A method to efficiently and rapidly approximate the vectorial fields generated by large area metasurfaces.

In order to calculate the electromagnetic fields that are produced after light passes through a metasurface, simulation methods such as the Finite-Difference Time-Domain method are often employed. While these provide a good approximation to the fields, the level of detail at which the volume of space that the light is propagating in needs to be modelled and the time for which simulations need to run, mean that as the area of the metasurface is increased these simulations rapidly become unwieldy. In this paper we show how the result of a FDTD simulation of a unit cell can be used to generate a good approximation of the vectorial field that large area metasurfaces will generate, but using a fraction of the computational resources. This approach can provide an intermediate design step, allowing potentially interesting designs to be rapidly identified or discarded.

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of the Europium(II) Hydride Oxide Iodide Eu5H2O2I4 Showing Blue-Green Luminescence.

As the first europium(II) hydride oxide iodide, dark red single crystals of Eu5H2O2I4 could be synthesized from oxygen-contaminated mixtures of EuH2 and EuI2. Its orthorhombic crystal structure (a = 1636.97(9) pm, b = 1369.54(8) pm, c = 604.36(4) pm, Z = 4) was determined via single-crystal X-ray diffraction in the space group Cmcm. Anion-centred tetrahedra [HEu4]7+ and [OEu4]6+ serve as central building blocks interconnected via common edges to infinite ribbons parallel to the c axis. These ribbons consist of four trans-edge connected (Eu2+)4 tetrahedra as repetition unit, two H--centred ones in the inner part, and two O2--centred ones representing the outer sides. They are positively charged, according to ∞1{[Eu5H2O2]4+}, to become interconnected and charge-balanced by iodide anions. Upon excitation with UV light, the compound shows blue-green luminescence with the shortest Eu2+ emission wavelength ever observed for a hydride derivative, peaking at 463 nm. The magnetic susceptibility of Eu5H2O2I4 follows the Curie-Weiss law down to 100 K, and exhibits a ferromagnetic ordering transition at about 10 K.

Multilevel Body Composition Analysis on Chest Computed Tomography Predicts Hospital Length of Stay and Complications After Lobectomy for Lung Cancer: A Multicenter Study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of thoracic body composition on outcomes after lobectomy for lung cancer. SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND DATA: Preoperative identification of patients at risk for adverse outcomes permits treatment modification. The impact of body composition on lung resection outcomes has not been investigated in a multicenter setting. METHODS: A total of 958 consecutive patients undergoing lobectomy for lung cancer at 3 centers from 2014 to 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Muscle and adipose tissue cross-sectional area at the fifth, eighth, and tenth thoracic vertebral body was quantified. Prospectively collected outcomes from a national database were abstracted to characterize the association between sums of muscle and adipose tissue and hospital length of stay (LOS), number of any postoperative complications, and number of respiratory postoperative complications using multivariate regression. A priori determined covariates were forced expiratory volume in 1 second and diffusion capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide predicted, age, sex, body mass index, race, surgical approach, smoking status, Zubrod and American Society of Anesthesiologists scores. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 67 years, body mass index 27.4 kg/m2 and 65% had stage i disease. Sixty-three percent underwent minimally invasive lobectomy. Median LOS was 4 days and 34% of patients experienced complications. Muscle (using 30 cm2 increments) was an independent predictor of LOS (adjusted coefficient 0.972; P = 0.002), any postoperative complications (odds ratio 0.897; P = 0.007) and postoperative respiratory complications (odds ratio 0.860; P = 0.010). Sarcopenic obesity was also associated with LOS and adverse outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Body composition on preoperative chest computed tomography is an independent predictor of LOS and postoperative complications after lobectomy for lung cancer.

The Role of the Bi3+ Lone Pair Effect in Bi(H3O)(SO4)2, Bi(HSO4)3, and Bi2(SO4)3.

