On the origin of the improved hydrogen evolution reaction in Mn- and Co-doped MoS.

In the field of hydrogen production, MoS demonstrates good catalytic properties for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) which improve when doped with metal cations. However, while the role of sulfur atoms as active sites in the HER is largely reported, the role of metal atoms ( molybdenum or the dopant cations) has yet to be studied in depth. To understand the role of the metal dopant, we study MoS thin films doped with Co and Mn ions.

Giant Increase of Hardness in Silicon Carbide by Metastable Single Layer Diamond-Like Coating.

Silicon carbide (SiC) is one of the hardest known materials. Its exceptional mechanical properties combined with its high thermal conductivity make it a very attractive material for a variety of technological applications. Recently, it is discovered that two-layer epitaxial graphene films on SiC can undergo a pressure activated phase transition into a sp diamene structure at room temperature.

Relation between interfacial shear and friction force in 2D materials.

Understanding the interfacial properties between an atomic layer and its substrate is of key interest at both the fundamental and technological levels. From Fermi level pinning to strain engineering and superlubricity, the interaction between a single atomic layer and its substrate governs electronic, mechanical and chemical properties. Here, we measure the hardly accessible interfacial transverse shear modulus of an atomic layer on a substrate.

Pressure-Induced Formation and Mechanical Properties of 2D Diamond Boron Nitride.

Understanding phase transformations in 2D materials can unlock unprecedented developments in nanotechnology, since their unique properties can be dramatically modified by external fields that control the phase change. Here, experiments and simulations are used to investigate the mechanical properties of a 2D diamond boron nitride (BN) phase induced by applying local pressure on atomically thin h-BN on a SiO substrate, at room temperature, and without chemical functionalization. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations show a metastable local rearrangement of the h-BN atoms into diamond crystal clusters when increasing the indentation pressure.

Thirty-Day Mortality in COVID-19 Positive Patients With Hip Fractures: A Case-Series and Literature Review.

Introduction: The novel coronavirus has spread rapidly around the world with particularly high mortality in the elderly. Care and nursing homes have become the sites of greatest concentration of cases. We intended to review 30-day mortality of COVID-19 patients with hip fractures.

Spatial defects nanoengineering for bipolar conductivity in MoS.

Understanding the atomistic origin of defects in two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides, their impact on the electronic properties, and how to control them is critical for future electronics and optoelectronics. Here, we demonstrate the integration of thermochemical scanning probe lithography (tc-SPL) with a flow-through reactive gas cell to achieve nanoscale control of defects in monolayer MoS. The tc-SPL produced defects can present either p- or n-type doping on demand, depending on the used gasses, allowing the realization of field effect transistors, and p-n junctions with precise sub-μm spatial control, and a rectification ratio of over 10.

SLA-VER: study protocol description and preliminar results of the first italian RCT on conservative treatment of distal radial fractures.

Introduction: There is no consensus on which is the best way to maintain initial reduction of a distal radius fractures (DRFs). The aim of this study is to test the hypothesis that below elbow cast (BEC) is equivalent to above elbow cast (AEC) in maintaining initial reduction of DRFs. This paper will report on midterm results.

Friction and work function oscillatory behavior for an even and odd number of layers in polycrystalline MoS.

A large effort is underway to investigate the properties of two-dimensional (2D) materials for their potential to become building blocks in a variety of integrated nanodevices. In particular, the ability to understand the relationship between friction, adhesion, electric charges and defects in 2D materials is of key importance for their assembly and use in nano-electro-mechanical and energy harvesting systems. Here, we report on a new oscillatory behavior of nanoscopic friction in continuous polycrystalline MoS2 films for an odd and even number of atomic layers, where odd layers show higher friction and lower work function.

The biocompatibility of bone cements: progress in methodological approach.

The ideal bone graft substitute should have certain properties and there are many studies dealing with mixture of polymethylmetacrilate (PMMA) and β-tricalciumphospate (β-TCP) presenting the best characteristics of both. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), for ultra-structural data, resulted a very reliable in vivo model to better understand the bioactivity of a cement and to properly evaluate its suitability for a particular purpose. The present study aims to further improve the knowledge on osteointegration development, using both parameters obtained with the Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy (ESEM) and focused histological examination.

A new approach to local DCO in ankle fracture dislocations: external fixation with diaphyseal unicortical screws applied by local anaesthesia.

Purpose: Ankle fracture dislocations represent a great threat for soft tissue viability and articular instability. The use of a temporary ankle bridging ExFix plays a fundamental role in the local damage control orthopaedics while waiting for definitive synthesis.

Methods: For this prospective research, we have developed a full application protocol of innovative diaphyseal monocortical screws fixator (Unyco-Orthofix) exclusively under local anaesthesia.

Antibiotic-Loaded Spacer for Two-Stage Revision of Infected Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Infection of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a challenge in orthopedic surgery. In literature TKA infection is classified according to the time after surgery: acute postoperative; late chronic; acute hematogenous; positive intraoperative microbiological growth. The purpose of this study is to present the results of the use of a preformed antibiotic-loaded spacer in TKA infections, treated by a two-stage revision procedure.

Bias assisted scanning probe microscopy direct write lithography enables local oxygen enrichment of lanthanum cuprates thin films.

