Role of Molecular Water Layer State on Freezing Front Propagation Rate and Mode Studied with Thermal Imaging.

In this work, we study the relationship between the molecular water layer (MWL) and frost freezing onset and propagation. The progression of frost has been reported to be governed by various localized icing phenomena, including interdroplet ice bridging, dry zones, and frost halos. Reports studying the state of water on surfaces have revealed the presence of a thin nanometer water layer on a range of surfaces. Regardless of further investigations that show environmental humidity, temperature, and surface energy to affect the thickness of the MWL on surfaces, the influence of the MWL on frost nucleation and propagation has not yet been previously addressed in the literature. To study the effect of the MWL on surface freezing events, a range of surface-functionalized glass substrates were prepared. In situ monitoring of freezing events with thermal imaging allowed studying the effect of surface chemistry and environmental relative humidity (RH) on the thickness and continuity of the MWL. We argue that the observed icing nucleation and propagation kinetics are directly related to the presence and continuity of the MWL, which can be manipulated by controlling the environmental humidity and surface chemistry.

Guidelines for NGS procedures applied to prenatal diagnosis by the Spanish Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics and the Spanish Association of Prenatal Diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE: This document addresses the clinical application of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies for prenatal genetic diagnosis and aims to establish clinical practice recommendations in Spain to ensure uniformity in implementing these technologies into prenatal care. METHODS: A joint committee of expert obstetricians and geneticists was created to review the existing literature on fetal NGS for genetic diagnosis and to make recommendations for Spanish healthcare professionals. RESULTS: This guideline summarises technical aspects of NGS technologies, clinical indications in prenatal setting, considerations regarding findings to be reported, genetic counselling considerations as well as data storage and protection policies. CONCLUSIONS: This document provides updated recommendations for the use of NGS diagnostic tests in prenatal diagnosis. These recommendations should be periodically reviewed as our knowledge of the clinical utility of NGS technologies, applied during pregnancy, may advance.

Sex-Related Differences in the Phenotype and Course of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: SEXEII Study of ENEIDA.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The impact of patient sex on the presentation of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been poorly evaluated. Our aims were to assess potential disparities in IBD phenotype and progression between sexes. METHODS: We performed an observational multicenter study that included patients with Crohn's disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis from the Spanish ENEIDA registry. Data extraction was conducted in July 2021. RESULTS: A total of 51,595 patients with IBD were included, 52% were males and 25,947 had CD. The median follow-up period after diagnosis was 9 years in males and 10 years in females. In CD, female sex was an independent risk factor for medium disease onset (age, 17-40 y) (relative risk ratio, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.31-1.62), later disease onset (age, >40 y) (relative risk ratio, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.38-1.73), exclusive colonic involvement (odds ratio, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.14-1.34), inflammatory behavior (odds ratio, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.07-1.21), and extraintestinal manifestations (odds ratio, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.38-1.59). However, female sex was a protective factor for upper gastrointestinal involvement (odds ratio, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.79-0.90), penetrating behavior (odds ratio, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.70-0.82), perianal disease (odds ratio, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.71-0.82), and complications (odds ratio, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.66-0.80). In ulcerative colitis, female sex was an independent risk factor for extraintestinal manifestations (odds ratio, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.26-1.61). However, female sex was an independent protective factor for disease onset from age 40 onward (relative risk ratio, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.66-0.87), left-sided colonic involvement (relative risk ratio, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.67-0.78), extensive colonic involvement (relative risk ratio, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.55-0.64), and abdominal surgery (odds ratio, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.69-0.88). CONCLUSIONS: There is sexual dimorphism in IBD. The patient's sex should be taken into account in the clinical management of the disease.

A Novel Missense Variant in the NKX2-1 Homeodomain Prevents Transcriptional Rescue by TAZ.