Three new members in the Bi2O3-SO3-H2O system are identified by single crystal X-ray diffraction and Rietveld refinement after a fundamental examination of this phase space. Bi(H3O)(SO4)2 crystallizes in space group P21/c (no. 14, a = 1203.5(4), b = 682.9(2), c = 821.2(2) pm, ß = 102.99(1)°, 861 independent reflections, 88 refined parameters, wR2 = 0.14) homeotypic with Nd(H3O)(SO4)2 featuring edge-sharing BiO9 polyhedra. Bi(HSO4)3 crystallizes in a new structure type in space group P1 (no. 2, a = 492.04(7), b = 910.8(1), c = 1040.8(2) pm, α = 85.443(5)°, ß = 86.897(5)°, γ = 74.542(4)°, 3227 independent reflections, 154 refined parameters, wR2 = 0.05) comprising dimers of edge-sharing BiO8 polyhedra. For Bi2(SO4)3, a new modification crystallizing in space group P21/n (no. 14, a = 1308.03(7), b = 473.25(3), c = 1452.61(8) pm, ß = 100.886(2)°, 3189 independent reflections, 155 refined parameters, wR2 = 0.03) isotypic to Sb2(SO4)3 with noncondensed BiO7 polyhedra is presented. The role of the Bi3+ lone pair effect as elucidated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations is discussed for all three compounds with respect to their structural and optical properties. Additionally, the Bi3+ lone pair activity is compared to the recently reported borosulfates Bi(H3O)[B(SO4)2]4 and Bi2[B2(SO4)6]. Geometrical calculations based on structural data are correlated with electron localization function (ELF) calculations to establish the origin of the direction and strength of the lone pair stereoactivity of Bi3+ in oxidic compounds. Finally, the thermal properties of the three compounds are reported.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Endobronchial Optical Coherence Tomography for the Microscopic Diagnosis of Usual Interstitial Pneumonia.

Rationale: Early, accurate diagnosis of interstitial lung disease (ILD) informs prognosis and therapy, especially in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Current diagnostic methods are imperfect. High-resolution computed tomography has limited resolution, and surgical lung biopsy (SLB) carries risks of morbidity and mortality. Endobronchial optical coherence tomography (EB-OCT) is a low-risk, bronchoscope-compatible modality that images large lung volumes in vivo with microscopic resolution, including subpleural lung, and has the potential to improve the diagnostic accuracy of bronchoscopy for ILD diagnosis. Objectives: We performed a prospective diagnostic accuracy study of EB-OCT in patients with ILD with a low-confidence diagnosis undergoing SLB. The primary endpoints were EB-OCT sensitivity/specificity for diagnosis of the histopathologic pattern of usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) and clinical IPF. The secondary endpoint was agreement between EB-OCT and SLB for diagnosis of the ILD fibrosis pattern. Methods: EB-OCT was performed immediately before SLB. The resulting EB-OCT images and histopathology were interpreted by blinded, independent pathologists. Clinical diagnosis was obtained from the treating pulmonologists after SLB, blinded to EB-OCT. Measurements and Main Results: We enrolled 31 patients, and 4 were excluded because of inconclusive histopathology or lack of EB-OCT data. Twenty-seven patients were included in the analysis (16 men, average age: 65.0 yr): 12 were diagnosed with UIP and 15 with non-UIP ILD. Average FVC and DlCO were 75.3% (SD, 18.5) and 53.5% (SD, 16.4), respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of EB-OCT was 100% (95% confidence interval, 75.8-100.0%) and 100% (79.6-100%), respectively, for both histopathologic UIP and clinical diagnosis of IPF. There was high agreement between EB-OCT and histopathology for diagnosis of ILD fibrosis pattern (weighted κ: 0.87 [0.72-1.0]). Conclusions: EB-OCT is a safe, accurate method for microscopic ILD diagnosis, as a complement to high-resolution computed tomography and an alternative to SLB.

Management and outcomes of esophageal perforation.

