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Early differentiation of erysipelas from deep vein thrombosis (DVT) based solely on clinical signs and symptoms is challenging. There is a lack of data regarding the usefulness of the inflammatory biomarkers procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cell (WBC) count in the diagnosis of localized cutaneous infections. Herein, we investigated the diagnostic value of inflammatory markers in a prospective at-risk patient population. This is an observational quality control study including consecutive patients presenting with a final diagnosis of either erysipelas or DVT. The association of PCT (μg/L) and CRP (mg/L) levels and WBC counts (g/L) with the primary outcome was assessed using logistic regression models with area under the receiver-operator curve. Forty-eight patients (erysipelas, n = 31; DVT, n = 17) were included. Compared with patients with DVT, those with erysipelas had significantly higher PCT concentrations. No significant differences in CRP concentrations and WBC counts were found between the two groups. At a PCT threshold of 0.1 μg/L or more, specificity and positive predictive values (PPV) for erysipelas were 82.4% and 85.7%, respectively, and increased to 100% and 100% at a threshold of more than 0.25 μg/L. Levels of PCT also correlated with the severity of erysipelas, with a stepwise increase according to systemic inflammatory response syndrome criteria. We found a high discriminatory value of PCT for differentiation between erysipelas and DVT, in contrast to other commonly used inflammatory biomarkers. Whether the use of PCT levels for early differentiation of erysipelas from DVT reduces unnecessary antibiotic exposure needs to be assessed in an interventional trial.

The use of mobile robots in search-and-rescue and disaster-response missions has increased significantly in recent years. However, they are still remotely controlled by expert professionals on an actuator set-point level, and they would benefit, therefore, from any bit of autonomy added. This would allow them to execute high-level commands, such as "execute this trajectory" or "map this area." In this paper, we describe a vision-based quadrotor micro aerial vehicle that can autonomously execute a given trajectory and provide a live, dense three-dimensional 3D map of an area. This map is presented to the operator while the quadrotor is mapping, so that there are no unnecessary delays in the mission. Our system does not rely on any external positioning system e.g., GPS or motion capture systems as sensing, computation, and control are performed fully onboard a smartphone processor. Since we use standard, off-the-shelf components from the hobbyist and smartphone markets, the total cost of our system is very low. Due to its low weight below 450 g, it is also passively safe and can be deployed close to humans. We describe both the hardware and the software architecture of our system. We detail our visual odometry pipeline, the state estimation and control, and our live dense 3D mapping, with an overview of how all the modules work and how they have been integrated into the final system. We report the results of our experiments both indoors and outdoors. Our quadrotor was demonstrated over 100 times at multiple trade fairs, at public events, and to rescue professionals. We discuss the practical challenges and lessons learned. Code, datasets, and videos are publicly available to the robotics community.

A facile synthesis of 1H-indazoles featuring a Cu(OAc)2-catalyzed N-N bond formation using oxygen as the terminal oxidant is described. The reaction of readily available 2-aminobenzonitriles with various organometallic reagents led to o-aminoaryl N-H ketimine species. The subsequent Cu(OAc)2-catalyzed N-N bond formation in DMSO under oxygen afforded a wide variety of 1H-indazoles in good to excellent yields.

The novel ternary Zintl phase Li3NaGe2 is prepared by heating a stoichiometric mixture of the elements (Ta ampoule in evacuated silica tubes, 400 °C, 7 d; cooling at a rate of 0.5 °C/min).

In view of its potential use as anode material in Li ion batteries, Li12AgGe4 is discovered as the Li-richest phase in the ternary phase system.

In our approach to event extraction, dependency graphs constitute the fundamental data structure for knowledge capture. Two types of trimming operations pave the way to more effective relation extraction. First, we simplify the syntactic representation structures resulting from parsing by pruning informationally irrelevant lexical material from dependency graphs. Second, we enrich informationally relevant lexical material in the simplified dependency graphs with additional semantic meta data at several layers of conceptual granularity. These two aggregation operations on linguistic representation structures are intended to avoid overfitting of machine learning-based classifiers which we use for event extraction (besides manually curated dictionaries). Given this methodological framework, the corresponding JReX system developed by the JulieLab Team from Friedrich-Schiller-Universitat Jena (Germany) scored on 2nd rank among 24 competing teams for Task 1 in the “BioNLP’09 Shared Task on Event Extraction,” with 45.8% recall, 47.5% precision and 46.7% F1-score on all 3,182 events. In more recent experiments, based on slight modifications of JReX and using the same data sets, we were able to achieve 45.9% recall, 57.7% precision, and 51.1% F1-score.

