In-situ particles reorientation during magnetic hyperthermia application: Shape matters twice

Promising advances in nanomedicine such as magnetic hyperthermia rely on a precise control of the nanoparticle performance in the cellular environment. This constitutes a huge research challenge due to difficulties for achieving a remote control within the human body. Here we report on the significant double role of the shape of ellipsoidal magnetic nanoparticles (nanorods) subjected to an external AC magnetic field: first, the heat release is increased due to the additional shape anisotropy; second, the rods dynamically reorientate in the orthogonal direction to the AC field direction. Importantly, the heating performance and the directional orientation occur in synergy and can be easily controlled by changing the AC field treatment duration, thus opening the pathway to combined hyperthermic/ mechanical nanoactuators for biomedicine. Preliminary studies demonstrate the high accumulation of nanorods into HeLa cells whereas viability analysis supports their low toxicity and the absence of apoptotic or necrotic cell death after 24 or 48 h of incubationThis work was partially supported by the EC FP-7 grant “NanoMag” (grant agreement no. 604448), the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MAT2013-47078-C2-2-P, MAT2014-52069-R, MAT2013-47395-C4-3-R, MAT2015- 67557-C2-1-P-MICINN, CONSOLIDER CSD2007-00041, CTQ2013-48767-C3-3-R), and Gobierno de la Comunidad de Madrid (NANOFRONTMAG, S2013/MIT-2850). D.S. acknowledges financial support from Xunta de Galicia (I2C Postdoctoral Plan). A.T. thanks UAM for a predoctoral contrac

Enhanced detoxification of Cr6+ by Shewanella oneidensis via adsorption on spherical and flower-like manganese ferrite nanostructures

Maximizing the safe removal of hexavalent chromium (Cr6+) from waste streams is an increasing demand due to the environmental, economic and health benefits. The integrated adsorption and bio-reduction method can be applied for the elimination of the highly toxic Cr6+ and its detoxification. This work describes a synthetic method for achieving the best chemical composition of spherical and flower-like manganese ferrite (MnxFe3-xO4) nanostructures (NS) for Cr6+ adsorption. We selected NS with the highest adsorption performance to study its efficiency in the extracellular reduction of Cr6+ into a trivalent state (Cr3+) by Shewanella oneidensis (S. oneidensis) MR-1. MnxFe3-xO4 NS were prepared by a polyol solvothermal synthesis process. They were characterised by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectrometry (XPS), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and Fourier transform-infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The elemental composition of MnxFe3-xO4 was evaluated by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Our results reveal that the oxidation state of the manganese precursor significantly affects the Cr6+ adsorption efficiency of MnxFe3-xO4 NS. The best adsorption capacity for Cr6+ is 16.8 ± 1.6 mg Cr6+/g by the spherical Mn0.22+Fe2.83+O4 nanoparticles at pH 7, which is 1.4 times higher than that of Mn0.8Fe2.2O4 nanoflowers. This was attributed to the relative excess of divalent manganese in Mn0.22+Fe2.83+O4 based on our XPS analysis. The lethal concentration of Cr6+ for S. oneidensis MR-1 was 60 mg L-1 (determined by flow cytometry). The addition of Mn0.22+Fe2.83+O4 nanoparticles to S. oneidensis MR-1 enhanced the bio-reduction of Cr6+ 2.66 times compared to the presence of the bacteria alone. This work provides a cost-effective method for the removal of Cr6+ with a minimum amount of sludge production

Uterine Embolization as a New Treatment Option in Adenomyosis Uteri

Adenomyosis is characterized by the development of endometrial ectopic glands and tissue in the myometrium layer in depth greater than 2.5 mm from the endometrial surface of the separative area by -myomas well as by hypertrophy and hyperplasia of the smooth muscles of the myometrium. This is filtration, not mere displacement, of the myometrium, from the endometrium. Clinical symptoms include dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia. It is diffuse (adenomyosis) or focal (adenomyoma), asymmetrically affects the uterine wall of premenopausal women (usually the posterior) and often coexists with myomas. The pathogenesis of adenomyosis remains unknown. The treatment options are: drug therapy, invasive treatment of fibroids: myomectomy (open—intra-abdominal, laparoscopic, hysteroscopic), hysterectomy, myolysis—cryocatalysis, microwave or radiofrequency thermal catalysis (RF-ablation), ultrasound focus catalysis (FUS), laser photocatalysis and percutaneous selective uterine artery embolization (UAE). Embolization remains an alternative and not a substitute of hysterectomy. The medical indication is made on a case-by-case basis, depending on age, desire for pregnancy and the clinical symptoms of adenomyosis

