Ba4GeSb2Se11: An Infrared Nonlinear Optical Crystal with a V-Shaped Se32- Group Possessing a Large Contribution to the SHG Response.

The quaternary selenide Ba4GeSb2Se11 was prepared by a high-temperature solid state reaction method. Ba4GeSb2Se11 crystallizes in an acentric orthorhombic space group Cmc21 with the lattice constants a = 9.370(11) Å, b = 25.850(0) Å, and c = 8.798(10) Å. The compound is composed of a [SbSe3]3- trigonal pyramid, [GeSbSe5]3- dimers, V-shaped Se32-, and the adjacent Ba2+ ions. It has indirect band gap of 1.35 eV and exhibits a second harmonic generation intensity of about 0.2 times that of the benchmark compound AgGaS2 at the same particle size. Interestingly, theoretical analyses show that the central Se atom of Se32- has the largest contribution (8.1%) to d31 compared to that of other Se atoms, which may be due to its easy swing in the a-axis direction.

A retrospective study of orthodontic treatment on anterior tooth displacement caused by periodontal disease.

ABSTRACT: This retrospective study aimed to explore the effect of orthodontic treatment (ODT) on anterior tooth displacement (ATD) caused by periodontal disease (PD).A total of 72 patients were selected and were divided into a control group (n = 36) and an experimental group (n = 36). Patients in both groups received conventional periodontal treatment. In addition, patients in the experimental group also received ODT. Outcomes include probing depth, percentage of bleeding sites, clinical attachment loss, clinical crown length, tooth root length, and periodontal tissue of the affected tooth (alveolar bone height, periodontal pocket depth, bleeding index).After treatment, the patients in the experimental group achieved more improvements in probing depth (P < .01), percentage of bleeding sites (P < .01), clinical attachment loss (P < .01), clinical crown length (P = .04), and periodontal tissue of the affected tooth (periodontal pocket depth (P < .01), and bleeding index (P < .01)), than those of patients in the control group.This study suggests that ODT is beneficial for ATD caused by PD. Future studies are still needed to verify the findings of this study.

Gamma Knife Radiosurgery of the Superior Laryngeal Neuralgia: A Report of 3 Cases.

BACKGROUND: Superior laryngeal neuralgia (SLN) is a relatively rare disorder that is characterized by neck pain. There are only a few reported cases and treatment options for SLN to date. In this study, we report 3 patients with SLN who were treated with Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) at the time of diagnosis. CASE DESCRIPTION: For all 3 patients, GKRS was administered using a 4-mm collimator to deliver a single shot of 80 Gy of radiation (100% isodose line). The target was set at the jugular foramen where the vagus and glossopharyngeal nerves emerge from the skull. Follow-up assessments were performed at 32, 31, and 30 months after GKRS. The 3 patients described pain relief at 3 months, 2 days, and 6 weeks. None of the patients developed neurologic deficits during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary report provides encouraging evidence that GKRS represents an effective, safe, and relatively durable noninvasive treatment option for patients with SLN.

Theoretical Evaluation of Terahertz Sources Generated From SnGa4 Q7 (Q=S, Se) as Infrared Nonlinear Optical Materials.

We theoretically evaluated the integrated knowledge that contributes to conversion efficiency, including the phonon, photon, and electron properties of infrared nonlinear optical materials such as SnGa4 Q7 (Q=S, Se), which are terahertz (THz) sources. Specifically, we developed a new formula to calculate the susceptibility of the difference frequency generation (DFG) optical process. By evaluating the characteristics of the materials themselves in the THz region, we found that a larger nonlinear susceptibility or a large figure of merit resulted in a large efficiency of the THz source by comparing the findings of SnGa4 Se7 and SnGa4 S7 under the same experimental conditions; furthermore, THz absorption was found to reduce the efficiency of the THz source for the two SnGa4 Q7 (Q=S, Se) materials. The efficiency of the THz source also depended on the experimental conditions. A large crystal size, strong pump intensity, and small THz wavelength resulted in better efficiency of the THz source based on the DFG process. The efficiency was found to be a comprehensive index to evaluate the THz source based on the DFG process.

Overexpression of Tau Rescues Nogo-66-Induced Neurite Outgrowth Inhibition In Vitro.

