Green-light wavelength-selective organic solar cells for agrivoltaics: dependence of wavelength on photosynthetic rate.

There is a growing demand for the development of novel solar power systems that can simultaneously solve the problems associated with both energy generation and food supply in agriculture. Green-light wavelength-selective organic solar cells (OSCs), whose transmitted blue and red light can be utilized to promote plant growth were recently reported by our group. However, the influence of wavelength variation on the photosynthetic rate in green-light wavelength-selective OSCs remains unclear. In this study, we report on the design and synthesis of new electron-accepting π-conjugated molecules containing cyclopentene-annelated thiophene with a spiro-substituted 2,7-bis(2-ethylhexyl)fluorene (FT) unit (TT-FT-ID) as a green-light wavelength-selective nonfullerene acceptor along with a reference compound TT-T-ID. Photophysical measurements indicate that the introduction of the FT unit leads to an absorption band with a small full width at half maximum in films, leading to the ability to fine-tune the absorption length. Concerning the optimization of the conditions for the fabrication of the active layers, which are composed of a green-light wavelength-selective donor polymer of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and the new acceptors, Bayesian optimization based on Gaussian process regression was applied to minimize the experimental batches. The green-light wavelength-selective factor (SG) and the PCEs in the green-light region (PCE-GR) of the P3HT:TT-FT-ID-based device were determined to be 0.52 and 8.6%, respectively, which are higher values than those of the P3HT:TT-T-ID blend film. The P3HT:TT-FT-ID blend film increased the photosynthetic rate of green pepper compared to that of the P3HT:TT-T-ID blend film. These results indicate that the fine-tuning of the absorbance required for crop growth is an important issue in developing green-light wavelength-selective OSCs for agrivoltaics.

Stent Graft Migration Due to Structural Failure Nine Months After Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair Using Valiant Navion.

Objective: This report presents a case of stent graft migration that was suspected to have occurred due to failure of the Valiant Navion device (Medtronic Inc., Santa Rosa, CA, USA). This case was rare because the broken device was removed from the living patient and examined directly. Case report: A 69 year old man who had previously undergone thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) with arch vessel debranching (axillo-axillary bypass with left common carotid artery bypass) for distal arch aneurysm experienced stent graft (SG) migration 9 months after the primary surgery. Total arch replacement was performed, and the migrated SG was removed. The broken stent ring and suture seams were then found. The patient was discharged on post-operative day 41 and followed up in the outpatient department. Discussion: Stent graft migration is a relatively rare complication after TEVAR and associated with type I or III endoleak, which can result in serious outcomes. In this case, it was suspected that migration had occurred after TEVAR due to structural failure of the Valiant Navion device; similar cases have been reported previously, suggesting a structural problem with the device. Therefore, other patients treated with the Navion device in the future will require careful follow up.

Bayesian Optimization-Assisted Screening to Identify Improved Reaction Conditions for Spiro-Dithiolane Synthesis.

Bayesian optimization (BO)-assisted screening was applied to identify improved reaction conditions toward a hundred-gram scale-up synthesis of 2,3,7,8-tetrathiaspiro[4.4]nonane (1), a key synthetic intermediate of 2,2-bis(mercaptomethyl)propane-1,3-dithiol [tetramercaptan pentaerythritol]. Starting from the initial training set (ITS) consisting of six trials sampled by random screening for BO, suitable parameters were predicted (78% conversion yield of spiro-dithiolane 1) within seven experiments. Moreover, BO-assisted screening with the ITS selected by Latin hypercube sampling (LHS) further improved the yield of 1 to 89% within the eight trials. The established conditions were confirmed to be satisfactory for a hundred grams scale-up synthesis of 1.

A Novel Graft Route by Passage under the Achilles Tendon in Paramalleolar Distal Bypass Using the Small Saphenous Vein.