Since the discovery of epithelial hair follicle stem cells (eHFSCs) in the bulge of human hair follicles (HFs) an important quest has started: to define useful markers. In the current study, we contribute to this by critically evaluating corresponding published immunoreactivity (IR) patterns, and by attempting to identify markers for the in situ identification of human eHFSCs and their niche. For this, human scalp skin cryosections of at least five different individuals were examined, employing standard immunohistology as well as increased sensitivity methods. Defined reference areas were compared by quantitative immunohistochemistry for the relative intensity of their specific IR. According to our experience, the most useful positive markers for human bulge cells turned out to be cytokeratin 15, cytokeratin 19 and CD200, but were not exclusive, while beta1 integrin and Lhx2 IR were not upregulated by human bulge keratinocytes. Absent IR for CD34, connexin43 and nestin on human bulge cells may be exploited as negative markers. alpha6 integrin, fibronectin, nidogen, fibrillin-1 and latent transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta-binding protein-1 were expressed throughout the connective tissue sheath of human HFs. On the other hand, tenascin-C was upregulated in the bulge and may thus constitute a component of the bulge stem cell niche of human HFs. These immunophenotyping results shed further light on the in situ expression patterns of claimed follicular 'stem cell markers' and suggest that not a single marker alone but only the use of a limited corresponding panel of positive and negative markers may offer a reasonable and pragmatic compromise for identifying human bulge stem cells in situ.

Red-orange prismatic crystals of Cs4Ge9·en (en = ethylenediamine) were obtained via metathesis reaction of an en solution of K4Ge9 with a large excess of CsI. The compound is very sensitive to air and moisture. Cs4Ge9·en is not isotypic to Rb4Ge9·en and crystallizes in a new structure type (monoclinic, space group P21/c (No. 14); a = 16.757(3), b = 16.462(3), c = 15.657(2) A, β = 90.37(1)°; Z = 8; Pearson code mP200). The crystal structure comprises two types (A and B) of discrete [Ge9]4− units arranged in the motif of a distorted hexagonal close-packing (h.c.p.). In this h.c.p. framework, each tetrahedral hole is filled by one Cs atom and each larger octahedral hole is filled by a group of one en and two Cs atoms. The topology of the two crystallographically distinct [Ge9]4− clusters corresponds to distorted, monocapped tetragonal antiprisms with bond lengths varying in the range 2.551–2.848A (type A cluster) or in the range 2.538–2.975A (less regular type B cluster). According to the DTA and TG measurements, Cs4Ge9·en decomposes at 378 K under liberation of gaseous ethylenediamine yielding Cs4Ge9. The Raman spectra of the title compound were interpreted based on the idealized C4ν symmetry of an isolated [Ge9]4− cluster. The characteristic breathing mode was localized at 222 cm−1. The results are analyzed and discussed in context with those of the previously reported compounds Cs4Ge9, K4Ge9 and Rb4Ge9·en.

Steadily increasing requirements on fractionation demands in the oleochemical industry require advanced separation technology. Today, often a distillation column has not only to process several different feeds, but also be able to produce two different products simultaneously. Divided wall columns have been proposed and used in the chemical industry, but there are, presently, few applications of divided wall columns in the oleochemical sector. The main reason prohibiting their use might be in the limited familiarity, higher requirements on operation, potential corrosion problems and last but not least, limited flexibility. Fractionation columns with added side stripper are a well-proven way to satisfy increased demand of separation duties. The availability of second-generation structured packing increases the efficiency and reduces pressure drops while making it possible to increase capacity and/or product purities. A lower pressure drop has a positive impact on the separation itself. Combining these effects with an increase in capacity will result in a synergy effect on the separation performance. The newly developed BXPlus structured packing is a powerful tool for advanced Glycerin separation, combining good wettability resulting in high efficiency with low-pressure drop. New columns can be designed much more compactly. Revamps will improve both capacity and/or purity. Copyright © 2007 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Distillation Research and Development is moving rapidly with the utilization of computational fluid dynamic (CFD) modeling. Previously, a potential fractionation application would first be developed and fabricated. Then many hours of pilot plant testing would be required to finalize the design. The time line for the development of new distillation equipment has been reduced, leading to advances in fractionation equipment. Current applications of trays, packings, distributors and feed inlets can be optimized utilizing CFD modeling. CFD Modeling has improved the current generation of fractionation equipment. This modeling is also particularly important in maximizing capacity in tower revamps where the diameter of the tower is fixed. This paper will review the current-generation fractionation equipment and the utilization of the same in the petroleum refining industry. Copyright © 2007 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Single crystals of Pd6.69Sn4.31 are obtained in attempts to grow ternary alloys in the system K—Pd—Sn (Nb crucible in evacuated silica tubes, 1.