Background: Brain-lung-thyroid syndrome (BLTS) is caused by NKX2-1 haploinsufficiency, resulting in chorea/choreoathetosis, respiratory problems, and hypothyroidism. Genes interacting with NKX2-1 mutants influence its phenotypic variability. We report a novel NKX2-1 missense variant and the modifier function of TAZ/WWTR1 in BLTS. Methods: A child with BLTS underwent next-generation sequencing panel testing for thyroid disorders. His family was genotyped for NKX2-1 variants and screened for germline mosaicism. Mutant NKX2-1 was generated, and transactivation assays were performed on three NKX2-1 target gene promoters. DNA binding capacity and protein-protein interaction were analyzed. Results: The patient had severe BLTS and carried a novel missense variant c.632A>G (p.N211S) in NKX2-1, which failed to bind to specific DNA promoters, reducing their transactivation. TAZ cotransfection did not significantly increase transcription of these genes, although the variant retained its ability to bind to TAZ. Conclusions: We identify a novel pathogenic NKX2-1 variant that causes severe BLTS and is inherited through germline mosaicism. The mutant lacks DNA-binding capacity, impairing transactivation and suggesting that NKX2-1 binding to DNA is essential for TAZ-mediated transcriptional rescue.

An early economic evaluation of Kooth, a web-based mental health platform for children and young people with emerging mental health needs.

Background: "Kooth" is a web-based mental health platform commissioned by the National Health Service (NHS), local authorities, charities, and businesses in the UK. The platform gives children and young people (CYP) access to an online community of peers and a team of counsellors. This study reports an early economic evaluation of the potential benefits of Kooth in the UK. Methods: An early evidence cost calculator was built to estimate the potential costs and savings of implementing Kooth from a UK NHS and crime sector perspective. A decision tree structure was used to track the progress of CYP with emerging mental health needs (EMHN), comparing CYP with access to Kooth to CYP without access to Kooth. The model implemented a 12-month time horizon and followed a typical Kooth contract in relation to costing, engagement, and CYP demographics. Results: The base case results followed a cohort of 2160 CYP. The results of the cost calculator estimated that engagement with Kooth is associated with a cost saving of £469,237 to the NHS across a 12-month time horizon, or £236.15 per CYP with an EMHN. From a combined NHS and UK crime sector perspective, the cost savings increased to £489,897, or £246.54 per CYP with an EMHN. The largest cost savings were provided by an estimated reduction of 5346 GP appointments and 298 antidepressant prescriptions. For this cohort, the model predicted that engagement with Kooth averted 6 hospitalisations due to suicidal ideation and 13 hospitalisations due to self-harm. Furthermore, the number of smokers and binge drinkers was reduced by 20 and 24, respectively. When a crime sector perspective was taken, 3 crimes were averted. Discussion: This early model demonstrates that Kooth has the potential to be a cost-saving intervention from both an NHS and a combined NHS and UK crime sector perspective. Cost savings were provided through aversion in clinical and social outcomes. The model used a conservative approach to balance the uncertainty around assumptions of the intermediate outcomes (GP and medication use). However, it is limited by a paucity of costing data and published evidence relating to the impact of digital mental health platforms.

New Insights and Perspective on Bioprosthetic Valve Fracture From Bench Testing and Computed Tomography Analysis.

Background: Bioprosthetic valve fracture (BVF) during valve-in-valve TAVR (transcatheter aortic valve replacement) is a procedural adjunct designed to optimize the expansion of the transcatheter heart valve and reduce patient-prosthesis mismatch by using a high-pressure balloon to intentionally fracture the surgical heart valve (SHV). Methods: We performed bench testing on 15 bioprosthetic SHV to examine the optimal balloon size and pressure for BVF. We assessed morphological changes and expansion of SHV by computed tomography angiography. Successful BVF was defined as balloon waist disappearance on fluoroscopy and/or sudden pressure drop during balloon inflation. Results: Nine valves met the definition of BVF, 3 of which were confirmed by disruption of the stent frame. We classified surgical valves into 3 subsets: 1) fracturable with metal stent frame (MSF), 2) fracturable with polymer stent frame (PSF) and 3) nonfracturable. In general, valves with MSF were fractured using a balloon size = true internal diameter plus 3-5 mm inflated at high pressure (16-20 ATM) whereas valves with PSF could be fractured with a balloon size = true internal diameter plus 3-5 mm and lower balloon pressure (6-14 ATM). Gains in computed tomography angiography derived inflow area after BVF were 12.3% for MSF and 3.6% for PSF SHV. Conclusions: Gains in CT-determined valve area after BVF depend on the physical properties of the SHV, which in turn influences pressure thresholds and balloon sizing strategy for optimal BVF. Elastic recoil of PSF valves limits the gains in inflow area after BVF.

