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This study describes a computational analysis technique for evaluating the effect of screw spacing and angle on the pediatric hip locking plate system in proximal femoral osteotomy in pediatric patients having DDH with an aberrant femoral head and femoral angle. Under static compressive load conditions, the stresses of the screw and bone were examined as the screw spacing and angle changed. The spacing and angle of various screws were specifically considered as variables in this study based on the pile mechanism studied in civil engineering. As with the group pile mechanism, the tighter the screw spacing under static compressive loads, the more the overlapping effect between the bone stresses and the screws develops, increasing the risk of injuring the patient’s bone. Therefore, a series of simulations was performed to determine the optimal screw spacing and angles to minimize the overlapping effect of bone stress. In addition, a formula for determining the minimum screw spacing was proposed based on the computational simulation results. Finally, if the outcomes of this study are applied to pediatric patients with DDH in the pre-proximal femoral osteotomy stage, post-operative load-induced femur damage will be reduced.

Summary Objective The purpose of this study was to determine whether TAE negatively impacted perioperative outcomes in patients who underwent open surgery for pelvic trauma. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records and radiographs of patients who had open surgery for an acute pelvic trauma between February 2014 and May 2017. The patients were classified into two groups: those who underwent TAE and those who did not. We evaluated preoperative demographics and perioperative outcomes between the two groups. Injury type-specific comparisons were also performed. Results A total of 136 patients (50 TAE and 86 non-TAE) were included in this study. There were significant differences in preoperative demographics including the type of injury, injury severity score, revised trauma score, surgical approach, initial blood pressure, and the amount of transfusion within 24 h between the two groups. However, no differences in perioperative outcomes were identified except for the amount of total transfusion. There were significant differences between the two groups in the injury type-specific comparisons, specifically in the amount of transfusion within 24 h in patients with pelvic ring injury and in the injury severity score in patients with acetabular fracture. However, there was no difference in perioperative outcomes between the groups for either injury type. Conclusion In the present study, we were unable to identify negative effects of TAE on perioperative outcomes. Therefore, when considering open surgery subsequent to TAE, there is no evidence of increased risk for negative perioperative outcomes, especially with respect to bone healing and deep infection.

In this paper, a steady-state model of an LLC resonant half-bridge converter with internal loss resistance is proposed, in order to maximize power conversion efficiency, and steady-state characteristic equations of DC voltage gain and input impedance are derived for the optimal design of the converter. First, to confirm the validity of the steady-state characteristic equation and the optimal design process, a prototype converter with a maximum output of 2 kW was designed. Through comparison of simulation, calculation, and experimental results obtained from the prototype test, it is shown that the calculation results proposed in this paper were closer to the experimental results than the calculation results obtained under the lossless condition. In addition, the relationship between the switching frequency and the load current of the prototype was compared, in order to determine the operating range of the switching frequency, which is important in the converter design stage. In this case, it was confirmed that the calculated value reflecting the internal loss showed a close result. In conclusion, we confirm the usefulness of the analysis results reflecting the internal loss resistance proposed in this paper and the optimal design process.

The dislocation density in strain-hardened Alloy 690 was analyzed using scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) to study the relationship between the local plastic strain and susceptibility to primary water stress corrosion cracking (PWSCC) in nuclear power plants. The test material was cold-rolled at various thickness reduction ratios from 10% to 40% to simulate the strain-hardening condition of plant components. The dislocation densities were measured at grain boundaries (GB) and in grain interiors of strain-hardened specimens from STEM images. The dislocation density in the grain interior monotonically increased as the strain-hardening proceeded, while the dislocation density at the GB increased with strain-hardening up to 20% but slightly decreases upon further deformation to 40%. The decreased dislocation density at the GB was attributed to the formation of deformation twins. After the PWSCC growth test of strain-hardened Alloy 690, the fraction of intergranular (IG) fracture was obtained from fractography. In contrast to the change in the dislocation density with strain-hardening, the fraction of IG fracture increased remarkably when strain-hardened over 20%. From the results, it was suggested that the PWSCC growth behavior of strain-hardened Alloy 690 not only depends on the dislocation density, but also on the microstructural defects at the GB.