Cs8-xGa8-ySi38+y (I) is obtained from a stoichiometric reaction of the elements in a CsCl flux, whereas K8Zn3.5Si42.5 (II) and Rb7.9Zn3.6Si42.4 (III) are prepared using a combined KBr or RbCl /Zn flux (alumina crucible sealed in stainless steel ampoule, 1173 K, 1 h; cooling to 923 K with a rate of 0.3 K/min).

NaP7 is prepared from stoichiometric quantities of red phosphorus and Na in the presence of purified CuI as mineralizer (evacuated graphitized silica tubes, 823 K, 7 d).

Mg0.39NiSn1.61 (I) and Mg2.61Ni4Sn3.39 (II) are prepared by melting of the elements (sealed Ta ampoules, 700 °C, 2 weeks).

Si nanoparticles are prepared by reaction of the Zintl phases Na4Si4, Rb7NaSi8, and M12Si17 (M: K, Rb, Cs) with NH4Br in DMF.

Single-phase samples of K8Al8Si38 (I), Rb8Al8Si38 (II), and Cs7.9Al7.9Si38.1 (III) clathrates are obtained by flux melting of Al/Si powder with an excess of Al and the respective alkali halide salt as the flux (alumina crucible in Nb ampoules, 1173 K, 1 h).

Crystals of the title compounds [K6(Ge9−Ge9)](dmf)12 (1) and [Rb6(Ge9−Ge9)](dmf)12 (2) have been synthesized by dissolving binary phases of the formal composition K4Ge9 and Rb4Ge9, respectively, in N,N-dimethylformamide (dmf) and subsequent cooling to −36 °C. [K2.5Cs3.5(Ge9−Ge9)](dmf)12 (3) was obtained as a by-product during the reaction of K2Cs2Ge9 with sulphur in dmf. Single crystal structure analyses of 1, 2 and 3 show that all compounds contain dimeric [Ge9−Ge9]6− units. The dimers are connected via the alkali metal atoms in form of [(A+)3(μ2−dmf)6] chains and build a two-dimensional square net of the composition with A = K and Rb for 1 and 2, respectively. [(Cs+−K+−Cs+)(μ2−dmf)6] linkages bridge the dimers in 3 under formation of . 1 crystallized in the tetragonal space group I4 with a = b = 34.003(5), c = 17.366(4) A, V = 20078(6) A3, Z = 8, compound 2 in the triclinic space group with a = 13.501(3), b = 14.766(3), c = 21.426(4) A, α = 88.11(3)°, β = 86.76(3)°, γ = 75.54(3)°, V = 4129(1) A3; Z = 2 and 3 in the monoclinic space group C2/c with a = 21.459(4), b = 17.153(3), c = 22.939(5) A, β = 93.37(3)°, V = 8429(3) A3, Z = 4. The dimer consists of two Ge9 clusters, whose shapes are best described as C2ν-distorted monocapped square antiprisms. The clusters are connected via an exo Ge–Ge bond with its orientation either co-linear to the shorter diagonal of the open rectangular of the antiprism or radial with respect to the cluster centre in a new type of [Ge9−Ge9]6− dimer.

