On the Elusive Crystallography of Lithium-Rich Layered Oxides: Novel Structural Models.

Lithium-rich layered oxides (LRLOs) are one of the most attractive families among future positive electrode materials for the so-called fourth generation of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Their electrochemical performance is enabled by the unique ambiguous crystal structure that is still not well understood despite decades of research. In the literature, a clear structural model able to describe their crystallographic features is missing thereby hindering a clear rationalization of the interplay between synthesis, structure, and functional properties.

Rapid determination of solid-state diffusion coefficients in Li-based batteries via intermittent current interruption method.

The galvanostatic intermittent titration technique (GITT) is considered the go-to method for determining the Li diffusion coefficients in insertion electrode materials. However, GITT-based methods are either time-consuming, prone to analysis pitfalls or require sophisticated interpretation models. Here, we propose the intermittent current interruption (ICI) method as a reliable, accurate and faster alternative to GITT-based methods.

Guest water hinders sodium-ion diffusion in low-defect Berlin green cathode material.

Among Prussian blue analogues (PBAs), NaFe[Fe(CN)]·HO is a highly attractive cathode material for sodium-ion batteries due to its high theoretical capacity of ∼170 mA h g and inexpensive raw materials. However, concerns remain over its long-term electrochemical performance and structural factors which impact sources of resistance in the material and subsequently rate performance. Refined control of the [Fe(CN)] vacancies and water content could help in realizing its market potential.

The Achieving Self-directed Integrated Cancer Aftercare Intervention for Detection of Recurrent and Second Primary Melanoma in Survivors of Melanoma: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Melanoma is common with increasing incidence. Guidelines recommend monthly total skin self-examinations (TSSEs) by survivors to detect recurrent and new primary melanomas. TSSE is underperformed despite evidence of benefit.

Synthesis-structure relationships in Li- and Mn-rich layered oxides: phase evolution, superstructure ordering and stacking faults.

Li- and Mn-rich layered oxides are promising positive electrode materials for future Li-ion batteries. The presence of crystallographic features such as cation-mixing and stacking faults in these compounds make them highly susceptible to synthesis-induced structural changes. Consequently, significant variations exist in the reported structure of these compounds that complicate the understanding of how the crystallographic structure influences its properties.

Achieving integrated self-directed Cancer aftercare (ASICA) for melanoma: how a digital intervention to support total skin self-examination was used by people treated for cutaneous melanoma.

Background: Melanoma incidence has quadrupled since 1970 and melanoma is now the second most common cancer in individuals under 50. Targeted immunotherapies for melanoma now potentially enable long-term remission even in advanced melanoma, but these melanoma survivors require ongoing surveillance, with implications for NHS resources and significant social and psychological consequences for patients. Total skin self-examination (TSSE) can detect recurrence earlier and improve clinical outcomes but is underperformed in the UK.

Moisture-Driven Degradation Pathways in Prussian White Cathode Material for Sodium-Ion Batteries.

The high-theoretical-capacity (∼170 mAh/g) Prussian white (PW), NaFe[Fe(CN)]·HO, is one of the most promising candidates for Na-ion batteries on the cusp of commercialization. However, it has limitations such as high variability of reported stable practical capacity and cycling stability. A key factor that has been identified to affect the performance of PW is water content in the structure.

Stretched penile length and its associations with testosterone and infertility.

Background: Male infertility can be associated with secondary sexual characteristics, hypogonadism, and several findings in the examination of external genitalia. We sought to identify if stretched penile length (SPL) is associated with infertility or baseline testosterone.

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of all males age 18-59 presenting to a Men's health clinic from 2014 to 2017.

Influence of sodium content on the thermal behavior of low vacancy Prussian white cathode material.

Rechargeable sodium-ion batteries are the most attractive substitutes for lithium-ion batteries in large-scale energy storage devices due to wide spread reserves and low-cost of sodium resources and the similarities between sodium and lithium chemistry. However, finding a suitable cathode material is still a hurdle to be overcome. To date, Prussian white (PW), NaxFe[Fe(CN)6]y·nH2O has stood out as one of the most promising Na-host materials due to its low cost, facile synthesis and competitive electrochemical capacity.

Influence of Synthesis Routes on the Crystallography, Morphology, and Electrochemistry of LiMnO.

With the potential of delivering reversible capacities of up to 300 mAh/g, Li-rich transition-metal oxides hold great promise as cathode materials for future Li-ion batteries. However, a cohesive synthesis-structure-electrochemistry relationship is still lacking for these materials, which impedes progress in the field. This work investigates how and why different synthesis routes, specifically solid-state and modified Pechini sol-gel methods, affect the properties of LiMnO, a compositionally simple member of this material system.

Simultaneous Monitoring of Crystalline Active Materials and Resistance Evolution in Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

Operando X-ray diffraction (XRD) is a valuable tool for studying secondary battery materials as it allows for the direct correlation of electrochemical behavior with structural changes of crystalline active materials. This is especially true for the lithium-sulfur chemistry, in which energy storage capability depends on the complex growth and dissolution kinetics of lithium sulfide (LiS) and sulfur (S) during discharge and charge, respectively. In this work, we present a novel development of this method through combining operando XRD with simultaneous and continuous resistance measurement using an intermittent current interruption (ICI) method.

Erectile dysfunction management after failed phosphodiesterase-5-inhibitor trial: a cost-effectiveness analysis.

Background: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of alternate erectile dysfunction (ED) management options after failed first line phosphodiesterase-5-inhibitors (PDE5-I).

Methods: An empiric, repetitive decision tree analysis model was constructed using literature review and expert clinical judgement. This assessed the expected costs and quality adjusted life years (QALYs) of decision alternatives over a 10-year period.