BACKGROUND: Esophageal perforation is a morbid condition and remains a therapeutic challenge. We report the outcomes of a large institutional experience with esophageal perforation and identify risk factors for morbidity and mortality. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 142 patients who presented with a thoracic or gastroesophageal junction esophageal perforation from 1995 to 2020. Baseline characteristics, operative or interventional strategies, and outcomes were analyzed by etiology of the perforation and management approach. Multivariable cox and logistic regression models were constructed to identify predictors of mortality and morbidity. RESULTS: Overall, 109 (77%) patients underwent operative intervention, including 80 primary reinforced repairs and 21 esophagectomies and 33 (23%) underwent esophageal stenting. Stenting was more common in iatrogenic (27%) and malignant (64%) perforations. Patients who presented with a postemetic or iatrogenic perforation had similar 90-day mortality (16% and 16%) and composite morbidity (51% and 45%), whereas patients who presented with a malignant perforation had a 45% 90-day mortality and 45% composite morbidity. Risk factors for mortality included age >65 years (hazard ratio [HR] 1.89 [1.02-3.26], P = 0.044) and a malignant perforation (HR 4.80 [1.31-17.48], P = 0.017). Risk factors for composite morbidity included pleural contamination (odds ratio [OR] 2.06 [1.39-4.43], P = 0.046) and sepsis (OR 3.26 [1.44-7.36], P = 0.005). Of the 33 patients who underwent stent placement, 67% were successfully managed with stenting alone and 30% required stent repositioning. CONCLUSIONS: Risk factors for morbidity and mortality after esophageal perforation include advanced age, pleural contamination, septic physiology, and malignant perforation. Primary reinforced repair remains a reasonable strategy for patients with an esophageal perforation from a benign etiology.

Readmission After Lobectomy for Lung Cancer: Not All Complications Contribute Equally.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify independent predictors of hospital readmission for patients undergoing lobectomy for lung cancer. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Hospital readmission after lobectomy is associated with increased mortality. Greater than 80% of the variability associated with readmission after surgery is at the patient level. This underscores the importance of using a data source that includes detailed clinical information. METHODS: Using the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) General Thoracic Surgery Database (GTSD), we conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing elective lobectomy for lung cancer. Three separate multivariable logistic regression models were generated: the first included preoperative variables, the second added intraoperative variables, and the third added postoperative variables. The c statistic was calculated for each model. RESULTS: There were 39,734 patients from 277 centers. The 30-day readmission rate was 8.2% (n = 3237). In the final model, postoperative complications had the greatest effect on readmission. Pulmonary embolus {odds ratio [OR] 12.34 [95% confidence interval (CI),7.94-19.18]} and empyema, [OR 11.66 (95% CI, 7.31-18.63)] were associated with the greatest odds of readmission, followed by pleural effusion [OR 7.52 (95% CI, 6.01-9.41)], pneumothorax [OR 5.08 (95% CI, 4.16-6.20)], central neurologic event [OR 3.67 (95% CI, 2.23-6.04)], pneumonia [OR 3.13 (95% CI, 2.43-4.05)], and myocardial infarction [OR 3.16 (95% CI, 1.71-5.82)]. The c statistic for the final model was 0.736. CONCLUSIONS: Complications are the main driver of readmission after lobectomy for lung cancer. The highest risk was related to postoperative events requiring a procedure or medical therapy necessitating inpatient care.

The First Bismuth Borosulfates Comprising Oxonium and a Tectosilicate-Analogous Anion.

The first bismuth borosulfate (H3 O)Bi[B(SO4 )2 ]4 is only the second featuring a three-dimensional anion, the first tectosilicate-analogous borosulfate synthesised solvothermally without a precursor (from Bi(NO3 )3 ⋅5 H2 O and B(OH)3 in oleum); moreover, it is the first comprising two differently charged cations and crystallises in a new structure type in space group I 4 ‾ (no. 82) (a=11.857(1), c=8.149(1) Å, 1947 refl., 111 param., wR2=0.037), confirmed by a second harmonic generation (SHG) measurement. The B(SO4 )4 supertetrahedra are connected via all four sulfate tetrahedra resulting in a three-dimensional anion with both H3 O+ and Bi3+ cations in channels. Additionally, the crystal structure of a further bismuth borosulfate, Bi2 [B2 (SO4 )6 ], is elucidated crystallising isotypically to the rare-earth borosulfates R2 [B2 (SO4 )6 ] in space group C2/c (No. 15) (a=13.568(2), b=11.490(2), c=11.106(2) Å, 3127 refl., 155 param., wR2=0.035). Moreover, the optical and thermal properties of both compounds are discussed.