Evaluation of critical parameters in the hollow-fibre system for tuberculosis: A case study of moxifloxacin.

AIMS: The hollow­fibre system for tuberculosis (HFS­TB) is a preclinical model qualified by the European Medicines Agency to underpin the anti­TB drug development process. It can mimic in vivo pharmacokinetic (PK)­pharmacodynamic (PD) attributes of selected antimicrobials, which could feed into in silico models to inform the design of clinical trials. However, historical data and published protocols are insufficient and omit key information to allow experiments to be reproducible. Therefore, in this work, we aim to optimize and standardize various HFS­TB operational procedures. METHODS: First, we characterized bacterial growth dynamics with different types of hollow­fibre cartridges, Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains and media. Second, we mimicked a moxifloxacin PK profile within hollow­fibre cartridges, in order to check drug­fibres compatibility. Lastly, we mimicked the moxifloxacin total plasma PK profile in human after once daily oral dose of 400 mg to assess PK­PD after different sampling methods, strains, cartridge size and bacterial adaptation periods before drug infusion into the system. RESULTS: We found that final bacterial load inside the HFS­TB was contingent on the studied variables. Besides, we demonstrated that drug­fibres compatibility tests are critical preliminary HFS­TB assays, which need to be properly reported. Lastly, we uncovered that the sampling method and bacterial adaptation period before drug infusion significantly impact actual experimental conclusions. CONCLUSION: Our data contribute to the necessary standardization of HFS­TB experiments, draw attention to multiple aspects of this preclinical model that should be considered when reporting novel results and warn about critical parameters in the HFS­TB currently overlooked.

Left atrial to coronary sinus shunting for treatment of heart failure with mildly reduced or preserved ejection fraction: The ALT FLOW Early Feasibility Study 1-year results.

AIMS: Patients with heart failure and mildly reduced or preserved ejection fraction have limited therapeutic options. The ALT-FLOW Early Feasibility Study evaluated safety, haemodynamics and outcomes for the APTURE transcatheter shunt system, a novel left atrium to coronary sinus shunt in these patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: Safety and shunt implantation success was evaluated for all 116 enrolled patients. An analysis population of implanted patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) >40% (n = 95) was chosen to assess efficacy via paired comparison between baseline and follow-up haemodynamic (3 and 6 months), and echocardiographic, clinical and functional outcomes (6 months and 1 year). Health status and quality of life outcomes were assessed using the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire overall summary score (KCCQ-OSS). The primary safety endpoint, major adverse cardiac, cerebral, and renal events, and reintervention through 30 days, occurred in 3/116 patients (2.6%). All implanted shunts were patent at 1 year. In patients with LVEF >40%, the mean (95% confidence interval) reduction in exercise pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) at 20 W was -5.7 (-8.6, -2.9) mmHg at 6 months (p < 0.001). At baseline, 8% had New York Heart Association class I-II status and improved to 68% at 1 year (p < 0.001). KCCQ-OSS at baseline was 39 (35, 43) and improved at 6 months and 1 year by 25 (20-30) and 27 (22-32) points, respectively (both p < 0.0001). No adverse changes in haemodynamic and echocardiographic indices of right heart function were observed at 1 year. Overall, the reduction in PCWP at 20 W and improvement in KCCQ-OSS in multiple subgroups were consistent with those observed for the entire population. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with heart failure and LVEF >40%, the APTURE shunt demonstrated an acceptable safety profile with significant sustained improvements in haemodynamic and patient-centred outcomes, underscoring the need for further evaluation of the APTURE shunt in a randomized trial.

Development of a scale to gain insight into the experience of living with chronic heart failure: The UNAV-Experience of Living with Chronic Heart Failure Scale.