This paper proposes low-melting-point eutectic salts containing RbCl as electrolytes for light weight thermal batteries. The handleability of the eutectic salts was remarkably improved for commercialisation. Their performance as thermal battery molten-salt electrolytes was verified using tests on a single cell and a 12-cell stacked battery.

This study aims to analyze the outcomes of subtalar distraction arthrodesis (SDA) for calcaneal malunion using structural freeze-dried iliac allograft (FDIA) compared to using autologous iliac bone (AIB).We retrospectively evaluated 57 consecutive cases (51 patients) of calcaneal malunion between March 2006 and December 2017. All patients were followed for an average of 22.8 months. All cases were treated by SDA using structural FDIA (17 cases, group 1), or AIB (40 cases, group 2). The outcome measures included the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot (AOFAS) scores, visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores, and radiographic measurements.The mean postoperative 3, 6, and 12 months of AOFAS scores and VAS pain score were significantly better in group 2 than those in group 1 (p0.05, for all). There were 3 cases (17.6%) of nonunion in the group 1, whereas the group 2 had 2 cases (5.0%), which did not shown significant difference between two groups (p = 0.492). Although the mean pre-, postoperative, and final follow-up radiologic parameters in both groups were similar, (p0.05, for all) the difference of talocalcaneal height, talocalcaneal angle, and talar declination angle from postoperative to final follow-up were significantly bigger in the group 1. (p0.05, for all).Although union rate was not significantly different between the two groups, we obtained more favorable clinical and radiologic outcomes in the autologous iliac bone group. Using FDIA without any orthobiological agent for SDA, there were significant more loss of radiological parameters due to inferior incorporation and biomechanical properties. When considering the SDA for calcaneal malunion, routine use of FDIA without any orthobiological agents as an interpositional graft for SDA is not recommended.

High-energy-density rechargeable batteries have been gaining considerable importance in the field of renewable energy, and Li-infused anodes are potential candidates for the development of such batteries. However, the poor cycling and dimensional stability of Li affects their performance. As most materials used in battery manufacturing are lithiophobic to molten Li, infusion of Li into the porous structures with an intrinsically lithiophobic surface presents challenges in the development of Li batteries. Optimising and improving the wettability of molten Li is one approach to address this. Herein, we propose a very practical and straightforward oxidation method for achieving an ultra-lithiophilic NiO layer on the surface of a three-dimensional Ni-foam. Oxidation of the Ni-foam in air resulted in a remarkable increase in the wettability of molten Li on the Ni surface, with a decrease in the wetting angle from 120° to 0°. A NiO layer was epitaxially grown on the surface of the Ni-foam, with a thickness of several hundreds of nanometres. This layer was lithiophilic and showed high electrical conductivity. An anode prepared using Li-infused oxidised Ni-foam showed no evidence of short circuits or dendrite formation after 1000 cycles of stripping and plating at 0.1 and 0.5 mA cm−2, whereas a pure Li anode showed unstable stripping and plating behaviour at 0.5 mA cm−2. The proposed surface-treatment method is considered the most simple and practical method among those reported to date, and the Ni-foam produced using this method showed excellent anode performance. Hence, the proposed method will facilitate further development of rechargeable lithium-metal battery technology.

