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Sea stars are a diverse and important component of the Southern Ocean benthos. However, scarce information is available regarding their diversity, distribution, evolution, and taxonomic uncertainties persist for multiple taxa. The Magellanic Region (south of Chile) remains under-sampled despite its pivotal location for species distribution and diversity, being located at the crossroad of three ocean basins. In this study, we assessed the biodiversity of coastal Magellanic sea stars and their affinities with other oceanic bioregions. An integrative approach combining morphological identification with DNA barcoding was implemented to highlight taxonomic discrepancies such as suspected synonymy and unrecognised diversity. Firstly, we identified a total of 15 species from the coastal Magellanic Region and reported the occurrence of Cycethra frigida Koehler, 1917 for the first time in this region. The distribution of these 15 species ranged from only in South America to circumpolar, bipolar, or possibly cosmopolitan. Secondly, we highlighted possible synonymy in two species pairs within the genera Anasterias and Odontaster. This preliminary biodiversity assessment forms an important baseline for monitoring and conservation purposes, especially in the face of distribution shifts as a response to climate change and the increased presence of invasive species. Developmental mode has previously been suggested to be important in shaping biogeographical patterns. However, developmental mode was insufficient to explain the observed patterns, and other factors (e.g., physiological constraints, competition, bathymetrical range, and the possibility of passively rafting on kelp) are suggested to be at least equally important. Finally, an increase in barcoding effort is needed to better capture phylogeographic patterns for each species, both by increasing the number of specimens investigated and by covering a broader geographical range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the XIXth century, France has been the theater of many discoveries in stereochemistry thanks to prestigious physicists, chemists, and crystallographers. Among them, Louis Pasteur is certainly the father of molecular chirality (the so‐called molecular dissymmetry), and because of the exceptionally favored conditions of his famous discovery on the resolution of tartrates, his findings have often been attributed to serendipity. But let us not forget that "in the fields of observation, chance only favors the prepared minds." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mixed Co1-xNixSi2 films (0≤x≤1) were grown by solid phase reaction of homogeneous Co1-xNix metal films, codeposited on Si(100). The texture of these films was contemplated using complementary experimental techniques: Rutherford backscattering and channeling spectrometry, x-ray pole figure measurements, and orientation imaging with electron backscattering diffraction. Based on the increasing Co1-xNixSi2 lattice parameter with increasing Ni concentration, a gradual, continuous improvement of the epitaxial quality of the film would be expected. The observed trend is significantly different. The epitaxial quality of the disilicide film indeed improves with increasing Ni concentration, but only up to 15% Ni. Moreover, the increasing epitaxial quality is due to a large volume fraction of (110)-oriented grains, instead of the anticipated (100) orientation. The most abundant texture component is not necessarily the one with the best in-plane match with the substrate, i.e., epitaxy, nor the one which assures the continuity of crystallographic planes across the plane of the interface, i.e., axiotaxy. Clearly, geometrical arguments alone cannot account for the observed large size and high volume fraction of (110)-oriented grains. On the other hand, we demonstrate that growth kinetics plays an important role in texture development and epitaxial growth during the solid phase reaction. Above 15% Ni, the epitaxial quality rapidly decreases and a polycrystalline film is formed for 40% Ni. This decrease is explained by a gradual shift of the disilicide nucleation site from the interface with the substrate to the surface of the thin film. For high Ni concentrations, i.e., ≥50% Ni, the (100) orientation dominates the thin-film texture, due to the growth of a NiSi2-rich film at the substrate interface. The changing nucleation site, due to this phase separation, and the differing growth kinetics can significantly alter the texture of ternary films. These two factors should be taken into consideration when implementing ternary alloys in devices, since their physical properties, stability, roughness, resistance, etc., depend critically on the texture of the films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Les brûlures graves du front sont rares ; un traitement chirurgical initial bien conduit limite par ailleurs l'apparition des séquelles. Les indications de réparation du front sont donc le fait de brûlures complexes souvent étendues aux unités adjacentes. Les techniques de réparation dépendent de la localisation et de la taille des lésions, de l'atteinte voisine associée, et de la capacité du patient à supporter la lourdeur du traitement. La prise en charge au stade aigu conditionne les séquelles ; l'excision-greffe dermoépidermique est le traitement de référence mais il ne donne de bons résultats que si les principes fondamentaux de la réparation sont respectés : délai d'intervention entre le 10e et 15e jour post-brûlure, prélèvement des greffes à l'extrémité céphalique ou à la partie supérieure du thorax et des bras, respect de l'unité frontale. La prise en charge des séquelles répond aux mêmes impératifs et nécessite en règle une expansion cutanée : expansion frontale pour réalisation de lambeaux cutanés s'il persiste assez de peau frontale disponible, expansion thoracique haute pour réalisation de greffes de peau totale si la cicatrice frontale est trop étendue. Les excellents résultats obtenus ne doivent cependant pas faire oublier les contraintes importantes liées à l'expansion cutanée. Les techniques alternatives sont peu nombreuses et donnent des résultats inconstants. Severe burns on the forehead are rare; well-conducted initial surgical treatment also limits the occurrence of sequelae. Therefore, indications for repairing the forehead arise from complex burns often extending to adjacent units. Repair techniques depend on the location