Strong Lewis and Brønsted Acidic Sites in the Borosulfate Mg3 [H2 O→B(SO4 )3 ]2.

Borosulfates provide fascinating structures and properties that go beyond a pure analogy to silicates. Mg3 [H2 O→B(SO4 )3 ]2 is the first borosulfate featuring a boron atom solely coordinated by three tetrahedra. Thus, the free Lewis acidic site forms a Lewis acid-base adduct with a water molecule. This is unprecedented for borosulfate chemistry and even for borates. Quantum chemical calculations on water exchange reactions with BF3 and B(C6 F5 )3 revealed a higher Lewis acidity for the borosulfate anion. Moreover, proton exchange reactions showed a higher Brønsted acidity than comparable silicates or phosphates. Additionally, Mg3 [H2 O→B(SO4 )3 ]2 was characterised by X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations.

Biuret-A Crucial Reaction Intermediate for Understanding Urea Pyrolysis To Form Carbon Nitrides: Crystal-Structure Elucidation and In Situ Diffractometric, Vibrational and Thermal Characterisation.

The crystal structure of biuret was elucidated by means of XRD analysis of single crystals grown through slow evaporation from a solution in ethanol. It crystallises in its own structure type in space group C2/c (a=15.4135(8) Å, b=6.6042(3) Å, c=9.3055(4) Å, Z=8). Biuret decomposition was studied in situ by means of temperature-programmed powder XRD and FTIR spectroscopy, to identify a co-crystalline biuret-cyanuric acid phase as a previously unrecognised reaction intermediate. Extensive thermogravimetric studies of varying crucible geometry, heating rate and initial sample mass reveal that the concentration of reactive gases at the interface to the condensed sample residues is a crucial parameter for the prevailing decomposition pathway. Taking these findings into consideration, a study on the optimisation of carbon nitride synthesis from urea on the gram scale, with standard solid-state laboratory techniques, is presented. Finally, a serendipitously encountered self-coating of the crucible inner walls by graphite during repeated synthetic cycles, which prove to be highly beneficial for the obtained yields, is reported.

Synthesis-Controlled Polymorphism and Optical Properties of Phyllosilicate-Analogous Borosulfates M[B2 (SO4 )4 ] (M=Mg, Co).

Increased synthetic control in borosulfate chemistry leads to the access of various new compounds. Herein, the polymorphism of phyllosilicate-analogous borosulfates is unraveled by adjusting the oleum (65 % SO3 ) content. The new polymorphs ß-Mg[B2 (SO4 )4 ] and α-Co[B2 (SO4 )4 ] both consist of similar layers of alternating borate and sulfate tetrahedra, but differ in the position of octahedrally coordinated cations. The α-modification comprises cations between the layers, whereas in the ß-modification cations are embedded within the layers. With this new synthetic approach, phase-pure compounds of the respective polymorphs α-Mg[B2 (SO4 )4 ] and ß-Co[B2 (SO4 )4 ] were also achieved. Tanabe-Sugano analysis of the Co2+ polymorphs reveal weak ligand field splitting and give insights into the coordination behavior of the two-dimensional borosulfate anions for the first time. DFT calculations confirmed previous in silico experiments and enabled an assignment of the polymorphs by comparing the total electronic energies. The compounds are characterized by single-crystal XRD, PXRD, FTIR, and UV/Vis/NIR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and density functional theory (DFT) calculations.

Borosulfates-Synthesis and Structural Chemistry of Silicate Analogue Compounds.

