Multiscale Length Structural Investigation and Thermoelectric Performance of Double-Filled SrYbCoSb: An Exceptional Thermal Conductivity Reduction by Filler Segregation to the Grain Boundaries.

Among thermoelectric materials, skutterudites are the most prominent candidates in the mid-temperature range applications. In the multiple-filled SrYbCoSb skutterudite, with Sr and Yb as fillers, we have enhanced the thermoelectric performance of CoSb through the reduction of lattice thermal conductivity and the optimization of carrier concentration and electrical conductivity. The high-pressure synthesis of the double-filled derivative promotes filling fraction fluctuation.

SrMoO Perovskite with Segregated Ru Nanoparticles Performing as Anode in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells.

A new anode material, Ru-SrMoO, with a perovskite structure and segregated metallic Ru, has been tested in an intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cell (IT-SOFC) in an electrolyte-supported configuration giving substantial power densities as high as 840 mW/cm at 850 °C using pure H as fuel. This material has been prepared by the citrate method and structurally and microstructurally characterized at room temperature by different techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), neutron powder diffraction (NPD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). NPD was very useful to determine oxygen positions and vacancies, unveiling a cubic and oxygen-deficient perovskite SrMoO oxide with a 3 space group and potential ionic mobility.

Electrodeposition of Hybrid Magnetostrictive/Magnetoelectric Layered Systems.

The potential use of electrodeposition to synthesize a hybrid magnetostrictive/magnetoelectric layered system is shown in this paper. By appropriately adjusting pH, growth potential, and electrolyte composition, it is possible to achieve thin films in which magnetoelectric oxide GaFeO (GFO) is formed in close contact with magnetostrictive metallic FeGa alloy. X-ray diffractometry shows the formation of FeGa as well as GFO and Fe oxides.

Structural Features, Anisotropic Thermal Expansion, and Thermoelectric Performance in Bulk Black Phosphorus Synthesized under High Pressure.

Black phosphorus (BP) allotrope has an orthorhombic crystal structure with a narrow bandgap of 0.35 eV. This material is promising for 2D technology since it can be exfoliated down to one single layer: the well-known phosphorene.

Influence of Nanostructuration on PbTe Alloys Synthesized by Arc-Melting.

PbTe-based alloys have the best thermoelectric properties for intermediate temperature applications (500-900 K). We report on the preparation of pristine PbTe and two doped derivatives (PbSbTe and AgSbPbTe, so-called LAST18) by a fast arc-melting technique, yielding nanostructured polycrystalline pellets. XRD and neutron powder diffraction (NPD) data assessed the a slight Te deficiency for PbTe, also yielding trends on the displacement factors of the 4 and 4 sites of the cubic space group.

Decannulation and Airway Outcomes With Maxillomandibular Distraction in Treacher Collins and Nager Syndrome.

Background: Treacher Collins syndrome is a rare disorder (1/50,000 live births) with features that include hypoplastic orbitozygomatic complex with downward slanting eyes, and maxillary/mandibular retrusion. Obstructive sleep apnea and tracheostomy-dependence are common. This study presents the outcomes of skeletal distraction on avoidance of tracheostomy and decannulation in this patient population.

Structural, magnetic and electronic properties of pulsed-laser-deposition grown SrFeO thin films and SrFeO /LaCaMnO multilayers.

We studied the structural, magnetic and electronic properties of [Formula: see text] (SFO) thin films and [Formula: see text]/[Formula: see text] [Formula: see text]MnO (LCMO) superlattices that have been grown with pulsed laser deposition (PLD) on [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] (LSAT) substrates. X-ray reflectometry and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) confirm the high structural quality of the films and flat and atomically sharp interfaces of the superlattices. The STEM data also reveal a difference in the interfacial layer stacking with a SrO layer at the LCMO/SFO and a LaO layer at the SFO/LCMO interfaces along the PLD growth direction.

What is the Cost of Free Cleft Surgery in the Middle East?

Background: This project explores the costs of cleft lip and/or palate surgeries in Palestine and Sudan, two low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), in the Middle East. Our purpose is to examine the veracity of advertisements from international cleft organizations claiming that "250 US dollars (USD) covers the cost of a single cleft surgery." We hypothesize that the actual cost of surgery is greater than 250 USD.