and size of the lesions, associated nearby damage, and the patient's ability to withstand the burden of treatment. Management at the acute stage determines the sequelae; excision-grafting is the standard treatment, but it yields good results only if the fundamental principles of repair are respected: intervention within the 10th and 15th days post-burn, graft harvesting from the cephalic extremity or the upper part of the thorax and arms, and respect for the frontal unit. Sequelae management follows the same imperatives and typically requires skin expansion: front expansion for skin flaps if enough frontal skin is still available, upper thorax expansion for full thickness skin grafts if the frontal scar is too extensive. However, the excellent results obtained should not conceal the significant constraints associated with skin expansion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on the lattice location of ion-implanted Ca and Sr in thin films of single-crystalline wurtzite GaN. Using the emission channeling technique the angular distributions of β- particles emitted by the radioactive isotopes 45Ca (t1/2=163.8 d) and 89Sr (t1/2=50.53 d) were monitored with a position-sensitive detector following 60 keV room-temperature implantation. Our experiments give direct evidence that ∼90% of Ca and >60% of Sr atoms were occupying substitutional Ga sites with root mean square displacements of the order of 0.15–0.30 Å, i.e., larger than the expected thermal vibration amplitude of 0.074 Å. Annealing the Ca implanted samples at 1100–1350 °C in high-pressure N2 atmosphere resulted in a better incorporation into the substitutional Ga site. The Sr implanted sample showed a small decrease in rms displacements for vacuum annealing up to 900 °C, while the substitutional fraction remained nearly constant. The annealing behavior of the rms displacements can explain why annealing temperatures above 1100 °C are needed to achieve electrical and optical activations, despite the fact that the majority of the acceptors are already located on Ga sites immediately after ion implantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epitaxial GdSi[sub 1.7] layers have been produced by channeled ion beam synthesis. The crystalline quality improves with implant dose and substrate temperature. The latter determines the extent of dynamic annealing whereas both factors are instrumental in driving precipitate growth. This, in turn, promotes the formation of a continuous silicide layer following annealing. The information obtained in this study allows the production of high quality layers with a room temperature resistivity of 86 μΩ cm. Evidence of magnetic ordering is apparent below 44 K. © 2002 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on the lattice location of Praseodymium (Pr) in thin film, single-crystalline hexagonal GaN with the use of the emission channeling technique. Angular distribution of beta- particles emitted by the radioactive isotope 143Pr; Direct evidence that Pr is thermally stable at substitutional Ga sites.

Objective: Intermediate care units provide a high level of care to complex patients and are becoming increasingly popular in North America. Despite the growing popularity of Intermediate care units, very little is known about them. This study explored a typical Intermediate care unit, identifying patient characteristics including demographics, comorbidities, length of stay, as well as primary and secondary diagnosis and mortality. Results: A total of 200 patients chart were reviewed, of which, 102 were male, and 89 patients were younger than 65 years old. Diabetes, hypertension, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were common among patients with a prevalence of 33.5%, 56%, and 32.5%, respectively. Alcohol use disorder, asthma, liver disease and IV drug abuse were much more common in patients younger than 65 years. The average length of stay was 5.31 days regardless of age. Almost two-thirds of the patients in the Intermediate care unit were admitted directly from the emergency room. The mortality rate among the patients studied was 9.5%. The most common admitting diagnosis was respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or Pneumonia (38.0%), followed by cardiac disorders which were predominantly arrhythmias and congestive heart failure (27.0%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A bio-based polyimine vitrimer containing 100% renewable carbon content has been synthesised and characterised. This vitrimer material was prepared by combining a bio-based furan dialdehyde obtained from fructose with a bio-based diamine and triamine prepared from fatty acids. Due to the dynamic nature of the imine reversible bonds, the vitrimer properties can be clearly demonstrated. The obtained films exhibit fast stress relaxation around room temperature. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a fully bio-based polyimine vitrimer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study which examined the implantation of ErSi[sub1.7] layers with high crystalline quality. Experimental details; Methodology used in the implantation of samples; Measurement of the parallel elastic strain.

Presents information on a study that formed high-quality ErSi[sub1.7] layers with an abrupt interface, excellent crystallinity, and high thermal stability by ion-beam-synthesis. Experimental procedure; Results and discussion; Conclusion.

Focuses on a study which synthesized thin layers of rhenium-molybdenum silicide on silicon (100). Background on previous studies on transition metal silicide; Materials and procedure; Results and discussion.

Focuses on a study which investigated the inversion of a bilayer of cobalt on top of titanium and a silicon (100) substrate upon steady-state annealing, and resultant formation of an epitaxial cobalt silicide. Materials and procedure; Results from using reactive ambients; Findings from vacuum annealing; Description of the formation and growth kinetics of epitaxial cobalt silicide during vacuum annealing.

Presents a study which examined the damage and strain induced by irradiation of both relaxed and pseudomorphic Ge[subx]Si[sub1-x] films on silicon (Si) by MeV [sup4]helium channeling spectrometry and x-ray double-crystal diffractometry. Characteristics of Ge[subx]Si[sub1-x] on Si (Si/Ge[subx]Si[sub1-x]); Experimental procedures followed; Overview of the axial channeling spectra; Plot of the maximum values of the relative damage profiles for germanium.