Nogo-66 plays a central role in the myelin-mediated inhibition of neurite outgrowth. Tau is a microtubule-associated protein involved in microtubule assembly and stabilization. It remains unverified whether tau interacts directly with growth factor receptors, or engages in cross-talk with regeneration inhibitors like Nogo-66. Here, we report that plasmid overexpression of tau significantly elevated the protein levels of total tau, phosphorylated tau, and microtubule-affinity regulating kinase (MARK). Nogo-66 transiently elevated the total tau protein level and persistently reduced the level of p-S262 tau (tau phosphorylated at serine 262), whereas it had little influence on the level of p-T205 tau (tau phosphorylated at threonine 205). Nogo-66 significantly decreased the protein level of MARK. Hymenialdisine, an inhibitor of MARK, significantly reduced the level of p-S262 tau. Overexpression of tau rescued the Nogo-66-induced inhibition of neurite outgrowth in neuroblastoma 2a (N2a) cells and primary cortical neurons. However, concomitant inhibition of MARK abolished the rescue of neurite outgrowth by tau in N2a cells. We conclude that dephosphorylation of tau at S262 is able to regulate Nogo-66 signaling, and that overexpression of tau can rescue the Nogo-66-induced inhibition of neurite outgrowth in vitro.

Healing of Deep Wound Infection without Removal of Non-Absorbable Dura Mater (Neuro-Patch®): A Case Report.

We report on a female patient who received microvascular decompression due to hemifacial spasm. Neuro-Patch® was used during the operation to repair and replace damaged dura mater. Six days after the operation, the incision wound was found to be infected. Abscesses were present deep in the incision. However, because the artificial dura mater was attached so tightly to the original dura mater, the infection was not able to spread inside the skull. After 3 months of meticulous wound cleaning and drug treatment to promote the growth of granulation tissue, we were able to gradually achieve healing of the infection without having to remove the non-absorbable artificial dura mater. By describing this case and the results of a review of the pertinent literature, we discuss the possibility of recovery of an infection without removal of artificial dura mater.

MARK2 Rescues Nogo-66-Induced Inhibition of Neurite Outgrowth via Regulating Microtubule-Associated Proteins in Neurons In Vitro.

The ability of neurons in the adult mammalian central nervous system (CNS) to regenerate after injury is limited by inhibitors in CNS myelin. Nogo-66 is the most important myelin inhibitor but the mechanisms of Nogo-66 inhibition of neurite outgrowth remain poorly understood. Particularly, the relationship between Nogo-66 and microtubule-affinity regulating kinase 2 (MARK2) has not been examined. This study investigated the role of MARK2 in Nogo-66 inhibition and the function of MARK2 in neurite elongation in neurons in vitro. MARK2 and phosphorylated MARK2 at Ser212 (p-Ser212) alterations in Neuro 2a cells were assessed at different Nogo-66 exposure times; the relationships between MARK2 and microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) were determined via the overexpression or interference of MARK2. Our study reports that Nogo-66 inhibited the expression of total MARK2 but also reduced Ser212 phosphorylation of MARK2, whereas levels of MAP1-b and tau varied depending on MARK2 overexpression or reduced expression. Furthermore, MARK2 increased the proportion of tyrosinated α-tubulin, thereby disrupting the stability of tubulin, most likely affecting axonal growth. In line with these results, overexpression of MARK2 promoted neurite elongation and therefore is able to rescue the inhibitory effect of Nogo-66 on neurite growth. In conclusion, the intracellular PKB/MARK2/MAPs/α-tubulin pathway appears to be essential for neurite elongation in neurons in vitro. These results suggest a critical role for MARK2 in overcoming Nogo-66-induced inhibition of axon outgrowth in neurons. Pharmacological activators of MARK2 may be applicable to promote successful axonal outgrowth following many types of CNS injuries.

New facile method for the preparation of M3B7O13I boracites (M = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cd).

Five iodine boracites, M(3)B(7)O(13)I (M = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cd), have been synthesized by reactions of metal oxide, B(2)O(3), element B, and I(2) at intermediate temperature above 350 °C. Powder X-ray diffraction analyses verify the identities and purity of the products, which are also confirmed by magnetic property measurement. Except safe, cheap, and convenient, this novel method is significantly flexible in the selection of the starting metal oxide. The influence of the reaction temperature and time has also been studied.