Achaiki Iatriki : official publication of the medical society of western Greece and Peloponnesus

In the current issue, the editorial by Cauchi et al. argues for eco-friendly measures in endoscopy and emphasies the role of healthcare providers in reducing waste. The editorial adeptly employs the three Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) framework to tackle waste management, offering practical solutions. The editorial by Milionis et al. focuses on the reverse cascade screening for paediatric familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH), which is an upcoming tool for public health. Advantages, practices, and challenges regarding FH are thoroughly discussed. Lastly, the editorial by Fousekis et al. presents the main aspects of a chronic immune-mediated cutaneous disease, dermatitis herpetiformis (DH), which constitutes an extraintestinal manifestation of celiac disease, including its diagnosis, pathogenesis, and management. Moreover, this issue includes three review articles. The review article by Krontira et al. discusses the evolving data on the epidemiology, diagnostic approach and appropriate management of foreign body and caustic substance ingestion, based on updated guidelines published by gastroenterological and endoscopic societies. The review by Halliasos et al. provides data on the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of metastatic acute spinal cord compression, focusing on the importance of a multidisciplinary team approach, including spine surgeons, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, palliative care clinicians, physiotherapists, and psychologists. Lastly, the review by Schinas et al. outlines the potential of immune modulation in the treatment of infections and the need for individualised approaches in the modern world of personalised medicine by examining some of the key strategies and immune-based therapies being developed to combat infectious diseases.peer-reviewe

Efficiency of Iron-Based Oxy-Hydroxides in Removing Antimony from Groundwater to Levels below the Drinking Water Regulation Limits

This study evaluates the efficiency of iron-based oxy-hydroxides to remove antimony from groundwater to meet the requirements of drinking water regulations. Results obtained by batch adsorption experiments indicated that the qualified iron oxy-hydroxide (FeOOH), synthesized at pH 4 for maintaining a high positive charge density (2.5 mmol OH−/g) achieved a residual concentration of Sb(III) below the EU drinking water regulation limit of 5 μg/L by providing an adsorption capacity of 3.1 mg/g. This is more than twice greater compared either to similar commercial FeOOHs (GFH, Bayoxide) or to tetravalent manganese feroxyhyte (Fe-MnOOH) adsorbents. In contrast, all tested adsorbents failed to achieve a residual concentration below 5 μg/L for Sb(V). The higher efficiency of the qualified FeOOH was confirmed by rapid small-scale column tests, since an adsorption capacity of 3 mg Sb(III)/g was determined at a breakthrough concentration of 5 μg/L. However, it completely failed to achieve Sb(V) concentrations below 5 μg/L even at the beginning of the column experiments. The results of leaching tests classified the spent qualified FeOOH to inert wastes. Considering the rapid kinetics of this process (i.e., 85% of total removal was performed within 10 min), the developed qualified adsorbent may be promoted as a prospective material for point-of-use Sb(III) removal from water in vulnerable communities, since the adsorbent’s cost was estimated to be close to 30 ± 3.4 €/103 m3 for every 10 μg Sb(III)/L removed

Fabrication of bimetallic magnetic nanoparticles with controllable magnetic behaviour

