Thermoelectric properties of nanoporous three-dimensional graphene networks

We propose three dimensional-graphene nanonetworks (3D-GN) with pores in the range of 10 similar to 20 nm as a potential candidate for thermoelectric materials. The 3D-GN has a low thermal conductivity of 0.90 W/mK @773 K and a maximum electrical conductivity of 6660 S/m @773 K. Our results suggest a straightforward way to individually control two interdependent parameters, sigma and kappa, in the nanoporous graphene structures to ultimately improve the figure of merit value.open

Negative pressure wound therapy for soft tissue injuries around the foot and ankle

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This study was performed to evaluate the results of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) in patients with open wounds in the foot and ankle region.</p> <p>Materials and methods</p> <p>Using a NPWT device, 16 patients were prospectively treated for soft tissue injuries around the foot and ankle. Mean patient age was 32.8 years (range, 3–67 years). All patients had suffered an acute trauma, due to a traffic accident, a fall, or a crush injury, and all had wounds with underlying tendon or bone exposure. Necrotic tissues were debrided before applying NPWT. Dressings were changed every 3 or 4 days and treatment was continued for 18.4 days on average (range, 11–29 days).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Exposed tendons and bone were successfully covered with healthy granulation tissue in all cases except one. The sizes of soft tissue defects reduced from 56.4 cm²to 42.9 cm²after NPWT (mean decrease of 24%). In 15 of the 16 cases, coverage with granulation tissue was achieved and followed by a skin graft. A free flap was needed to cover exposed bone and tendon in one case. No major complication occurred that was directly attributable to treatment. In terms of minor complications, two patients suffered scar contracture of grafted skin.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>NPWT was found to facilitate the rapid formation of healthy granulation tissue on open wounds in the foot and ankle region, and thus, to shorten healing time and minimize secondary soft tissue defect coverage procedures.</p

Cognitive improvement after long-term electrical stimulation of bilateral anterior thalamic nucleus in refractory epilepsy patients

AbstractIntroductionThe cognitive and behavioral effect of deep brain stimulation (DBS) administered to the deep cerebral nuclei for epilepsy treatment is unknown. We investigated the cognitive outcomes at least 12 months after DBS to the bilateral anterior thalamic nucleus (ATN) for controlling intractable epilepsy.MethodsNine patients with intractable epilepsy who were not candidates for resective surgery, but who were treated by bilateral ATN DBS underwent cognitive and behavioral assessments before implantation and more than 1 year after DBS surgery. Postoperative cognitive assessments were carried out under a continuous stimulation mode.ResultsThe mean seizure-reduction rate of these patients after ATN DBS was 57.9% (35.6–90.4%). Cognitive testing showed favorable results for verbal fluency tasks (letter and category, p<0.05), and a significant improvement in delayed verbal memory was observed (p=0.017). However, we did not observe any significant changes in general abilities (IQ, MMSE), information processing (digit forward and backward, Trail A, and Digit Symbol), or executive function (Trail B and WCST). Interestingly, we did not observe any significant cognitive decline approximately 1 year (mean, 15.9 months) after ATN DBS surgery.ConclusionsWe showed that ATN DBS not only resulted in promising clinical effects but was also associated with improvements in both verbal recall and oral information processing, which may be related to the bilateral activation of the fronto-limbic circuit following DBS surgery. Further controlled, long-term studies with larger populations are warranted for elucidating the clinical effects of ATN DBS

Characteristics of high efficiency current charging system for HTS magnet with solar energy

AbstractIn terms of electrical energy, the technical fusion with solar energy system is promisingly applied in order to improve the efficiency in the power applications, since the solar energy system can convert an eternal electric energy in all-year-around. As one of such power applications, we proposed a current charging system for HTS magnet combined with solar energy (CHS). As this system can operate without external utility power to charge the HTS load magnet due to the solar energy, the operating efficiency is practically improved. The power converter, which is interfaced with solar energy and HTS magnet systems, plays an important role to transfer the stable electric energy and thus, the stabilized performance of the converter with solar energy system is one of essential factors. In this study, we investigated various charging performances under different operating conditions of the converter. In addition, operating characteristics have been analyzed by solving solar cell equivalent equations based on circuit simulation program

Crystal structure of Hop2-Mnd1 and mechanistic insights into its role in meiotic recombination

