Search

When lubrication of rolling bearings with oil or grease is not possible, for example because the lubricant evaporates in vacuum, solid lubrication by multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) is a viable alternative. To understand the mechanisms underlying MWCNT lubrication of highly loaded contacts, we combine an experimental approach with large-scale molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Tribometry is performed on ground iron plates coated with two different types of MWCNTs by electrophoretic deposition. Although structural differences in the MWCNT materials result in slightly different running-in behavior, most of the tests converge to a steady-state coefficient of friction of 0.18. The resulting wear tracks and tribolayers are subjected to structural and chemical characterization and suggest a tribo-induced phase transformation resulting in tribolayers that consist of MWCNT fragments, iron oxide, and iron carbide nanoparticles embedded in an amorphous carbon matrix. Covalent bonding of the tribolayer to the iron surface and low carbon transfer to the alumina counter body indicate sliding at the tribolayer/ball interface as the dominant mechanism underlying MWCNT solid lubrication. MD simulations of nascent a-C tribofilms lubricated by MWCNT bundles and stacks of crossed MWCNTs reveal two different sliding regimes: a low-load regime that leaves the MWCNTs intact and a high-load regime with partial collapse of the tube structure and formation of a-C regions. The critical load for this transition increases with the filling ratio of the MWCNT and the packing density of the stacks. The former determines the stability of the MWCNT, while the latter controls the local stresses at the MWCNT crossings. For both MWCNT materials, the high-load regime is predicted for the experimental loads. This is confirmed by a remarkable agreement between transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomistic simulation images. Based on the findings of this work, a multistep lubrication mechanism is formulated for MWCNT coatings rubbing against alumina on an iron substrate.

We investigate the experimentally challenging CrCl3 surface by photon energy dependent photoemission (PE).

Introduction and Aim: Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a B cell lymphoma, the diagnosis of which is characterized by the presence of neoplastic Hodgkin’s/Reed Sternberg cells (HRS) and the unique cellular microenvironment. Clinical examinations, morphology and immunophenotypic study aids in the accurate diagnosis of Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL). The literature available on the clinicopathological and immunohistochemistry (IHC) profile of Hodgkin’s lymphoma in Indian population is inadequate. This study was carried out to describe the clinicopathological and immunohistochemical profile of patients in an Indian tertiary care hospital. Methodology: An observational, descriptive study was carried out and included all diagnosed cases of nodal HL for a period of 4 and half years. The demographic details and common clinical presentation were retrieved from the records. The Haematoxylin and eosin (H and E) slides and IHC stained slides for CD15, CD30, CD20, LCA and CD3 were retrieved and studied. Each case was assigned to one of the following histological subtypes. mixed cellularity (MC), nodular sclerosis (NS), lymphocyte rich (LR), lymphocyte depleted (LD) and nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NLPHL). Those cases where histological subtyping could not be done due to equivocal features were grouped as unclassifiable. Results: A total number of 65 cases of Hodgkin’s lymphoma were included. A unimodal distribution and male preponderance was noted. The subtype of Mixed cellularity predominated the series followed by nodular sclerosis, lymphocyte rich and lymphocyte depleted. There was only one case of Nodular Lymphocyte Predominant Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Immunoreactivity of CD 30 was seen in all cases of classical Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Conclusion: Our study reaffirms the findings from previous research ,highlighting the difference in clinicopathological profile of HL from its western counterpart. The usage of immunohistochemistry should be done for all cases of HL since it aids in the diagnosis and also in identification of potential therapeutic targets.

The coronavirus pandemic has made remote working very common. Increasingly, in an effort to make the conditions for performing work within the workplace more attractive, employers are currently allowing employees to provide work from abroad, where employees can indulge in leisure activities at the end of the working day. This new trend may raise the question of its legal qualification. It should be recognized that it is working time, which may consequently lead to problems in determining the law applicable, as well as applicable social security legislation. This article aims to indicate what risks the provision of workation may entail

Thin Ge layers deposited on Si(105) form a stable single-domain film structure with large terraces and rebonded-step surface termination, thus realizing an extended and ordered Ge/Si planar hetero-junction. At the coverage of four Ge monolayers angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy reveals the presence of two-dimensional surface and film bands displaying energy-momentum dispersion compatible with the 5x4 periodicity of the system. The good agreement between experiment and first-principles electronic structure calculations confirms the validity of the rebonded-step structural model. The direct observation of surface features within 1 eV below the valence band maximum corroborates previously reported analysis of the electronic and optical behavior of the Ge/Si hetero-interface., 15 pages, 5 figures

