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Electrofluorochromic devices (EFCDs) that allow the modulation of the light emitted by electroactive fluorophores are very attractive in the research field of optoelectronics. Here, the electrofluorochromic behaviour of a series of squaraine dyes was studied for the first time. In solutions, all compounds are photoluminescent with maxima located in the range 665–690 nm, characterized by quantum yields ranging from 30% to 4.1%. Squaraines were incorporated in a polymer gel used as an active layer in all-in-one gel switchable EFCDs. An aggregation induced quenching occurs in the gel phase, causing a significant decrease in the emission quantum yield in the device. However, the squaraines containing the thieno groups (thienosquaraines, TSQs) show a panchromatic emission and their electrofluorochromism allows the tuning of the fluorescence intensity from 500 nm to the near infrared. Indeed, the application of a potential difference to the device induces a reversible quenching of their emission that is significantly higher and occurs at shorter switching times for TSQs-based devices compared to the reference squaraine dye (DIBSQ). Interestingly, the TSQs fluorescence spectral profile becomes more structured under voltage, and this could be explained by the shift of the aggregates/monomer equilibrium toward the monomeric species, due to electrochemical oxidation, which causes the disassembling of aggregates. This effect may be used to modulate the colour of the fluorescence light emitted by a device and paves the way for conceiving new electrofluorochromic materials based on this mechanism.

We introduce type annotations as a flexible typing mechanism for graph systems and discuss their advantages with respect to classical typing based on graph morphisms. In this approach the type system is incorporated with the graph and elements can adapt to changes in context by changing their type annotations. We discuss some case studies in which this mechanism is relevant.

The coexistence of different magnetic and electronic phases often occurs in materials with complex chemical compositions, allowing for the study of competitive, collaborative, or emergent phenomena. Here, the authors demonstrate such behaviour in ultrathin Fe films on a Rh(001) substrate.

The phase diagram of the one-dimensional Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model of spinless fermions coupled to quantum phonons is determined by quantum Monte Carlo simulations and differs significantly from previous work. In addition to Luttinger liquid and bond-order-wave (BOW) phases, we find an extended charge-density-wave (CDW) phase. Because of different broken symmetries, BOW and CDW phases are connected by a retardation-driven phase transition. Our results are consistent with the theory of the frustrated XXZ chain, including unconventional power-law exponents at criticality, and with an interpretation in terms of deconfined quantum criticality via proliferation of solitons.

Lung hypoplasia and pulmonary hypertension (PH) in association with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) may cause fatal respiratory failure. Lung transplantation (Ltx) may represent an option for CDH-related end-stage pulmonary failure. The aim of this study is to report a patient with CDH who underwent Ltx or combined heart-lung transplantation (H-Ltx). Our patient was born at 33 weeks of gestation, with a prenatally diagnosed isolated left CDH. Twenty-four hours after birth, she underwent surgical repair of a type D defect (according to the CDH Study Group staging system). Postoperative course was unexpectedly uneventful, and she was discharged home at 58 days of life. Echocardiography before discharge was unremarkable. Periodic follow-up revealed gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and initial scoliosis. At the age of 10, she was readmitted for severe PH. Lung function progressively deteriorated, and at the age of 14, she underwent H-Ltx due to end-stage respiratory failure. After discharge, she developed recurrent respiratory tract infections, severe malnutrition, and drug-induced diabetes. Scoliosis and GER progressed, requiring posterior vertebral arthrodesis and antireflux surgery, respectively. Bronchiolitis obliterans further impaired her respiratory function, and though she had a second Ltx, she died at the age of 18, 4 and 1.5 years after the first and the second Ltx, respectively. Late-onset PH is an ominous complication of CDH. From our patient and the six further cases collected from the literature, Ltx may be considered as a last-resource treatment in CDH patients with irreversible and fatal respiratory failure, although its prognosis seems unfair.

In this article we propose to overlap aesthetic experience with medial experience, starting from the assumption that every aesthetic experience is always a medial experience. Adopting a naturalistic approach, in which we explain what we mean with the term naturalization, we suggest a partial review of the issue. First, we state that human natural language is a kind of technology, made possible by certain physical, cognitive and social features; this sort of biological technology must be considered as an underlying condition for aesthetic experience. Secondly, we suggest the importance of social relationships among various species, demonstrating the role played by this relationships in natural selection: a new perspective will emerge. Thirdly, we explain in more detail why aesthetic experience can be likened to medial experience; in doing so, we offer an epistemological comparison between evolutionary theory and Marshall McLuhan’s approach to media studies. Resulting comparison will offer an original definition of aesthetic experience which rises through the interaction engaged by our natural technologies interacting prosthetically with environment.

A 59-year-old man underwent an echocardiography study after myocardial infarction and it showed a thin, mobile mass attached to the aortic valve. A diagnosis of Lambl’s excrescence (LE) was suspected. Coronary occlusion as a consequence of embolism of LE’s material could not be excluded and the patient underwent surgical excision. Histology confirmed the diagnosis; however a differential diagnosis with papillary fibroelastoma could not be established because both of these structures are histologically indistinguishable. A brief survey of the literature is presented. Evidence-based recommendations for treatment have not been established yet.

