Gains and losses of the XII-VII component of the "baby-sitter" procedure: a morphometric analysis

The classic hypoglossal transfer to the facial nerve is invariably followed by complications caused by tongue atrophy. In 1984, Terzis introduced the "baby-sitter" procedure which involved a formal cross-facial procedure, in addition to partial neurectomy of the hypoglossal nerve, and an end-to-side coaptation with the ipsilateral facial nerve. This reported study provides, for the first time, quantification of the number of hypoglossal motor fibers needed to successfully restore eye sphincter function, using an end-to-side coaptation with preservation of the tongue. Thirty adult Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into six groups: control, denervated, perineurial window, 20 percent partial neurectomy (PN), 40 percent PN, and 80 percent PN. The procedure involves interposing a nerve graft (saphenous) between the partially severed XII nerve and the upper zygomatic branch of the facial nerve. Evaluation of the behavioral data (blink reflex) revealed good-to-superb return of the blinking mechanism in the 40 percent group, without significant tongue atrophy. Electrophysiologic data in the 40 percent neurectomy group demonstrated superiority to the other groups. Quantitative axonal morphometry of the coaptation sites and graft, as well as motor end-plates of the orbicularis oculi muscle and tongue showed the 40 percent partial neurectomy group to be the optimal group.     

Preparation and characterizations of V2AlC-Al2O3 composite produced via spark plasma sintering

A 2:1:1 MAX phase, V₂AlC, composited with Al₂O₃ is prepared using spark plasma sintering (SPS). To obtain a sample with suitable physical and mechanical properties, an especial current rate regime is carried out for SPS. Different final temperatures of the synthesis (1000, 1200, 1400, and 1500°C) are considered (named S1000, S1200, S1400, and S1500, respectively). Phase analysis, physical and mechanical properties characterizations, and morphology of the samples are performed to determine the quality of the samples. The best characterizations belong to the samples of S1400 and S1500. Bending strengths about 325 and 316 MPa are obtained for the samples of S1400 and S1500, respectively. Regarding the total MAX phases formation and strength, the optimum sample is S1400. However, regarding bulk density, wear resistance, and hardness, S1500 has an advantage over the S1400. The advantages of S1500, as well as its larger grain size, are attributed to the better sintering of Al₂O₃.     

Melamine–formaldehyde curing acceleration by TiO2-based silver-white pigments catalysis

European Journal of Wood and Wood Products - The preparation of melamine–formaldehyde (MF) resins for paper impregnation for wood panels laminating was found to be catalyzed by TiO2-mica...     

Synthesis and electrochemical characterization of F- and Cl-doped Li2FeSiO4 cathode material for lithium-ion battery

Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics - As a high-capacity cathode material with a considerable cycle life, lithium metal orthosilicates have attracted much attention. In this...