Numerous studies have addressed the commercial viability of lithium–air batteries (LABs). However, the high reactivity of Li with air moisture and CO2 has hindered the broad applicability of LABs. In this study, lithium-protective hybrid lithium–air batteries (HLABs) were fabricated with Super P (SP) and composites of fluorinated carbon (CFx), MoS2, and WS2 as the cathodes. Subsequently, their potential use as a power source for the next generation of defense technologies was investigated. It was observed that a single cell HLAB with the SP-CFx composite cathode exhibited a specific capacity of 893 mAhg−1cathode. In comparison, a Tomcell with the SP cathode demonstrated a specific capacity of 465 mAhg−1cathode when discharged. The cells with SP-MoS2 and SP-WS2 cathode yielded specific capacities of 357 and 386 mAhg−1cathode, respectively. The improved performance of the SP-CFx cell can be attributed to synergistic effects of lithium–air cell and lithium battery reactions between CFx and SP. To assess all functionalities of the SP-CFx HLAB, lithium-protective HLABs were fabricated and discharged in air. To operate the lithium–air battery in air, pure lithium metal was sealed with solid electrodes (lithium-ion conducting glass–ceramics (LICGC)) and a buffer electrolyte (1 M LiFTSI in TEGDME) was applied. The SP-CFx cell was discharged for 25 days in air, greatly exceeding the 72 h requirement for the next-generation soldier power systems. These results demonstrate significant potential for HLABs to be used as a pioneering power source in next-generation energy-independent tactical defense units.

Reducing ischemic time is the most important factor associated with good results in major limb replantation. This case describes the surgery and outcome of replantation of both major limbs in a patient with amputation of both lower extremities due to rope entanglement on a ship. Emergency surgery restored circulation in 3 hours and 40 minutes after amputation on the left side, and 4 hours and 50 minutes after amputation on the right side. The left knee of the patient had undergone joint fusion and the right knee could move from 0 degree to 100 degrees. At present, the patient is able to walk using crutches. These results demonstrate that good results can be obtained if bilateral anastomosis is possible in both knees.

Rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) can only detect high-degree hyperfibrinolysis (HF), despite being frequently used in trauma patients. We investigated whether considering FIBTEM HF (the presence of maximal lysis (ML) > 15%) could increase ROTEM-based HF detection’s sensitivity. This observational cohort study was performed at a level 1 trauma centre. Trauma patients with an Injury Severity Score (ISS) > 15 who underwent ROTEM in the emergency department between 2016 and 2017 were included. EXTEM HF was defined as ML > 15% in EXTEM. We compared mortality rates between EXTEM HF, FIBTEM HF, and non-HF patient groups. Overall, 402 patients were included, of whom 45% were men (mean age, 52.5 years; mean ISS, 27). The EXTEM HF (n = 37), FIBTEM HF (n = 132), and non-HF (n = 233) groups had mortality rates of 81.1%, 22.3%, and 10.3%, respectively. The twofold difference in mortality rates between the FIBTEM HF and non-HF groups remained statistically significant after Bonferroni correction (P = 0.01). On multivariable Cox regression analysis, FIBTEM HF was independently associated with in-hospital mortality (adjusted hazard ratio 2.15, 95% confidence interval 1.21–3.84, P = 0.009). Here, trauma patients with FIBTEM HF had significantly higher mortality rates than those without HF. FIBTEM be a valuable diagnostic method to improve HF detection’s sensitivity in trauma patients.

In this paper, a QR flyback converter using a self-driven active snubber (SDAS) was proposed to solve the problem of voltage surge in the switch of QR flyback converters. In the proposed converter, the SDAS consisting of a clamping capacitor and an active switch can be configured in parallel with the main switch or transformer to reduce the voltage surge in the switch. To confirm the steady-state characteristics of the QR flyback converter to which the proposed SDAS is applied, equivalent circuits for each state were constructed, and the equations and characteristics for each state were determined. A 60 W class small AC–DC adapter was constructed to confirm the effectiveness of the proposed converter and the control circuit method, and the experimental results were analyzed. The size of the experimental AC–DC adapter was 74×29×23mm, and it had a high power density of 20W/in3 or more. The experimental circuit was limited to the high power conversion efficiency of up to 91.56%, and the maximum voltage surge in the switch was approximately 450 V. One of the reasons for such high efficiency is the SDAS circuit, which sufficiently reduces the voltage surge of the QR flyback switch, compared with the RCD clamp circuit, and does not consume power in principle.