Scanning probe bias techniques have been used as a method to locally dope thin epitaxial films of La(2)CuO(4) (LCO) fabricated by pulsed laser deposition. The local electrochemical oxidation of LCO very efficiently introduces interstitial oxygen defects in the thin film. Details on the influence of the tip voltage bias and environmental conditions on the surface morphology have been investigated.

Temporary bridging external fixation in distal tibial fracture.

Fractures that involve the distal area of the tibia are associated with a high percentage of complications. Soft tissue oedema, swelling, blisters, skin abrasions and open wounds could compromise the outcome of these lesions. The waiting time before surgery with ORIF is mostly due to soft tissue conditions.

Augmentation of unstable pertrochanteric fractures in the osteoporotic elderly patient: operative technique for 1 or 2 head screw systems.

The incidence of proximal femoral fractures has substantially risen in the elderly. This rise has been attributed to an increase in their life span and the underlying poor bone stock and osteoporosis. One of the main reasons for revision surgery, reported to be as high as 19%, is the cut-out of the fixation device at the apex of the femoral head.

The treatment of proximal humeral fractures with a "Polarus" intramedullary nail.

Proximal humeral fractures are complex lesions with difficult management problems; therefore, they pose a challenge for orthopaedic surgeons. In the literature, numerous treatment techniques have been proposed for these kinds of fractures. In our study we reviewed 30 patients with a mean age of 75 years presenting a proximal humeral fracture (Neer 2-3) and treated at our clinic with a Polarus nail, with a mean follow-up of 7 years.

Serious delayed hair toe tourniquet syndrome with bone erosion and flexor tendon lesion.

Hair toe tourniquet syndrome (HTTS) is an uncommon pediatric condition occurring when the toe is circumferentially strangulated by human hair or fibers. An 8-week-old little girl was admitted to the Emergency Department because of the worsening swelling in the right second and third toes, which had been been previously treated with a local antibiotic thinking of an infection. An unrecognized HTTS was leading the third toe to necrosis.

Tibial plateau fractures: compared outcomes between ARIF and ORIF.

The purpose of this study is to compare arthroscopic assisted reduction internal fixation (ARIF) treatment with open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) treatment in patients with tibial plateau fractures. We studied 100 patients with tibial plateau fractures (54 men and 46 women) examined by X-rays and CT scans, divided into 2 groups. Group A with associated meniscus tear was treated by ARIF technique, while in group B ORIF technique was used.

Shwachman-Diamond syndrome.

Shwachman-Diamond syndrome (SDS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, bone marrow failure and skeletal abnormalities. Patients frequently present failure to thrive, susceptibility to infections and short stature. A persistent or intermittent neutropenia occurs in 88-100% of patients.

[Risk factors for hip fracture in elderly persons].

Objective: The aim of this observational study, promoted by the Health Authorities of the Regione Veneto (Italy), is to assess the prevalence of the most relevant environmental and individual risk factors in subjects with a recent hip fracture.

Methods: Patients aged more than 60 years of both genders with a recent hip fracture not associated with malignancies, were administered questionnaires on dietary habits, sun exposure, and disability score. A complete family, pharmacological and pathology history was collected together with information on previous falls, details of the fracture index, and anthropometric data.

Bone transport and compression-distraction in the treatment of bone loss of the lower limbs.

A clinical series of 17 adult patients operated due to significant by bone loss of the long bones of the lower extremity (3 femurs and 11 tibias), is presented. Their management consisted of 6 bone transports (6 tibias) and 11 compression distraction procedures (3 femurs and 8 tibiae) using monolateral external fixators. Bone loss ranged from 3.

Cement augmentation of intertrochanteric fractures stabilised with intramedullary nailing.

We studied 80 patients (56 females) with an average age of 84 years (range 80-94). All patients were suffering from osteoporosis (1 or 2 Singh score) and had an unstable intertrochanteric fracture, defined as a fracture with three fragments or more. Patients were divided in group A (40 patients), treated by a cement augmentation technique and group B (40 patients) treated by Gamma Nail conventional technique.

Treatment of 103 displaced tibial diaphyseal fractures with a radiolucent unilateral external fixator.

Objective: The authors report their experience in the treatment of the diaphyseal tibial fractures, using the unilateral radiolucent External Fixator (EF) XCaliber.

Design: A total of 100 patients (average age 35 years, range 16-76) with 103 displaced diaphyseal tibial fractures were treated with the XCaliber. There were 59 type A fractures, 35 type B, and 9 type C (according to the AO classification) and 35 were open fractures.

The treatment of stable and unstable proximal femoral fractures with a new trochanteric nail: results of a multicentre study with the Veronail.

The incidence of hip fractures continues to rise. This study is the first evaluation of a new intramedullary implant, the Veronail, that provides double axis fixation into the femoral head and allows the surgeon to choose whether to use sliding or fixed locked proximal screw fixation for trochanteric femoral fractures. The fractures were classified according to the AO classification, and function was assessed with the Modified Harris Hip Score.

Internal femoral osteosynthesis after external fixation in multiple-trauma patients.

In this study the authors evaluate the results of internal synthesis of femoral fractures in polytraumatised patients initially treated by external fixation (EF). From January 2002 to December 2005, 39 femurs in 37 polytraumatised patients (average age 34.2 years, range 18-44) with closed fractures and an ISS>20 were initially treated with EF.