We showed how a structural modification of graphene, which gives a carbon allotrope graphyne, can induce an energy gap at the K point of the Brillouin zone. Upon adsorption on metallic surfaces, the same mechanism is responsible for the further modification of the energy gap which occurs via the charge transfer mechanism. We performed the calculation based on the density functional theory with the novel non-local vdW-DF correlation of the adsorption of graphyne on Cu(111), Ni(111) and Co(0001) surfaces and showed the dependence of the gap change on the charge transfer in the system. The binding of graphyne appears to be stronger than of graphene on the same surfaces.

This article questions the preconceived notions that participants in virtual worlds are essentially consumers. Building on the existing scholarship around virtual worlds and notwithstanding the current character of virtual worlds, this paper explores aspects of End User Licence Agreements and notes the unfairness of their provisions, particularly the imbalance between user and developer interests governed by such contracts. It argues that the contracts cannot be regulated with consumer protection legislation, as interests such as property or intellectual property are beyond the scope of consumer protection regimes. Finally, recognising the phenomenon of constitutionalisation of virtual worlds, the article argues for stronger regulatory solutions in this domain, in order to strike a more appropriate balance between competing interests in virtual worlds.

Background Cancer of unknown primary (CUP) accounts for approximately 3% of all malignancies. Despite extensive laboratory and imaging efforts, the primary site usually cannot be unequivocally confirmed, and the treatment for the most part remains empirical. Recently, identification of common cancer pathway alterations in diverse cancer lineages has offered an opportunity to provide targeted therapies for patients with CUP, irrespective of the primary site. Patients and Methods 1806 cancers of unknown primary were identified among more than 63,000 cases profiled at Caris Life Sciences. Multiplatform profiling of the tumor samples included immunohistochemistry, gene sequencing and in situ hybridization methods in an effort to identify changes in biomarkers that are predictive of drug responses. Results Biomarkers associated with a potential drug benefit were identified in 96% of cases. Biomarkers identified included those associated with potential benefit in nearly all classes of approved cancer drugs (cytotoxic, hormonal, targeted biological drugs). Additionally, biomarkers associated with a potential lack of benefit were identified in numerous cases, which could further refine the management of patients with CUP. Conclusion Comprehensive biomarker profiling of CUP may provide additional choices in treatment of patients with these difficult to treat malignancies.

A 76-year-old male with a medical history of smoking and hypertension was admitted to our clinic with a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) diagnosed by a trans-abdominal ultrasound. He was immediately brought to the emergency room (ER). His blood pressure was 80/40 mm Hg, with an HTC of less than 0.17. Six years earlier, he had noticed a painless, enlarging abdominal mass. An emergency abdominal computed tomographic angiography (CTA) with intravenous contrast showed a giant infrarenal AAA measuring 13x11 cm in diameter, with clear evidence of rupture and a large intra-abdominal hematoma (Figure 1). He was immediately brought to the operating theater (OT). Figure 1 Abdominal computed tomographic angiography with contrast showing: A) a ruptured giant abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), measuring 13x11 cm with B) a large inta-abdominal hematoma, that compresses the intra-abdominal organs. C) and D) showing a ruptured ... The approach to the abdomen was a classic median laparotomy. After we had opened the abdomen, we found a huge retroperitoneal hematoma that pushed beside the intra-abdominal organs rising almost to the edge of the rectal fascia. His blood pressure suddenly dropped to 45/25 mm Hg for the next several minutes. A continuous infusion of norepinephrine was administered (60 mcg/min), several doses of pure adrenalin (3 mg) and pure norepinephrine (1 mg). His blood pressure immediately rose to 80 mm Hg. During the surgery he was anuric. Autologous blood transfusion helped by cell saver was administered. Additionally, he received several doses of blood, blood derivates (fresh frozen plasma, cryoprecipitate, platelets), and other intravenous solutions totaling approximately 8 liters. We replaced the ruptured AAA using a 20 mm polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) vascular graft. After surgery he was transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU) where the blood pressure rose, and diuresis was established (Figure 2). Figure 2 Postoperative computed tomographic angiography (CTA) with contrast showing: A) complete sealing of the aneurysm and no endoleak detected. B) Abdominal CTA with contrast showing patency of the graft. On the first postoperative day, he was woken up without neurological deficits. Six days after surgery we performed a control CT angiography that showed normal findings on the abdominal iliac and leg vessels. Recovery was uneventful and he was discharged from hospital on postoperative day 10. Aneurysm size is the most important factor related to likelihood of rupture, and the risk increases substantially in large aneurysms. The annual rupture risk for AAA’s >8 cm is 30-50%.1 Symptomatic aneurysms present with back, abdominal, buttock, groin, testicular, or leg pain and require urgent surgical attention. Rupture of an AAA involves complete loss of aortic wall integrity, and is a surgical emergency requiring immediate repair.2 The sheer size of the aneurysm, the short length of the neck, and the dislodgment of abdominal organs that may be densely adhered to its surface with fistula formation, make surgery of this entity very challenging. Open repair of giant AAA’s is often the only available treatment, though not always with good results.3 In conclusion, open surgical repair is often the only viable treatment because aneurysm size implicates an adverse neck anatomy that makes these AAA’s not suitable for endovascular aneurysm repair.4 The repair of these giant aneurysms presents a challenge during surgery. Ruptured giant AAA’s present a significant additional surgical and anaesthetic challenge.

Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP), which is the most serious type of this disorder, is associated with high morbidity and mortality. SAP runs a biphasic course. During the first 1-2 wk, a pro-inflammatory response results in systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). If the SIRS is severe, it can lead to early multisystem organ failure (MOF). After the first 1-2 wk, a transition from a pro-inflammatory response to an anti-inflammatory response occurs; during this transition, the patient is at risk for intestinal flora translocation and the development of secondary infection of the necrotic tissue, which can result in sepsis and late MOF. Many recommendations have been made regarding SAP management and its complications. However, despite the reduction in overall mortality in the last decade, SAP is still associated with high mortality. In the majority of cases, sterile necrosis should be managed conservatively, whereas in infected necrotizing pancreatitis, the infected non-vital solid tissue should be removed to control the sepsis. Intervention should be delayed for as long as possible to allow better demarcation and liquefaction of the necrosis. Currently, the step-up approach (delay, drain, and debride) may be considered as the reference standard intervention for this disorder.

Measurement of the differential rotation of the Sunʼs interior is one of the great achievements of helioseismology, providing important constraints for stellar physics. The technique relies on observing and analyzing rotationally-induced splittings of p-modes in the star. Here, we demonstrate the first use of the technique in a laboratory setting. We apply it in a spherical cavity with a spinning central core (spherical-Couette flow) to determine the mean azimuthal velocity of the air filling the cavity. We excite a number of acoustic resonances (analogous to p-modes in the Sun) using a speaker and record the response with an array of small microphones on the outer sphere. Many observed acoustic modes show rotationally-induced splittings, which allow us to perform an inversion to determine the airʼs azimuthal velocity as a function of both radius and latitude. We validate the method by comparing the velocity field obtained through inversion against the velocity profile measured with a calibrated hot film anemometer. This modal acoustic velocimetry technique has great potential for laboratory setups involving rotating fluids in axisymmetric cavities. It will be useful especially in liquid metals where direct optical methods are unsuitable and ultrasonic techniques very challenging at best.

In order to determine the effect of crystallization temperature on the absorption and properties of zeolite A particles, we have monitored the modified dibutyl phthalate absorption ( DBP ), a degree of crystalline phase, specific surface area, mean diameter of particle ( DS50 % ), and performed scanning electron microscopy ( SEM ) of the synthesized samples of zeolites. The synthesis of samples was carried out at crystallization temperatures of 70, 75, 80, 85 and 90°C ; the raw materials (sodium aluminate and sodium silicate) were heated at 90°C. The particle size of the synthesized samples is similar in most studied systems at all temperatures of crystallization, which is in accordance with the principles of the autocatalytic nucleation and „memory effect” of the gel. An increase in the specific surface area of the synthesized samples with the increase in the crystallization temperature was observed in all the analyzed systems (3.25 to 35.31 m2/g). It was found that the increase of crystallization temperature increases the absorption of dibutyl phthalate(0.90-1.20 cm3/g ); however, at the same time, the proportion of zeolite A in the same samples is reduced, as confirmed by SEM analysis.