Although numerous cathode materials with excellent properties have been developed for use in molten salt thermal batteries, similar progress is yet to be made with anode materials. Herein, a high-performance lithium-impregnated metal foam anode (LIMFA) is fabricated by impregnating molten lithium into a gold-coated iron–chrome–aluminum (FeCrAl) foam at 400°C. A test cell employing the LIMFA FeCrAl anode exhibited a specific capacity of 2,627 As·g−1. For comparison, a cell with a conventional Li(Si) anode was also discharged, demonstrating a specific capacity of 982 As·g−1. This significant improvement in performance can be attributed to the large amount (18 wt.%) of lithium incorporated into the FeCrAl foam and the ability of the FeCrAl foam to absorb and immobilize molten lithium without adopting a cup system. For thermal batteries without a cup, the LIMFA FeCrAl provides the highest-reported specific capacity and a flat discharge voltage curve of molten lithium. After cell discharge, the FeCrAl foam exhibited no lithium leakage, surface damage, or structural collapse. Given these advantageous properties, in addition to its high specific capacity, LIMFA FeCrAl is expected to aid the development of thermal batteries with enhanced performance.

In this study, we propose the use of a short-distance and fixed-type wireless power transmission transformer via a half-bridge LLC resonant converter. A ceramic insulating layer was used instead of an air gap, meaning that the heat generated from the transformer core and the PCB winding was quickly transferred to the external metal case, with the ceramic insulating layer acting as a heat pipe. In order to stabilize the output voltage, we proposed the use of IR photo tunnel technology, and it was applied to two ceramic insulating layers so that the voltage error signal of the secondary output voltage could be transmitted as light to the primary side. As a result, it was possible to physically separate the primary and secondary sides of the power circuit centering on the ceramic insulating layer. The experiment was carried out with the input voltage of 400 V, the output voltage of 54 V, the maximum output power of 1 kW, and the switching frequency of 1.3 MHz or higher. As a result, the maximum operating frequency was 1.83 MHz, and the output voltage stability to the load was 0.49% or lower. The power density of the experimental circuit was 380 W/in3 or higher, and the maximum power conversion efficiency was approximately 93% or higher.

Over the last several decades, long-acting injections have been studied in order to overcome such problems as low bioavailability in the oral route, the short durations of action in conventional injection, and the poor medication adherence in patients. The authors classified long-acting injections into three categories, namely, molecular modification, nanovehicle carriers, and stimuli-responsive hydrogels. The mechanisms and practical cases of these long acting injectable formulations, including conventional and recent technologies, were described and discussed in this review. Long-acting injection formulations has been proven to be useful from a number of preclinical and clinical studies. Therefore, the long-acting injection technologies can be promising strategy for precision and personalized medicine if the characteristics of formulation such as extended release and the drug-targeting are used appropriately.

The correlation between primary Si and silicide refinement induced by ultrasonic treatment (UST) of multicomponent Al–Si alloy containing Ti, Zr, V, and P was investigated. UST significantly refined the primary Si phase owing to cavitation-induced wetting and deagglomeration of MgAl2O4 particles. Lowering the UST finish temperature caused deterioration of the degree of primary Si refinement, instead leading to silicide refinement. Cavitation-induced silicide nucleation on wetted MgAl2O4 consumed the MgAl2O4 particles, particularly in the case of primary Si nucleation. Similarly, the formation of an AlP phase on the silicide phase reduced the nucleation efficiency of the AlP phase. Poisoning of the MgAl2O4 and AlP phases by the silicide phase was responsible for the deterioration in primary Si refinement. Room-temperature tensile strength and high-temperature elongation were increased by UST and were dependent on the size of primary Si.