The object of this PhD thesis was to study the correlation between structural and magnetic properties of Fe-based nanoparticle systems, with technological impact. The main goal was to synthesize composition and size controlled monodisperse Fe-oxide, FePt and Nd₂Fe₁₄B nanoparticles and to investigate the parameters which define the macroscopic magnetic behavior as well as various nanoscale effects. In the first part, Fe-oxide nanoparticles with spinel structure (Fe₃O₄, γ-Fe₂O₃), were synthesized by means of the thermal decomposition of Fe precursors at various sizes ranging between 4-18 nm. The complete oxidation that takes place is characteristic for the chemical reactivity of Fe at such scale. By studying the structural and magnetic properties of 15 nm nanoparticles, at different time intervals, the oxidation process was divided into the instant reaction with oxygen after the exposure of nanoparticles to the atmosphere followed by the much slower transformation to the last oxidation product of Fe, γ-Fe₂O₃. Oxygen diffusion from the surface to the core of a nanocrystal structure is the reason for the temporal appearance of two-phase FePt - Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. However, smaller particles, under the superparamagnetic limit (13 nm), are single-phase consisting of mixtures of Fe₃O₄ and γ- Fe₂O₃. The exact determination of the two similar structures allowed the evaluation of the magnetic behavior of 5-13 nm nanoparticles. The reduction of the particle diameter was followed by the decrease of the blocking temperature and the magnetization values while the presence of exchange coupling between the ferromagnetic core and a spin-glass surface layer was identified. For the preparation of nanoparticles consisting only from one of the spinel oxides some variations in the typical synthetic procedures were successfully applied. Moreover, the heterogeneously Pt-seeded technique and the intermediate oleate-complex formation were studied as potential methods for the synthesis of Fe₃O₄, γ-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles using mild thermal conditions. The simultaneous decomposition of Fe and Pt precursors was used to produce FePt alloy nanoparticles or two-phase FePt - Fe₃O₄ binary mixtures or core-shell nanoparticles. In this case, the size variation is very limited under 6 nm, and the critical parameter that defines magnetic properties is the alloy composition. The high structural disordering of the nanoparticles demands a post-annealing procedure to achieve hard magnet characteristics. Some details of the synthetic procedure, like the reflux point and the heating duration, were proved to have an important role in the conversion rate of the precursors and the crystallization of the nanoparticles. In general, the intense heating leads to the increase of Fe percentage in the alloy but also to lower monodispersity, sintering effects and a partial transformation to the tetragonal ordered phase. Keeping steady heating conditions, the next step was to investigate the possibility to control alloy composition by varying precursors ratio. As observed, Fe content meets a limitation at 55% after which Fe₃O₄ is also formed. Annealing under reducing environment cause the ordering of FePt structures which can be classified in three regions depending on their magnetic characteristics. Under 30% of Fe soft magnetic phases, mainly FePt₃ and other Pt-rich alloys, dominate. Reversely, the gradual appearance of high coercive field and energy product, over 30% at Fe, shows the existence and eventually over 40%, the domination of the equiatomic tetragonal structure of FePt. Binary assemblies of FePt - Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles and corresponding core-shell nanostructures were prepared not only for their potential interest but to study the effect of higher Fe content (60-90%) in magnetic behavior of annealed samples, as well. Annealing seems to favor the Fe₃Pt phase