Neonatal Mandibular Distraction Without a Consolidation Period: Is It Safe? Is it Effective?

Purpose: Consolidation is a standard part of most post-distraction protocols. This study aims to determine whether the deliberate omission of a consolidation period following mandibular distraction (MD) in neonates with Pierre Robin sequence (PRS) affected the airway outcomes and complication rates.

Patients And Methods: A retrospective chart review of 28 neonates with PRS who underwent MD for severe airway obstruction between 2009 and 2014 was performed.

Enhanced figure of merit in nanostructured (Bi,Sb)Te with optimized composition, prepared by a straightforward arc-melting procedure.

Sb-doped BiTe is known since the 1950s as the best thermoelectric material for near-room temperature operation. Improvements in material performance are expected from nanostructuring procedures. We present a straightforward and fast method to synthesize already nanostructured pellets that show an enhanced ZT due to a remarkably low thermal conductivity and unusually high Seebeck coefficient for a nominal composition optimized for arc-melting: BiSbTe.

Antibiogram for Periprosthetic Infections: A Tool for Better Informed Selection of Empiric Antibiotics for Surgical Site Infections.

Introduction: Periprosthetic infection after breast reconstruction is not an uncommon complication, with incidence up to 24%. These infections are often treated empirically without knowing the causative bacteria or its sensitivities to various antibiotics. Even if cultures are obtained, results may not be available for several days.

Development and Validation of a Clinical Assessment Tool for Platysmal Banding in Cervicomental Aesthetics of the Female Neck.

Background: In facial aesthetics, grading systems are useful tools for planning aesthetic procedures. One key component of rejuvenation--the anterior neck--has been relatively overlooked. In the 1980s, criteria were established for the appearance of a youthful neck.

Perioperative Safety in Plastic Surgery: Is the World Health Organization Checklist Useful in a Broad Practice?

Introduction: In October 2007, the World Health Organization (WHO) introduced the Safe Surgery Saves Lives Program, the cornerstone of which was a 19-item safe-surgery checklist (SSC), in 8 selected hospitals around the world. After implementation, death rates decreased significantly from 1.5% to 0.

Heart Failure in an Infant With Pierre Robin Sequence: Is There a Diagnostic Test to Aid in Treatment Planning and Monitoring?

This case report describes an infant with Pierre Robin sequence who was managed conservatively until he presented at 4 months of age with right-sided heart failure. This rare clinical presentation displays the physiologic response to chronic respiratory obstruction and the acid-base disturbances, which become evident on metabolic panel and blood gas. We suggest that these tests can be added to the workup, especially in conservatively managed infants, to help predict which infants may fail conservative treatment and to avoid the rare complication of heart failure in infants with Pierre Robin sequence.

Mapping chemical disorder and ferroelectric distortions in the double perovskite compound Sr 2-x Gd x MnTiO6 by atomic resolution electron microscopy and spectroscopy.

In this work we report a study of the chemical and structural order of the double perovskite compound Sr 2-x Gd x MnTiO6 for compositions x=0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.

The battle of words and the reality of never events in breast reconstruction: incidence, risk factors predictive of occurrence, and economic cost analysis.

Background: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has a list of 10 hospital-acquired conditions for which hospitals and physicians will not be reimbursed because it deems such conditions are preventable and should be considered "never events." To evaluate the validity of this premise, the authors conducted a real-life analysis of the incidence and categories of never events occurring in a breast reconstruction cohort of a multisurgeon plastic surgery practice. Cost analysis of estimated revenue loss and risk factors associated with the development of never events are enumerated.

Pediatric cranial vault defects: early experience with beta-tricalcium phosphate bone graft substitute.

Pediatric calvarial defects may result from numerous causes. Availability of bone is often limited because of the child's age, and bone substitutes may be needed to reconstruct the defects. A bone substitute composed of ultraporous beta-tricalcium phosphate (Orthovita, Malvern, PA) is an osteoconductive product successfully used in orthopedic surgery.

Infrainguinal atherectomy: a retrospective review of a single-center experience.

By decreasing plaque burden, atherectomy provides an alternative to angioplasty and stenting as a means of revascularizing patients with peripheral arterial disease. A new atherectomy device (SilverHawk) has recently been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, but the results with its use are unclear. We analyzed a series of consecutive patients undergoing atherectomy.