Robotic Lepidoptery: Structural Characterization of (mostly) Unexpected Palladium Complexes Obtained from High-Throughput Catalyst Screening

In the course of a high-throughput search for optimal combinations of bidentate ligands with Pd(II) carboxylates to generate oxidation catalysts, we obtained and crystallographically characterized a number of crystalline products. While some combinations afforded the anticipated (L-L)Pd(OC(O)R)_2 structures (L-L = bipyridine, tmeda; R = CH_3, CF_3), many gave unusual oligometallic complexes resulting from reactions such as C−H activation (L-L = sparteine), P−C bond cleavage (L-L = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane, and C−C bond formation between solvent (acetone) and ligand (L-L = 1,4-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-1,4-diaza-1,3-butadiene). These findings illustrate potential pitfalls of screening procedures based on assuming uniform, in situ catalyst self-assembly

Mechanistic Studies of the Ethylene Trimerization Reaction with Chromium−Diphosphine Catalysts: Experimental Evidence for a Mechanism Involving Metallacyclic Intermediates

A system for catalytic trimerization of ethylene utilizing CrCl_3(THF)_3 and a diphosphine ligand PNP^(OMe) [= (o-MeO-C_6H_4)_2PN(Me)P(o-MeO-C_6H_4)_2] has been investigated. The coordination chemistry of chromium with PNP^(OMe) has been explored, and (PNP^(OMe))CrCl_3 and (PNP^(OMe))CrPh_3 (3) have been synthesized by ether displacement from chromium(III) precursors. Salt metathesis of (PNP^(OMe))CrCl_3 with o,o‘-biphenyldiyl Grignard affords (PNP^(OMe))Cr(o,o‘-biphenyldiyl)Br (4). Activation of 3 with H(Et_2O)_2B[C_6H_3(CF_3)_2]_4 or 4 with NaB[C_6H_3(CF_3)_2]_4 generates a catalytic system and trimerizes a 1:1 mixture of C_2D_4 and C_2H_4 to give isotopomers of 1-hexene without H/D scrambling (C_6D_(12), C_6D_8H_4, C_6D_4H_8, and C_6H_(12) in a 1:3:3:1 ratio). The lack of crossover supports a mechanism involving metallacyclic intermediates. The mechanism of the ethylene trimerization reaction has also been studied by the reaction of trans-, cis-, and gem-ethylene-d_2 with 4 upon activation with NaB[C_6H_3(CF_3)_2]_4

Prospective Durability Testing of a Vascular Access Phantom

Introduction: We assessed the acoustic transmission, image quality, and vessel integrity of the Blue Phantom TM 2 Vessel Original Ultrasound Training Model with repeated use. Methods: The study consisted of two phases. During the first phase, a portion of the Blue Phantom TM rubber matrix (without a simulated vessel) was placed over a two-tiered echogenic structure and was repeatedly punctured with a hollow bore 18-gauge needle in a 1 cm 2 area. During the secon

Reconstruction of the acetabulum in THA using femoral head autografts in developmental dysplasia of the hip

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Severe acetabular deficiencies in cases of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) often require complex reconstructive procedures in total hip arthroplasty (THA). The use of autologous femoral head grafts for acetabular reconstruction has been described, but few data is available about clinical results, the rates of non-union or aseptic loosening of acetabular components.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In a retrospective approach, 101 patients with 118 THA requiring autologous femoral head grafts to the acetabulum because of DDH were included. Six patients had died, another 6 were lost to follow-up, and 104 hips were available for clinical and radiological evaluation at a mean of 68 ± 15 (13 to 159) months.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The average Merle d'Aubigné hip score improved from 9 to 16 points. Seven implants had to be revised due to aseptic loosening (6.7%). The revisions were performed 90 ± 34 (56 to 159) months after implantation. The other hips showed a stable position of the sockets without any signs of bony non-union, severe radiolucencies at the implant-graft interface or significant resorption of the graft.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The use of autologous femoral head grafts with cementless cups in primary THA can achieve promising short- to midterm results in patients with dysplastic hips.</p

Ethylene Trimerization Catalysts Based on Chromium Complexes with a Nitrogen-Bridged Diphosphine Ligand Having ortho-Methoxyaryl or ortho-Thiomethoxy Substituents: Well-Defined Catalyst Precursors and Investigations of the Mechanism