formation that induces high magnetization values while the coexistence and the exchange interaction with tetragonal FePt, close to 60%, results in the maximum energy product value. It is important to note that the ordering of atoms in the tetragonal phase contributes to enhancement of the induced magnetic moment in Pt atoms. The fabrication of Nd₂Fe₁₄B nanoparticles, a more complicated magnetic structure, was also studied. For this reason, surfactant-assisted high-energy ball-milling, a method that combines advantages of chemical and mechanical techniques, was elaborated. The critical parameter during milling of a Nd₂Fe₁₄B powder was the milling time considering optimum conditions and materials proportions. The morphology of the sample is determined by the gradual grain size reduction, the isolation of spherical nanoparticles and finally their deformation to elongated nanoparticles. Coercivity and maximum energy product follow an increasing trend at low milling times as a result of crystallization improvement and exchange coupling between hard and soft phases. The size reduction in the nanoscale and the nanocrystal isolation by surfactants lead to the limitation of magnetic anisotropy at higher milling times. As a consequence, the point of spherical nanoparticles formation occurs many hours after the time of optimum magnetic properties for a hard magnetic material. Eventually, the synthesis of isolated magnetic nanoparticles offers unlimited possibilities of tuning the observed magnetic behavior, especially when the size and the composition is fully controlled and there is plenty of knowledge concerning related nanoscale effects.Στο πλαίσιο της παρούσας διδακτορικής διατριβής, πραγματοποιήθηκε η μελέτη της συσχέτισης των δομικών και μαγνητικών ιδιοτήτων συστημάτων νανοσωματιδίων με βασικό συστατικό τον Fe, που ήδη χρησιμοποιούνται σε τεχνολογικές εφαρμογές. Ο κύριος στόχος ήταν η κατά μέγεθος και κατά σύσταση ελεγχόμενη σύνθεση συστημάτων μονοδιεσπαρμένων νανοσωματιδίων οξειδίων του Fe, FePt και Nd₂Fe₁₄B και στην συνέχεια η μελέτη των παραγόντων που καθορίζουν την μακροσκοπική μαγνητική συμπεριφορά καθώς και των φαινομένων που αναδεικνύονται στην νανοκλίμακα. Αρχικά περιγράφεται η σύνθεση νανοσωματιδίων οξειδίων του Fe με δομή σπινελίου (Fe₃O₄, γ-Fe₂O₃), με την μέθοδο της θερμικής διάσπασης προδρόμων ενώσεων Fe, σε διάφορα μεγέθη (4-18 nm). Η πλήρης οξείδωση που λαμβάνει χώρα είναι χαρακτηριστική της χημικής δραστικότητας του Fe σε τόσο χαμηλό διαμερισμό. Εξετάζοντας τις δομικές και μαγνητικές ιδιότητες νανοσωματιδίων μεγέθους 15 nm, σε διάφορα χρονικά διαστήματα, διαπιστώθηκε ότι η διαδικασία οξείδωσης γίνεται σε δύο στάδια: την σχεδόν ακαριαία αντίδραση με το οξυγόνο κατά την έκθεση στην ατμόσφαιρα και τον σταδιακό μετασχηματισμό προς το τελευταίο στάδιο της αλυσίδας οξείδωσης του Fe, τον γ-Fe₂O₃, με πολύ βραδύ ρυθμό. Η διάχυση οξυγόνου από την επιφάνεια προς το εσωτερικό του κρυσταλλικού πλέγματος ενός νανοσωματιδίου, είναι δυνατόν να οδηγήσει στην προσωρινή παρουσία διφασικών νανοσωματιδίων FeO-Fe₃O₄. Σε μικρότερα μεγέθη, ειδικότερα κάτω από το όριο μετάβασης σε υπερπαραμαγνητισμό (13 nm), τα νανοσωματίδια είναι μονοφασικά και αποτελούνται από μίγματα Fe₃O₄ και γ-Fe₂O₃. Η διευκρίνιση της ακριβούς αναλογίας των δύο όμοιων δομικά φάσεων, επέτρεψε την καλύτερη αξιολόγηση της μαγνητικής συμπεριφοράς νανοσωματιδίων στην περιοχή 5-13 nm. Η μελέτη έδειξε την ελάττωση της θερμοκρασίας μετάβασης σε υπερπαραμαγνητισμό και της μαγνήτισης, ανάλογα με την διάμετρο καθώς και την παρουσία πεδίου ανταλλαγής σε χαμηλές θερμοκρασίες λόγω αλληλεπίδρασης του σιδηρομαγνητικού πυρήνα των νανοσωματιδίων με ένα αντισιδηρομαγνητικό στρώμα υαλώδους σπιν στην επιφάνεια. Με την κατάλληλη ρύθμιση της διαδικασίας σύνθεσης διαπιστώθηκε ότι είναι δυνατή η παρασκευή νανοσωματιδίων με μοναδικό συστατικό το ένα από τα δύο οξείδια. Επιπλέον, διερευνήθηκαν η ετερογενώς καταλυόμενη σύνθεση με πυρήνες Pt και ο ενδιάμεσος σχηματισμός συμπλόκου