Borosulfates are oxoanionic compounds consisting of condensed sulfur- and boron-centered tetrahedra. Hitherto, they were mostly achieved from solvothermal syntheses in SO3 -enriched sulfuric acid, or from reactions with the superacid H[B(HSO4 )4 ]. The crystal structures are very similar to those of the corresponding class of silicates and their substitution variants, especially regarding the typical structural motif of corner-sharing tetrahedra. However, the borosulfates are supposed to be even more versatile, because (BO3 ) units might also be part of the anionic network. The following article deals with detailed reports on the different synthesis strategies, the crystal chemistry of borosulfates in comparison to silicates, and their hitherto identified properties.

Sr[B2(SO4)3(S2O7)]: A Borosulfate with an Unprecedented Chain Structure Comprising Disulfate Groups.

Unconventional borosulfates containing S-O-S bridges are still rare. Sr[B2(SO4)3(S2O7)] was synthesized solvothermally in oleum (65% SO3) and crystallizes in a new structure type in space group P21/n (Z = 4, a = 747.0(2) pm, b = 1533.4(4) pm, c = 1222.0(3) pm, ß = 93.293(10)°). The structure features loop-branched vierer double chains, in which two terminal sulfate tetrahedra are condensed to a disulfate group. The resulting ratio between boron and sulfur of 2:5 was not yet found in borosulfate chemistry. The presence of S-O-S bridges was confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy. Temperature-programmed X-ray powder diffraction in addition to thermogravimetric analysis revealed a transformation from chains containing S-O-S bridges in Sr[B2(SO4)3(S2O7)] to chains containing solely B-O-S bridges in Sr[B2(SO4)4] and to chains containing B-O-B bridges in Sr[B2O(SO4)3].

From S-O-S to B-O-S to B-O-B Bridges: Ba[B(S2O7)2]2 as a Model System for the Structural Diversity in Borosulfate Chemistry.

Various different possible connection patterns of sulfate and borate tetrahedra enable a vast structural diversity in borosulfates, a rather new class of silicate-analogous compounds. Here we unravel a direct relationship from S-O-S to B-O-S to B-O-B bridges for the first time in borosulfate chemistry. Solvothermal synthesis in pure oleum (65% SO3) yielded the first alkaline earth metal borosulfate comprising S-O-S bridges: Ba[B(S2O7)2]2 (I2/a, Z = 4, a = 1160.77(9) pm, b = 891.44(7) pm, c = 2130.26(19) pm, ß = 104.0341(17)°) contains molecular [B(S2O7)2]- anions of a central boron atom and two chelating disulfate groups. By using equal amounts of sulfuric acid and oleum solely B-O-S bridges were obtained in Ba[B2(SO4)4] (Pnna, Z = 4, a = 1279.08(18) pm, b = 1280.0(2) pm, c = 731.70(11) pm) featuring one-dimensional ∞1[B(SO4)4/2]- chains. The thermal analysis on Ba[B(S2O7)2]2 revealed the conversion from S-O-S bridges to B-O-S bridges in Ba[B2(SO4)4] and to B-O-B bridges in Ba[B2O(SO4)3] by a successive release of SO3. Thus, BaO-B2O3-SO3 is the first quaternary system for borosulfates uniting all three possible connection patterns enabling us to understand the fascinating but systematic chemistry in such systems. Both new compounds were also characterized by means of X-ray powder diffraction, electrostatic calculations, and infrared spectroscopy assisted by density functional theory (DFT).

Flexible gauge length intrinsic fiber-optic strain sensor using broadband interferometry [Invited].

Monitoring strain is important in precision engineering applications that require maintaining the precise alignments of structures over time, such as those found in machine tools and metrology frames. We present a fiber-optic strain measurement technique based upon broadband interferometry that is variously configurable in terms of gauge length and sensitivity. This is achieved by the use of an unbalanced interrogation interferometer configuration that alleviates the cavity length limit imposed by the temporal coherence of the system. We also demonstrate that dispersion in fiber sensors based on intrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometers must be considered to optimize performance. The possibility of multisensor interrogation using the same optical system is also reported.

Improved description of the signal formation in grating generated-optical coherence tomography.

