Crystal structure of new quaternary intermetallic compounds RMoSiC (R = Y, Gd).

The discovery of novel quaternary intermetallic compounds RMoSiC (R = Y, Gd) in the R-Mo-Si-C system is reported. Their crystal structure was investigated using single-crystal X-ray diffraction. It is shown that the YMoSiC and GdMoSiC compounds crystallize in the tetragonal space group P4/mbm (Pearson symbol tP12) with unit-cell parameters a = 6.

Is the Presence of Sn a Crucial Factor for the Generation of Low Thermal Conductivity in Tin-Based Sulfides?

Comprehending the relationship between crystal structures and transport properties is crucial to develop materials with improved electrical and thermal properties for thermoelectric applications. In this article, we report on the complex crystal structure and physical properties of CrSnS, a -type magnetic semiconductor with a low energy band gap and low thermal conductivity. Importantly, we demonstrate that the high level of structural complexity is related to the coexistence of two sublattices: a host lattice, [CrSnS], characterized by a mixed Sn/Cr occupancy of its cationic sites, and a guest lattice characterized by [SnS] chains, containing Sn cations only, closely related to the ones encountered in the orthorhombic SnS compound.

Stable fixation using absorbable sutures in craniofacial surgery in patients over 24 months of age-a retrospective study.

Purpose: In craniofacial surgery, the stable fixation of transposed bone segments is crucial in order to ensure good long-term results. The use of absorbable material in fixation avoids the need for a second surgery, which would otherwise be required to remove osteosynthesis material. The authors of the present manuscript have already demonstrated that absorbable sutures ensure the stable fixation of bone segments in patients up to 24 months of age.

Revision Carpal Tunnel Release Following Endoscopic Compared With Open Decompression.

Importance: Carpal tunnel release (CTR) technique may influence the likelihood of revision surgery. Prior studies of revision CTR following endoscopic CTR (ECTR) compared with open CTR (OCTR) have been limited by sample size and duration of follow-up.

Objective: To estimate the incidence of revision CTR following ECTR compared with OCTR in a national cohort.

A dual-omics approach on the effects of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) on ventral tegmental area dopaminergic neurons in response to alcohol consumption in mice.

Harmful alcohol consumption is a major socioeconomic burden to the health system, as it can be the cause of mortality of heavy alcohol drinkers. The dopaminergic (DAergic) system is thought to play an important role in the pathogenesis of alcohol drinking behaviour; however, its exact role remains elusive. Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2), a neurotrophic factor, associated with both the DAergic system and alcohol consumption, may play an important role in DAergic neuroadaptations during alcohol abuse.

Obesity impacts hypoxia adaptation of the lung.

Obesity is mostly associated with adverse health consequences, but may also elicit favorable effects under chronic conditions. This "obesity paradox" is under debate for pulmonary diseases. As confounding factors complicate conclusions from human studies, this study used a controlled animal model combining diet-induced obesity and chronic hypoxia as a model for pulmonary hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Structure of the new iron(II) oxalate potassium salt KFe[(CO)(HO)]·0.18HO.

The discovery of a new Fe oxalate framework of composition KFe[(CO)(HO)]·0.18HO is reported. Its crystal structure was solved by means of single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction.

Using a 3D asymmetry index as a novel form for capturing complex three-dimensionality in positional plagiocephaly.

Positional plagiocephaly (PP) is the most common skull deformity in infants. Different classification systems exist for graduating the degree of PP, but all of these systems are based on two-dimensional (2D) parameters. This limitation leads to several problems stemming from the fact that 2D parameters are used to classify the three-dimensional (3D) shape of the head.

Alpha-Toxin Changes Proteome and Phosphoproteome of HEp-2 Cells.

type A produces the alpha-toxin (TcnA) that belongs to the large clostridial glucosylating toxins (LCGTs) and is able to modify small GTPases by N-acetylglucosamination on conserved threonine residues. In contrast, other LCGTs including toxin A and toxin B (TcdA; TcdB) modify small GTPases by mono-o-glucosylation. Both modifications inactivate the GTPases and cause strong effects on GTPase-dependent signal transduction pathways and the consequent reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton leading to cell rounding and finally cell death.

Preoperative A1c and Postoperative Infection in Elective Hand Surgery.

Diabetes mellitus affects 10.5% of the US population. Numerous studies have documented increased risk of complications for patients with diabetes after different types of surgery, including hand surgery.

Enhancing the spectral signatures of ultrasonic fluidic transducer pulses for improved time-of-flight measurements.

Air-coupled ultrasonic (ACU) testing has proven to be a valuable method for increasing the speed in non-destructive ultrasonic testing and the investigation of sensitive specimens. A major obstacle to implementing ACU methods is the significant signal power loss at the air-specimen and transducer-air interfaces. The loss between transducer and air can be eliminated by using recently developed fluidic transducers.

Acoustic and flow data of fluidic and piezoelectric ultrasonic transducers.

This data article presents characteristic acoustic and flow data of a fluidic ultrasonic transducer as well as acoustic data of a commercial piezoelectric ultrasonic transducer used in non-destructive testing for civil engineering. The flow data has been acquired using hot-wire anemometry and a Pitot tube. The three-dimensional acoustic data of both devices has been acquired using a calibrated microphone.

Isolation and Biochemical Characterization of Six Anaerobic Fungal Strains from Zoo Animal Feces.

