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Current treatments for medial meniscus lesions in association with CCL ruptures have shown disappointing long-term outcomes. Meniscal suturing may improve the outcome, but their clinical application remains limited. This study aims to assess the practicability of a minimally invasive DNT to facilitate meniscal suturing in dogs. Ten stifles of eight client-owned dogs with arthroscopically confirmed CCL disease and medial meniscal tears in the abaxial third of the meniscus were included. The described suture technique was applied under joint distraction using the Titan joint distractor. Surgical stabilization of all stifles was then accomplished via an X-Porous TTA procedure. The DNT allowed for the precise placement of meniscal sutures. Minor intraoperative complications included reduced arthroscopic visibility ( n = 2) and suture breakage during its passage through the meniscus ( n = 3). No complications related to the meniscal sutures were noted throughout the six-month follow-up period. The described DNT proved to be a viable and effective method for suturing lesions of the caudal horn of the medial meniscus, provided there is adequate visualization during the procedure. Appropriate stifle stabilization postoperatively is mandatory for protecting the suture and avoiding concomitant meniscal lesions due to joint instability.

The Zintl phase CaSi 2 is a layered compound with stacking variants known as 1P, 3R, and 6R. We extend the series by the 21R polytype formed by rapid cooling of the melt. The crystal structure of 21R-CaSi 2 (space group R 3̅ m ) was derived from HRTEM images, and the atomic positions were optimized by using the FPLO code ( a = 3.868 Å, c = 107.276 Å). We explore polytype transformations by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron backscattering diffraction (EBSD), and thermal analysis. While 6R-CaSi 2 is thermodynamically stable at ambient conditions, nanosized impurities of silicon stabilize 3R-CaSi 2 as a bulk phase.

Na 2 Ga 7 crystallizes with the orthorhombic space group Pnma (no. 62; a = 14.8580(6) Å, b = 8.6766(6) Å, and c = 11.6105(5) Å; Z = 8) and constitutes a filled variant of the Li 2 B 12 Si 2 structure type. The crystal structure consists of a network of icosahedral Ga 12 units with 12 exohedral bonds and four-bonded Ga atoms in which the Na atoms occupy the channels and cavities. The atomic arrangement is consistent with the Zintl [(4b)Ga] - and Wade [(12b)Ga 12 ] 2- electron counting approach. The compound forms peritectically from Na 7 Ga 13 and the melt at 501 °C and does not show a homogeneity range. The band structure calculations predict semiconducting behavior consistent with the electron balance [Na + ] 4 [(Ga 12 ) 2- ][Ga - ] 2 . Magnetic susceptibility measurements show that Na 2 Ga 7 is diamagnetic.

The metastable type-II clathrate Na 24-δ Ge 136 was obtained from Na 12 Ge 17 by applying a two-step procedure. At first, Na 12 Ge 17 was reacted at 70 °C with a solution of benzophenone in the ionic liquid (IL) 1,3-dibutyl-2-methylimidazolium-bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl) azanide. The IL was inert towards Na 12 Ge 17 , but capable of dissolving the sodium salts formed in the redox reaction. By annealing at 340 °C under an argon atmosphere, the X-ray amorphous intermediate product was transformed to crystalline Na 24-δ Ge 136 (δ≈2) and α-Ge in an about 1 : 1 mass ratio. The product was characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, chemical analysis, and 23 Na solid-state NMR spectroscopy. Metallic properties of Na 24-δ Ge 136 were revealed by a significant Knight shift of the 23 Na NMR signals and by a Pauli-paramagnetic contribution to the magnetic susceptibility. At room temperature, Na 24-δ Ge 136 slowly ages, with a tendency to volume decrease and sodium loss., (© 2021 The Authors. Chemistry - A European Journal published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Fat bloom is an outstanding quality defect especially in filled chocolate, which usually comprises oils of different origins and with different physical properties. Dark chocolate pralines filled with nougat contain a significant amount of hazelnut oil in their center and have been reported as being notably susceptible to oil migration. The current study was designed to test the assumption that a targeted crystallization of nougat with cocoa butter seed crystals is an appropriate technological tool to reduce filling oil transfer to the outside of the praline and, hence, to counteract chocolate shell weakening and the development of fat bloom. For this purpose, the hardness of nougat/chocolate layer models and the thermal properties of chocolate on top of nougat were analyzed during storage at 23 °C for up to 84 days. Pronounced differences between layer models with seeded nougat and with control nougat that was traditionally tempered were observed. The facts that chocolate hardness increased rather than decreased during storage, that the cocoa butter melting peak was shifted towards a lower temperature, and that the hazelnut oil content in the chocolate was reduced can be taken as explicit indicators for the contribution of seeded nougat to the fat bloom stability of filled chocolate.