The supramolecular folding of amphiphilic heterograft copolymers equipped with dendritic pendants is investigated using a combination of proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy, small‐angle X‐ray scattering, and circular dichroism spectroscopy. Hereto, the linear poly(ethylene glycol) pendants normally used to convey water compatibility are partially substituted with branched analogues. For one set of copolymers, second‐generation polyglycerol dendrons are directly attached to the polymer backbone, while for the other a hydrophilic linker is placed in between. The results show that the branching of the hydrophilic pendants affects the local structure of the folded copolymer but does not influence the overall conformation and single‐chain character of the folded copolymers in solution. All copolymers fold into 4–5 nm single‐chain polymeric nanoparticles with a very compact spherical morphology, independent of the dendritic content of the copolymer. Intriguingly, the incorporation of the dendritic pendants affects the formation of a structured interior even at low incorporation ratios. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019, 57, 411–421 The supramolecular folding of amphiphilic heterograft copolymers equipped with dendritic pendants is investigated. Hereto, the linear poly(ethylene glycol) pendants normally used to convey water‐compatibility are partially substituted with branched analogues. The results show that the branching of the hydrophilic pendants affects the local structure of the folded copolymer but does not influence the overall conformation and single‐chain character of the folded copolymers in solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Résumé Introduction L'escarre ischiatique est une pathologie fréquente chez les blessés médullaires rééduqués, malgré une prévention attentive. Le traitement médical par décharge et cicatrisation dirigée n'est pas toujours suffisant et une chirurgie utilisant des lambeaux musculocutanés locaux est souvent indispensable. Malheureusement, la récidive est fréquente et la disponibilité des lambeaux locaux est limitée. Le lambeau scrotal est un excellent complément aux lambeaux classiques, lambeaux glutéaux ou lambeaux d'ischiojambiers. Il peut être utilisé seul ou en complément d'un autre lambeau musculocutané, en première ou deuxième intention. Matériel et méthodes Le lambeau scrotal est un lambeau musculocutané, utilisant le Dartos, muscle peaucier du scrotum. Il est richement vascularisé, extensible et résistant. Sa grande plasticité permet de l'adapter à toute forme de perte de substance, avec un arc de rotation pouvant atteindre la marge anale. Il peut également être désépidermisé et enfoui pour combler un défect profond. Dix cas de lambeaux scrotaux et leurs différentes indications sont revus : certains sont utilisés en première intention, d'autres en complément de lambeaux musculocutanés. Résultats Le prélèvement d'un lambeau scrotal est rapide et extrêmement facile. La fermeture aisée du site donneur autorise, grâce à la grande laxité locale, des prélèvements de la moitié du scrotum. Les lambeaux scrotaux réalisés ont rapidement cicatrisé, ainsi que les sites donneurs. Une seule récidive a été observée, secondaire à un traitement inadapté de l'ostéite sous-jacente. Aucune complication n'est survenue. Conclusion Le lambeau musculocutané scrotal, fiable, résistant, et de prélèvement aisé et rapide est un excellent moyen de couverture de la région périnéale. Il peut être utilisé pour le traitement de toute perte de substance périnéale chez l'homme, mais reste particulièrement utile pour le traitement des escarres ischiatiques ou périnéales. Summary Introduction The ischiatric pressure sore is a common pathology in rehabilitated spinal cord injured people, despite careful prevention. Medical treatment by discharge and directed healing is not always sufficient and surgery using local musculocutaneous flaps is often essential. Unfortunately, recidivism is frequent and the availability of local flaps is limited. The scrotal flap is an excellent complement to classic flaps, gluteal flaps or hamstrings. It can be used alone or in addition to another musculocutaneous flap, in first or second intention. Material and methods The scrotal flap is a musculocutaneous flap, using the Dartos, the platys muscle of the scrotum. It is richly vascularized, extensible and resistant. Its great plasticity makes it adaptable to any form of loss of substance, with an arc of rotation that can reach the anal margin. It can also be desepidermized and buried to fill a deep defect. Ten cases of scrotal flaps and their different indications are reviewed: some are used in first intention, others in addition to musculocutaneous flaps. Results The removal of a scrotal flap is fast and extremely easy. The simple closure of the donor site allows the sampling of half of the scrotum due to the great local laxity. The scrotal flaps achieved quickly healed, as well as the donor sites. Only one recurrence was observed after an inappropriate treatment of underlying osteitis. No complications have occurred. Conclusion The scrotal musculocutaneous flap, reliable, resistant, quick and easy to remove is an excellent means of coverage of the perineal region. It can be used for the treatment of any loss of perineal substance in humans, but remains particularly useful for the treatment of ischial or perineal pressure sores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Large monopiles are used as foundations for offshore wind turbines and are generally designed with a tapered section or conical shape. Some loss of driving energy is expected to occur during installation of these structures due to the submerged section of the tapered monopile. The current literature on this subject is limited and indicates rather large losses compared to field observations. A numerical model of the monopile–water–soil system was set up in the general-purpose finite element package Abaqus. By simulating the hammer impact and the resulting stress wave propagation through the monopile and water, the energy losses to be expected can be calculated accurately. The model was verified against independent finite element analyses and experimental data. A parametric study was performed and the effect of hammer characteristics, submerged monopile length and monopile geometry on the driving energy losses were quantified. The results enable a simple relationship between the energy losses and the monopile geometry to be proposed which increases linearly with pile diameter, taper angle, and submerged length. The losses are typically on the order of 0.15–0.3% per metre submerged length for large tapered monopiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract New platforms for trinuclear complexes, 1,3,5-tris(fluoren-2-yl-R)benzene (Ph{2-FluRH} 3 ; R = H (2a), 6- t Bu (2b), 7- t Bu (2c), Tet (2d) (Tet = 2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-tetrahydrobenzofluorene), were synthesized via an acid-catalyzed cyclotrimerization of the corresponding substituted 2-acetylfluorenes. Subsequent nucleophilic addition of the [Ph{2-FluR} 3 ]3− trianions onto 6,6,-dimethylfulvene afforded the corresponding isopropylidene-bridged pro-ligands Ph{Me 2 C(2-FluRH)(C 5 H 5)} 3 (3a-d). Discrete trinuclear tris(dichloro- ansa -zirconocene and hafnocene), Ph[{Me 2 C(2-FluR)(C 5 H 4)}MX 2 ] 3 (X = Cl: 4b- d -Zr, 4c,d-Hf) were prepared by salt metathesis reactions. Some zirconium complexes were further alkylated towards the corresponding tris(dialkyls) (X = Me: 5c,d-Zr ; X = CH 2 SiMe 3 : 6c-Zr). The structures of these metal complexes were determined by elemental analyses, and by 1D, inverse 2D heteronuclear correlation, and DOSY NMR spectroscopy, as well as by theoretical computations. Those studies revealed the existence of two isomers, of C 3 and C 1 symmetry respectively, originating from the mutual orientation of the three ansa -metallocene fragments. Preliminary studies on the catalytic performances of the dichloro complexes, upon activation with MAO, in ethylene and propylene homopolymerization and ethylene/1-hexene copolymerization were carried out and compared to those of the monometallic analogues under identical conditions. Graphical abstract Trinuclear group 4 tris(ansa -metallocene) complexes based on an original 1,3,5-phenylene-tris(isopropylidene-bridged cyclopentadienyl/fluorenyl) platform were synthesized and used as precatalysts in polymerization of ethylene and propylene and ethylene/1-hexene copolymerization. Image 1 Highlights • Design of an original 1,3,5-phenylene-tris(isopropylidene-bridged cyclopentadienyl/fluorenyl) platform. • Synthesis of trinuclear group 4 tris(ansa -metallocene) complexes. • Polymerization catalysis of ethylene and propylene and ethylene/1-hexene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: Liquid crystal polymer networks (LCNs) lead the research geared toward macroscopic motion of materials. These actuators are molecularly programed to adapt their shape in response to external stimuli. Non‐photo‐responsive thin films of LCNs covered with heat absorbers (e.g., graphene or ink) are shown to continuously oscillate when exposed to light. The motion is governed by the heat dissipated at the film surface and the anisotropic thermal deformation of the network. The influence of the LC molecular alignment, the film thickness, and the LC matrix on the macroscopic motion is analyzed to probe the limits of the system. The insights gained from these experiments provide not only guidelines to create actuators by photo‐thermal or pure photo‐effects but also a simple method to generate mechanical oscillators for soft robotics and automated systems. © 2018 The Authors. Journal of Polymer Science Part A: Polymer Chemistry Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 1331–1336 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: In trans persons on gender‐affirming hormonal treatment, a decrease (in trans women) or increase (in trans men) in hematocrit is often observed. Reference ranges for evaluation of hematocrit levels in trans persons have not been established. This prospective cohort study is part of the European Network for the Investigation of Gender Incongruence (ENIGI). At the Ghent and Amsterdam sites, we included 625 hormone‐naïve trans persons. Gender‐affirming hormonal treatment was initiated at the first visit. In trans men, serum hematocrit (Hct) levels increased during the first year (+4.9 Hct %, 95% CI 3.82–5.25), with the most pronounced increase during the first 3 months (+2.7 Hct %, 95% CI 1.94–3.29). Trans men receiving testosterone esters had a larger increase in serum hematocrit levels compared to trans men receiving testosterone undecanoate (Δ 0.8 Hct %). Of 192 trans men, 22 (11.5%) developed serum hematocrit levels ≥50.0%. Trans men on testosterone undecanoate were less likely to develop hematocrit levels ≥50% or ≥52%, compared to trans men on testosterone esters, and were less likely to develop hematocrit levels ≥50%, compared to trans men on testosterone gel. In trans women, serum hematocrit had dropped by 4.1 Hct % (95% CI 3.50–4.37) after 3 months, after which only small decreases were observed. In conclusion, serum hematocrit levels can be found in the reference range of the perceived gender as from 3 months after the initiation of gender‐affirming hormonal treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally little is known regarding substance use service providers' perceptions of substitute behaviours and this significant gap could hinder service provision and recovery outcomes. Semi-structured focus group discussions (including 22 service providers across five sites) were conducted in residential treatment facilities in the Western Cape, South Africa. Service providers recognised substances (e.g. cigarettes and caffeine) and behaviours (e.g. gambling, eating, love, sex, shopping, exercise, and gaming) as potential substitutes. Identified substitute motives included managing cravings; self-medication; filling the experiential void of the primary substance, and time-spending. Concurrent behaviours and addictions were believed to be a key mechanism underlying substitution however, service providers did not uniformly screen for co-occurring behavioural addictions. Substitute behaviours were primarily considered a pathway to relapse and service providers emphasised prevention, detection and family education. To suitably intervene, screening for co-occurring behaviours should be an integral part of the assessment of those presenting for substance use treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Materials with highly ordered molecular arrangements have the capacity to display unique properties derived from their nanoscale structure. Here, the synthesis and characterization of azobenzene (AZO)-functionalized siloxane oligomers of discrete length that form photoswitchable supramolecular materials are described. Specifically, synergy between phase segregation and azobenzene crystallization leads to the self-assembly of an exfoliated 2D crystal that becomes isotropic upon photoisomerization with UV light. Consequently, the material undergoes a rapid athermal solid-to-liquid transition which can be reversed using blue light due to the unexpectedly fast 2D crystallization that is facilitated by phase segregation. In contrast, enabling telechelic supramolecular polymerization through hydrogen bonding inhibits azobenzene crystallization, and nanostructured pastes with well-ordered morphologies are obtained based on phase segregation alone, thus demonstrating block copolymer-like behavior. Therefore, by tailoring the balance of self-assembly forces in the azobenzene-functionalized siloxane oligomers, fast and reversible phase-changing materials can be engineered with various mechanical properties for applications in photolithography or switchable adhesion to lubricant properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first light-driven plastic mill is developed, which converts the incoming light directly into a continuous rotation. This device is composed of four blades made of hydrazone-based liquid crystal polymer films able to bend under focused light irradiation and to create a force causing the rotation of the mill. The mechanism of motion originates from the fast photo-thermal isomerization around the C N bond of hydrazones. We show that by accelerating the rate of the thermal Z to E back-isomerization of hydrazones, macroscopic deformation with fast strain rate can be obtained. The rapid motion of the film is the key factor in obtaining the continuous rotatory motion of the mill. These results broaden the range of molecular switches available for macroscopic motion of light-driven organic devices and