Pb2B5O9I: an iodide borate with strong second harmonic generation.

The combination of lone-pair effects on Pb(2+) cations and the smaller electronegativity of I(-) anions into the pentaborate framework generates a phase-matchable material, Pb(2)B(5)O(9)I, with the largest powder SHG response among borates, about 13.5 times that of KDP (KH(2)PO(4)), and transparency over the near-UV to middle-IR region. DFT calculations on electronic structure and cutoff-energy-dependent SHG coefficients confirm these origins.

Continuous band-gap reduction on ZnO submicrorods via covering with ZnS(1-x)Se(x) or ZnSe(1-x)Te(x) alloy in core/sheath morphology.

Submicrosized alloy cables of ZnO/w-ZnS(1-x)Se(x) (0 < x < 1) and ZnO/s-ZnSe(1-x)Te(x) (0.8 < or = x < 1) have been prepared. The lattice parameters of the sheath show linear compositional dependence following Vegard's law. The composition-band gap dependence follows the trend of E(g)(ZnO/w-ZnS(1-x)Se(x))(x) = 3.60 - 1.77x + 0.87x(2) (0.22 < or = x < or = 1), E(g)(ZnO/w-ZnS(1-x)Se(x)) = 3.25 eV (0 < or = x < or = 0.22), and E(g)(ZnO/s-ZnSe(1-x)Te(x))(x) = 2.65 - 1.82x + 1.41x(2) (0 < or = x < or = 1), respectively. The continuous band-gap modulations on ZnO-based heterostructures are associated with the core/sheath morphology and the nature of the sheath alloys.

Submicrosized rods, cables, and tubes of ZnE (E = S, Se, Te): exterior-interior boron-chalcogen conversions and optical properties.

The submicrosized ZnE rods, ZnO/ZnE cables, and ZnE tubes (E = S, Se, Te) have been synthesized via exterior-to-interior boron-chalcogen corrosions on the initial ZnO rods. The products are well characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, and elemental analyses. The morphologies of both ZnE rods and ZnO/ZnE cables are roughly comparable to that of ZnO. The measured optical gaps of the ZnE rods are in agreement with those of the corresponding bulk materials, and the ZnO/ZnE cables exhibit type-I excitonic localization that is restrained in the region of the narrower band gap component.

Ca6Cu2Sn7: novel 3D open framework with unusual Sn4 tetramers.

The new ternary polar intermetallic phase, Ca6Cu2Sn7, has been synthesized by the solid-state reaction of the stoichiometric mixture of the pure elements in welded Ta tubes at high temperature. Its structure was established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Ca6Cu2Sn7 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/m (No. 12) with cell parameters of a=14.257(7), b=4.564(2), and c=12.376(7) A, beta=93.979(6) degrees, V=803.3(7) A3, and Z=2. The structure of Ca6Cu2Sn7 belongs to a new structure type and features a 3D anionic open-framework composed of [Cu2Sn3] layers interconnected by unusual Sn4 tetramers, forming large tunnels along the b axis which are composed of Cu4Sn12 16-membered rings. The calcium atoms are located in these large tunnels. Ca6Cu2Sn7 is metallic and exhibits temperature-independent paramagnetism.

Vertex operator algebras, the Verlinde conjecture, and modular tensor categories.

Let V be a simple vertex operator algebra satisfying the following conditions: (i) V(n)) = 0 for n < 0, V(0)=C1, and the contragredient module V' is isomorphic to V as a V-module; (ii) every N-gradable weak V-module is completely reducible; (iii) V is C(2)-cofinite. We announce a proof of the Verlinde conjecture for V, that is, of the statement that the matrices formed by the fusion rules among irreducible V-modules are diagonalized by the matrix given by the action of the modular transformation tau |--> -1/tau on the space of characters of irreducible V-modules. We discuss some consequences of the Verlinde conjecture, including the Verlinde formula for the fusion rules, a formula for the matrix given by the action of tau |--> -1/tau, and the symmetry of this matrix. We also announce a proof of the rigidity and nondegeneracy property of the braided tensor category structure on the category of V-modules when V satisfies in addition the condition that irreducible V-modules not equivalent to V have no nonzero elements of weight 0. In particular, the category of V-modules has a natural structure of modular tensor category.