Introduction: A combined carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and cardiac procedure has higher early risk of stroke than isolated CEA because of the widespread atherosclerosis in patients selected for simultaneous procedures. In this retrospective study, we review the results of combined coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and carotid endarterectomy (CEA) procedures. Materials and methods: Between January 2000 and December 2007, 91 patients with a mean age of 69.2+6.6 (24/67 female/male) underwent combined operations (CEA-CABG) on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) as elective surgery. The study population was divided, as follows: Group A: 83 patients (91.2%) had both venous and arterial revascularization; Group B: 8 patients (8.8%) had total arterial revascularization. CEA was performed in case of stenosis more than 80% and always before cardiac operation. These techniques were used: standard procedure (54.8%), eversion (39.2%), patch enlargement (6%). Immediately after the vascular procedure, CABGs were performed through median sternotomy. The mean EUROscore was 6.9+2.5%. Results: All neurological complications were in the group who underwent both venous and arterial revascularization (Group A), where a proximal anastomosis was made. All complications and deaths were in group A. Six patients had stroke (6.6%) and 2 had acute myocardial infarction (AMI) (2.2%). There were 8 in-hospital deaths (8.8%) and 1 late death (for stroke after five months). Conclusions: In our center, the incidence of stroke in simultaneous cardiovascular procedures was 5.5 times greater than in isolated cardiac or vascular procedures, which was probably related to the widespread vessels disease. An aortic cross clamp and surgical procedure on the ascending aorta are relevant risk factors for developing neurological events; much attention should be paid to aortic manipulation. In the sub-group who underwent total arterial revascularization with associated CEA procedures, we had no neurological events. A partial cross clamp and proximal anastomosis are relevant risk factors for developing neurological events. Therefore, in combined operations (CEA associated with CABG), it is probably more favourable performing a total arterial revascularization, avoiding partial ascending aortic clamping. [Arch Clin Exp Surg 2012; 1(4.000): 201-205]

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La presente entrevista, además de introducir interesantes planteamientos respecto a la aplicación de los sistemas de responsabilidad extracontractual en países en vías de desarrollo, nos muestra los nuevos retos que se presentan en la actualidad sobre la materia.

Giant ascending aorta aneurysms (AAA), which are larger than 10 cm, are rare. We hereby present the case of a giant AAA of about 13 cm, incidentally detected several years after aortic valve replacement and treated according to the Cabrol technique without postoperative complications. [Arch Clin Exp Surg 2013; 2(2.000): 129-131]

The scientific literature has pointed out several predictors of negative outcome after surgery such as pain and depression, negatively affecting the postoperative outcome in cardiac surgery. From January 2009 until June 2010, 15 patients scheduled for cardiac surgery were enrolled. The patients were assessed by psychological evaluation either in the hospital stay either in the rehabilitation period with the aim of identifying their emotional condition (sentiments about the onset of the disease, support received from family and friends) even by means of preformed tests for anxiety and depression (tests of Stay and Back). Thus, in our preliminary experience, the psychological evaluation failed to detect the occurrence of postoperative complications. Conversely, the psychological evaluation is very effective in detecting a poor emotional state and the psychological support decreases the degree of anxiety and depression with positive effects on postoperative outcome. In conclusion, a standardize test for anxiety and depression should be used for patients at hospital admission to detect who may benefits by psychological support.

Cortical atrophy, neuronal loss, beta-amyloid deposition, neuritic plaques, and neurofibrillary tangles are neuropathological key features in the Alzheimer's disease (AD). Antibodies against beta-amyloid, neurotransmitters, microvascular endothelium components and microglial cells have been detected in AD serum suggesting that AD could be another autoimmune disease and provides a link between vascular pathology, endothelium dysfunction and neuronal cells death. Aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between autoantibody profile and cognitive impairment in geriatric patients, accounting for ApoE genotype as a potential confounding factor. Three hundred and forty-four geriatric patients, attending the clinic for the cognitive decline, underwent a biochemical and immunological profile, chest X-ray, cerebral computed tomography scan and complete cognitive evaluation. All patients were also screened for the ApoE genotype. A significantly higher prevalence of Anti-Smooth Muscle Antibody (ASMA) positivity was found in 89/204 (43.63%) patients with diagnosed neuroradiological signs of cerebral atrophy compared with 15/140 (10.71%) patients without the condition (p<0.001). Multivariable logistic model evidenced that such association was independent of patient's age, gender and Mini-Mental State Examination (OR=8.25, 95%CI: 4.26-15.99) and achieved a good discriminatory power (c-statistic=0.783). Results were also independent of ApoE genotype, which resulted not associated both with the presence of brain atrophy and with the presence of ASMA positivity. Our results shows a strong association between brain atrophy and ASMA positivity and are consistent with several studies that focused attention on the mechanisms of endothelial immune response in the development of dementia.