offer new insights for single-step energy conversion in soft robotics and automated systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supramolecular copolymers, non-covalent analogues of synthetic copolymers, constitute a new and promising class of polymers. In contrast to their covalent counterparts, the details of their mechanism of formation, as well as the factors determining their composition and length, are still poorly understood. Here, the supramolecular copolymerization between two slightly structurally different benzene-1,3, 5-tricarboxamide (BTA) monomers functionalized with either oligodimethylsiloxane (oDMSi) or alkyl side chains is unraveled by combining experimental and theoretical approaches. By applying the "sergeant-and-soldiers" approach using circular dichroism (CD) experiments, we are able to obtain detailed insights into the structure and composition of these supramolecular copolymers. Moreover, we observe an unexpected chiral induction upon mixing two independently CD-silent solutions of the achiral (soldier) and chiral (sergeant) monomers. We find that the subtle differences in the chemical structure of the two monomers impact their homopolymerization mechanism: whereas alkyl-BTAs cooperatively self-assemble, oDMSi-BTAs self-assemble in an isodesmic manner. The effect of these mechanistic differences in the supramolecular copolymerization process is investigated as a function of the composition of the two monomers and explicitly rationalized by mathematical modeling. The results show that, at low fractions of oDMSi-BTA sergeants (<10 mol%), the polymerization process is cooperative and the supramolecular helicity is biased toward the helical preference of the sergeant. However, at higher fractions of oDMSi-BTA sergeant (>25 mol%), the isodesmic assembly of the increasing amounts of sergeant becomes more dominant, and different species start to coexist in the copolymerization process. The analysis of the experimental data with a newly developed theoretical model allows us to quantify the thermodynamic parameters, the distribution of different species, and the compositions and stack lengths of the formed supramolecular copolymers existing at various feed ratios of the two monomers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of this study was to make a prognostic model for regional relapse in head and neck cancer using clinical and CT parameters. Methods: 183 patients with lymph node-positive head and neck cancer were treated between 2002 and 2012 with radiotherapy or concurrent chemoradiotherapy. CT studies pre- and post-treatment were reviewed for lymph node size and the presence of necrosis, extracapsular spread (ECS) and calcifications. For every patient, correlations with 3-year regional control (RC), metastasis-free survival (MFS), disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were made. Results: 3-year outcome rates were as follows: local control of 84%, RC of 80%, MFS of 74%, DFS of 61% and OS of 63%. Pre-treatment nodal size and the presence of necrosis were associated with a poorer outcome. This was also the case for post-treatment lymph node size, the presence of necrosis and ECS. We developed a CT-based prognostic model for RC with an area under the curve of 0.78 (95% confidence interval 0.63; 0.85). Conclusion: We reached a good outcome in our patient cohort using a CT-based follow-up approach. A CT-based model was developed, which can aid in predicting RC. Advances in knowledge: A prognostic model is proposed, which can aid in predicting RC and the necessity for post-radiotherapy neck dissection using clinical parameters and parameters derived from the post-treatment CT study. This is the first article to propose a prognostic model for regional relapse in head and neck cancer based on these parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Constitutional dynamic libraries (CDLs) of hydrazones, acylhydrazones, and imines undergo reorganization and adaptation in response to chemical effectors (herein metal cations) via component exchange and selection. Such CDLs can be subjected to training by exposition to given effectors and keep memory of the information stored by interaction with a specific metal ion. The long-term storage of the acquired information into the set of constituents of the system allows for fast recognition on subsequent contacts with the same effector(s). Dynamic networks of constituents were designed to adapt orthogonally to different metal cations by up- and down-regulation of specific constituents in the final distribution. The memory may be erased by component exchange between the constituents so as to regenerate the initial (statistical) distribution. The libraries described represent constitutional dynamic systems capable of acting as information storage molecular devices, in which the presence of components linked by reversible covalent bonds in slow exchange and bearing adequate coordination sites allows for the adaptation to different metal ions by constitutional variation. The system thus performs information storage, recall, and erase processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the case of a patient on chronic hemodialysis treatment with paroxysms of severe arterial hypertension accompanied by tachycardia, pallor, sweating and tremor. Measurement of plasma catecholamines revealed norepinephrine level of 4625 pg/mL (reference range 191-225 pg/mL), epinephrine level of 1035 pg/mL (58-76 pg/mL) and dopamine level of 148 pg/mL (50-100 pg/mL). MRI showed a left adrenal mass of 2 cm. After the patient was started on an alpha-1 adrenergic receptor blocker, she underwent a left adrenalectomy. Anatomopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma. Although urinary testing is not possible in anuric hemodialysis patients, diagnosis of pheochromocytoma can be made through measurement of plasma free metanephrines and/or plasma catecholamines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) result from impaired development and functioning of the brain. Here, we identify loss-of-function (LoF) variation in ZFHX3 as a cause for syndromic intellectual disability (ID). ZFHX3 is a zinc-finger homeodomain transcription factor involved in various biological processes, including cell differentiation and tumorigenesis. We describe 42 individuals with protein-truncating variants (PTVs) or (partial) deletions of ZFHX3 , exhibiting variable intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder, recurrent facial features, relative short stature, brachydactyly, and, rarely, cleft palate. ZFHX3 LoF associates with a specific methylation profile in whole blood extracted DNA. Nuclear abundance of ZFHX3 increases during human brain development and neuronal differentiation. ZFHX3 was found to interact with the chromatin remodeling BRG1/Brm-associated factor complex and the cleavage and polyadenylation complex, suggesting a function in chromatin remodeling and mRNA processing. Furthermore, ChIP-seq for ZFHX3 revealed that it predominantly binds promoters of genes involved in nervous system development. We conclude that loss-of-function variants in ZFHX3 are a cause of syndromic ID associating with a specific DNA methylation profile. [Display omitted] We identify loss-of-function (LoF) variation in ZFHX3 as a cause for syndromic intellectual disability. We show that LoF is associated with a specific methylation