BACKGROUND: To date, there are no tools for the nursing staff to gain systematic insight on the experience lived by patients with chronic heart failure. The objective of this study was to develop a scale for this purpose. METHODS: The study was conducted between January 2018 and December 2020 in three Spanish hospitals. The process described by DeVellis was used for the development of the scale. The items were built based on a phenomenological study and a systematic review of the literature. Next, feedback from a panel of experts was obtained, the scale was administered to a sample of patients with chronic heart failure, and a cognitive interview and an observational study were conducted to create the final version of the scale. RESULTS: The first version of the scale had in seven domains and 76 items. After its evaluation by a panel of experts, it was reduced to a second version with six domains and 55 items. Following the administration of Version 2 to 17 patients (58.8% male, mean age 59.53, 70.6% classified as NYHA functional class II), five items were modified and two eliminated. Thus, the third version of the UNAV-CHF Experience Scale was composed of six domains and 53 items. CONCLUSIONS: This study presents the development of the UNAV-experience of living with chronic heart failure scale. It is an original and novel instrument that allows systematically explore this experience. A larger-scale study is necessary to confirm the validity of our scale.

Amoxicillin/clavulanate in combination with rifampicin/clarithromycin is bactericidal against Mycobacterium ulcerans.

BACKGROUND: Buruli ulcer (BU) is a skin neglected tropical disease (NTD) caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans. WHO-recommended treatment requires 8-weeks of daily rifampicin (RIF) and clarithromycin (CLA) with wound care. Treatment compliance may be challenging due to socioeconomic determinants. Previous minimum Inhibitory Concentration and checkerboard assays showed that amoxicillin/clavulanate (AMX/CLV) combined with RIF+CLA were synergistic against M. ulcerans. However, in vitro time kill assays (TKA) are a better approach to understand the antimicrobial activity of a drug over time. Colony forming units (CFU) enumeration is the in vitro reference method to measure bacterial load, although this is a time-consuming method due to the slow growth of M. ulcerans. The aim of this study was to assess the in vitro activity of RIF, CLA and AMX/CLV combinations against M. ulcerans clinical isolates by TKA, while comparing four methodologies: CFU enumeration, luminescence by relative light unit (RLU) and optical density (at 600 nm) measurements, and 16S rRNA/IS2404 genes quantification. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: TKA of RIF, CLA and AMX/CLV alone and in combination were performed against different M. ulcerans clinical isolates. Bacterial loads were quantified with different methodologies after 1, 3, 7, 10, 14, 21 and 28 days of treatment. RIF+AMX/CLV and the triple RIF+CLA+AMX/CLV combinations were bactericidal and more effective in vitro than the currently used RIF+CLA combination to treat BU. All methodologies except IS2404 quantitative PCR provided similar results with a good correlation with CFU enumeration. Measuring luminescence (RLU) was the most cost-effective methodology to quantify M. ulcerans bacterial loads in in vitro TKA. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our study suggests that alternative and faster TKA methodologies can be used in BU research instead of the cumbersome CFU quantification method. These results provide an in vitro microbiological support to of the BLMs4BU clinical trial (NCT05169554, PACTR202209521256638) to shorten BU treatment.

Respiratory syncytial virus incidence and typing in the last six seasons in the north of Spain (Asturias). Genetic characterization during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Respiratory syncytial virus is associated with lower respiratory tract infections. As several types and genotypes can circulate at the same time, genomic characterization is important for timely epidemiological control and treatment measures. In the last 6 seasons (2017-2023), 191 236 nasopharyngeal swabs were processed for respiratory viruses to determine the etiology of acute respiratory infections, describe the incidence and distribution of RSV types and enrich the data of epidemiological molecular studies on RSV in Spain. The incidence of RSV reached 7% in the pre-pandemic season. RSV was most frequent in children under 5 years of age (12.6%), but was also significant in those over 70 years of age (5.63%). The measures taken to control SARS-CoV-2 infection were useful for RSV control and the incidence decreased to 1.8%, but caused a change in the types. Pre-pandemic, the majority circulating types were RSV-B/RSV-B/RSV-A and in the pandemic it was RSV-B/RSV-B. In the last season, RSV-B and RSV-A were detected in the same proportion. Genetic characterization showed three new clades. This has been taken into account to understand the epidemiology as well as the development of therapeutic and preventive strategies.