Tetrels can be regarded as most promising candidates for the construction of larger clusters. Recent examples have shown that larger clusters are particularly stable if they contain interstitial atoms (e.g. [Pt@Pb 1 2 ] 2 - ). Many salts of the polyhedral anions are soluble, but a number of examples-usually those with higher charges-occur only as quasi-discrete units in saltlike crystals (Zintl phases) or as building blocks in intermetallic phases. In this Minireview, the chemistry of intermetalloid clusters is reviewed with reference to the endohedral Zintl ions, Zintl phases, and polyhedral building blocks of intermetallic compounds, including heteroatomic species in the gas phase. We focus on selected examples and discuss the new findings in the context of recent advances in the field of metalloid clusters and (endohedral) fullerenes and fullerides.

The compound [K(18-crown-6)]8[Ge9=Ge9=Ge9=Ge9]˙8en (1) featuring a [Ge9=Ge9=Ge9=Ge9]8-cluster anion was synthesized from K4Ge9 for the first time. The X-ray single crystal analysis shows that, in many respects such as bond connection and packing style, compound 1 is quite different from the previously reported compounds [Rb(18-crown-6)]8[Ge9=Ge9=Ge9=Ge9]˙2en (2) and [Rb(18-crown-6)]8[Ge9=Ge9=Ge9=Ge9]˙6en (3). Crystal packing of 1 gives strong indications that the highly charged nano-rods self assembly in a hexagonal rod packing. Oxidative Kopplung von Ge94- Zintl-Anionen - Hexagonale Stabpackung des linearen [Ge9=Ge9=Ge9=Ge9]8- Ein neues lineares Tetramer [K(18-Krone-6)]8[Ge9=Ge9=Ge9=Ge9]·8en (1) wurde aus K4Ge9 dargestellt. Verbindung 1 enthalt das tetramere [Ge9=Ge9=Ge9=Ge9]8--Polyanion. Die Ergebnisse der Rontgenstrukturanalyse zeigen, dass die Verbindung 1 sich von den in der Literatur beschriebenen Verbindungen [Rb(18-Krone-6)]8[Ge9=Ge9=Ge9=Ge9]·2en (2) und [Rb(18-Krone-6)]8[Ge9=Ge9=Ge9=Ge9]·6en (3) in vielerlei Hinsicht unterscheidet, beispielsweise in der Verknupfung der Einheiten und der Packung der Cluster in der Elementarzelle. Das Packungsmodell der Verbindung 1 gibt deutliche Hinweise darauf, dass sich die hochgeladenen Nanostabe im Sinne einer “Selbstanordnung” organisieren.

The intermetallic title compound is prepared by solid state reaction of the elements (Nb ampule, flowing Ar, 1223 K, 45 min) and characterized by powder and single crystal XRD, magnetic measurements, and TB-LMTO-ASA electronic structure calculations.

Single crystals of the new compounds K[K([2.2.2]crypt)]3[Co0.68@Sn9] (I) and [K([2.2.2]crypt)]5 [Co2@Sn17]·en·Tol (II) are prepared from solutions of K4.79Co0.79Sn9, and Kryptofix 222 in en and layered with toluene.

The title compound is synthesized from a stoichiometric mixture of the elements in the presence of CuCl2 as a mineralizer (silica ampule, 823 K, 7 d).

The title Zintl phases are prepared by reactions of the corresponding elemental alkali metals with pre-prepared M-Sn alloys (M: Ni, Co) at 550—880 °C for 48 h.

(III) crystallizes as black block-shaped crystals in the monoclinic space group C2/c with Z = 4 (single crystal XRD) and contains isolated, linear heteroatomic [Bi—Zn—Bi]4- anions.

High-level quantum chemical studies using periodic local-MP2 and dispersion-corrected density functional methods (DFT-B3LYP-D3) are performed to properly describe the dispersive host—guest interactions in noble gas filled Group 14 clathrates of type Ngx[M136] (Ng: Ar, Kr, Xe and M: Si, Ge, Sn).

The nature of the chemical bonds in the Zintl phase CaSi is investigated by a combined experimental and theoretical charge density analysis to test the validity of the Zintl-Klemm concept.

Dark blue crystals of K6[Bi4](NH3)8 are obtained from a solution of the Zintl phase KBi in liquid NH3 in the presence of 18-crown-6 (-70 °C, 3 months; 20-30% yield).

The new title compound is synthesized from a stoichiometric mixture of the constituent elements (tantalum ampule, 750 °C, 1 h) and characterized by single crystal XRD and magnetic measurements.