signature and that ZFHX3 targets promoters of genes implicated in neural development. Proteomics analysis indicates a contribution of ZFHX3 to chromatin remodeling and pre-messenger RNA processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A retrospective study was conducted to assess the interactions between epileptic seizure and burn. The study was conducted on all patients treated at the Saint Luc Saint Joseph Hospital Burn Unit from 2000 to 2015 with a diagnosis of epilepsy. Forty-eight cases associating burns and epilepsy were reviewed. Twenty-eight patients had a burn following an epileptic seizure. The average age was 43, and the burned area was 9%. Injuries resulted from contact with hot surface (32%), scald burn (50% - 32% with cooking water and 17.8% by accidental exposure to hot tap water (shower)). Burns by flames were rare (4 cases/28: 14.3%). The burns were deep, and all required surgical treatment by excision - split thickness skin graft. All the cases of tap water burns occurred before 2010 and the changes to hot tap water temperature legislation. Three patients presented a new epileptic seizure during their hospitalization. Primary prevention of domestic accidents, particularly regulation of hot tap water temperature, appears effective. Educating epileptic patients on the importance of therapeutic compliance and the elimination of risky activities during periods of therapeutic modification should further reduce the incidence of seizure-related burns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the early days of ion beam analysis, i.e. the early 60s, channeling was discovered and brought to maturity via a combined effort in experimental, computational and theoretical research. It was soon realized that the probability for nuclear interaction (such as nuclear scattering, nuclear reactions, ionization followed by X-ray emission…) would significantly decrease when steering the ion beam along a crystallographic direction of a single crystal. Hence, this effect would be optimally suited to investigate a wide range of materials properties related to their crystal structure, such as defects, elastic strain, the lattice site of impurities, as well as phonon-related properties. In this paper, I will briefly review some of the pioneering work, which led to the discovery and theoretical understanding of ion channeling. Subsequently, a number of applications will be discussed where the strength of the ion beam analysis technique allows deducing information which is often hardly (or not) attainable by other techniques. Throughout the paper, I will reflect on the future of channeling in materials research, and pay special attention to potential pitfalls, challenges and opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The displacement of molecular structures from their thermodynamically most stable state by imposition of various types of electronic and conformational constraints generates highly strained entities that tend to release the accumulated strain energy by undergoing either structural changes or chemical reactions. The latter case amounts to strain-induced reactivity (SIR) that may enforce specific chemical transformations. A particular case concerns dynamic covalent chemistry which may present SIR, whereby reversible reactions are activated by coupling to a high-energy state. We herewith describe such a dynamic covalent chemical (DCC) system involving the reversible imine formation reaction. It is based on the formation of strained macrocyclic bis-imine metal complexes in which the macrocyclic ligand is in a high energy form enforced by the coordination of the metal cation. Subsequent demetallation generates a highly strained free macrocycle that releases its accumulated strain energy by hydrolysis and reassembly into a resting state. Specifically, the metal-templated condensation of a dialdehyde with a linear diamine leads to a bis-imine [1+1]-macrocyclic complex in which the macrocyclic ligand is in a coordination-enforced strained conformation. Removal of the metal cation by a competing ligand yields a highly reactive [1+1]-macrocycle, which then undergoes hydrolysis to transient non-cyclic aminoaldehyde species, which then recondense to a strain-free [2+2]-macrocyclic resting state. The process can be monitored by 1H NMR spectroscopy. Energy differences between different conformational states have been evaluated by Hartree-Fock (HF) computations. One may note that the stabilisation of high-energy molecular forms by metal ion coordination followed by removal of the latter, offers a general procedure for producing out-of-equilibrium molecular states, the fate of which may then be examined, in particular when coupled to dynamic covalent chemical processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Purpose Trochlear nerve schwannomas are rare tumors. So far, only 121 cases have been published. We present four new cases, discuss the imaging characteristics and summarize all previously published cases through a systematic review.Methods Four cases, all treated in AZ Sint-Jan Hospital Brugge-Oostende (Belgium), were collected, including their demographic, clinical and radiological data. All MR imaging was performed with the three-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (3D-FLAIR), turbo spin echo T1 high-resolution (TSE T1 HR), three-dimensional balanced fast-field echo (3D b-FFE) and three-dimensional T1 black blood (3D T1 black blood) sequence. We compared our findings with the present literature through a systematic literature review in accordance with the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.Results Screening with routine unenhanced 3D-FLAIR imaging could identify all schwannomas as hyperintense lesions on the course of the trochlear nerve. The use of 3D T1 black blood sequences was superior in depicting the lesions, while high-resolution 3D b-FFE images enabled us to visualize the anatomic boundaries of the lesions in detail. Most trochlear schwannomas are located in the ambient cistern, at or just below the free edge of the tentorium.Conclusion The majority of trochlear nerve schwannomas are located cisternal and display variable enhancement on contrast administration. 3D-FLAIR imaging is superior in detecting these lesions. Comparison with data collected from previous cases demonstrates the importance of early diagnosis and treatment. Generally, patients with trochlear nerve schwannomas have a good prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Light irradiation of the molecular photoswitch 1- E causes isomerization into the 1- Z configuration stabilized by an internal hydrogen bond. 1- E bears aldehyde groups allowing for dynamic covalent reaction with linear diamines. On photoinduced E/ Z shape switching of 1 in presence of diamines, the system undergoes interconversion between two states, a non-cyclic oligomeric one and a macrocyclic one, corresponding respectively to the E and Z configurations of 1. With a mixture of linear α,ω-diamines, 1- E yields non-selective dynamic oligomers by random incorporation of diamine components. Photoswitching to the 1- Z form leads to constitutional adaptation with preferential formation of the macrocycle incorporating the best suited diamine, H2N(CH2)7NH2. In presence of metal cations, the E form switches from its unbound W shape to its coordinated U shape and yields the macrocycle resulting from