Objective: Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is the central hormone involved in mammalian reproduction, maturation at puberty, and gamete production that mediates its function by control of follicle growth and function. The present study investigated the mutations involved in the regulation of FSH receptor (FSHR) activation.Methods: We analyzed seven naturally-occurring mutations that were previously reported in human FSHR (hFSHR), in the context of equine FSHR (eFSHR); these include one constitutively activation variant, one allelic variant, and five inactivating variants. These mutations were introduced into wild-type eFSHR (eFSHR-wt) sequence to generate mutants that were designated as eFSHR-D566G, -A306T, -A189V, -N191I, -R572C, -A574V, and -R633H. Mutants were transfected into PathHunter EA-parental CHO-K1 cells expressing β-arrestin. The biological function of mutants was analyzed by quantitating cAMP accumulation in cells incubated with increasing concentrations of FSH.Results: Cells expressing eFSHR-D566G exhibited an 8.6-fold increase in basal cAMP response, as compared to that in eFSHR-wt. The allelic variation mutant eFSHR-A306T was not found to affect the basal cAMP response or half maximal effective concentration (EC50) levels. On the other hand, eFSHR-D566G and eFSHR-A306T displayed a 1.5- and 1.4-fold increase in the maximal response, respectively. Signal transduction was found to be completely impaired in case of the inactivating mutants eFSHR-A189V, -R572C, and -A574V. When compared with eFSHR-wt, eFSHR-N191I displayed a 5.4-fold decrease in the EC50 levels (3,910 ng/mL) and a 2.3-fold decrease in the maximal response. In contrast, cells expressing eFSHR-R633H displayed in a similar manner to that of the cells expressing the eFSHR-wt on signal transduction and maximal response.Conclusion: The activating mutant eFSHR-D566G greatly enhanced the signal transduction in response to FSH, in the absence of agonist treatment. We suggest that the state of activation of the eFSHR can modulate its basal cAMP accumulation.

Background Transverse acetabular fractures, although classified as elementary, have worse outcomes than other types of acetabular fractures. Prognostic factors for this fracture type are not clearly established. This study aimed to assess the surgical outcomes of transverse acetabular fractures and subtypes thereof and to investigate the prognostic factors. Methods Between 2014 and 2019, 39 patients (39 hips) had transverse fractures or subtypes thereof. We reviewed the surgical outcomes and evaluated patient factors, injury factors, and surgical factors in relation to osteoarthritis (OA) and conversion to total hip arthroplasty (THA). Additionally, we analyzed the cutoff values for postoperative residual gaps and steps. Results Twenty-three male patients and sixteen female with a mean age of 41.7 years (range, 18–78 years) were included. There were 29 satisfactory reductions (74.4%). Eleven hips (28.2%) developed OA, and five (12.8%) of them underwent THA. Dome impaction (odds ratio [OR], 41.173; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.804–939.814; p = 0.020) and residual gaps (OR, 4.251; 95% CI, 1.248–14.479; p = 0.021) were correlated with poor outcomes. Residual gaps (≥3 mm) and residual steps (≥1 mm) were significantly associated with OA. Conclusions Relatively poor reduction was found for transverse acetabular fractures and subtypes thereof. However, the rates of OA and conversion to THA were not high. Dome impaction and wide residual gaps were identified as risk factors for poor outcomes. The development of OA significantly increased if residual gap and step were more than 3 mm and 1 mm, respectively.