Anaerobic fungi are prime candidates for the conversion of agricultural waste products to biofuels. Despite the increasing interest in these organisms, their growth requirements and metabolism remain largely unknown. The isolation of five strains of anaerobic fungi and their identification as , , , , and , is described.

Experimental analysis of the acoustic field of an ultrasonic pulse induced by a fluidic switch.

Ultrasonic inspection is a common tool for non-destructive testing in civil engineering (NDT-CE). Currently, transducers are coupled directly to the specimen surface, which makes the inspection time-consuming. Air-coupled ultrasound (ACU) transducers are more time-efficient but need a high pressure amplitude as the impedance mismatch between the air and the concrete is high and large penetration depth is needed for the inspection.

gen. nov, sp. nov., the First Cultured Representative of the Uncultured SK4 Clade from Aoudad Sheep and Alpaca.

We report on the isolation of the previously-uncultured SK4 lineage, by two independent research groups, from a wild aoudad sheep rumen sample (Texas, USA) and an alpaca fecal sample (Baden-Württemberg, Germany). Isolates from both locations showed near-identical morphological and microscopic features, forming medium-sized (2-5 mm) white filamentous colonies with a white center of sporangia, on agar roll tubes and a heavy biofilm in liquid media. Microscopic analysis revealed monocentric thalli, and spherical polyflagellated zoospores with 7-20 flagella.

Pediatric hypophosphatasia: lessons learned from a retrospective single-center chart review of 50 children.

Background: Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is a rare, inherited metabolic disorder caused by loss-of-function mutations in the ALPL gene that encodes the tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase TNAP (ORPHA 436). Its clinical presentation is highly heterogeneous with a remarkably wide-ranging severity. HPP affects patients of all ages.

Subjective perception of craniofacial growth asymmetries in patients with deformational plagiocephaly.

Objectives: The present investigation aimed to evaluate the subjective perception of deformational cranial asymmetries by different observer groups and to compare these subjective perceptions with objective parameters.

Materials And Methods: The 3D datasets of ten infants with different severities of deformational plagiocephaly (DP) were presented to 203 observers, who had been subdivided into five different groups (specialists, pediatricians, medical doctors (not pediatricians), parents of infants with DP, and laypersons). The observers rated their subjective perception of the infants' cranial asymmetries using a 4-point Likert-type scale.

Craniofacial growth in infants with deformational plagiocephaly: does prematurity affect the duration of head orthosis therapy and the extent of the reduction in asymmetry during treatment?

Objective: Although prematurity is a risk factor for developing deformational plagiocephaly (DP), to our knowledge, there are no studies that have analyzed the impact of a premature birth on the duration of head orthosis therapy and the extent of the reduction in asymmetry during treatment.

Materials And Methods: We examined 239 patients with DP who were undergoing head orthosis therapy. Depending on the gestational age, they were assigned to either a premature (gestational age of < 37 weeks) or a full-term (gestational age of ≥ 37 weeks) group.

The role of ICP overnight monitoring (ONM) in children with suspected craniostenosis.

Purpose: Secondary craniostenosis is a relevant problem pediatric neurosurgeons are confronted with and poses challenges regarding reliable diagnosis of raised ICP, especially in case of absent or questionable papilledema. How to identify children with elevated ICP is still controversial and diagnostics vary. We report on our experience with computerized ICP ONM in relation to imaging derived parameters.

Lessons Learned: Military Screening for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

The purpose of this study was to assist military communities of interest to more accurately identify service members who may have emotional and behavior disorders. Specifically, this study identifies service members' perceptions of the Department of Defense Post-Deployment Health Reassessment (PDHRA) screening instrument for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Findings were that responses to the PDHRA were related to how it was administered and the respondents' perceptions of how the PTSD diagnosis could affect the ability to obtain jobs and obtain promotions.

[Comparison of adhesive seal morphology between APC™ PLUS and APC™ Flash-Free Adhesive Coated brackets].

Introduction: Does the new adhesive-coated APC™ Flash-Free bracket from the 3M Unitek group simplify the bonding protocol without compromising precision?

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the morphology of the adhesive joint between the classic APC™ PLUS adhesive-coated brackets and APC™ Flash-Free brackets.

Materials And Methods: In vitro bonding of esthetic brackets in the CLARITY™ ADVANCED range was performed to compare the morphology of the excess flash between APC™ PLUS and APC™ Flash-Free brackets.

Results: No statistically significant difference was found concerning the morphology of the excess flash between APC™ PLUS and APC™ Flash-Free brackets.

Cranial growth in infants─A longitudinal three-dimensional analysis of the first months of life.

Purpose: In the first months of life, any deviation from a physiological growth pattern can cause skull deformity. As there has not been any longitudinal three-dimensional (3D) study investigating the physiological growth of the infant skull, the aim of the present study was to acquire such data.

Materials And Methods: We performed 3D stereophotogrammetric scans of 40 infants without cranial asymmetry at four regular 2-month intervals from the 4th to the 10th month of age.

Head orthosis therapy in positional plagiocephaly: longitudinal 3D-investigation of long-term outcomes, compared with untreated infants and with a control group.

Background: As there are very few long-term studies on the effects of head orthosis on deformational plagiocephaly (DP), we investigated the outcomes of patients, including facial symmetry and dental occlusion.

Methods: Forty-five infants with DP [cranial vault asymmetry index (CVAI) > 3.5 per cent] were divided into two groups: one treated with head orthosis (32 infants) and another without (13 infants).