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The malignant mesothelioma (MM) is often complicated by thromboembolic episodes, with thrombomodulin (TM) playing a role in the anti-coagulant process. We analyzed TM expression in biopsies of MM patients and in normal mesothelial tissue. The role of DNA methylationassociated gene silencing in TM expression was investigated. A correlation between low TM expression and high level of TM promoter methylation was found in MM biopsies. Low expression of TM was restored in MM cells by their treatment with 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine while the epigenetic agent did not affect TM expression in Met-5A cells. Methylation of the TM promoter is responsible for silencing of TM expression in MM tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Density Functional Theory has been applied to investigate isomerization processes of aluminum tris(8-hydroxyquinolinate) (Alq3). Both mer–fac isomerization and mer-Alq3 chirality inversion have been reported. This represents an attempt to describe phenomena which could take place during Alq3 amorphous-films deposition or during solid-state changes of phase. Furthermore, it represents the opportunity to apply modern theoretical methodologies to shed light on the general problem of isomerizations in tris–chelate complexes which were widely studied experimentally and by approximate theoretical methods in the seventies and in part of the eighties. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Recently a new crystalline phase of aluminium tris(8-hydroxyquinolinate) (Alq3) called δ-phase has been reported. On the basis of luminescence data, the presence of the facial isomer has been suggested. Using time dependent density functional theory calculations we compared the spectral features of meridianal and facial Alq3. Comparisons between the two isomers have been used to confirm the presence of facial Alq3 in δ-phase crystals. The interpretation of some characteristics of the more studied meridianal isomer has been suggested. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Modern scanning photoemission microscopes use zone plates to de-magnify the X-ray beam to nanometer size allowing spatially resolved XPS analysis of materials relevant in nanotechnology. So far these microscopes have been designed to operate in the ultra-high or high vacuum environments as all XPS systems; but at the beginning of this century the dream of K. Siegbahn, the inventor of XPS, to use it in the near ambient or ambient pressure regimes became a reality. Despite the fast development and spread of these setups designed for not spatially resolved experiments, now available both as synchrotron and laboratory facilities, it took more than a decade before a similar result could be extended to photoemission microscopy. The scanning photoemission microscope at Elettra is the first instrument where near ambient pressure conditions for in operando analysis can be fulfilled. This paper shows some recent results obtained at this microscope at different sample environment conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Il parto pretermine (prima della 37a settimana gestazionale completa) è la principale causa di morte neonatale la cui eziologia è stata solo in parte chiarita. La letteratura internazionale riporta studi che evidenziano una possibile relazione tra alcuni rischi lavorativi materni (lavoro a turni, lavoro notturno, stazione a lungo eretta, ecc...) ed il parto pretermine senza tuttavia raggiungere risultati definitivi. Per verificare la possibile correlazione dei fattori lavorativi con il parto pretermine abbiamo somministrato, dal marzo 2011 al giugno 2011, previo consenso informato, un questionario per rilevare i dati anamnestici fisiologici, patologici e lavorativi a tutte le puerpere che sono afferite alla Clinica Ostetrica e Ginecologica Ospedale "G. Salesi" di Ancona. I questionari sono stati successivamente integrati con i dati relativi al decorso del parto. Ad oggi sono stati valutati 177 questionari che abbiamo suddiviso, a seconda dell'outcome del parto, in 4 gruppi: 23 casi hanno avuto un parto pretermine associato a fattori di rischio fisiopatologici materni e/o fetali, 40 casi hanno avuto un decorso fisiologico pur presentando gli stessi fattori di rischio, 105 casi hanno avuto decorso fisiologico e non presentavano fattori di rischio, 9 casi non presentavano fattori di rischio fisiopatologici. Di questi 9 casi due, pur non essendo lavoratrici "tipiche", presentavano fattore di rischio posturale e di sollevamento carichi, (casalinghe con figli), 2 avevano come fattore di rischio la postura a lungo eretta (commessa e addetta a mensa aziendale), 3 presentavano come fattore di rischio il lavoro al videoterminale (impiegate), un caso presentava come fattore di rischio il lungo periodo lavorativo giornaliero (libero-professionista) ed un caso presentava come fattore di rischio i movimenti ripetuti dell'arto superiore (operaia nel settore calzaturiero). I dati ottenuti confermano gli studi precedenti che associano