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Recent advancements in medical science have ushered in the era of "Personalized Medicine," which tailors treatments to individual genetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors. A cornerstone of this approach is continuous monitoring and adjustment of treatment regimens to optimize effectiveness while minimizing side effects. In therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM), crucial for drugs like doxorubicin (DOX) with severe side effects, traditional methods such as spectrofluorimetry and chromatography are utilized, but they suffer from cost and complexity issues. Biosensors, especially those leveraging Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance (LSPR) and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), offer a promising alternative. This study focuses on developing a cost-effective plasmonic biosensor using gold nanoislands semiembedded in a glass substrate. The LSPR platform, based on gold nanoislands (Au NIs) with an average diameter of 23 nm, offers a rapid method for ultrasensitive, label-free detection of DOX in biological fluids up to the nanomolar range, even in diluted (1:10) and undiluted blood serum samples from cancer patients receiving the drug. The method capitalizes on the extraordinary adhesion between the nanoislands and the glass matrix, preserving plasmon integrity while enhancing the electric field surrounding the nanoislands for improved sensitivity. Moreover, by exploiting nanoislands with Au/Al2O3 core/shell structures with an average diameter and gap of about 70 and 7 nm, respectively, highly efficient SERS-active platforms are created, enabling the detection of ultralow DOX concentrations down to picomolar range, where the LSPR system is insensitive. The combined use of both systems enables the detection of DOX across a broad range, from low to high nanomolar concentrations, in biological fluids. This integration of semiembedded nanoislands presents a scalable and multifunctional approach suitable for point-of-care diagnostics, offering reproducible and stable characteristics over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The success of establishing fruit orchards has traditionally been attributed to the vigor of the nursery plant used. This study aimed to evaluate the post-transplant survival, canopy growth and fruit productivity of two sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) cultivars ('Lapins'/'Colt' and 'Regina'/'Gisela 12') with different radicular basal volumes of 100%, 50% and 25% and nursery plant types: (i) bare root (BR) or (ii) bagged (B). The initial stem diameter of the plants ranged from 12 to 19 mm, and their height ranged from 1.4 to 1.8 m. Plants grafted onto 'Colt' rootstock exhibited twice the initial root volume compared to those grafted onto 'Gisela 12'. Evaluations were carried out in three commercial orchards during three seasons in the Central Valley of Chile. The results indicated that root volume and nursery type did not affect plant survival and productivity. For 'Regina'/'Gisela 12', only the bag treatment resulted in less trunk cross-sectional area (TCSA) and shoot length, and for 'Lapins'/'Colt', the BR25 treatment showed a lower initial TCSA than other treatments, although without a negative effect on yield. Hence, the presumption about the influence of root volume and plant type on the successful establishment of a sweet cherry on 'Colt' and 'Gisela 12' rootstock can be discarded. The survival, growth and precocity of the orchard depend more on post-planting conditions and water management than on the number or type of nursery plant roots. It is important to prioritize proper post-planting care and water management for optimal orchard health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sunburn is possibly the main problem affecting the apple production in the Southern Hemisphere including Chile. This study focused on determining the effect of shade nets to reduce sunburn incidence and reflective mulch to improve colour on canopy microclimate, vegetative growth, fruit quality, return bloom and profitability of two apple cultivars ('Gala Baigent' and 'Fuji Raku Raku') in southern Chile. The treatments evaluated were net, mulch, net + mulch. Trees without net or mulch served as the control. Results showed that PAR transmitted under the netting was reduced in an average of 26% and the mulch increased the reflected PAR from 3% to 5% (grass row control) to 20%–37%. Shoot length, yield, fruit maturity and return bloom were not affected using either net or mulch. The incidence of sunburn under net was reduced by 76%–80%, compared to the control; however, it also reduced fruit colouration, especially in 'Fuji Raku Raku'. The use of mulch under shade net increased the amount in 27% and 9% (average of seasons) of fruit in the Premium category of colour for 'Gala Baigent' and 'Fuji Raku Raku', respectively, which is only economically justified in circumstances of high incidence of sunburn and limitations of fruit colour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Distinguishing between different handedness of circularly polarized light can be a useful additional property in photodetector technology. The integration of this functionality can be obtained either using optical media with chiro‐optical response, or by the employment of chiral metamaterials. In this work, 3D chiral metasurfaces composed by a 3D helix array, are integrated onto a micrometer‐scale silicon‐based transistor and act as optical filter for circularly polarized light. The technological process involving focused electron beam induced deposition for helix manufacturing is carefully studied with respect to its effect on the phototransistor response. The integrated system exhibits a photoresponse which is dependent on the circular polarization, with a promising asymmetry factor in the visible spectral range. The proposed technology can pave the way for novel potential applications in diverse areas such as materials science, bioimaging, and quantum computing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MoS2 is a two-dimensional layered transition metal dichalcogenide with unique electronic and optical properties. The fabrication of ultrathin MoS2 is vitally important, since interlayer interactions in its ultrathin varieties will become thickness-dependent, providing thickness-governed tunability and diverse applications of those properties. Unlike with a number of studies that have reported detailed information on direct bandgap emission from MoS2 monolayers, reliable experimental evidence for thickness-induced evolution or transformation of the indirect bandgap remains scarce. Here, the sulfurization of MoO3 thin films with nominal thicknesses of 30 nm, 5 nm and 3 nm was performed. All sulfurized samples were examined at room temperature with spectroscopic ellipsometry and photoluminescence spectroscopy to obtain information about their dielectric function and edge emission spectra. This investigation unveiled an indirect-to-indirect crossover between the transitions, associated with two different Λ and K valleys of the MoS2 conduction band, by thinning its thickness down to a few layers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this contribution, we present an experimental and numerical study on the coating of Al plasmonic nanostructures through a conformal layer of high-refractive-index molybdenum oxide. The investigated structures are closely coupled nanodisks where we observe that the effect of the thin coating is to help gap narrowing down to the sub-5-nm range, where a large electromagnetic field enhancement and confinement can be achieved. The solution represents an alternative to more complex and challenging lithographic approaches, and results are also advantageous for enhancing the long-term stability of aluminum nanostructures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new scheme for a flux/phase qubit is proposed, based on a double-SQUID modified to achieve a direct readout of the flux state is proposed. The results concerning the theorertical behavior and experimental characterization at 4.2 kelvin of the device, which is realized with Nb/AlOx/Nb trilayer technology are reported.