A 77-year-old man with diabetes presented to our hospital because of left toe gangrene, requiring infrapopliteal revascularization. The patient was on hemodialysis for renal dysfunction. The great saphenous veins had been used for a previous coronary artery bypass. Hence, the small saphenous vein was applied in a popliteal-to-distal posterior tibial artery bypass. The vein graft was passed under the Achilles tendon to reduce graft length, preventing external compression around the ankle. We performed minor amputation and provided negative pressure wound therapy to promote ulcer healing. The wounds healed entirely after two months.

Bayesian optimization with constraint on passed charge for multiparameter screening of electrochemical reductive carboxylation in a flow microreactor.

Multiparameter screening of reductive carboxylation in an electrochemical flow microreactor was performed using a Bayesian optimization (BO) strategy. The developed algorithm features a constraint on passed charge for the electrochemical reaction, which led to suitable conditions being instantaneously found for the desired reaction. Analysis of the BO-suggested conditions underscored the physicochemical validity.

Bayesian optimization-driven parallel-screening of multiple parameters for the flow synthesis of biaryl compounds.

Traditional optimization methods using one variable at a time approach waste time and chemicals and assume that different parameters are independent from one another. Hence, a simpler, more practical, and rapid process for predicting reaction conditions that can be applied to several manufacturing environmentally sustainable processes is highly desirable. In this study, biaryl compounds were synthesized efficiently using an organic Brønsted acid catalyst in a flow system. Bayesian optimization-assisted multi-parameter screening, which employs one-hot encoding and appropriate acquisition function, rapidly predicted the suitable conditions for the synthesis of 2-amino-2'-hydroxy-biaryls (maximum yield of 96%). The established protocol was also applied in an optimization process for the efficient synthesis of 2,2'-dihydroxy biaryls (up to 97% yield). The optimized reaction conditions were successfully applied to gram-scale synthesis. We believe our algorithm can be beneficial as it can screen a reactor design without complicated quantification and descriptors.

Application of an Electrochemical Microflow Reactor for Cyanosilylation: Machine Learning-Assisted Exploration of Suitable Reaction Conditions for Semi-Large-Scale Synthesis.

Cyanosilylation of carbonyl compounds provides protected cyanohydrins, which can be converted into many kinds of compounds such as amino alcohols, amides, esters, and carboxylic acids. In particular, the use of trimethylsilyl cyanide as the sole carbon source can avoid the need for more toxic inorganic cyanides. In this paper, we describe an electrochemically initiated cyanosilylation of carbonyl compounds and its application to a microflow reactor. Furthermore, to identify suitable reaction conditions, which reflect considerations beyond simply a high yield, we demonstrate machine learning-assisted optimization. Machine learning can be used to adjust the current and flow rate at the same time and identify the conditions needed to achieve the best productivity.

Correction: Exploration of flow reaction conditions using machine-learning for enantioselective organocatalyzed Rauhut-Currier and [3+2] annulation sequence.

Correction for 'Exploration of flow reaction conditions using machine-learning for enantioselective organocatalyzed Rauhut-Currier and [3+2] annulation sequence' by Masaru Kondo et al., Chem. Commun., 2020, 56, 1259-1262, DOI: 10.1039/C9CC08526B.

Exploration of flow reaction conditions using machine-learning for enantioselective organocatalyzed Rauhut-Currier and [3+2] annulation sequence.

A highly atom-economical enantioselective organocatalyzed Rauhut-Currier and [3+2] annulation sequence has been established by using a flow system. Suitable flow conditions were explored through reaction screening of multiple parameters using machine learning. Eventually, functionalized chiral spirooxindole analogues were obtained in high yield with good ee as a single diastereomer within one minute.

[Video-assisted Transaortic Left Ventricular Thrombectomy].