Somatostatin receptor (SSTR) agonists have been extensively used for treating neuroendocrine tumors. Synthetic therapeutic agonists showing selectivity for SSTR2 (Octreotide) or for SSTR2 and SSTR5 (Pasireotide) have been approved for the treatment of patients with acromegaly and Cushing’s syndrome, as their pituitary tumors highly express SSTR2 or SSTR2/SSTR5, respectively. Nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs), which express high levels of SSTR3 and show only modest response to currently available SSTR agonists, are often invasive and cannot be completely resected, and therefore easily recur. The aim of the present study was the evaluation of ITF2984, a somatostatin analog and full SSTR3 agonist, as a new potential treatment for NFPAs. ITF2984 shows a 10-fold improved affinity for SSTR3 compared to Octreotide or Pasireotide. Molecular modeling and NMR studies indicated that the higher affinity for SSTR3 correlates with a higher stability of a distorted β-I turn in the cyclic peptide backbone. ITF2984 induces receptor internalization and phosphorylation, and triggers G-protein signaling at pharmacologically relevant concentrations. Furthermore, ITF2984 displays antitumor activity that is dependent on SSTR3 expression levels in the MENX (homozygous mutant) NFPA rat model, which closely recapitulates human disease. Therefore, ITF2984 may represent a novel therapeutic option for patients affected by NFPA.

The present study was conducted to find out the effectiveness of planned teaching programme (PTP) on prevention of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) among antenatal mothers in selected PHCs at Mangalore. The purpose of this study to educate the antenatal mothers to take care of themselves at home and day to day activities to maintain stranger vigilance for early signs of GDM and its complications and seek medical aid immediately. However, there is lack of knowledge and practice regarding the preventive measures of GDM. This study is aimed at improving the knowledge of antenatal mothers on prevention of GDM. An evaluatory research approach with one group pre-test post test design was used for this study. The sample consisted of 50 antenatal mothers. Samples are selected by purposive sampling technique. The study was conducted in PHCs and Lady Goschen Hospital at Mangalore. Data were collected by administering structured interview schedule prior and after the administration of planned teaching programme. The collected data were analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics. Conceptual framework based on Rosenstoch’s (1974) and Becker and Maiman’s (1975) health belief model was used in this study.The study findings revealed that knowledge gained through PTP was good, as it was evident with high significance (t49=22.8547, p1= 18) and pre-test (X2= 27) knowledge score. Area-wise pre-test and post-test knowledge score of antenatal mothers shows higher mean percentage score (92%) in the area of prevention and least mean percentage score (87%) in the area GDM. Paired‘t’ test was used for the area wise comparison between pre-test and post-test knowledge score on prevention of GDM and was found to be highly significant. Chi-square was computed to test the association between pre-test knowledge score and selected demographic variables of antenatal mothers. However there was no significant association between the pre-test knowledge score and selected demographic variables like age, education, occupation, income and gravid at 0.05 level of significance. PTP is given through flip chart, charts, Power-Point and demonstration was found for an effective strategy for providing information and for improving the knowledge of antenatal mothers, and prevention of GDM. It was well appreciated and accepted by the antenatal mothers. The result of the study showed great need for health personnel to educate the antenatal mothers regarding prevention and promotion of health.

PurposeTo analyse the association between the mortality during the summer 2022 and either high temperatures or the COVID-19 wave with data from the Catalan Health Care System (7.8 million people).MethodsWe performed a retrospective study using publicly available data of meteorological variables, influenza-like illness (ILI) cases (including COVID-19) and deaths. The study comprises the summer months of the years 2021 and 2022. To compare the curves of mortality, ILI and temperature we calculated the z-score of each series. We assessed the observed lag between curves using the cross-correlation function. Finally, we calculated the correlation between the z-scores using the Pearson correlation coefficient (R2).ResultsDuring the study period, 33,967 deaths were reported in Catalonia (16,416 in the summer of 2021 and 17,551 in the summer of 2022). In 2022, the observed lag and the correlation between the z-scores of temperature and all-cause deaths was 3 days and R2 = 0.86, while between ILI and all-cause deaths was 22 days and R2 = 0.21. This high correlation between temperature and deaths increased up to 0.91 when we excluded those deaths reported as COVID-19 deaths, while the correlation between ILI and non-COVID-19 deaths decreased to −0.19. No correlation was observed between non-COVID deaths and temperature or ILI cases in 2021.ConclusionOur study suggests that the main cause of the increase in deaths during summer 2022 in Catalonia was the high temperatures and its duration. The contribution of the COVID-19 seems to be limited.

Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement (OAE) is a carbon dioxide (CO2) removal technology with one of the largest potentials, which simultaneously decreases the pressure of ocean acidification. Most of the current understanding of OAE stems from numerical models. However, two recent studies have shown that secondary calcium carbonate (CaCO3) precipitation can occur at unexpectedly low saturation state, when using particle based OAE feedstocks. This is undesirable as it reduces OAE efficiency and can lead to “runaway CaCO3 precipitation”.Both mineral dissolution kinetics and secondary CaCO3 precipitation are influenced by the physical and environmental properties of mineral feedstock and seawater. For example, the surface area of particles in suspension is an important factor for dissolution kinetics of minerals, as well as secondary CaCO3 precipitation kinetics. Furthermore, CaCO3 precipitation depends directly on the concentrations of calcium (Ca2+) and carbonate ions (CO32-) in seawater. The higher their concentrations, the more likely CaCO3 will precipitate. Since Ca2+ concentration have a positive correlation with salinity in the open ocean, variations in seawater salinity could be an important modifier.Here, we present experimental data on the effects of grain size and salinity on the kinetics of brucite (magnesium hydroxide) dissolution and secondary CaCO3 precipitation. Preliminary results on the effect of grain size suggest that CaCO3 precipitation for medium sized particles (63-180 µm) is slower. At larger grain size, the slower dissolution rate, as of the smaller surface area, leads to more quickly measurable CaCO3 precipitation. At smaller grain size, it is the greater surface area that seems to increase the CaCO3 precipitation rate.For salinity, first results suggest that dissolution rates increase towards lower salinities, while CaCO3 precipitates quicker. The former finding is most likely related to higher brucite dissolution at lower ambient magnesium concentrations, due to lower salinity. The quicker CaCO3 precipitation is also likely due to the lower magnesium concentration in lower salinity seawater. Magnesium ions are known to inhibit CaCO3 precipitation, hence CaCO3 precipitation is less likely inhibited at lower rather than higher salinities. Therefore, both feedstock grain size and seawater salinity are two key parameters for real-world OAE applications.

Bharat Narasimhan,1 Arundhati Calambur,2 Errol Moras,3 Lingling Wu,4 Wilbert Aronow5 1Department of Cardiology, Debakey Cardiovascular Institute, Houston Methodist, Houston, TX, USA; 2University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; 3Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine; Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; 4Department of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenvile, NC, USA; 5Department of Cardiology, Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, NY, USACorrespondence: Wilbert Aronow, Department of Cardiology, Westchester Medical Center, New York Medical College, 100 Woods Road, Macy Pavilion, Room 141, Valhalla, NY, 10595, USA, Email wsaronow@aol.comAbstract: The long-term implications of COVID-19 have garnered increasing interest in recent months, with Long-COVID impacting over 65 million individuals worldwide. Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) has emerged as an important component of the Long-COVID umbrella, estimated to affect between 2 and 14% of survivors. POTS remains very challenging to diagnose and manage – this review aims to provide a brief overview of POTS as a whole and goes on to summarize the available literature pertaining to POTS in the setting of COVID-19. We provide a review of available clinical reports, outline proposed pathophysiological mechanisms and end with a brief note on management considerations.Keywords: POTS, COVID-19, long COVID, review

A síndrome de abstinência alcoólica é caracterizada por sinais e sintomas após abstinência ou diminuição do consumo crônico do álcool. O objetivo desse trabalho foi comparar fatores que podem interferir antes, durante e após , na eficácia do tratamento não farmacológico da abstinência alcoólica. Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa de literatura que utilizou os seguintes descritores: treatment, alcoholic abstinence e symptoms. Foram selecionados, após critérios de inclusão e exclusão nos últimos 5 anos (2016 a 2021), 26 artigos das bases de dados PubMed e BVS. Os fatores que influenciaram antes no tratamento da abstinência alcoólica foram o paciente possuir uma personalidade dotada de autocontrole, rastreamento sobre o abuso de álcool e explorar a trajetória anterior ao tratamento. Entre os fatores que influenciam durante e após o início da abstinência alcoólica estão a inclusão de novas tecnologias, utilização de terapia psicológica e comportamental, além da individualização das metas de consumo. O rastreamento para uso abusivo de álcool deve ser realizado na atenção primária para encontrar casos de alcoolismo iniciais. A instituição de alvos individualizados de consumo diminui as recidivas. A utilização de terapias aumenta o autocontrole e as expectativas do paciente. Por fim, a utilização de internet aproxima o dependente da equipe de saúde e facilita o acompanhamento. Logo, para abordagem efetiva da abstinência alcoólica, o sistema de saúde deve possuir sistema de rastreamento para o consumo abusivo do álcool, inserir terapia psicológica e comportamental no tratamento, calcular meta de consumo personalizada e possuir abordagem que utilize novas tecnologias envolvendo a internet.