Fe-ελαϊκού οξέος ως εναλλακτικές μέθοδοι για την σύνθεση νανοσωματιδίων Fe₃O₄ - γ-Fe₂O₃ με καλή μονοδιασπορά, υπό ήπιες συνθήκες θέρμανσης. Για την παρασκευή μονοφασικών νανοσωματιδίων κράματος FePt και διφασικών συστημάτων FePt - Fe₃O₄ επιδιώχθηκε η ταυτόχρονη διάσπαση προδρόμων ενώσεων του Fe και του Pt. Στην περίπτωση αυτή, δεν υπήρχαν μεγάλα περιθώρια μεταβολής του μεγέθους πέραν των 6 nm, ωστόσο ο σημαντικότερος παράγοντας που καθορίζει τις μαγνητικές ιδιότητες είναι η τελική σύσταση των νανοσωματιδίων. Η μεγάλη αταξία των δομών που προέκυψαν, κατέστησε απαραίτητη την ανόπτηση των δειγμάτων για την επίτευξη των χαρακτηριστικών σκληρού μαγνητικού υλικού. Στο πρώτο στάδιο εξετάστηκε ο ρόλος παραμέτρων της σύνθεσης, όπως η θερμοκρασία και η διάρκεια θέρμανσης, στον βαθμό μετατροπής των αντιδρώντων και στο είδος της κρυσταλλικής δομής των νανοσωματιδίων. Γενικά, η έντονη θέρμανση αυξάνει το ποσοστό Fe στο κράμα αλλά επιφέρει μείωση της μονοδιασποράς, φαινόμενα συσσωμάτωσης και μερικό μετασχηματισμό στην διατεταγμένη τετραγωνική δομή. Διατηρώντας σταθερές συνθήκες θέρμανσης, στην συνέχεια μελετήθηκε η δυνατότητα ρύθμισης της σύστασης του κράματος με μεταβολή των αναλογιών των προδρόμων ενώσεων. Όπως βρέθηκε, τα δύο μεγέθη είναι ευθέως ανάλογα ενώ υπάρχει περιορισμός ως προς το μέγιστο ποσοστό Fe (55%) πριν τον σχηματισμό και Fe₃O₄. Η ανόπτηση των δειγμάτων αυτών, υπό αναγωγικές συνθήκες, οδήγησε στην καταγραφή τριών περιοχών μαγνητικής συμπεριφοράς. Όταν η περιεκτικότητα σε Fe ήταν κάτω από 30% κυριαρχούν μαλακές μαγνητικά φάσεις, όπως ο FePt3, εμπλουτισμένες σε Pt. Αντίθετα, η σταδιακή εμφάνιση μεγάλου συνεκτικού πεδίου και ενεργειακού γινομένου, πάνω από το 30% δείχνει την παρουσία και τελικά, πάνω από το 40%, την επικράτηση της τετραγωνικής ισογραμμομοριακής δομής του FePt. Τα διφασικά νανοσωματίδια FePt - Fe₃O₄ σε διαμόρφωση πυρήνα-φλοιού και ομογενών μιγμάτων, εκτός από το ξεχωριστό ενδιαφέρον που παρουσιάζουν, αξιοποιήθηκαν και για την λήψη πληροφοριών της μαγνητικής συμπεριφοράς συστημάτων με μέση περιεκτικότητα σε Fe 60-90%. Η ανόπτηση αυτών των συστημάτων, ανέδειξε μεγάλη μαγνήτιση κόρου, ως συνέπεια της σημαντικής παρουσίας της φάσης Fe₃Pt, ενώ η συνύπαρξη και η σύζευξη με τον τετραγωνικό FePt κοντά στο 60% αποδίδει την μέγιστη τιμή ενεργειακού γινομένου. Πρέπει να σημειωθεί ότι η ομοιόμορφη διάταξη των ατόμων Fe και Pt μετά από την θερμική κατεργασία βρέθηκε ότι συμβάλλει στην ενίσχυση της επαγόμενης μαγνητικής ροπής στα άτομα Pt. Στην τελευταία ενότητα εξετάστηκε η δυνατότητα παρασκευής νανοσωματιδίων μιας σχετικά πολύπλοκης δομής, όπως είναι αυτή του Nd₂Fe₁₄B, χρησιμοποιώντας μια εναλλακτική μέθοδο που συνδυάζει τα πλεονεκτήματα μηχανικών και χημικών τεχνικών, την υγρή άλεση σε σφαιρόμυλο υψηλής ενέργειας. Υπό καθορισμένες συνθήκες και αναλογίες, η κρίσιμη παράμετρος, της οποίας ο ρόλος διερευνήθηκε κατά την άλεση της σκόνης Nd₂Fe₁₄B, ήταν η διάρκεια της κατεργασίας. Μορφολογικά το δείγμα φαίνεται ότι περνάει από διάφορες φάσεις κατά τις οποίες συντελείται η σταδιακή μείωση του μεγέθους των κόκκων, η απομόνωση σφαιρικών νανοσωματιδίων και τελικά την παραμόρφωση και τον σχηματισμό επιμηκυμένων νανοκρυστάλλων. Το συνεκτικό πεδίο και το μέγιστο ενεργειακό γινόμενο ακολουθούν, αρχικά, αυξητική τάση ως αποτέλεσμα της βελτίωσης της κρυσταλλικότητας και της εμφάνισης φαινομένων σύζευξης ανταλλαγής μεταξύ της σκληρής φάσης Nd₂Fe₁₄B και άλλων μαλακότερων. Η μείωση του μεγέθους στην νανοκλίμακα και η απομόνωση των νανοκρυστάλλων περιορίζουν την μαγνητική ανισοτροπία σε μεγαλύτερους χρόνους. Όπως έγινε φανερό, το σημείο σχηματισμού σφαιρικών μεμονωμένων νανοσωματιδίων απέχει αρκετά από το σημείο βέλτιστων μαγνητικών ιδιοτήτων για ένα σκληρό μαγνητικό υλικό. Σε γενικές γραμμές, η σύνθεση διακριτών νανοσωματιδίων μαγνητικών υλικών προσφέρει απεριόριστες δυνατότητες ρύθμισης των μαγνητικών ιδιοτήτων, ειδικά όταν υπάρχει πλήρης έλεγχος του μεγέθους και της σύστασης και επαρκής γνώση των φαινομένων της νανοκλίμακας

