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Introduction: The only etiological and decisive therapy, able to influence the natural history of latex allergy is the specific desensitization. Aim: To verify the clinical efficacy and immunological changes determined by latex sublingual immunotherapy in allergic patients who underwent this treatment for at least 3 years. Material and methods: We enrolled 76 patients (16 males and 60 females, mean age 34 years old) with evidence of a natural rubber latex allergy. To assess the effectiveness of the immunotherapy we performed a latex skin prick test, specific IgE and IgG4 and challenge tests before and after at least 3 years of desensitization. Results: We observed a reduction in the mean diameter of the wheal area at the skin prick test and a decrease in latex specific IgE while no significant changes of latex IgG4 values were found. Moreover a reduction of symptoms and scores at the provocation tests were remarked. Conclusions: Although the primary prevention (which still remains the gold standard treatment for patients suffering from the latex allergy) sublingual immunotherapy can be offered with efficacy in addition to symptomatic treatment to selected patients.

Two new multichromophoric electrochromic polymers featuring a conjugated EDOT/ProDOT copolymer backbone (PXDOT) and a reversible Weitz-type redox active small molecule electrochrome (WTE) tethered to the conjugated chain are reported here. The careful design of the WTEs provides a highly reversible redox behavior with a colorless red switching that complements the colorless blue switching of the conjugated backbone. Subtractive color mixing successfully provides high performing solution processable polymeric layers with colorless neutral tint switchable limiting states for application in see-through electrochromic devices. Design, synthesis, comprehensive chemical and spectroelectrochemical characterization as well as the preparation of a proof-of-concept device are discussed.

Organic electrochromic materials (OEMs) offer a low power input and low cost solution for see-through shading applications (i.e. smart windows, sunglasses). Relevant see-through applications for transmissive ECDs, like sunglasses and automotive, additionally require that the transmitted light experiences negligible colour distortion in both devices limiting states. Donor-Acceptor (DA) polymers concept and all-donor copolymers blends partially addressed this very challenging topic.[1-2] The latter strategy provided brown neutral hues with high bleached state transmissivities (T~70%). These performances are still far from those required to enable a functional assembled electrochromic device (ECD) to compare with existing benchmark technologies (i.e. photochromic lenses). Multichromophoric conjugated polymers (MCPs), are a viable alternative to both DA polymers and polymer blends. These are conjugated polymers (i.e. PEDOT) bearing discrete electrochromic single molecules as side chain substituents acting as contrast enhancers and color tuning additives. Most relevant advantages are an easy synthetic access, colour tunability, superior electrochromic contrast and exceptionally high transmissivity of the colourless state. We here present the design, synthesis, polymerization and full electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical characterization of a series of new electrochromic MCPs based upon specifically designed DE pertaining to the class of Weitz electrochromes (WTE). The obtained polymeric films are able to reversibly switch between a brown and a colourless limiting states. The superior optical performances combine state-of-the-art lightness contrast with neutral hue, and a unique high lightness colourless state (L* 94, S ab 2) that make this material an ideal candidate for application in transmissive ECDs. A proof-of-concept ECD using PB at the counterelectrode show state-of-the-art performance, combining a high lightness low saturation bleached state (L* 83, Sab 4)

Micro and mesoporous materials are often used in catalysis, purification, composite filler, and other applications. Almond shell is an important agricultural byproduct that can be transformed to microporous and mesoporous carbon. In this work, we produced biochar from almond shell using a thermal treatment procedure in an inert atmosphere and characterized the pores with nitrogen adsorption, environmental SEM, and 129Xe NMR. The latter technique differentiates adsorbed and nonadsorbed xenon and permits the correlation of different processing conditions with xenon adsorption and diffusivity. The relevance of removing the ash produced during the charring process has been included in the study. Moreover, the xenon exchange between meso- and micro-pores has been directly observed by 129Xe NMR, demonstrating that after ash removal by water the materials have high accessibility of the pores by external fluids, thus increasing the usefulness as filtration or adsorption material.

Perylenediimides (PDIs) are among the best performing organic luminescent materials, both in terms of emission efficiency and chemical and photochemical stability because of their rigid, symmetric and planar structure; however, they exhibit very small Stokes shifts. The sizeable reabsorption of the emitted light limits the performances of perylenediimides in imaging applications and luminescent solar concentrators. Perylenemonoimides (PMIs) having an electron donating substituent in one of the free peri positions feature larger Stokes shift values while retaining high chemical stability. The selection of the most appropriate donor, both in terms of electron donating capability and steric demand, boosts emission efficiency and limits reabsorption losses. The synthesis, optical spectroscopy, molecular orbital computations, UPS, electrochemical, spectroelectrochemical, and multinuclear NMR investigation of a series of PMI derivatives functionalized with donors having different electronic characteristics and steric demands are discussed. Results are relevant for the fabrication of single layer plastic luminescent solar concentrators (LSC).

Pecan shell-based biochar is utilized as a filtration medium, sequestrant for metallic ions, soil conditioner, and other applications. One process for creating the biochar involves the use of phosphoric acid at high temperature in a partial oxygen atmosphere to produce a highly porous carbonaceous material. In this work, we found 129Xe NMR to be an excellent technique to study micropores in biochar. Thus, the 129Xe chemical shift in biochar was found to vary linearly with the xenon pressure; from the data an estimate of about 8–9 Å could be proposed for the average pore diameter in pecan shell-based biochar. Through saturation recovery and 2-D NMR exchange experiments, information on the exchange between free versus bound xenon was obtained. Furthermore, correlations of 129Xe NMR data with the carbonization process conditions were made.