This paper presents a new deep-learning-based method for 3D Point Cloud Semantic Segmentation specifically designed for processing real-world LIDAR railway scenes. The new approach relies on the use of spatial local point cloud transformations for convolutional learning. These transformations allow an increased robustness to varying point cloud densities while preserving metric information and a sufficient descriptive ability. The resulting performances are illustrated with results on railway data from two distinct LIDAR point cloud datasets acquired in industrial settings. The quality of the extraction of useful information for maintenance operations and topological analysis is pointed together with a noticeable robustness to point cloud variations in distribution and point redundancy.

Introduction and Aim: Cell phones are an essential part of our daily life. The effect of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by smart phones on male infertility is unclear and subject to debate. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of smartphone devices on semen parameters. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional prospective, analytical study conducted on 145 infertile men attending the Out-patient department of Father Muller Medical College Hospital. The participants were recruited through a questionnaire-based approach following an abstinence of minimum 3 days. A minimum of 1 ml of semen sample was collected by masturbation in a sterile container. The participants were divided into 2 groups (< 2 hours and >2 hours) based on the hours of mobile usage. The main outcome measures analyzed were volume, liquefaction time, pH, viscosity, sperm concentration, motility, viability, and sperm morphology. Results: The mean age of the study participants was 35.31±5.70 years, with primary male infertility being the chief complaint in 96.6% (140 cases). Our study showed a statistically insignificant inverse correlation between the time spent on the phone in hours with sperm concentration and motility. A weak negative correlation was also seen with usage of phone over 5 years and normal morphology. All other parameters did not show any significant difference. Conclusion: Our study failed to show any significant association between semen parameters and smartphone usage. However, a slight reduction in concentration, motility and normal morphology was observed which opens up avenues for future research.

The equilibrium boundary for the layered VTiSesolid solution was determined according to a set of experimental data of synchrotron radiation X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electromotive force of the Li|Li|VTiSeelectrochemical cells. This boundary appears to be 20 mol % of V (x = 0.2). The formation of the VSestructural fragments, which are tightly bounded with VTiSelayers, appears at x > 0.2. A combined analysis of the Fermi-surface maps and the atomic force microscopy images reveals that the (001) planes in VSeand VTiSestructural fragments are parallel to each other. At the same time, these fragments demonstrate turbostratic disordering within the basal plane. The formation of such pseudo-homogeneous materials is associated with the contribution of the free surface energy, which is relatively high in the quasi-two-dimensional materials.

The synthesis and design of two-dimensional supramolecular assemblies with specific functionalities is one of the principal goals of the emerging field of molecule-based electronics, which is relevant for many technological applications. Although a large number of molecular assemblies have been already investigated, engineering uniform and highly ordered two-dimensional molecular assemblies is still a challenge. Here we report on a novel approach to prepare wide highly crystalline molecular assemblies with tunable structural properties. We make use of the high-reactivity of the carboxylic acid functional moiety and of the predictable structural features of non-polar alkane chains to synthesize 2D supramolecular assemblies of 4-(decyloxy)benzoic acid (4DBA;C$$_{17}$$ 17 H$$_{26}$$ 26 O$$_{3}$$ 3 ) on a Au(111) surface. By means of scanning tunneling microscopy, density functional theory calculations and photoemission spectroscopy, we demonstrate that these molecules form a self-limited highly ordered and defect-free two-dimensional single-layer film of micrometer-size, which exhibits a nearly-freestanding character. We prove that by changing the length of the alkoxy chain it is possible to modify in a controlled way the molecular density of the “floating” overlayer without affecting the molecular assembly. This system is especially suitable for engineering molecular assemblies because it represents one of the few 2D molecular arrays with specific functionality where the structural properties can be tuned in a controlled way, while preserving the molecular pattern.

Los betalactámicos son los antimicrobianos más utilizados por su seguridad y eficacia. En este grupo se incluyen las penicilinas, las cefalosporinas, los carbapenémicos y los monobactámicos. La penicilina constituye la primera causa de alergia a medicamentos: 10 a 20 % de la población se etiqueta como alérgica a la misma, en muchas ocasiones erróneamente. Se ha reportado reacción cruzada entre penicilinas y cefalosporina en 2 a 5 %. No hay reacción cruzada entre penicilinas y aztreonam, pero sí con ceftazidima. En la fisiopatología de las reacciones de hipersensibilidad a penicilina se incluyen todos los mecanismos de la clasificación de Gell y Coombs. La estratificación de acuerdo con el riesgo permite tomar la decisión más objetiva para etiquetar al paciente como alérgico. En la evolución natural de la alergia a la penicilina, 80 a 90 % de los pacientes pierde dicha sensibilidad a los 10 años. De ser indispensable, el paciente puede ser sometido a un protocolo de desensibilización. El médico inmunoalergologo es una pieza clave en la selección del paciente, la elaboración de los protocolos de reto y la desensibilización en un ambiente controlado.