A 50-year-old woman visited a previous hospital because of aphasia. She was diagnosed as having cardiogenic embolism and left ventricular thrombus. Anticoagulant therapy was performed but was unsuccessful because of hypermenorrhea due to the myoma of the uterus. She was transferred to our hospital to receive surgical treatment. After uterine myomectomy, we performed video-assisted transaortic left ventricular thrombectomy. Her postoperative course was uneventful. Left ventriculotomy has been the standard approach for left ventricular thrombectomy. However, this approach carries a risk of ventricular dysfunction. We report our experience of a successful outcome with video-assisted transaortic left ventricular thrombectomy, thereby avoiding a left ventriculotomy.

Cardiac perforation caused by cement after percutaneous balloon kyphoplasty.

Percutaneous balloon kyphoplasty is a relatively simple, convenient, and minimally invasive procedure in which polymethylmethacrylate bone cement is used to manage back pain and spinal instability associated with osteoporotic compression fractures and other osteolytic spinal lesions. However, cement leakage into the venous system is a serious complication following percutaneous balloon kyphoplasty. A 74-year-old woman presented with cardiac perforation and pulmonary embolism caused by cement leakage into her venous system. She subsequently underwent surgery to effectively remove a needle-shaped cement piece from the right ventricular wall, without cardiopulmonary bypass and cardiac arrest.

Surgical approach to a left ventricular myxoma guided by transesophageal and epicardial dual-view echocardiography: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular myxoma is a rare benign cardiac neoplasm. Surgical excision is the treatment of choice, and complete removal is mandatory to prevent late recurrence. CASE PRESENTATION: Here, we report a case of myxoma originating from the anterolateral wall of the left ventricle with a very short stalk. Accordingly, the transaortic and transmitral approaches were considered inadequate; therefore, a transventricular approach was adopted. To minimize the incidence of complications associated with a left ventriculotomy, its length was designed to be as short as possible. To plan a proper ventriculotomy, measurements were taken by the combined use of transesophageal echocardiography and epicardial direct echocardiography. CONCLUSIONS: This method provided a good guide without being a complicated technique. The tumor and its attachment were clearly visualized and completely resected in an en bloc fashion. No recurrence has occurred to date.

[New prosthesis implant technique of aortic root abscess; circumferential transmural sutures].

A patient with aortic root abscess was successfully treated with a newly developed suture technique named "circumferential transmural sutures". This suture technique provides 1)a tight attachment of the prosthesis to the aortic wall and 2)a secure healing of infection by exposure of the abscess cavity to blood flow without complicated procedures. This technique would be a useful alternative for the aortic root abscess without left ventriculo-aortic disruption.

Acute aortic regurgitation due to local avulsion of the aortic valve commissure.

A 69-year-old man was transferred to our hospital because of sudden onset precordial pain and dyspnea. Transesophageal echocardiography revealed massive aortic regurgitation, diastolic separation of the closure line of the aortic cusps and prolapsing motion of the cusps during diastolic toward the left ventricular outflow tract. Aortic valve replacement was successfully performed. During the operation, we found a commissure between the left coronary cusp and the non-coronary cusp that had avulsed from the aortic wall and prolapsed into the left ventricular outflow tract. Valvular cusps were excised and replaced with a mechanical prosthesis. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged from the hospital, 25 days after his operation. The histopathological examination showed fibrosis, hyalinosis of the avulsed commissure, and mucoid degeneration of the valve. There was no evidence of pathologic changes, such as aortitis, infective endocarditis, or specific connective tissue disorders.

Left ventricular lipoma with pseudoaneurysm-like appearance.

We describe an extremely rare cardiac lipoma, with electrocardiographic changes in ST segments and T waves, suggesting ischemic heart disease. The abnormal electrocardiogram was identified during a routine physical examination of an asymptomatic 57-year-old man. Coronary angiography showed no stenotic or occlusive lesions in the coronary arteries except that the left anterior descending artery followed a winding course in the apical region. Left ventriculography revealed a pseudoaneurysm-like mass around the apical portion. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a cardiac lipoma that communicated with the left ventricle and resembled a pseudoaneurysm. After complete resection of the lipoma and left ventricle patch plasty, the postoperative course was uneventful. Histologically, the tumor was an intramyocardiac lipoma with no evidence of malignancy. To our knowledge, we are the first to describe an intramyocardiac lipoma resembling a left ventricle pseudoaneurysm.