the selective incorporation of the diamine H2NCH2CH2OCH2CH2NH2 that contains an additional O coordination site. Taken together, the results obtained describe constitutional adaptation in a triple state system: an oligomeric one and two different macrocyclic ones generated in response to two orthogonal agents, a physical stimulus, light, or a chemical effector, metal cations. These three states present, towards the incorporation of diamine components, respectively no selection, photoselection and metalloselection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Constitutional dynamic libraries of hydrazones aAbB and acylhydrazones aAcC undergo reorganization and adaptation in response to a chemical effector (metal cations) or a physical stimulus (light). The set of hydrazones [1A1B, 1A2B, 2A1B, 2A2B] undergoes metalloselection on addition of zinc cations which drive the amplification of Zn(1A2B)2 by selection of the fittest component 1A2B. The set of acylhydrazones [E-1A1C, 1A2C, 2A1C, 2A2C] undergoes photoselection by irradiation of the system, which causes photoisomerization of E-1A1C into Z-1A1C with amplification of the latter. The set of acyl hydrazones [E-1A3C, 1A3C, 2A1C, 2A3C] undergoes a dual adaptation via component exchange and selection in response to two orthogonal external agents: a chemical effector, metal cations, and a physical stimulus, light irradiation. Metalloselection takes place on addition of zinc cations which drive the amplification of Zn(1A3C)2 by selection of the fittest constituent 1A3C. Photoselection is obtained on irradiation of the acylhydrazones that leads to photoisomerization from E-11C to Z-1A1C configuration with amplification of the latter. These changes may be represented by square constitutional dynamic networks that display up-regulation of the pairs of agonists (1A2B, 2A1B), (Z-1A1C, 2A2C), (1A3C, 2A1C), (Z-1A1C, 2A3C) and the simultaneous down-regulation of the pairs of antagonists (1A1B, 2A2B), (1A2C, 2A1C), (E-1A1C, 2A3C), (1A3C, 2A1C). The orthogonal dual adaptation undergone by the set of acylhydrazones amounts to a network switching process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information on several issues discussed at the conference, Insects to Feed the World, held in Wageningen, the Netherlands on May 14-17, 2015 to tackle key aspects of collection, production, processing, nutrition, marketing, and consumption related to insects is presented. Topics include the potential of insects as animal feed and human food and the feasibility of mass rearing of insects. The dynamic nature of using insects for food and feed worldwide is also emphasized.

• The spatial dimensions of nanopatterns are quantified using RBS with a mm-sized ion beam. • The quantification is based on the effect of the pattern on the substrate signal. • The methodology is demonstrated for structures as small as 35 nm. We realize the quantitative determination of the spatial dimensions of nanopatterns using Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) with a mm-sized ion beam. The methodology is based on the effects of the nanopatterns on the RBS signal from the substrate. We demonstrate the approach with the study of a periodic pattern of 35 nm wide and 75 nm high SiO 2 lines which have a periodicity of 90 nm. We analyse the relation between the features in the experimental spectra and the properties of the nanostructures. Current voxel-based simulation software allows to reproduce many of the experimental observations well. However, we found that the present simulation software inadequately incorporates the effect of the angular spread due to the finite detector size. We propose a method to model the effect more accurately and through this we demonstrate a dramatically improved agreement with the experimental spectra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Applying both template and Si cap technology, we achieved the epitaxial growth of CoSi2 directly on Si(100) substrate by rapid thermal annealing (RTA). The crystal quality of CoSi2 film is found to be significantly dependent on the Si cap thickness. In our work, a good-quality CoSi2 film with a minimum of χ min~11.6% and 3.3Ω/square was obtained as a 15nm Co with a subsequent 15nm Si cap layer is deposited on an oxide-mediated CoSi2 template and followed by an anneal at 1050°C under N2 protection; whereas too thin or thick Si cap layer will deteriorate the crystalline quality of CoSi2. These experimental results are discussed in combination with the simulation of Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy and X-ray reflectivity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We reported a simple method to grow good-quality CoSi2 film by using Si cap technology and introducing moderate Ni. First, a cobalt layer of ∼15nm with a Si cap layer with a different thickness deposited onto the Si surface with a thin silicon oxide buffer is applied to investigate the formation of CoSi2 by ex situ rapid thermal annealing. It was found that a 13nm thick Si cap layer could significantly improve the crystal quality of oxide-mediated CoSi2 film. Setting the Si cap thickness at 13nm, we revealed that introduction of Ni can further improve the crystal quality of the silicide film in comparison to the pure Co silicide, and a ratio of Ni to Co at round 1:8 causes the lowest sheet resistance, ∼5Ω/sq. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: New and ordered 2D-hexagonal (p6mm) mesoporous aluminosilicates (CMI-11) have been synthesized in strongly alkaline media using aluminosilicate ester ((Bu s O)2-Al-O-Si-(OEt)3) as single-source molecular precursor and CTMABr as surfactant and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), N2 adsorption–desorption and 27Al and 29Si MAS NMR spectroscopy. These mesoproous aluminosilicates exhibit a very low Si/Al ratio of 1.9 and highly thermal stable tetrahedral aluminum sites in the mesoporous walls. 27Al and 29Si MAS NMR spectroscopy indicates that the pore walls of CMI-11 are fully condensed with molecular homogeneity of Si–O–Al linkage. These materials are highly important in catalysis, in particular for the petroleum processing and the bulky molecules treatment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Hierarchically structured multimodal meso-macroporous carbon materials have been prepared by using the nanoreplication of the mesoporous walls of a meso-macroporous zirconia exotemplate. Like the zirconia exotemplate, the pure carbon material possesses funnel shaped straight macrochannels, parallel to each other and perpendicular to the tangent of the particles' dense mesoporous shell. As a result of the funnel-like shape, each macrochannel has a pore size gradient with a large opening centered at 300−700 nm. The walls of the macrochannels and the dense mesoporous shells are formed by a hierarchical mesostructured porous system with uniform mesopore sizes centered at 3, 15−17, and 25−50 nm. Macrochannels are interconnected with hierarchically mesostructured walls and shells. A high surface area of 950 m2/g with a mesopore volume of 0.44 cm3/g is obtained. The possibility of the nanoreplication of other meso-macroporous oxides such as aluminosilicates, titania, and niobium oxide with different macrochannel size, shape, and organization has also been studied to generate meso-macroporous carbon materials with different organizations of the