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Talonavicular arthrodesis (TNA) is indicated for treatment of disorders that require immobilization of the hindfoot. Lag screw fixation is considered the reference standard technique for TNA. Despite consistently favorable clinical results using lag screw fixation, it is still associated with higher than desired complication and failure rates. Nitinol compression staples have been used for TNA based on potential advantages over lag screw fixation. However, functional biomechanical data comparing lag screw and nitinol compression staples for TNA are lacking. Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare nitinol compression staples to fully threaded lag screws for use in TNA with respect to their biomechanical properties during functional robotic testing.

Matrix metalloproteinase-1 is probably involved in the progression of periodontal disease. The aim of this study was to investigate whether IL-1β stimulates the expression of the activator protein 1 (AP-1) transcription factor and, consequently, if the AP-1 transcription factor participates in the regulation of collagenase gene expression in human gingival fibroblast cells. In this study, we demonstrate that the concentration of the protein components of AP-1 transcription factor, c-Fos and c-Jun, is enhanced by IL-1β both at mRNA and protein levels, utilizing Northern blot analysis, electrophoretic mobility gel shift assay and Western blot analysis. The IL-1β stimulated the collagenase–CAT and AP-1–CAT activities in a dose dependent manner with respect to the amount of DNA used in transfections. Further, overexpression of c-Fos and c-Jun proteins revealed a dose-dependent transcriptional activation of the collagenase promoter. These findings, coupled with the existence of AP-1 consensus DNA binding sites on the collagenase gene promoter, show that regulation of collagenase gene expression by IL-1β involves the transcription factor AP-1 in gingival fibroblasts.

Thin films of vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) were prepared by electron beam evaporation at different deposition temperatures. The chemical composition and structural and optical properties were investigated employing spectroscopic techniques, viz. X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy (XPS), inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), infrared spectroscopy (IR), Raman spectroscopy (RS) and optical spectroscopy (OS). The influence of deposition temperature on the film properties were deduced from the spectroscopic measurements. The room temperature (303 K) electron-beam evaporated V2O5 films were nearly stoichiometric. The films formed at elevated temperatures were sub-stoichiometric as revealed (XPS) from the shift of the V(2p3/2) emission peak, the broadening of full width at half maximum (FWHM) and the decrease in the O(1s):V(2p3/2) ratio. The shift of vanadyl mode in the IR and Raman spectra, decrease of the optical band gap and increase in the near-infrared-broad band absorption also supported the sub-stoichimetric nature. Annealing of the films formed at Ts∼553K in an oxygen atmosphere (a partial pressure of 10−4 mbar) at 693 K led to the existence of vanadium in its highest oxidation state.

AbstractThe preparations of solid-state benzonitrile complexes of two oligoaryl-condensed crown hosts are described and their crystal structures are reported. Benzo-di[(2,3)naphtho]-(2,6)pyridino-21-crown-7 (1) forms a crystalline 1:3 (host:guest) complex (1a) while benzo-di[(1,4)benzeno]-(2,6)pyridino-25-crown-7 (2) forms a 2:1 crystalline complex (2a) with PhCN. Crystal data: 1a [P1, a= 13.455(3), b= 15.313(2), c= 13.371(4) Å, α = 103.75(2), β = 109.00(2), γ = 103.63(2)°, Z= 2], 2a [C2/c,a= 37.105, b= 17.410(8), c= 8.598(3) Å. β = 90.89(2)°, Z= 4]. Both compounds are lattice-type complexes showing no significant host-guest contacts. The crystal structures are stabilized by dipole-dipole, stacking and van-der-Waals interactions.

Polycrystalline and single-phase CuGaTe2 thin films(0.4–1.0 μm thickness) were prepared by flashevaporation of the pre-reacted material, synthesized from its constituent elements. The filmswere deposited on glass substrates at temperatures in the range 303–623 K. The physical behaviour of the films was found to be highly influenced by the substrate temperature, Ts. The films formed at Ts = 523–573 K were nearly stoichiometric and exhibited (112) preferred orientation with tetragonal structure. The evaluated lattice parameters were a = 6.025 Å and c= 11.996 Å. The electrical conductivity of the films varied in the range 10-102 ω cm. Two activation energies corresponding to shallow and deep acceptor levels were observed. The films showed a three-fold optical structure with the bandgaps at 1.23 eV, 1.28 eV and 1.98 eV. The optical constants, dielectric constant, plasma frequency and the effective mass of the charge carriers were computed. The results are discussed to study the suitability of CuGaTe2 films for solarcell application.

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In a developing country like India, classification and identification of the species of Anopheline mosquitoes in control operations of mosquito-borne diseases is of paramount importance. The WHO monograph, which describes the taxonomic data in the form of a pictorial key is generally difficult to understand by a non-taxonomist. Utilizing the principles of ID3 algorithm, a novel rule-based system, for the fast identification of unknown species of Indian Anopheline mosquitoes, is developed. The rule-based system is user-friendly, menu-driven and even a novice can make use of it in the identification of the unknown species with little practice. The above software is available on floppy disk and can be obtained with a minimum cost. This program can be ported on 5¼“ or 3½“ floppy disk.

Probit analysis calculations are highly useful in biology and related sciences. Since the statistical calculations and tests required are quite involved, the use of an automatic computer program is desirable. The description of the computational procedures and use of the computer program with suitable examples from mosquito control programmes are discussed.