Endovascular Repair of a Kommerell's Diverticulum and Aneurysmal Right-sided Aortic Arch: A Case Report.

Right-sided aortic arch with aberrant left subclavian artery is an uncommon anomaly. We describe a case of Kommerell's diverticulum involving the distal portion of a right-sided aortic arch and the origin of an aberrant left subclavian artery in a 74-year-old man with hoarseness. The patient underwent successful endovascular repair of the aneurysm with use of a Gore TAG thoracic endoprosthesis and coil embolization of the left subclavian artery. Postoperative computed tomography showed complete exclusion of the lesion, without endoleaks. Endovascular repair is feasible and can be effective in such cases.

Fully supported open stent grafting applied with a Matsui-Kitamura (MK) stent in treatment of distal arch aneurysm.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to examine the use of fully supported open stent grafting (OSG) with a Matsui-Kitamura (MK) stent for treatment of distal arch aneurysm (DAA). METHODS: Surgery was performed using a newly developed device in seven DAA patients (six men and one woman) from 58 to 86 years of age (mean, 73 years old) from August 2005 to June 2007. The aorta was transected at the arch between bracheocephalic artery and left subclavian artery under circulatory arrest with total cardiopulmonary bypass and selective cerebral perfusion; then the stent grafting (SG) system was inserted and positioned with a 14 Fr. pusher. The SG and a transected edge were then sutured and anastomosed with the arch graft. The surgery was completed by constructing three cerebral branches. RESULTS: The mean SG diameter and length were 34.6 mm (range, 32-38 mm) and 150 mm (120-200 mm), respectively. The mean time of circulatory arrest time and surgery were 41 min (35-55 min) and 358 min (269-450 min), respectively. Simultaneous mitral valve replacement was performed in one patient. All surgeries were completed successfully, and complete thrombosis of the aneurysm was obtained. Paraparesis and respiratory failure occurred in one patient each, and one patient died of brainstem infarction 1 month after surgery. CONCLUSION: These initial results suggest that the OSG method is a useful surgical procedure for the treatment of DAA.

Sliding plasty using the triple-orifice technique for tricuspid endocarditis.

A 29-year-old male with tricuspid endocarditis related to a residual ventricular septal defect was studied. A large vegetation was resected along with partial excision of the valve. The tricuspid valve was reconstructed using a single-stitch triple-orifice technique. No regurgitation or stenosis was detected at the valve 6 months after surgery.

Surgical treatment for primary cardiac leiomyosarcoma causing right ventricular outflow obstruction.

A 55-year-old man was admitted to another hospital because of dry cough and dyspnea that rapidly worsened before admission. Chest computed tomography revealed a low-density mass that nearly obstructed the main pulmonary arterial trunk. Pulmonary thromboembolism was suspected and treated with catheter-directed thrombolysis therapy. Despite optimal thrombolysis and anticoagulant therapy, his symptoms persisted. He was referred for further examination and possible surgery for presumed pulmonary thromboembolism. The mass appeared more likely to be a tumor than a thrombus on careful analysis of the magnetic resonance imaging. At surgery, the anterior wall of the main pulmonary arterial trunk, the pulmonary valve, annulus, and the right ventricular outflow tract were all invaded by what was found to be a tumor and were resected under conventional cardiopulmonary bypass. The resected area was reconstructed with a 25-mm-diameter bioprosthetic valve and Xenomedica patch. Final pathological diagnosis was primary cardiac leiomyosarcoma involving the pulmonary valve. Postoperative course was uneventful, and he was discharged 11 days after surgery without adjuvant therapy because he refused it. Ten months later, the patient was well, but a chest X-ray revealed some coin lesions in the bilateral lung fields that were thought to be metastatic tumor.