il rischio di parto pretermine a fattori legati alla fatica lavorativa (turni lunghi, sollevamento carichi, posizione a lungo eretta, ecc..), mentre non abbiamo riscontrato associazione esposizione a chimici o agenti biologici e parto pretermine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The atomic composition and electronic structure of topological insulators (TI) Bi 2 Se 3 grown by the two-temperature Physical Vapor Deposition on n-type Si patterned substrates, have been followed in details during slight variations of the growth temperatures and values of thickness close to that of the topological transition (about 6 nm), by means of submicron lateral probe photoemission with enhanced surface sensitivity (less than 1 nm). Raman and atomic force microscopy together with Kelvin probe microscopy provide a coherent picture where the fine tuning of Se doping and of the growth temperatures constrain the on–set of the gapless state at the exact middle point of the gap. [Display omitted] • Photoemission Microscopy and kelvin probe microscopy combined to study Bi2Se3. • Stoichiometry disambiguated from the oxidized component of the topological material allows to locate the surface state. • Middle point of the gap by fine tuning of the growth temperature and Se doping content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphene possesses unique combination of characteristics (i.e., inertness, impermeability and toughness) to qualify as ideal coating material for corrosion resistance, and graphene coatings on nickel and copper have been shown to provide excellent and durable corrosion resistances. However, growing graphene directly on mild steel by chemical vapour deposition (CVD), is prohibitively challenging due to high solubility of carbon in mild steel at high temperatures. The non-trivial challenge was circumvented through surface modification of steel by electroplating with Cu and Ni, accounting for the critical consideration, i.e., the inter-diffusivity of iron in nickel or copper. However, the key finding was that the undesirably high thicknesses of the electroplated Cu and Ni layers were detrimental, and optimization of their thicknesses was essential for successful deposition of the required quality graphene. The optimised thicknesses were derived on the basis of the fundamental diffusion calculations. The uniform multi-layered graphene coating on the suitably modified mild steel surface provided remarkable corrosion resistance in an aqueous chloride solution, and electrochemically validation of the corrosion durability for extended exposure (>1000 h) was characterised. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Nitrogen inclusion in both chemical vapour deposition and exfoliated few-layer graphene flakes was performed by nitrogen ion implantation in ultra-high vacuum. Inclusion of up to ∼20 at.% nitrogen can be reached through this clean technique with absence of oxygen species in the final product, while maintaining a largely sp2-carbon network. The nitrogen inclusion was observed by scanning X-ray photoelectron microscopy (SPEM) with energy resolution of 0.2eV and spatial resolution of 10nm. SPEM can be used to follow the evolution of nitrogen species: pyridinic, graphitic, and pyrrolic, at different doping stages and annealing temperatures. Variations in the ratio between sp2 nitrogen species was observed for increasing treatment time; annealing results in quenching of the sp3 component, suggesting the graphitic nitrogen as the most thermal stable species. The occurrence of graphitic species together with the absence of pyrrolic is indicative of N-incorporation into a hexagonal graphene-based lattice. Ion irradiation followed by annealing performed in a controlled way is a promising strategy to fine control the nature of the nitrogen species grafted to the graphene while focusing on selected applications. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Yield maximization in multichip hybrid pixel sensors is a crucial issue in large volume productions planned for future High-Energy Physics experiments. Bump bonding process optimization can guarantee statistical single bump failure rates at the acceptable level of 10–100ppm; nevertheless, systematic effects connected to process repeatability can affect the functionality of a full chip in a module to a much larger extent. Because of this, the reversibility of the bonding procedure has been investigated. A feasibility study on single chip assemblies for the ATLAS experiment has been successfully completed, proving the possibility of reworking. As a result of it, a dedicated facility has been conceptually designed, engineered and commissioned. The characteristics of the facility in terms of motion, temperature and tensile strength control are outlined, together with the main results. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Real-time dosimetry is a critical issue in most radiotherapy applications. Silicon Ultra fast Cameras for electron and gamma sources In Medical Applications (SUCIMA) is a project addressing the development of an imaging system of extended radioactive sources based on monolithic and hybrid position-sensitive silicon sensors, where “imaging” has to be intended as the record of a dose map. The detector characteristics are constrained by the main applications, namely brachytherapy and real-time monitoring of a hadron beam for oncology. The key issues in the sensor and DAQ development are described together with the most relevant medical applications. SUCIMA11E.C. Contract No. G1RD-CT-2001-00561. is a project approved by the EC within the V Framework Program. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Nanofocusing photoelectron spectroscopy using zone-plate X-ray optics. • Exploration of Ag-nanoparticles (2–20 nm) on free-standing graphene via X-ray photoelectron and Auger spectroscopy. • Formation of a thin passivating oxide layer upon oxidation of Ag-nanoparticles. • Size-dependent morphology change (3D→2D) of Ag-nanoparticles. • Final state Coulomb shift upon photoionization of oxidized Ag-nanoparticles. Silver nanoparticles with a mean diameter of 15 nm have been grown on free-standing graphene and explored by soft X-ray synchrotron radiation using the ESCAmicroscopy beamline at Elettra. In particular, the 3 d core orbitals and valence band (4 d /5 s) of pristine and plasma-oxidised Ag-nanoparticles have been investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray induced valence band photoemission, and MNN Auger spectroscopy. The X-ray spectra of the pristine Ag-nanoparticles, i.e. XPS, Auger and UPS spectra, are very similar to these of the metallic Ag-bulk film while the spectra of the oxidised Ag-nanoparticles exhibit distinct differences with respect to the oxidised Ag-bulk film. This is inferred from a larger valence band width, an extended valence band photoemission intensity nearly up to the Fermi level of the bulk metal, a smaller two-hole Coulomb correlation energy and a rather bulk-like Auger spectrum. We interpret this as to result from a shell-like composition of the Ag-nanoparticles with a thin passivating oxide layer and an inner metallic core. Moreover, the 3 d photoemission peak of the oxidised nanoparticles is shifted to higher binding energy with respect to the bulk oxide peak. This is attributed not only to an XPS chemical shift but also to an additional final state Coulomb charging according to the electrostatic liquid drop model. Comparing the core binding energy shift of Ag-nanoparticles with the electrostatic potential of a spherical compact particle and a flat nanoislands a morphology transformation of the oxidised nanoparticles from 3D to 2D is obvious in the size range 5–15 nm. Image, graphical abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electronic structure of cluster assembled nanostructured TiO2 thin films has been investigated by resonant photoemission experiments with photon energies across the Ti L2,3 edge. The samples were produced by supersonic cluster beam deposition with a pulsed microplasma cluster source. The valence band shows resonance enhancements in the binding energy region between 4 and 8 eV, populated by O 2p and hybridized Ti 3d states, and in the region about 1 eV below the Fermi level associated with defects related Ti 3d states. The data show that in as-deposited films Ti atoms are mainly fully (sixfolds) coordinated to oxygen atoms in octahedral symmetry and only a small fraction is in a broken symmetry environment. Since resonant photoemission is closely linked to the local electronic and structural configurations around the Ti atom, it is possible to correlate the resonant photoemission intensity and lineshape with the presence of defects of the films and with the degree of hybridization between the titanium and oxygen atoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Guiding urban planners on the cooling returns of different configurations of urban vegetation is important to protect urban dwellers from adverse heat impacts. To this end, we estimated statistical models that fused multi-temporal very fine spatial (20 cm) and vertical (1 mm) resolution imagery, that captures the complexity of urban vegetation, with remotely sensed temperature data to assess how urban vegetation configuration influences urban temperatures. Perth, Western Australia, was used as a case-study for this analysis. Panel regression models showed that within a location an increase in tree and shrub cover has a larger cooling effect than grass coverage. On average, holding all else equal, an approximate 1 km2 increase in shrub (tree) cover within a location reduces surface temperatures by 12 °C (5 °C). We included a range of robustness checks for the observed relationships between urban vegetation type and temperature. Geographically weighted regression models showed spatial variation in the cooling effect of different vegetation types; this indicates that i) unobserved factors moderate temperature-vegetation relationships across urban landscapes, and ii) that urban vegetation type and temperature relationships are complex. Machine learning models (Random Forests) were used to further explore complex and non-linear relationships between different urban vegetation configurations and temperature. The Random Forests showed that vegetation type explained 31.84% of the out-of-bag variance in summer surface temperatures, that increased cover of large vegetation within a location increases cooling, and that different configurations of urban vegetation structure can lead to cooling gains. The models in this study were trained with vegetation data capturing local detail, multiple time-periods, and entire city coverage. Thus, these models illustrate the potential to develop locally-detailed and spatially explicit tools to guide planning of vegetation configuration to optimise cooling at local- and city-scales. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • Fine spatial and vertical resolution urban vegetation datasets • Model urban vegetation configuration effect on urban LST using remote sensing data • Spatial variation in impact of vegetation type on urban LST • Various urban vegetation configurations lead to urban cooling • Urban planners can appraise local cooling effect of different urban vegetation types [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-detection of trees is an important issue when using single-scan TLS in forest inventories. A hybrid inference approach is adopted. Quoting from distance sampling, a detection function is assumed, so that the inclusion probability of each tree included within each plot can be determined. A simulation study is performed to compare the TLS-based estimators corrected and uncorrected for non-detection with the Horvitz–Thompson estimator based on conventional plot sampling, in which all the trees within plots are recorded. Results show that single-scan TLS provides more efficient estimators with respect to those provided by the conventional plot sampling in the case of low-density forests when no distance sampling correction is performed. In low-density forests, uncorrected estimators lead to a small bias (1%–6%), increasing with plot size. Therefore, care must be taken in enlarging the plot radius too much. The bias increases in forests with clustered spatial structures and in dense forests, where the bias levels (30%–50%) deteriorate the performance of uncorrected estimators. Even if the bias-corrected estimators prove to be effective in reducing the bias (below 15%), these reductions are not sufficient to outperform conventional plot sampling. Therefore, there is no convenience in using TLS-based estimation in high-density forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper pinpoints the feasibility of in operando near-ambient pressure characterization of an operating single chamber solid oxide fuel cell (SC-SOFC) by means of spatially resolved X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results are based on an innovative and unique setup expanding the capabilities of the scanning photoelectron microscopes. In particular, the impact of getting access to the low mbar range on the very observability of chemical-state changes in an LSM cathode have been highlighted. Ex situ and in situ electrochemical measurements at OCP and close circuit cell conditions complemented the photoemission mapping and spectroscopy. The latter has evidenced the evolution of the chemical state of Sr upon the exposure of the typical SC-SOFC CH4-O2 gas feed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Distant metastases in dogs with cutaneous mast cell tumors (cMCT) are rare and incurable. The aims of this prospective study were to clarify the clinico-pathological features of stage IV cMCTs and to identify possible prognostic factors for progression-free interval (PFI) and survival time (ST). Material and methods: Dogs were eligible for recruitment if they had a previously untreated, histologically confirmed cMCT and if they underwent complete staging demonstrating stage IV disease. Dogs were uniformly followed-up, whereas treatment was not standardized and included no therapy, surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, tyrosine-kinase inhibitors or a combination of these. Results: 45 dogs with stage IV cMCT were enrolled. All dogs had distant metastatic disease, and 41 (91.1%) dogs had also metastasis in the regional lymph node. Histopathological grade and mutational status greatly varied among dogs. Median ST was 110 days. Notably, PFI and ST were independent of well-known prognostic factors, including anatomic site, histological grade, and mutational status. Conversely, tumor diameter >3 cm, more than 2 metastatic sites, bone marrow infiltration, and lack of tumor control at the primary site were confirmed to be negative prognostic factors by multivariate analysis. Conclusion: Currently, there is no satisfactory treatment for stage IV cMCT. Asymptomatic dogs with tumor diameter <3 cm and a low tumor burden, without bone marrow infiltration may be candidates for multimodal treatment. Stage IV dogs without lymph node metastasis may enjoy a surprisingly prolonged survival. The achievement of local tumor control seems to