The existing regulation of the Labor Code includes three types of employment contracts. It means that each of them may be concluded only in certain circumstances. The differences between them result from their different functions and purposes. The shape of the regulation of each contract should reflect its nature. The essence of a fixed-term employment contract is shaped by three structural elements: the temporary nature of the work to be performed, unconditional determination of the end of the employment contract, and stability of the contract. The purpose of this article is to characterize each of these elements and assess the compliance of the existing LC regulation with the nature of the contract in question.

The aim of this study was to compare the immediate effects of cold-water immersion (CWI) and hot-water immersion (HWI) versus passive resting after a fatigue-induced bout of exercise on the muscle contractile properties of the Vastus Medialis (VM). We conducted a randomised cross-over study involving 28 healthy active men where muscle contractile properties of the VM wer recorded using Tensiomyography (TMG) before and after CWI, HWI or passive resting and up to one-hour post-application. The main outcomes obtained were muscle displacement and velocity of deformation according to limb size (Dmr and Vdr). Our results showed a significant effect of time (F(3.9,405) =32.439; p

We characterize the bat fauna of forested sites in the municipality of Domingos Martins, Espírito Santo state, southeastern Brazil, and update the list of bat species of the state. We conducted a rapid inventory using ground-level mist nets (27,000 m²·h effort) and occasional roost searching, which resulted in a list of 23 species belonging to Phyllostomidae (18 species), Vespertilionidae (3), and Molossidae (2). We report the first record of Molossops neglectus Williams & Genoways, 1980 and Myotis lavali Moratelli, Peracchi, Dias & Oliveira, 2011 from Espírito Santo, bringing the total number of confirmed species in the state to 86. The molossid Nyctinomops laticaudatus (É. Geoffroy, 1805) was exclusively recorded in its diurnal roost in rocky outcrops. Our study fills knowledge gaps in the distribution of bat species in southeastern Brazil, and more specifically in the highly diverse coastal Atlantic Forest of Espírito Santo. These data reinforce the importance of continuously inventorying and documenting bats in the Neotropics.

Mediastinal duplication cyst is a rare cause of mediastinal mass in early infancy. Recurrent retropharyngeal abscess is an uncommon presentation of mediastinal duplication cyst. We report a case of mediastinal duplication cyst in a nine year old girl who presented with recurrent retropharyngeal abscess. Surgical excision was performed successfully. The mode of clinical presentation and management has been discussed.

Coffee (Coffea arabica L.) is one of the most popular and widely consumed products throughout the world, mainly due to its taste, aroma, caffeine content, and natural antioxidants. Among those antioxidants, anthocyanins are one of the most important natural pigments, which can be found in coffee husks. It is widely known that anthocyanins have multiple health benefits partially linked to their antioxidant properties. However, anthocyanins have low stability and are sensitive to all types of changes. In order to prevent its degradation, anthocyanins can be stabilized with nanoparticles. Thus, the main objective of this study was to evaluate the stability of the anthocyanins extracted from coffee husks, using three different extracting agents (ethanol, methanol, and water) and stabilizing them through conjugation with zinc oxide nanoparticles. The anthocyanins extracts were mainly composed of cyanidin-3-rutinoside (97%) and the total phenolic compounds of the fresh extracts were 458.97 ± 11.32 (methanol), 373.53 ± 12.74 (ethanol), and 369.85 ± 15.93 (water) mg GAE/g. On the other hand, the total phenolic compounds of the nanoparticle–anthocyanin conjugates underwent no significant changes after stabilization as the major loss was less than 3%. Furthermore, the percentage of anthocyanins’ degradation was less than 5% after 12 weeks of storage. On top of that, fresh anthocyanin extracts and anthocyanin–nanoparticle conjugates exhibited a strong protective effect against oxidative stress and increased the survival rate of Caenorhabditis elegans.