Several optical instruments have been presented over recent years that use a tilted diffraction grating in the reference arm, describing its effect as introducing a continuous optical delay in the direction of the grating dispersion. Having examined these types of system carefully, we believe this description does not fully capture the manner by which the signal is formed in these instruments, and present here a simple model that clearly demonstrates the essential elements behind the way such systems operate. This analysis not only illustrates the reason for signals of the form seen being generated, but also shows how great care needs to be taken with systems such as these in the interpretation of the results.

Blue Excitement: The Lanthanide(III) Chloride Oxidomolybdates(VI) Ln3Cl3[MoO6] (Ln = La, Pr, and Nd) and Their Spectroscopic Properties.

The lanthanide(III) chloride oxidomolybdates(VI) with the empirical formula Ln3Cl3[MoO6] (Ln = La, Pr, and Nd) were synthesized by solid-state reactions utilizing the respective lanthanide trichloride, lanthanide sesquioxide (where available), and molybdenum trioxide together with lithium chloride as a fluxing agent. The title compounds crystallize in hexagonal space group P63/ m ( a = 942-926 pm, c = 542-533 pm, Z = 2). Besides tetracapped trigonal prismatically coordinated Ln3+ cations, noncondensed trigonal prismatic [MoO6]6- entities are found in the crystal structure. In addition to X-ray diffraction, the title compounds were also characterized by single-crystal Raman and infrared spectroscopy as well as measurements to determine their magnetic susceptibility and behavior at low temperatures. The most outstanding properties of the Ln3Cl3[MoO6] representatives (Ln = La, Pr, and Nd), however, are of an optical nature, because their band gaps, determined by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, show a significant shift toward lower energies compared to those of other rare-earth metal chloride molybdates with a different polyhedral arrangement. This culminates in La3Cl3[MoO6]:Eu3+ exhibiting luminescence, which can be excited in the visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum by a blue light-emitting diode.

Improvements to dispersed reference interferometry: beyond the linear approximation.

Interferometric instruments with dispersion introduced in the reference arm have previously been created, as the controlled dispersion can be used to generate a signal that contains a clearly identifiable point, the location of which relates to the position of the scattering surface in the measurement arm. In the following, we illustrate that the linear approximations that have been used previously can lead to significant errors, and that second-order terms need to be included in order to correct this. These corrections are vital if these instruments are to be used for metrological applications.

Rocuronium infusion: A higher rate is needed in diabetic than nondiabetic dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the infusion rates that maintain the train-of-four (TOF) ratio within 20-70% in dogs and compare the infusion rates between diabetic and nondiabetic dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. ANIMALS: In total, 47 dogs scheduled for phacoemulsification were included with a median (80% central range) bodyweight of 10.6 (5.7-35.5) kg and age of 7 (1-11) years. Diabetes mellitus was previously diagnosed in nine dogs. METHODS: After premedication using acepromazine and methadone, anaesthesia was induced by intravenous (IV) propofol and maintained by isoflurane and fentanyl or remifentanil. The TOF ratio was monitored by stimulating the peroneal nerve and the response quantified by accelerometry. Rocuronium 0.5 mg kg-1 was administered IV, and further infused to maintain the TOF ratio between 20% and 70%. The infusion rates of rocuronium were compared by the Mann-Whitney test between diabetic and nondiabetic dogs, and the influence of age, sex, bodyweight, body temperature, end-tidal carbon dioxide, end-tidal isoflurane concentration, mean arterial blood pressure, pulse rate and time from induction and time from rocuronium bolus to stable rocuronium infusion rate were investigated in a stepwise, forward regression model. RESULTS: A stable infusion rate was found in 42 dogs. A higher median (80% central range) infusion rate was found in diabetic [0.43 (0.35-0.50) mg kg-1 hour-1] compared with nondiabetic dogs [0.30 (0.20-0.50) mg kg-1 hour-1] (p = 0.013). None of the other variables investigated were found to significantly influence the infusion rate. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: There is a quite large individual variation in the infusion rates of rocuronium needed to maintain a stable neuromuscular block in a varied population of dogs. Of the variables investigated, diabetes mellitus was the only one found to significantly influence the infusion rate of rocuronium.