A study protocol of a comparative mixed study of the T-Control catheter.

Background: Foley catheters have been subject to limited development in the last few decades. They fulfil their basic function of draining urine from the bladder but cause other associated problems. T-Control is a new silicone Foley catheter with an integrated fluid control valve whose design aims to reduce the risks associated with bladder catheterization by a multifactorial approach. The general purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness, comfort, and experience of the patient catheterized with T-Control® compared with patients with a conventional Foley catheter. Study Design: This trial is a mixed-method study comprising a two-arm, pilot comparative study with random allocation to T-Control catheter or traditional Foley catheter in patients with long-term catheterization and a study with qualitative methodology, through discussion groups. Endpoints: The comfort and acceptability of the T-Control® device (qualitative) and the quality of life related to self-perceived health (quantitative) will be analysed as primary endpoints. As secondary endpoints, the following will be analysed: magnitude and rate of infections (symptomatic and asymptomatic); days free of infection; indication of associated antibiotic treatments; determination of biofilm; number of catheter-related adverse events; use of each type of catheterization's healthcare resources; and level of satisfaction and workload of health professionals. Patients and Methods: Eligible patients are male and female adults aged ≥18 years, who require a change of long-term bladder catheter. The estimated sample size is 50 patients. Patient follow-up includes both the time of catheter insertion and its removal or change 4 weeks later, plus the time until the discussion groups take place.

Management strategies and prognosis of patients ineligible for transcatheter mitral valve replacement.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) faces anatomical challenges, currently limiting widespread adoption. OBJECTIVES: To describe the natural history and prognosis of patients ineligible for various TMVR devices. METHODS: During a 4-year period (2019-2023) 3 TMVR devices (SAPIEN M3, Intrepid and Alta Valve) became available at a single institution (The Christ Hospital, Cincinnati, OH) in the setting of pivotal clinical trials or early feasibility study. Consenting patients who were deemed ineligible ≥1 of these trials were prospectively studied to capture anatomical reasons for ineligibility, cross-over to alternative mitral valve therapies (surgery or high-risk mitral transcatheter edge to edge repair [M-TEER]), and clinical events. RESULTS: A total of 61 patients (out of 71 consenting patients or 85.9 %) were deemed ineligible for TMVR during the study period. The mean age was 79.2 ± 8.8 years, 65.6 % were female, with elevated surgical risk (median STS 4.3, IQR: 2.7-7.3). The 2 most common anatomical reasons for ineligibility were increased risk of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) (n = 24, 39.3 %) and annular size (n = 29, 47.5 %). During follow-up (median 277 [162-555] days) there were 7 deaths (11.5 %) and 12 (19.7 %) hospitalizations for heart failure. Management strategies included high-risk M-TEER in 11 patients (1 death [9.0 %], 0 HF hospitalizations [0 %]), surgery in 9 patients (0 deaths, 1 HF hospitalizations [11.1 %]), and medical management in 41 patients (6 deaths [14.6 %], 11 HF hospitalizations [26.8 %]) (p = 0.715 for mortality and p = 0.093 for HF hospitalizations). Residual MR ≥ moderate was 0 %, 50 %, and 100 % for surgery, M-TEER and medical treatment, respectively (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: One third of patients deemed ineligible for TMVR are candidates for high-risk M-TEER or surgery with acceptable morbidity and mortality. Our results have practical implications for patient management.

Angiographic characteristics of patients with STEMI and COVID-19: Insights from NACMI registry.