predict a better outcome in dogs with stage IV cMCT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Suspended graphene flakes are exposed simultaneously to fluorine and sulfur ions produced by the μ-wave plasma discharge of the SF 6 precursor gas. The microscopic and spectroscopic analyses, performed by Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and photoelectron spectromicroscopy, show the homogeneity in functionalization yield over the graphene flakes with F and S atoms covalently bonded to the carbon lattice. This promising surface shows potential for several applications ranging from biomolecule immobilization to lithium battery and hydrogen storage devices. The present co-doping process is an optimal strategy to engineer the graphene surface with a concurrent hydrophobic character, thanks to the fluorine atoms, and a high affinity with metal nanoparticles due to the presence of sulfur atoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Size-selected Ag n -clusters on unsupported graphene of a commercial Quantifoil sample have been investigated by surface and element-specific techniques such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM), spatially-resolved inner-shell X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). An agglomeration of the highly mobile clusters into nm-sized Ag-nanodots of 2–3 nm is observed. Moreover, crystalline as well as non-periodic fivefold symmetric structures of the Ag-nanoparticles are evident by high-resolution TEM. Using a lognormal size-distribution as revealed by TEM, the measured positive binding energy shift of the air-exposed Ag-nanodots can be explained by the size-dependent dynamical liquid-drop model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present an experimental and theoretical study exploring surface effects on the evolution of the metal-insulator transition in the model Mott-Hubbard compound Cr-doped V2O3. We find a microscopic domain formation that is clearly affected by the surface crystallographic orientation. Using scanning photoelectron microscopy and x-ray diffraction, we find that surface defects act as nucleation centers for the formation of domains at the temperature-induced isostructural transition and favor the formation of microscopic metallic regions. A density-functional theory plus dynamical mean-field theory study of different surface terminations shows that the surface reconstruction with excess vanadyl cations leads to doped, and hence more metallic, surface states, which explains our experimental observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Composite single crystals of (Fe,Ni) 4 Se 5 and Ti 3 Se 4 on bi-intercalated crystal (Fe,Ni) 0.25 TiSe 2 are grown. • The morphology of these composite crystals has been studied by SEM, AFM and SPEM. • The electronic structure of the inclusions (Fe,Ni) 4 Se 5 in coherent coupling with TiSe 2 was studied. • Mechanism for the formation of such composite crystals has been proposed. • Thermodynamic modeling of the Ti3Se4 and (Fe, Ni) 4Se5 inclusions stability in the composite has been performed. A nanocomposite material consisting of (Fe,Ni) 4 Se 5 and Ti 3 Se 4 nanocrystals coherently bounded with the (Fe,Ni) 0.25 TiSe 2 substrate was obtained during the synthesis of the (Fe, Ni) x TiSe 2 bi-intercalation compound from the mixture of Fe 0.25 TiSe 2 and Ni 0.25 TiSe 2. The morphology of these composite crystals has been studied using optical, scanning electron and atomic force microscopy. The electronic structure of the inclusions was studied using X-ray scanning photoelectron microscopy (SPEM). We have shown that (Fe,Ni) 4 Se 5 and Ti 3 Se 4 inclusions grow simultaneously with (Fe,Ni) x TiSe 2 substrate crystal on its (0 0 1) plane. The lateral growth of the (Fe,Ni) x TiSe 2 crystal is accompanied by the "capturing" of the (Fe,Ni) 4 Se 5 and Ti 3 Se 4 inclusions by the (Fe,Ni) 0.25 TiSe 2 substrate resulting in the formation of the composite crystal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large surface area, 3D structured transparent electrodes with effective light management capability may represent a key component in the development of new generation optoelectronic and energy harvesting devices. We present an approach to obtain forest-like nanoporous/hierarchical Al-doped ZnO conducting layers with tunable transparency and light scattering properties, by means of room temperature Pulsed Laser Deposition in a mixed Ar:O 2 atmosphere. The composition of the background atmosphere during deposition can be varied to modify stoichiometry-related defects, and therefore achieve control of electrical and optical properties, while the total background pressure controls the material morphology at the nano- and mesoscale and thus the light scattering properties. This approach allows tuning electrical resistivity over a very wide range (10 − 1 − 10 6 Ω cm), both in the in-plane and cross-plane directions. Optical transparency and haze can also be tuned by varying the stoichiometry and thickness of the nano-forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]