Background Septic arthritis of digits needs urgent treatment. When treatments delayed or insufficient, patients may be referred to the upper-level hospital due to uncontrolled infection. We reviewed the treatment history of referred patients and compared the microorganisms and the clinical course of both primary and referred patients as relevant studies are rare. Methods In this retrospective review of consecutive case series, 45 patients (primary, n = 11; referred, n = 34) were treated with multiple irrigation and debridement. Cefazolin was used as empiric antibiotics, then changed according to microbiologic study. Previously used antibiotics, treatment delay, surgical history of the referred patients were reviewed. Identified microorganisms, required surgical intervention, hospital stay, radiologic outcome, functional outcomes were compared between both groups. Results In the referred patients, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was commonly found and cefazolin was susceptible in only 15% of the cases. Longer hospital stay, prolonged antibiotic therapy, more surgical intervention including flap surgery was required to treat the referred patients. Postoperative pain was not severe in daily activities, but the final range of motion was significantly less in the referred patients compared to the primary patients. Conclusions This study suggests that in the treatment of uncontrolled septic arthritis of the digits, antibiotic agents covering MRSA may shorten the duration of antibiotic therapy in areas of high MRSA incidence. Besides, more number of I & D including flap surgery may be required for the referred patients compared with the primary patients. These findings can help the surgeon in setting up a treatment plan or in counseling of referred patients with uncontrolled septic arthritis of the digits.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and effect of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) injection for lateral malleolar (LM) bursitis. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed data of 49 consecutive patients (49 ankles) who received TA injection between March 2016 and March 2019. All cases received 1 ml (40 mg) of TA injection after aspiration of fluid in the LM bursal sac. Subsequently, the ankle was compressed with an elastic cohesive bandage for 2 weeks. Treatment responses were assessed according to the degree of fluctuation, shrinkage of the bursal sac, and soft tissue swelling. We used the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and complications at 2 and 4 weeks and at 3 and 6 months after TA injection. Results: Forty-four patients (89.8%) experienced complete resolution, four (8.2%) had partial resolution, and one (2.0%) had no resolution after the first or second TA injection. The physical component scores of SF-36 improved from 72.8 ± 6.0 to 82.3 ± 6.5 at the last follow-up ( p < 0.001). Associated complications included skin atrophy in three patients (6.1%) and transient hyperglycemia in four (8.2%). Conclusion: TA injection is an effective and safe procedure for LM bursitis. It should be considered as a primary treatment method.

Strain M1-21T is a Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic and short-rod-shaped bacterium, motile by means of a single polar flagellum; it was isolated from freshwater sediment in Korea. It grew at 10–40 °C (optimum 25 °C), pH 6.0–8.0 (optimum pH 7.0) and with 0–0.75 % (w/v) NaCl (optimal growth occurred in the absence of NaCl) on R2A agar, and it accumulated poly-β-hydroxybutyrate granules inside the cells. According to 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain M1-21T showed highest sequence similarity with Uliginosibacterium gangwonense (94.7 %) and Uliginosibacterium paludis (94.4 %). Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain M1-21T belongs to the genus Uliginosibacterium . The DNA G+C content of strain M1-21T was 61.9 mol%. The predominant respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-8. The major fatty acids (>10 % of the total) were C16 : 0 and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω6c and/or C16 : 1 ω7c), and the major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine. Strain M1-21T showed distinct phenotypic characteristics that differentiated it from species of the genus Uliginosibacterium . Based on these results, strain M1-21T represents a novel species of the genus Uliginosibacterium , for which the name Uliginosibacterium sediminicola sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is M1-21T (=KACC 19271T=JCM 32000T).

A mechanism describing the synergistic effect of ultrasonic melt treatment (UST) and subsequent fast cooling on the refinement of primary Si particles in a hypereutectic Al−Si alloy was investigated by examining inoculant particles via high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, serial sectioning, and melt filtration. The application of UST activated non-wetting MgAl2O4 particles with diameters of ∼0.5 μm to nucleate the primary Si phase. The cavitation-enhanced wetting of MgAl2O4 particles caused the formation of the AlP phase at the MgAl2O4 interface, further improving the nucleation potential. The cavitation-enhanced wetting and dispersion of inclusions (such as MgAl2O4) also resulted in the refinement and de-agglomeration of AlP particles. The UST-induced changes to the inoculant particles ultimately increased their number density, and the observed effects became more pronounced after increasing the degree of undercooling up to 20 K, leading to enhanced refinement of primary Si particles at higher cooling rates (up to 102 K s−1).