Aluminum bowtie nanoantennas represent a possibility to confine and enhance electromagnetic (EM) field at optical frequencies in subwavelength regions by using an abundant and inexpensive metal. The native oxidation process of this metal is often viewed as a limitation for its application in plasmonics. Here, we show that in close gap configurations, the high refractive index of the native aluminum oxide helps in squeezing the plasmonic mode in extremely reduced size volumes, providing a higher EM near-field confinement and enhancement in the bowtie antenna gaps than achieved in the pure aluminum counterpart. Hence, the study provides new perspectives in the use of such a plasmonic antenna geometry within this aluminum system, which can be useful for improving plasmonics-enabled effects such as surface-enhanced Raman scattering- and light–matter interaction in strong coupling regime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Obstetricians usually prescribe supplements during pregnancy without actual indication. The use of selenium during pregnancy has increased, due to its function in several antioxidant mechanisms. Case: A pregnant woman received 200,000 micrograms (µg) per day of a selenium galenic formulation, since gestational week (g.w.) 7 to 12, due to a prescription error. The patient experienced nausea, vomiting, hand and foot paresthesia, followed by fatigue, loss of fingernails and hair. The woman was referred to our Fetal and Maternal Medicine Unit for surveillance. The mother's blood selenium levels went back to normal 13 weeks after arrest and the baby was born at term, without complications. Clinical evaluation and imaging studies were normal at one month of age. Conclusion: This is the first case of severe chronic selenium intoxication during the first trimester of pregnancy. In the present case, no consequences of congenital defects or pregnancy complications occurred. However, since vitamins, minerals, and food supplements may be harmful and prescription errors occur, obstetricians should avoid prescribing supplements in the absence of maternal deficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MoS 2 is a two-dimensional layered transition metal dichalcogenide with unique electronic and optical properties. The fabrication of ultrathin MoS 2 is vitally important, since interlayer interactions in its ultrathin varieties will become thickness-dependent, providing thickness-governed tunability and diverse applications of those properties. Unlike with a number of studies that have reported detailed information on direct bandgap emission from MoS 2 monolayers, reliable experimental evidence for thickness-induced evolution or transformation of the indirect bandgap remains scarce. Here, the sulfurization of MoO 3 thin films with nominal thicknesses of 30 nm, 5 nm and 3 nm was performed. All sulfurized samples were examined at room temperature with spectroscopic ellipsometry and photoluminescence spectroscopy to obtain information about their dielectric function and edge emission spectra. This investigation unveiled an indirect-to-indirect crossover between the transitions, associated with two different Λ and K valleys of the MoS 2 conduction band, by thinning its thickness down to a few layers.

The new coronavirus emergency spread to Italy when little was known about the infection's impact on mothers and newborns. This study aims to describe the extent to which clinical practice has protected childbirth physiology and preserved the mother-child bond during the first wave of the pandemic in Italy. A national population-based prospective cohort study was performed enrolling women with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection admitted for childbirth to any Italian hospital from 25 February to 31 July 2020. All cases were prospectively notified, and information on peripartum care (mother-newborn separation, skin-to-skin contact, breastfeeding, and rooming-in) and maternal and perinatal outcomes were collected in a structured form and entered in a web-based secure system. The paper describes a cohort of 525 SARS-CoV-2 positive women who gave birth. At hospital admission, 44.8% of the cohort was asymptomatic. At delivery, 51.9% of the mothers had a birth support person in the delivery room; the average caesarean section rate of 33.7% remained stable compared to the national figure. On average, 39.0% of mothers were separated from their newborns at birth, 26.6% practised skin-to-skin, 72.1% roomed in with their babies, and 79.6% of the infants received their mother's milk. The infants separated and not separated from their SARS-CoV-2 positive mothers both had good outcomes. At the beginning of the pandemic, childbirth raised awareness and concern due to limited available evidence and led to "better safe than sorry" care choices. An improvement of the peripartum care indicators was observed over time.