Topological insulators in which the Fermi level is in the bulk gap and intersects only a topological surface state (the Dirac cone) are of special interest in the current research. In the last decades, a fine-tuning of the chemical composition of topological insulators has been carefully explored in order to control the Fermi level position with respect to the Dirac surface state. Taking the SnBi 2 Te 4 crystal as a case study, we provide a characterization of its electronic structure by means of angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and first-principles calculations. We show that, going away from the Brillouin zone center, bulk band states energetically overlap with the Dirac cone at the Fermi level, thus providing an unwanted as well as hidden contribution to the transport properties of the material. In addition, the comparison between experimental results of the band structure with state-of-the-art simulations, implemented taking into account the number of defects, leads to useful insights on the existing limits in the description of this material., This research was supported in part by the Proget to STAR2(PIR01-00008) of the Italian Ministry of Education, University, and Research.We acknowledge EUROFEL-ROADMAP ESFRI of the Italian Ministry of Education, University, and Research. The density functional theory calculations were supported by the government research assignment for ISPMS SB RAS, Project No. FWRW-20220001. E.V.C. acknowledges support from Saint Petersburg State University (ProjectIDNo.94031444).

We investigate the behavior of amorphous silicon under hydrostatic compression using molecular simulations. During compression, amorphous silicon undergoes a discontinuous nonequilibrium transition from a low-density to a high-density structure at a pressure of around $13$-$16$~GPa. Ensemble-averaged density and elastic constants change discontinuously across the transition. Densification of individual glassy samples occurs through a series of discrete plastic events, each of which is accompanied by a vanishing shear modulus. This is the signature of a series of elastic instabilities, similar to shear transformation zones observed during shear yielding of glasses. We compare the structure obtained during compression with a near-equilibrium form of amorphous silicon obtained by quenching a melt at constant pressure. This gives structures identical to nonequilibrium compression at low and high pressure, but the transition between them occurs gradually rather than discontinuously. Our observations indicate that the polyamorphic transition is of a nonequilibrium nature, and it has the characteristics of a yield transition that occurs under compression instead of shear., Comment: 9 pages, 6 figures

2D materials with high charge carrier mobility and tunable electronic band gaps have attracted intense research effort for their potential use as active components in nanoelectronics. 2D-conjugated polymers (2DCP) constitute a promising sub-class due to the fact that the electronic band structure can be manipulated by varying the molecular building blocks, while at the same time preserving the key features of 2D materials such as Dirac cones and high charge mobility. The major challenge for their use in technological applications is to fabricate mesoscale ordered 2DCP networks since current synthetic routes yield only small domains with a high density of defects. Here we demonstrate the synthesis of a mesoscale ordered 2DCP with semiconducting properties and Dirac cone structures via Ullmann coupling on Au(111). This material has been obtained by combining rigid azatriangulene precursors and a hot dosing approach which favours molecular diffusion and reduces the formation of voids in the network. These results open opportunities for the synthesis of 2DCP Dirac cone materials and their integration into devices., Comment: 21 pages, 3 figures

The investigation of the properties of metal-semiconductor interfaces has gained significant attention due to the unique features that emerge from the combination of both metal and semiconductor attributes. In this report, the magnetic properties of Ni/Si interfaces utilizing X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) spectroscopy at the Ni and Si edges have been studied. This approach allows to distinguish unambiguously the local magnetism on Ni and Si via individual core-level excitations. Two samples with different semiconductor dopings were investigated using both total electron yield (TEY) and reflectivity configurations. The experimental results uncovered magnetization at equilibrium in both the metallic layer and in the proximal layer of the semiconductor substrate, implying the presence of induced spin polarization in Si at equilibrium, possibly arising from the depletion layer region. These results hold significant value in the field of spintronics, as similar systems have been demonstrated to generate spin injection through optical medium, opening a new pathway for next generation nonvolatile high speed devices.

Generally adopted design strategies for enhancing the photocatalytic activity are aimed at tuning properties such as the visible light response, the exposed crystal facets, and the nanocrystal shape. Here, we present a different approach for designing efficient photocatalysts displaying a substrate-specific reactivity upon defect engineering. The defective anisotropic brookite TiO2 photocatalyst functionalized with Pt nanocrystals are tested for alcohol photoreforming showing up to an 11-fold increase in methanol oxidation rate, compared to the unreduced one, whilst presenting much lower ethanol or isopropanol specific oxidation rates. We demonstrate that the alcohol oxidation and hydrogen evolution reactions are tightly related, and when the substrate-specific alcohol oxidation ability is increased, the hydrogen evolution is significantly boosted. The reduced anisotropic brookite shows up to twenty-six-fold higher specific photoactivity with respect to anatase and brookite with isotropic nanocrystals, reflecting the different type of defective catalytic sites formed depending on the TiO2 polymorph and its crystal shape. Advanced in-situ characterizations and theoretical investigations reveal that controlled engineering over oxygen vacancies and lattice strain produces large electron polarons hosting the substrate-specific active sites for alcohol photo-oxidation.