A novel Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile and short-rod-shaped bacterium, designated RP18T, was isolated from forest soil in Gwang-ju, Republic of Korea. Growth occurred at 15–30 °C (optimum 30 °C), pH 6.0–7.0 (optimum pH 7.0), and was inhibited in the presence of normal saline. According to the 16S rRNA gene sequence, strain RP18T showed the highest sequence similarity to Sphingomonas kyeonggiensis THG-DT81T (96.0 %), followed by Sphingomonas pituitosa EDIVT (95.4 %) and Sphingomonas dokdonensis DS-4T (95.2 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain RP18T was clustered with Sphingomonas gimensis 9PNM-6T and Sphingomonas jejuensis MS-31T under the genus Sphingomonas . The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain RP18T was 61.5 mol%. The major cellular fatty acids (>6 % of the total) were C16 : 0, C14 : 0 2-OH, C17 : 1ω6с, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7с and/or C16 : 1ω6с) and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7с and/or C18 : 1ω6с). Ubiquinone-10 (Q-10) and sym-homospermidine were detected as the predominant respiratory quinone and major compound in the polyamine pattern, respectively. The major polar lipids of the isolate consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, phospholipid and sphingoglycolipid. Based on phylogenetic analysis and physiological and biochemical characterization, strain RP18T represents a novel species of the genus Sphingomonas , for which the name Sphingomonas silvisoli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is RP18T (=KACC 18914T=JCM 31801T).

This paper shows that the addition of transition elements significantly influences the microstructure and tensile properties of Al–12Si alloy cast under ultrasonic melt treatment (UST). The alloys contained primary Si, eutectic Si and a variety of intermetallic compounds (IMCs); the addition of Mn and Ni changed the solidification sequence by forming primary α-Al15(Fe,Mn)4Si2 and e-Al3Ni prior to primary Si formation. The primary Si and primary IMCs competitively consumed the nucleation sites introduced by UST, thereby influencing their refining efficiencies; the efficiency of primary Si refinement by UST increased with increasing the fraction of primary Si formed prior to IMC formation, whereas it deteriorated with increasing primary IMC fraction. The refining efficiency of eutectic Si and eutectic IMCs was not affected by the type and fraction of the primary phase. Using a Ti sonotrode for UST caused Ti contamination, resulting in grain refinement by forming Ti(Al,Si)3 particles and increasing the amount of Ti solutes. Regardless of transition elements content, the application of UST improved the tensile strength at 25 °C and 350 °C. The refinement of IMCs caused by UST allowed the alloy to contain more IMCs without deterioration of room-temperature tensile strength. This enhanced the increment of high-temperature tensile strength by IMCs. Ductility of heavily alloyed systems was also improved by UST.

The effects of aging temperature (25–220 °C) on precipitation behavior and the resulting alloy strength were characterized for the Al–6Mg–9Si–10Cu–10Zn–3Ni (wt%) natural composite. At an aging temperature of 25 °C, spherical and ellipsoidal Guinier–Preston (GP) zones (Zn clusters) are formed within the Al matrix. The fastest kinetics of Zn clustering is exhibited at 70 °C, which is caused by the combined effects of accelerated Zn diffusion and decreased phase thermal stability with increasing aging temperature. Thus, the Zn clusters and precipitates are formed prior to those of Cu (GPI and θ'') at 70 °C. As the precipitation kinetics of θ accelerates and Zn decelerates at above 70 °C, the precipitation sequence changes at 170 °C; clusters and precipitates of Cu are formed prior to those of Zn at this temperature. At an aging temperature of 220 °C (above the solvus of hcp Zn), θ'-Al2Cu and Q′-Al4CuMg6Si6 phases are mainly precipitated instead of Zn clusters and precipitates. The matrix strengthening induced by the fine clusters and precipitates that form below 70 °C results in a significant improvement in the strength of the composite. However, high-temperature aging has only a small strengthening effect due to the lower matrix hardening caused by precipitate coarsening and the softening caused by the decreased volume fraction and spheroidization of the secondary phases.