Rb 8 B 8 Si 38 forms under high-pressure, high-temperature conditions at p = 8 GPa and T = 1273 K. The new compound (space group Pm 3̅ n , a = 9.9583(1) Å) is the second example for a clathrate-I borosilicide. The phase is inert against strong acids and bases and thermally stable up to 1300 K at ambient pressure. (Rb + ) 8 (B - ) 8 (Si 0 ) 38 is electronically balanced, diamagnetic, and shows semiconducting behavior with moderate Seebeck coefficient below 300 K. Chemical bonding analysis by the electron localizability approach confirms the description of Rb 8 B 8 Si 38 as Zintl phase.

The clathrate-I borosilicide K 8-x B y Si 46-y (0.8 ≤x≤ 1.2 and 6.4 ≤y≤ 7.2; space group Pm3[combining macron]n) was prepared in sealed tantalum ampoules between 900 °C and 1000 °C. By high-pressure preparation at 8 GPa and 1000 °C, a higher boron content is achieved (x = 0.2, y = 7.8). Crystal structure and composition were established from X-ray diffraction data, chemical analysis, WDX spectroscopy, and confirmed by 11 B and 29 Si NMR, and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The compositions are electron-balanced according to the Zintl rule within one estimated standard deviation. The lattice parameter varies with composition from a = 9.905 Å for K 7.85(2) B 7.8(1) Si 38.2(1) to a = 9.968(1) Å for K 6.80(2) B 6.4(5) Si 39.6(5) .

Substituted imidazolium ionic liquids (ILs) were investigated for their reactivity towards Na 12 Ge 17 as a model system containing redox-sensitive Zintl cluster anions. The ILs proved widely inert for imidazolium cations with a 1,2,3-trisubstitution at least by alkyl groups, and for the anion bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)azanide (TFSI). A minute conversion of Na 12 Ge 17 observed on long-time contact with such ILs was not caused by dissolution of the salt-like compound, and did thus not provide dissolved Ge clusters. Rather, a cation exchange led to the transfer of Na + ions into solution. In contrast, by using benzophenone as an oxidizer, heterogeneous redox reactions of Na 12 Ge 17 were initiated, transferring a considerable part of Na + into solution. At optimized conditions, an X-ray amorphous product NaGe 6.25 was obtained, which was thermally convertible to the crystalline type-II clathrate Na 24-δ Ge 136 with almost completely Na-filled polyhedral cages, and α-Ge. The presented method thus provides unexpected access to Na 24-δ Ge 136 in bulk quantities., (© 2021 The Authors. Published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

By using an anodic conversion process at 280 °C, the type II clathrates Na 1.7(6) Ge 136 and Na 23.0(5) Ge 136 were obtained from Na 12 Ge 17 as the starting material. An alkali-metal iodide molten-salt electrolyte complied with the reaction conditions, allowing for the formation of microcrystalline products. Characterization by powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy also revealed Na 4 Ge 13 as an intermediate and α-Ge and Cs 8- x Ge 136 as byproducts, with the latter likely resulting from cation exchange between the starting material and electrolyte. Taking such minor side reactions and a small contribution of material without suitable electrical contact into account, anodic conversion of Na 12 Ge 17 to Na 1.7 Ge 136 proved to proceed without parasitic processes and to comprise the material bulk. The hitherto existing preparation method for Na x →0 Ge 136 by gas-solid oxidation of Na 12 Ge 17 has thus been translated into a scalable high-temperature electrochemical approach with enhanced tools for reaction control, promising access to pure Ge( cF 136) and Na 24 Ge 136 after process optimization.

Osteosynthesis for canine long bones is a complex process requiring knowledge of biology, surgical techniques and (bio)mechanical principles. Subject-specific finite element analysis constitutes a promising tool to evaluate the effect of surgical intervention on the global properties of a bone-implant construct, but suffers from a lack of validation. In this study, the biomechanical behavior of 10 canine humeri was compared before and after creation of a 10 mm bone defect stabilized with an eight-hole locking compression plate (Synthes ® ) and two locking screws on each fragment. The response under compression of both intact and plated samples was measured experimentally and reproduced with a finite element model. The experimental stiffness ratio between plated and intact bone was equal to 0.39 ± 0.06. A subject-specific finite element analysis including density-dependent elasto-plastic material properties for canine bone and automatic generation of orthopedic implants was then conducted to recover these experimental results. The stiffness of intact and plated samples could be predicted, with no significant differences with experimental data. The simulated stiffness ratio between plated and intact canine bone was equal to 0.43 ± 0.03. This study constitutes a first step toward the building of a virtual database of pre-computed cases, aiming at helping the veterinary surgeons to make decisions regarding the most suited orthopedic solution for a given dog and a given fracture.