Nanostructured TiO2 is one of the best materials for photocatalysis, thanks to its high surface area and surface reactivity, but its large energy bandgap (3.2 eV) hinders the use of the entire solar spectrum. Here, it is proposed that defect-engineered nanostructured TiO2 photocatalysts are obtained by hydrogenation strategy to extend its light absorption up to the near-infrared region. It is demonstrated that hydrogenated or colored TiO2 hollow spheres (THS) composed of hierarchically assembled nanoparticles result in much broader exploitation of the solar spectrum (up to 1200 nm) and the engineered surface enhances the photogeneration of charges for photocatalytic processes. In turn, when applied for photodegradation of a targeted drug (Ciprofloxacin) this results in 82% degradation after 6 h under simulated sunlight. Valence band analysis by photoelectron spectroscopy revealed the presence of oxygen vacancies, whose surface density increases with the hydrogenation rate. Thus, a tight correlation between degree of hydrogenation and photocatalytic activity is directly established. Further insight comes from electron paramagnetic resonance, which evidences bulk Ti3+ centers only in hydrogenated THS. The results are anticipated to disclose a new path toward highly efficient photocatalytic titania in a series of applications targeting water remediation and solar fuel production. Validerad;2023;Nivå 2;2023-07-04 (hanlid);Funder: Convenzione operativa per collaborazione scientifica tra CNR ISM e Dipartimento di Scienze Molecolari e Nanosistemi Università Cà Foscari Venezia (709, 14/04/2021); EUROFEL-ROADMAP ESFRI

The necessity to cover economically dependent self-employed persons, i.e. a group of people providing work as part of their economic activity, based on contracts that do not lead to an employment relationship, but in conditions similar to employees, with labour protection regulations should not raise doubts, in particular in the context of Art. 24 of the Polish Constitution. The article aims to briefly present the possible ways of regulating this subject matter, in particular from the system perspective, and to present the approach that is, in the author’s opinion, the optimal one. Proposals in this respect include various concepts of protecting economically dependent self-employed workers, ranging from maintaining the status quo to including economically dependent self-employment in the scope of the employment relationship. However, none of these extreme concepts seems to be correct and it is necessary to look for a golden mean. It seems most desirable to distinguish the self-employment in question as a separate legal category in conjunction with the granting of certain rights to members of this group. Adopting this direction will allow for the delimitation of economically dependent self-employment and the employment relationship connected with providing the required protection to entities providing work in this form, adapted to its specificity. Konieczność objęcia samozatrudnionych ekonomicznie zależnych, tj. grupy osób świadczących pracę w ramach prowadzonej działalności gospodarczej, na podstawie umów nieprowadzących do nawiązania stosunku pracy, a jednak w warunkach zbliżonych do pracowników, regulacjami w zakresie ochrony pracy nie powinna budzić wątpliwości, zwłaszcza w kontekście art. 24 Konstytucji RP. Celem artykułu jest zwięzłe zaprezentowanie możliwych kierunków regulacji przedmiotowej problematyki, w szczególności z perspektywy systemowej, oraz przedstawienie podejścia, zdaniem autorki, optymalnego. Występujące w tym zakresie propozycje obejmują różne koncepcje objęcia ochroną samozatrudnionych ekonomicznie zależnych, począwszy od utrzymania status quo, aż do włączenia samozatrudnienia ekonomicznie zależnego w zakres stosunku pracy. Żadna z tych skrajnych koncepcji nie wydaje się jednak właściwa i konieczne jest poszukiwanie złotego środka. Za najbardziej pożądane można uznać wyodrębnienie przedmiotowego samozatrudnienia jako osobnej kategorii prawnej, w powiązaniu z przyznaniem członkom tej grupy określonych praw. Przyjęcie takiego kierunku pozwoli na delimitację samozatrudnienia ekonomicznie zależnego od stosunku pracy oraz zapewnienie wymaganej ochrony podmiotom świadczącym pracę w tej formie, dostosowanej do jej specyfiki.

The combination of the ability to absorb most of the solar radiation and simultaneously suppress infrared re-radiation allows selective solar absorbers to maximize solar energy to heat conversion, which is critical to several advanced applications1,2. The intrinsic spectral selective materials are rare in nature and only a few demonstrated complete solar absorption3. Typically, intrinsic materials exhibit high performances only when they are integrated as a component in multilayered complex solar absorbers, due to their limited spectral selectivity and solar absorption4. In this study, we propose CoSbx(2x endows broadband solar absorption of 0.98 over the solar spectral range and simultaneous low emissivity (0.18) in the mid-infrared region. Here we report a high intrinsic spectral solar selectivity of 5.4 for the nanostructured narrow bandgap semiconductor CoSbx. Under 1 sun illumination, the heat concentrates on the surface of the thin film of CoSbx, and a high temperature of 101.7 °C is reached, demonstrating the highest value among reported selective solar absorbers. Furthermore, the CoSbx was tested for solar water evaporation achieving an evaporation rate of 1.4 kg∙m-2∙h-1. This study may broaden the application of narrow bandgap semiconductors for use as highly efficient intrinsic selective solar absorbers and high surface temperature usage under solar illumination.