Multicenter investigation on the influence of climate in penile prosthesis infection.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) infection, time of year, climate, temperature and humidity. This is a retrospective IRB-approved analysis of 211 patients at 25 institutions who underwent salvage procedure or device explant between 2001 and 2016. Patient data were compiled after an extensive review of all aspects of their electronic medical records.

Impact of Radiation and Transcorporeal Artificial Sphincter Placement in Patients with Prior Urethral Cuff Erosion: Results from a Retrospective Multicenter Analysis.

Purpose: Many providers elect to use a transcorporeal approach for artificial urinary sphincter placement in an attempt to minimize risks, given the increased risk of complications in revision cases. We present outcomes in a multicenter retrospective analysis of artificial urinary sphincter cuff reimplantation in patients with prior cuff erosion with special consideration given to the transcorporeal approach.

Materials And Methods: We compiled a multi-institutional database of patients who underwent artificial urinary sphincter reimplantation after prior urethral erosion.

Efficacy of Pressure Regulating Balloon Exchange in Men With Post Artificial Urinary Sphincter Persistent or Recurrent Stress Urinary Incontinence.

Objective: To assess the efficacy of exchanging the pressure regulating balloon (PRB) to 71-80 cm HO in patients with persistent or recurrent stress urinary incontinence (SUI) following artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) placement.

Methods: Patients with SUI following AUS placement who underwent PRB replacement between 2011 and 2017 in the absence of urethral cuff malfunction, atrophy, stricture, or erosion were reviewed. Primary outcomes included changes in pad per day (PPD), Incontinence Symptom Index score, and Incontinence Quality of Life (I-QOL).

Urethral lichen sclerosus under the microscope: a survey of academic pathologists.

Introduction: Given the poor understanding of the pathophysiology of genital lichen sclerosus (GLS) and a lack of accepted definitive diagnostic criteria, we proposed to survey pathologists regarding their understanding of GLS. We hypothesized that significant disagreement about GLS will exist.

Materials And Methods: All urologists participating in the Trauma and Urologic Reconstruction Network of Surgeons identified genitourinary (GUP) and dermatopathologists (DP) at their respective institutions who were then invited to participate in an online survey regarding their experience with diagnosing GLS, GLS pathophysiology and its relationship to urethral stricture disease.

Penile Prosthesis Implantation in Patients With Peyronie's Disease: Results of the PROPPER Study Demonstrates a Decrease in Patient-Reported Depression.

Background: Although there is a strong correlation between erectile dysfunction and Peyronie's disease (PD), there are limited data on the efficacy and satisfaction of inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) placement in this population.

Aim: To assess the efficacy and overall satisfaction of IPP placement in men with erectile dysfunction and concomitant PD using the Prospective Registry of Outcomes with Penile Prosthesis for Erectile Restoration (PROPPER).

Methods: Data from the PROPPER study were examined to determine patient baseline characteristics and primary and secondary etiologies before IPP treatment and included type and size of implant received, presence of corporal fibrosis, and operative time.

On the Stability of NaO in Na-O Batteries.

Na-O batteries are regarded as promising candidates for energy storage. They have higher energy efficiency, rate capability, and chemical reversibility than Li-O batteries; in addition, sodium is cheaper and more abundant compared to lithium. However, inconsistent observations and instability of discharge products have inhibited the understanding of the working mechanism of this technology.

Inflatable penile prosthesis implant length with baseline characteristic correlations: preliminary analysis of the PROPPER study.

Background: "Prospective Registry of Outcomes with Penile Prosthesis for Erectile Restoration" (PROPPER) is a large, multi-institutional, prospective clinical study to collect, analyze, and report real-world outcomes for men implanted with penile prosthetic devices. We prospectively correlated co-morbid conditions and demographic data with implanted penile prosthesis size to enable clinicians to better predict implanted penis size following penile implantation. We present many new data points for the first time in the literature and postulate that radical prostatectomy (RP) is negatively correlated with penile corporal length.

Amniotic therapeutic biomaterials in urology: current and future applications.

To examine the rationale and applications of amniotic tissue augmentation in urological surgery. Published literature in English-language was reviewed for basic science and clinical use of amniotic or amnion-chorionic tissue in genitourinary tissues. Basic science and animal studies support the likely benefit of clinical applications of amnion-derived tissues in a variety of urologic interventions.

Prior Radiation Therapy Decreases Time to Idiopathic Erosion of Artificial Urinary Sphincter: A Multi-Institutional Analysis.

Purpose: Substantial controversy and conflicting data exist regarding the survival of the artificial urinary sphincter in patients with prior radiation therapy. We present data from a multi-institutional analysis examining the effect of prior radiation for prostate cancer on device survival.

Materials And Methods: A database was compiled of patients with artificial urinary sphincter cuff erosion, which included demographic and comorbid patient characteristics, functional analyses and interventions.

Artificial urinary sphincter.

Although currently still the gold standard treatment for post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence, the artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) (AMS800) is an invasive procedure with associated risks factors. In this paper, we aim to outline what the scientific literature and what we personally believe are the factors that are useful and/or necessary to mitigate these risks, including both patient factors and surgeon factors. We also review special populations, including transcorporal (TC) AUS approach, AUS with inflatable penile prosthesis, AUS after male urethral sling, AUS erosion management, and AUS after orthotopic urinary diversion.

Proton-pump inhibitor use does not affect semen quality in subfertile men.

Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) are among the most widely used drugs worldwide. PPI use has recently been linked to adverse changes in semen quality in healthy men; however, the effects of PPI use on semen parameters remain largely unknown specifically in cases with male factor infertility. We examined whether PPI use was associated with detrimental effects on semen parameters in a large population of subfertile men.