macrochannels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The self-formation phenomenon of hierarchy with multiple-scaled porosity is reported. The structures of various chemical compositions, such as ZrO2, TiO2, Al2O3, Y2O3, Nb2O5, Ta2O5 ZrO2-SiO2, ZrO2-TiO2, ZrO2-Y2O3, aluminosilicates, aluminophosphates, silicoaluminophosphates, metallophosphates, are made of macrochannels (0.5–5μm in diameter) with mesoporous or microporous walls. The hierarchically porous structures are prepared by just controlling the hydrolysis and polycondensation rates of the pre-selected inorganic sources. The textural, structural as well as morphological properties of each material are carefully studied by using a large series of techniques, such as XRD, NMR, TEM, SEM, N2 adsorption-desorption, Hg porosimetry, optical microscopy. On the basis of these multimodal porous structures, a new concept “Hierarchical Catalysis” has been proposed. This new concept can allow the realisation of a multiple steps reaction in one single catalyst in a cascade way without any separation processes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The synthesis of ordered mesoporous carbon materials, which have been named CMI-8, using the hexagonally ordered mesoporous silica CMI-1 as an exotemplate is reported. The morphology of these new mesoporous carbon materials is exactly the same as the CMI-1 template. The hexagonal pore structure replication was confirmed by XRD and TEM. From a textural point of view, the carbon replica shows a type IV isotherm and a narrow pore size distribution centred at 2.2nm. A high surface area and total pore volume, of 1653 and 0.86cm3/g, respectively, were obtained. The advantage of using mesoporous silica CMI-1 as a template is its variable but uniform morphologies, from sphere, gyroid, toroid to ropes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: Lhermitte-Duclos disease is a cerebellar lesion, characterized by an overgrowth of cerebellar ganglion cells, which replace granular cells and Purkinje cells. Lhermitte-Duclos disease may be a manifestation of Cowden syndrome (multiple hamartoma-neoplasia syndrome). The nature of LDD, whether neoplastic, dysplastic, or hamartomatous, is still not exactly understood. Metabolic imaging of the amino acid metabolism using PET could be useful for noninvasive characterization of these lesions. Methods: To define the Meth-PET imaging characteristics of these lesions, we undertook a Meth-PET study in 4 patients with LDD after obtaining informed consent. All 4 patients had clinical signs of Cowden syndrome. In 2, the diagnosis was made with MRI; in 2, it was confirmed histologically. Results: Using Meth-PET, the cerebellar lesions had a high methionine uptake, except in the subtotally resected lesion. The uptake of the lesions was markedly higher than that of the contralateral normal regions. The mean L/C ratio was 2.07. Conclusion: 11C-methionine positron emission tomography visualizes the lesion of Lhermitte-Duclos disease as a high uptake area. This amino acid hypermetabolism may be related to the slow growth of the lesions, and is an argument to suggest that patients with LDD should be followed up carefully to detect progression of the cerebellar lesion. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper aims to review the guidelines on the importance given to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) as a risk factor or as threshold and target level in the treatment of dyslipidemia. We developed a strategy with cholesterol-related key words to search for guidelines in the major databases. The Appraisal of Guidelines Research Evaluation (AGREE) instrument was used for the evaluation and inclusion of the guidelines. In total nine guidelines were selected. Almost all selected guidelines consider low HDL-C as a marker of an increased risk for coronary heart disease. However, only few guidelines use the level of HDL-C as a threshold or target level for the treatment of dyslipidemia. The guidelines provide only little information on the management of patients with treatment-induced low HDL-C. Instead of using total cholesterol (TC) or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) we consider the use of the ratios of TC to HDL-C or LDL-C to HDL-C as a threshold as well as a target for treatment. Copyright © 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of a new structure is performed in many different phases. The first phase is the conceptual design, which is necessary to give a preliminary shape to the structure. Afterwards the structural analysis phase follows which is the most important part of the development of a new structure. Analytical methods in complex structures are very demanding and sometimes even impossible to be applied. For this reason the numerical methods are entering the stage and give solutions concerning the structural integrity of the structure that is being examined.In the present work the numerical analysis of an IPC pedestrian bridge and the corresponding experimental results are presented. The aim of this work is to provide the scheme of a numerical modeling procedure that will be applied in the future for the dimensioning of similar structures. In addition different types of elements were investigated as well as different sizes of mesh in order to conclude to a model that gives an exact solution taking into account the computational cost. The model is validated by using real test data extracted from the experimental analysis performed on a real prototype under static loading. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A key objective of the joint FAO-INBAR-Sida Expert Consultation on Rattan Development (Dec. 2000) was to analyse the global supply situation and to formulate key requirements to guarantee a sustainable future supply of rattan. The meeting highlighted that most of the raw material for local processing and for supplying the rattan industry is still obtained by harvesting of unmanaged, wild rattan resources in natural tropical forests. Only a very small share is obtained from rattan plantations. The huge economic and social importance of the rattan sector is based on a dwindling stock of wild rattan mainly from forests of tropical Asia and, therefore, compromising its future outlook. However, there are no reliable statistics on the status of rattan resources at a regional level for Asia and Africa in order to assess if the supply situation is really critical or not. A preliminary review of available data on trade in rattan products showed that reported quantities remained within approximately the same levels from 1995 to 2001 . When looking at data from the international trade in rattan products during this period, there seems to be no indication of an imbalance between supply and demand, neither that the global cane supply is decreasing. What has changed is the direction of trade: Indonesia is now the main exporter of cane and China is the world's biggest importer. Shortages in the supply of cane may indeed in some cases be caused by dwindling resources of rattan in the forests, but in the economically successfully performing countries of South East Asia, a shortage of cane is often more due to the fact that rural people are gradually less interested in rattan harvesting as other (and better) options to sustain their livelihoods become available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]