver cysts arise from aberrantly proliferative cholangiocytes accompanied by pericystic fibrosis and inflammation. Yes-associated protein (YAP), the downstream effector of the Hippo signaling pathway, is implicated in human hepatic malignancies such as hepatocellular carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma, and hepatoblastoma, but its role in hepatic cystogenesis in ARPKD/CHF is unknown.

Has Health Care Reform Legislation Reduced the Economic Burden of Hospital Readmissions Following Primary Total Joint Arthroplasty?

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine whether the cost of readmissions after primary total hip and knee arthroplasty (THA and TKA) has decreased since the introduction of health care reform legislation and what patient, clinical, and hospital factors drive such costs.

Methods: The 100% Medicare inpatient dataset was used to identify 1,654,602 primary THA and TKA procedures between 2010 and 2014. The per-patient cost of readmissions was evaluated in general linear models in which the year of surgery and patient, clinical, and hospital factors were treated as covariates in separate models for THA and TKA.

Which Clinical and Patient Factors Influence the National Economic Burden of Hospital Readmissions After Total Joint Arthroplasty?

Background: The Affordable Care Act of 2010 advanced the economic model of bundled payments for total joint arthroplasty (TJA), in which hospitals will be financially responsible for readmissions, typically at 90 days after surgery. However, little is known about the financial burden of readmissions and what patient, clinical, and hospital factors drive readmission costs.

Questions/purposes: (1) What is the incidence, payer mix, and demographics of THA and TKA readmissions in the United States? (2) What patient, clinical, and hospital factors are associated with the cost of 30- and 90-day readmissions after primary THA and TKA? (3) Are there any differences in the economic burden of THA and TKA readmissions between payers? (4) What types of THA and TKA readmissions are most costly to the US hospital system?

Methods: The recently developed Nationwide Readmissions Database from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (2006 hospitals from 21 states) was used to identify 719,394 primary TJAs and 62,493 90-day readmissions in the first 9 months of 2013 based on International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification codes.

Giant electromechanical coupling of relaxor ferroelectrics controlled by polar nanoregion vibrations.

Relaxor-based ferroelectrics are prized for their giant electromechanical coupling and have revolutionized sensor and ultrasound applications. A long-standing challenge for piezoelectric materials has been to understand how these ultrahigh electromechanical responses occur when the polar atomic displacements underlying the response are partially broken into polar nanoregions (PNRs) in relaxor-based ferroelectrics. Given the complex inhomogeneous nanostructure of these materials, it has generally been assumed that this enhanced response must involve complicated interactions.

Bile acids promote diethylnitrosamine-induced hepatocellular carcinoma via increased inflammatory signaling.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common hepatic malignancy and the third leading cause of cancer related deaths. Previous studies have implicated bile acids in pathogenesis of HCC, but the mechanisms are not known. We investigated the mechanisms of HCC tumor promotion by bile acids the diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-initiation-cholic acid (CA)-induced tumor promotion protocol in mice.

Which Hospital and Clinical Factors Drive 30- and 90-Day Readmission After TKA?

Background: The purpose of this study was to analyze the hospital, clinical, and patient factors associated with inpatient readmission after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in the Medicare population and to understand the primary reasons for readmission.

Methods: The Medicare 100% national hospital claims database was used to identify 952,593 older patients (65+) with a primary TKA in 3848 hospitals between 2010 and 2013. A multilevel logistic regression analysis with a clustered data structure was used to investigate the risk of all-cause 30- and 90-day readmission, incorporating hospital, clinical, and patient factors.

Hospital, Patient, and Clinical Factors Influence 30- and 90-Day Readmission After Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty.

Background: The purpose of this study was to analyze the hospital, clinical, and patient factors associated with inpatient readmission after total hip arthroplasty (THA) in the Medicare population and to understand the primary reasons for readmission.

Methods: The Medicare 100% national hospital claims database was used to identify 442,333 older patients (65+) with a primary THA in 3730 hospitals between 2010 and 2013. A multilevel logistic regression analysis with a clustered data structure was used to investigate the risk of all-cause 30- and 90-day readmission, incorporating hospital, clinical, and patient factors.