Maintenance of body weight is fundamental to maintain one's health and to promote longevity. Nevertheless, it appears that the global obesity epidemic is still constantly increasing. Endocannabinoids (eCBs) are lipid messengers that are involved in overall body weight control by interfering with manifold central and peripheral regulatory circuits that orchestrate energy homeostasis. Initially, blocking of eCB signaling by first generation cannabinoid type 1 receptor (CB1) inverse agonists such as rimonabant revealed body weight-reducing effects in laboratory animals and men. Unfortunately, rimonabant also induced severe psychiatric side effects. At this point, it became clear that future cannabinoid research has to decipher more precisely the underlying central and peripheral mechanisms behind eCB-driven control of feeding behavior and whole body energy metabolism. Here, we will summarize the most recent advances in understanding how central eCBs interfere with circuits in the brain that control food intake and energy expenditure. Next, we will focus on how peripheral eCBs affect food digestion, nutrient transformation and energy expenditure by interfering with signaling cascades in the gastrointestinal tract, liver, pancreas, fat depots and endocrine glands. To finally outline the safe future potential of cannabinoids as medicines, our overall goal is to address the molecular, cellular and pharmacological logic behind central and peripheral eCB-mediated body weight control, and to figure out how these precise mechanistic insights are currently transferred into the development of next generation cannabinoid medicines displaying clearly improved safety profiles, such as significantly reduced side effects.

In case of an oil spill, dispersant application represents a response option, which enhances the natural dispersion of oil and thus reduces coating of seabirds and coastal areas. However, as oil is transferred to the water phase, a trade-off of potential harmful effects shifted to other compartments must be performed. This paper summarizes the results of a workshop on the current knowledge on risks and benefits of the use of dispersants with respect to specific conditions encountered at the German sea areas. The German North Sea coast is a sensitive ecosystem characterised by tidal flats, barrier islands and salt marshes. Many prerequisites for a potential integration of dispersants as spill response option are available in Germany, including sensitivity maps and tools for drift modelling of dispersed and undispersed oil. However, open scientific questions remain concerning the persistence of dispersed oil trapped in the sediments and potential health effects., (Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

The long feeding duration of ixodid ticks and need for regular blood changes turns the artificial feeding of ticks into a tedious process. To reduce the number of blood changes, a semi-automated system (SAS) for the artificial feeding of hard ticks was developed and evaluated. It consisted of a glass feeding reservoir that can accommodate six tick feeding chambers. A peristaltic pump was used to pump blood through the feeding reservoir, which was changed once daily. Groups of Dermacentor reticulatus and Ixodes ricinus adults were fed simultaneously in both the SAS and a conventional in vitro feeding system. In the conventional system, feeding chambers were hung inside a glass beaker filled with blood that was replaced twice daily. Dermacentor reticulatus adults fed in the SAS obtained significantly higher engorgement weights. Although engorgement rates between both systems were comparable, significantly more SAS-fed females laid fertile egg batches. The egg batch weight of SAS-fed females was also significantly higher. In contrast, the engorgement rate and fecundity of SAS-fed I. ricinus were significantly reduced in comparison to ticks fed in the conventional system. This reduction was likely to be caused by fungal infestation, which could spread between feeding chambers in the SAS. Although the SAS reduced the workload compared to the conventional feeding system and showed promising results for the in vitro feeding of D. reticulatus adults, measures to prevent fungal infestations in the SAS should be considered in future studies.

The formation of framework vacancies in Si- and Ge-based type-I clathrates is studied using density-functional theory as a function of filling the cages with K and Ba atoms. Our analysis reveals the relevance of structural disorder, geometric relaxation, and electronic saturation as well as vibrational and configurational entropy. In the Si clathrates, we find that vacancies are unstable, but very differently, in Ge clathrates, up to three vacancies per unit cell can be stabilized. This contrasting behavior is largely driven by the different energy gain on populating the electronic vacancy states, which originates from the different degree of localization of the valence orbitals of Si and Ge. This also actuates a qualitatively different atomic relaxation of the framework.

Background: The development of standardized in vitro feeding methods for ixodid ticks has been hampered by their complex feeding behaviour and the long duration of their blood meal. In this study, we aimed to optimize several parameters for the in vitro feeding of adult Dermacentor reticulatus., Methods: Ticks were fed on heparinized bovine blood collected at a slaughterhouse, using a modified silicone membrane feeding assay. Effects on tick feeding and fecundity of different blood meal treatments (freezing, irradiation, addition of antibiotics), ambient conditions (increased CO 2 concentration) and phagostimulant use (addition of 2 g/l and 4 g/l glucose to the blood meal) were systematically evaluated., Results: Although fungal growth occurred more frequent in feeding units of ticks fed on defrosted blood, the attachment rate, engorgement mass and fecundity of females fed on defrosted blood did not significantly differ from that of ticks fed on fresh blood. A reduction in the fecundity of female D. reticulatus ticks was observed when ticks were fed with gamma-irradiated blood or untreated blood compared to blood treated with gentamycin. Both the engorgement mass and fecundity increased when ticks were fed at a 5% CO 2 level. A non-significant increase in the engorgement mass and engorgement rate of D. reticulatus was observed when blood was supplemented with 4 g glucose per litre compared to 2 g/l., Conclusion: An artificial feeding method was adapted for the feeding of adult D. reticulatus ticks. Of all parameters tested, only the artificial feeding at 5% CO 2 levels resulted in a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the engorgement mass and fecundity of female D. reticulatus ticks. The supplementation of blood with antibiotics resulted in a significantly higher tick fecundity in comparison to ticks fed with untreated or irradiated blood.