Objectives Shone’s complex (SC) is characterized by sequential obstructions of left ventricular (LV) inflow and outflow. It can be associated with poor long-term prognosis when compared to Simple-Aortic Coarctation (S-CoA). We aimed to assess whether the degree of ventricular disproportion and 2D-speckle-tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) could improve the accuracy of prenatal prediction of SC. Methods 75 consecutive fetuses were retrospectively enrolled from January 2010 to June 2021. Fetuses were divided into 4 groups (Group 1: SC; Group 2: S-CoA; Group 3: False Positive-Coarctation of the Aorta [FP-CoA]; group 4: controls). Comparisons for echocardiographic measures and myocardial deformation indices were performed. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed on the MV/TV (mitral valve/tricuspid valve ratio) and LV GLS (global longitudinal strain) values to identify cut-offs to separate group 1 and 2 fetuses. Results SC fetuses showed a significant reduction in MV/TV when compared to S-CoA and FP-CoA fetuses (p Conclusions SC fetuses showed a more severe degree of ventricular disproportion and a lower LV GLS compared to S-CoA, FP-CoA and control fetuses. MV/TV and GLS are both predictors of SC. These findings may improve the quality of prenatal parental counselling.

Graves disease is an immune-mediated process characterized by the presence of autoantibodies to thyrotropin receptors. Its stimulating action on the thyroid gland causes diffuse glandular growth and increased hormone production. Graves disease is characterized by a subacute onset of non-specific, neuromuscular, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and eye symptoms, sometimes followed by skin manifestations, such as thyroid dermopathy or myxedema. In pediatrics, Graves disease is rare (although it is the most frequent cause of hyperthyroidism). However, the chronology of symptom onset has been well described; the development of dermopathy in the absence of other symptoms of hyperthyroidism and without eye involvement is rare. Here we describe the case of a 15-year-old female patient with thyroid dermopathy due to Graves disease without eye disease or other associated clinical symptoms of hyperthyroidism.La enfermedad de Graves es un proceso inmunomediado en el que autoanticuerpos se dirigen contra el receptor de tirotrofina. Por su acción estimulante sobre la glándula tiroides, se genera crecimiento glandular difuso y aumento de la hormonogénesis. Se caracteriza por el comienzo subagudo de síntomas constitucionales, neuromusculares, cardiovasculares, gastrointestinales y oculares, seguidos en algunos casos de la aparición de manifestaciones cutáneas como la dermopatía tiroidea o mixedema. En pediatría la enfermedad de Graves es infrecuente (aunque es la causa más frecuente de hipertiroidismo), pero la cronología de aparición de los síntomas está bien descrita; es rara la aparición de dermopatía en ausencia de otros síntomas de hipertiroidismo y sin afectación ocular. Se presenta el caso de una paciente de 15 años con dermopatía tiroidea por enfermedad de Graves sin oftalmopatía ni otros síntomas de hipertiroidismo clínico asociados.

Objective: To develop and validate a cohesive measure that can guide the doctor, psychologist and patient in identifying potential psychological problems that gynaecology and obstetrics patients suffer. Design: Top-down survey Setting: The study was conducted on gynaecology and obstetrics patients treating various gynaecological concerns at a local maternity hospital. Sample: OGDMS sample consisted of 211 gynaecology and obstetrics patients between 18 and 60 years old. Method: Top-down survey followed by an interview. Main outcome measures: OGDMS for use as an identification tool paired with psychotherapy to understand psychological distress in women. Results: The OGDMS was found to have good internal consistency and good criterion validity. Conclusion: The OGDMS proved beneficial in identifying underlying mental health concerns in women with gynaecological problems and serves as a preliminary intervention in providing proper mental health care to this population. Keywords: Obstetrics, gynaecology, distress, tool, psychology.

Chronic diseases are progressively limiting the functioning of persons suffering from them in everyday life, including work activity. They have a great impact on the ability to perform work, and thus the earnings. The etiology of chronic diseases is multifactorial. Occupational factors and lifestyle play an important role in their formation. Influencing these factors is one of the most important measures supporting the employment of people suffering from chronic diseases. The article discusses the main activities in promoting a healthy lifestyle and adjusting working conditions to the needs of people with osteoarthritis, selected diseases of the cardiovascular system (coronary artery disease and hypertension), and diabetes.