BACKGROUND: To date, there has been no independent core lab angiographic analysis of patients with COVID-19 and STEMI. The study characterized the angiographic parameters of patients with COVID-19 and STEMI. METHODS: Angiograms of patients with COVID-19 and STEMI from the North American COVID-19 Myocardial Infarction (NACMI) Registry were sent to a Core Laboratory in Vancouver, Canada. Culprit lesion(s), Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow, Thrombus Grade Burden (TGB), and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) outcome were assessed. RESULTS: From 234 patients, 74% had one culprit lesion, 14% had multiple culprits and 12% had no culprit identified. Multivessel thrombotic disease and multivessel CAD were found in 27% and 53% of patients, respectively. Stent thrombosis accounted for 12% of the presentations and occurred in 55% of patients with previous coronary stents. Of the 182 who underwent PCI, 60 (33%) had unsuccessful PCI due to post-PCI TIMI flow <3 (43/60), residual high thrombus burden (41/60) and/or thrombus related complications (27/60). In-hospital mortality for successful, partially successful, and unsuccessful PCI was 14%, 13%, and 27%, respectively. Unsuccessful PCI was associated with increased risk of in-hospital mortality (risk ratio [RR] 1.96; 95% CI: 1.05-3.66, P = .03); in the adjusted model this estimate was attenuated (RR: 1.24; 95% CI: 0.65-2.34, P = .51). CONCLUSION: In patients with COVID-19 and STEMI, thrombus burden was pervasive with notable rates of multivessel thrombotic disease and stent thrombosis. Post-PCI, persistent thrombus and sub-optimal TIMI 3 flow rates led to one-third of the PCI's being unsuccessful, which decreased over time but remained an important predictor of in-hospital mortality.

Predictors of mortality in hospitalised patients with COVID-19: a 1-year case-control study.

BACKGROUND: A paucity of predictive models assessing risk factors for COVID-19 mortality that extend beyond age and gender in Latino population is evident in the current academic literature. OBJECTIVES: To determine the associated factors with mortality, in addition to age and sex during the first year of the pandemic. DESIGN: A case-control study with retrospective revision of clinical and paraclinical variables by systematic revision of clinical records was conducted. Multiple imputations by chained equation were implemented to account for missing variables. Classification and regression trees (CART) were estimated to evaluate the interaction of associated factors on admission and their role in predicting mortality during hospitalisation. No intervention was performed. SETTING: High-complexity centre above 2640 m above sea level (masl) in Colombia. PARTICIPANTS: A population sample of 564 patients admitted to the hospital with confirmed COVID-19 by PCR. Deceased patients (n=282) and a control group (n=282), matched by age, sex and month of admission, were included. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Mortality during hospitalisation. MAIN RESULTS: After the imputation of datasets, CART analysis estimated 11 clinical profiles based on respiratory distress, haemoglobin, lactate dehydrogenase, partial pressure of oxygen to inspired partial pressure of oxygen ratio, chronic kidney disease, ferritin, creatinine and leucocytes on admission. The accuracy model for prediction was 80.4% (95% CI 71.8% to 87.3%), with an area under the curve of 78.8% (95% CI 69.63% to 87.93%). CONCLUSIONS: This study discloses new interactions between clinical and paraclinical features beyond age and sex influencing mortality in COVID-19 patients. Furthermore, the predictive model could offer new clues for the personalised management of this condition in clinical settings.

Late Migration of a Transcatheter Heart Valve.

Migration or embolization of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) prosthesis is an uncommon (usually acute) complication. Associated risk factors include malpositioning, pacing miscapture, undersizing, postdilation, and bicuspid anatomy. Delayed migration is exceedingly rare with little experience reported. The presentation can be catastrophic, requiring emergency surgery. Herein, we present a case of late TAVR migration managed with repeat transfemoral TAVR.

Atomically Thin Current Pathways in Graphene through Kekulé-O Engineering.

We demonstrate that the current flow in graphene can be guided on atomically thin current pathways by the engineering of Kekulé-O distortions. A grain boundary in these distortions separates the system into topologically distinct regions and induces a ballistic domain-wall state. The state is independent of the orientation of the grain boundary with respect to the graphene sublattice and permits guiding the current on arbitrary paths. As the state is gapped, the current flow can be switched by electrostatic gates. Our findings are explained by a generalization of the Jackiw-Rebbi model, where the electrons behave in one region of the system as Fermions with an effective complex mass, making the device not only promising for technological applications but also a test-ground for concepts from high-energy physics. An atomic model supported by DFT calculations demonstrates that the system can be realized by decorating graphene with Ti atoms.