In meiotic DNA recombination, the Hop2−Mnd1 complex promotes Dmc1-mediated single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) invasion into homologous chromosomes to form a synaptic complex by a yet-unclear mechanism. Here, the crystal structure of Hop2−Mnd1 reveals that it forms a curved rod-like structure consisting of three leucine zippers and two kinked junctions. One end of the rod is linked to two juxtaposed winged-helix domains, and the other end is capped by extra α-helices to form a helical bundle-like structure. Deletion analysis shows that the helical bundle-like structure is sufficient for interacting with the Dmc1-ssDNA nucleofilament, and molecular modeling suggests that the curved rod could be accommodated into the helical groove of the nucleofilament. Remarkably, the winged-helix domains are juxtaposed at fixed relative orientation, and their binding to DNA is likely to perturb the base pairing according to molecular simulations. These findings allow us to propose a model explaining how Hop2−Mnd1 juxtaposes Dmc1-bound ssDNA with distorted recipient double-stranded DNA and thus facilitates strand invasio

Functional Benefit after Modification of Radial Forearm Free Flap for Soft Palate Reconstruction

ObjectivesTo compare the velopharyngeal function, swallowing and speech of the conventional and modified radial forearm free flap (RFFF) for soft palate reconstruction.MethodsRetrospective clinical study. Twenty-eight patients who underwent oropharyngeal reconstruction with RFFF were divided into two groups: 10 patients had conventional folded RFFF and 18 patients underwent modified method.ResultsThe average speech intelligibility score in modified RFFF group was 8.0±2.4, and 6.2±2.2 in conventional RFFF group (P<0.05). The nasalance was 27.4±7.8% in modified group and 38.6±2.7% in conventional group during no nasal passage reading and 43.6±7.3% in modified group, 55.2±7.6% in conventional group during high nasal passage reading (P<0.05). The subjective swallowing functional score was 2.8 in modified group and 2.1 in conventional group.ConclusionThe speech assessment and nasalance demonstrate a more favorable outcome in modified group than conventional group

Importância dos Saca-Rabos (Herpestes Ichneumon) como Reservatório de Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis. Deteção por Técnicas Tradicionais e Moleculares

Poster apresentado nas IV Jornadas de Genética, realizadas na UTAD, Vila Real, nos dias 1,2 e 3 de Março de 2012.Os saca-rabos (Herpestes ichneumon) também conhecidos por mangustos, são carnívoros diurnos selvagens que juntamente com a geneta (Genetta genetta) representam os exemplares da família Viverridae em Portugal. É uma espécie cinegética de caça menor que se alimenta de coelhos, roedores, aves, cobras, insectos e ovos. Neste estudo colheram-se amostras de 8 animais mortos por atropelamento e em ações de controlo de predadores, durante os anos de 2010 e 2011, nos concelhos de Idanha-a-Nova e Penamacor do distrito de Castelo Branco. As amostras colhidas foram fígado, pulmão, baço, intestino, rim, gânglio mesentérico, retrofaríngeo, mediastínico, amígdalas e fezes. As amostras foram submetidas à técnica de PCR e a cultura microbiológica em meios específicos. Em três saca-rabos (37,5%) detectou-se Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (Map) através da técnica de biologia molecular. Dois eram machos e um era fêmea. Map foi confirmado também em cultura nos dois machos. Sete saca-rabos (87,5%) apresentaram bactérias álcool-ácido resistentes compatíveis com Map em esfregaços de diferentes tecidos, quando corados pelo método de Ziehl-Neelsen. Estes resultados preliminares confirmam os saca-rabos como reservatório de Map no nosso país. Atualmente, estão a ser desenvolvidos mais estudos para a avaliação dos saca-rabos na dinâmica da infeção de Map em mamíferos selvagens

Chemical Stability of Conductive Ceramic Anodes in LiCl–Li2O Molten Salt for Electrolytic Reduction in Pyroprocessing

AbstractConductive ceramics are being developed to replace current Pt anodes in the electrolytic reduction of spent oxide fuels in pyroprocessing. While several conductive ceramics have shown promising electrochemical properties in small-scale experiments, their long-term stabilities have not yet been investigated. In this study, the chemical stability of conductive La0.33Sr0.67MnO3 in LiCl–Li2O molten salt at 650°C was investigated to examine its feasibility as an anode material. Dissolution of Sr at the anode surface led to structural collapse, thereby indicating that the lifetime of the La0.33Sr0.67MnO3 anode is limited. The dissolution rate of Sr is likely to be influenced by the local environment around Sr in the perovskite framework