The precipitation behavior of the multicomponent Al–6Mg–9Si–10Cu–10Zn–3Ni (wt%) alloy was investigated during artificial aging at 120 °C through complementary experimental methods including hardness and electrical resistivity measurements, compression testing, differential scanning calorimetry, and transmission electron microscopy. The solution treatment causes the dissolution of the preexisting θ-Al 2 Cu and hcp Zn phases, thereby increasing the concentrations of Zn and Cu species in the Al matrix. During aging, two resistivity peaks (I R , II R ) become visible followed by the appearance of the related hardness peaks (I H , II H ). Spherical Guinier-Preston (GP) zones are formed first and then subsequently transformed into ellipsoidal GP zones. The former process results in the appearance of the I R peak, while the latter process produces the I H peak. During transformation of the ellipsoidal GP zones to hcp Zn, GPI zones are additionally formed, leading to the appearance of II R . The following transformation of the GPI zones into the θ''-Al 3 Cu phase leads to the appearance of the II H peak. Both the ellipsoidal GP zones and hcp Zn phases contain large quantities of Cu atoms, while the θ''-Al 3 Cu phase does not have any Zn atoms. Based on these insights into the structural and chemical compositional evolution of complex precipitates, the strengthening mechanism of the multicomponent alloy during aging has been established.

Background: Because the use of magnetic resonance imaging is still not universal for the patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip patients, orthopaedists do not generally distinguish widened joint spaces which are “empty” after primary treatment (and therefore still reducible), from those which are filled and much more difficult to treat. To date no studies have focused on the latter hips. We treated and observed the outcomes for 19 hips which showed filled joint spaces after primary treatment. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 19 cases of developmental dysplasia of the hip: (1) who showed a widened joint space on radiographs after primary treatment; and (2) whose magnetic resonance imaging showed that the widened joint space was accompanied by acetabular cartilage hypertrophy and/or was filled with fibrous tissues. All patients were over 1 year old at the time of primary reduction (reduction was closed in 4 patients, open in 6, and open with pelvic osteotomy in 9). Thirteen patients received at least 1 secondary treatment. Final results were classified using a modified Severin classification. Results: Final outcomes were satisfactory in 10 (52.6%) and unsatisfactory in 9 (47.4%). The widened joint spaces gradually filled with bone, resulting in a shallow acetabulum in the patients with unsatisfactory results. Of 9 patients who underwent combined pelvic osteotomy at the time of primary reduction, results were satisfactory in 6 (66.7%), whereas all patients who had only closed or open primary reduction had unsatisfactory results. Conclusions: Combined pelvic osteotomy at the time of primary reduction is advisable in hips with widened joint spaces. However, hips with filled joint spaces after primary treatment often have unsatisfactory results even after additional pelvic and/or femoral osteotomy. Level of Evidence: Level IV—prognostic study.

A novel aerobic, Gram-stain-negative and non-motile bacterial strain, designated ED7T, was isolated from grass-field soil in Cheonan, Korea. Strain ED7T utilized methanol and methylamine, but not formate, as carbon and energy sources. The strain was able to grow at 20–42 °C (optimum 30–35 °C), at pH 7.0–8.5 (optimum pH 7.5–8.0), and in the absence of NaCl. According to the similarities of the 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain ED7T was most closely related to the genera Labrenzia (≤93.3 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Pleomorphomonas (≤93.1 %) and Prosthecomicrobium (≤93.1 %). A phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain ED7T revealed that it was affiliated with the family Methylocystaceae , being most closely related to the genus Pleomorphomonas . In contrast to Pleomorphomonas koreensis and Pleomorphomonas oryzae, strain ED7T did not contain the nifH gene. The DNA G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain ED7T was 71.8 mol%. The predominant fatty acids of strain ED7T were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c), summed feature 2 (C14 : 0 3-OH, and/or C16 : 1 iso I), 11-methyl C18 : 1ω7c and C16 : 0 3-OH. The major isoprenoid quinone was ubiquinone 10 (Q-10). The major polar lipids were phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and an unknown aminophospholipid. Based on phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic characteristic data, strain ED7T could be differentiated from other genera, suggesting that strain ED7T represents a novel species of a new genus in the family Methylocystaceae , for which the name Chthonobacter albigriseus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species is ED7T (=JCM 30603T=KCTC 42450T).