Chromium-based ethylene trimerization catalyst precursors ((PNP^(OMe)_(-d)_(12))CrPh_3 (4) and (PNP^(OMe)_(-d)_(12))CrPh_2Cl (7)) having a bis(diphenylphosphino)amine ligand (o-CD_3OC_6H_4)_2PN(CH_3)P(o-CD_3OC_6H_4)_2 ((PNP^(OMe)_(-d)_(12)) = 1) have been prepared and characterized. A thioether analogue (o-CD_3SC_6H_4)_2PN(CH_3)P(o-CD_3SC_6H_4)_2 ((PNP^(SMe)_(-d)_(12)) = 2) and its triphenylchromium complex (PNP^(SMe))CrPh_3 (5) have also been synthesized. The solid-state structures of 4 and 7 display octahedral geometries with a κ^3-(P,P,O) coordination of PNP^(OMe) ligands having chromium−oxygen bond lengths of 2.29−2.44 Å. Compound 5 differs, exhibiting (S,P,S)-κ^3 coordination of the PNP^(SMe) ligand. The deuteromethyl groups allow for ^2H NMR characterization of these paramagnetic complexes in solution. Dynamic exchange processes occur in solution at room temperature to render all four of the methoxy or thioether groups equivalent on the ^2H NMR time scale; two distinct coalescence processes are observed by variable-temperature ^2H NMR spectroscopy for all compounds. The neutral species 4 and 7 react with ethylene (1 atm) by insertion into chromium−phenyl bonds with the release of styrene and ethylbenzene, but 1-hexene is not observed under these conditions. Activation of 4 by protonation and activation of 7 by halide abstraction in the presence of ethylene provide active trimerization catalysts that give turnover numbers for 1-hexene as high as 3000 mol 1-hexene·mol^(-1) Cr. These catalysts display comparable activity and selectivity for 1-hexene compared to the original BP system, where the catalyst is generated in situ from CrCl_3(THF)_3, 1, and MAO. Both the well-defined systems and the CrCl_3(THF)_3/PNP^(OMe)/MAO system provide catalysts that undergo an initiation period followed by an apparent first-order decomposition process. Activated complexes 4 and 7 initiate trimerization primarily through ethylene insertion into the chromium−phenyl bond, followed by β-hydrogen elimination and reductive elimination to give the active species, rather than via reductive elimination of biphenyl

EXOGEN ultrasound bone healing system for long bone fractures with non-union or delayed healing: a NICE medical technology guidance

Open Access. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial License which permits any noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author(s) and the source are credited.This article has been made available through the Brunel Open Access Publishing Fund.A routine part of the process for developing National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) medical technologies guidance is a submission of clinical and economic evidence by the technology manufacturer. The Birmingham and Brunel Consortium External Assessment Centre (EAC; a consortium of the University of Birmingham and Brunel University) independently appraised the submission on the EXOGEN bone healing system for long bone fractures with non-union or delayed healing. This article is an overview of the original evidence submitted, the EAC’s findings, and the final NICE guidance issued.The Birmingham and Brunel Consortium is funded by NICE to act as an External Assessment Centre for the Medical Technologies Evaluation Programme

CARMENES input catalogue of M dwarfs IV. New rotation periods from photometric time series

Aims. The main goal of this work is to measure rotation periods of the M-type dwarf stars being observed by the CARMENES exoplanet survey to help distinguish radial-velocity signals produced by magnetic activity from those produced by exoplanets. Rotation periods are also fundamental for a detailed study of the relation between activity and rotation in late-type stars. Methods. We look for significant periodic signals in 622 photometric time series of 337 bright, nearby M dwarfs obtained by long-time baseline, automated surveys (MEarth, ASAS, SuperWASP, NSVS, Catalina, ASAS-SN, K2, and HATNet) and for 20 stars which we obtained with four 0.2-0.8 m telescopes at high geographical latitudes. Results. We present 142 rotation periods (73 new) from 0.12 d to 133 d and ten long-term activity cycles (six new) from 3.0 a to 11.5 a. We compare our determinations with those in the existing literature; we investigate the distribution of P rot in the CARMENES input catalogue,the amplitude of photometric variability, and their relation to vsin i and pEW(Halfa); and we identify three very active stars with new rotation periods between 0.34 d and 23.6 d.Comment: 34 pages, 43 figures, 2 appendix table