An Integrated Approach for the Recovery of Sn from Used Water Adsorbents

This research examined a scenario for the recovery of a high-capacity Cr(VI) adsorbent, consisting of Sn6O4(OH)4, after reaching its operational lifetime. To accomplish this target, a sequence of processes involving the spent adsorbent’s decomposition, the separation of Sn/Cr ions, and Sn6O4(OH)4 reconstruction was investigated. Characterization of the saturated adsorbent indicated its extended oxidation to SnO2 during its use according to the occurring Cr(VI) to Cr(III) reduction mechanism, which is responsible for the loading of 19 mg Cr/g. To decompose saturated adsorbent, the optimized process involved the dissolution by HCl using a solid concentration of 10 g/L, a solid to acid mass proportion of 1:20, an increase of the temperature at 75 °C. Such conditions brought a dissolution rate of more than 95% and 92.5%, respectively, of the total Sn and Cr in the spent adsorbent. Then, separation of Cr was succeeded by the addition of hydrazine, which acts as a reducing agent for the transformation of Sn(IV) to Sn(II); the precipitation of Cr(III) at pH 3, and the reconstruction of Sn6O4(OH)4 in a second step after increasing pH to 7. The recovered adsorbent stabilized a higher percentage of Sn(II) than the initial material, which explains the improvement of the removal efficiency by 50% in the Cr(VI) adsorption capacity

Electron Correlation in Real Time

Electron correlation, caused by the interaction among electrons in a multielectron system, manifests itself in all states of matter. A complete theoretical description of interacting electrons is challenging; different approximations have been developed to describe the fundamental aspects of the correlation that drives the evolution of simple (few-electron systems in atoms/molecules) as well as complex (multielectron wave functions in atoms, molecules, and solids) systems. Electron correlation plays a key role in the relaxation mechanisms that characterize excited states of neutral or ionized atoms and molecules populated by absorption of extreme ultraviolet (XUV) or X-ray radiation. The dynamics of these states can lead to different processes such as Fano resonance and Auger decay in atoms or interatomic Coulombic decay or charge migration in molecules and clusters. Many of these relaxation mechanisms are ubiquitous in nature and characterize the interaction of complex systems, such as biomolecules, adsorbates on surfaces, and hydrogen-bonded clusters, with XUV light. These mechanisms evolve typically on the femtosecond (1 fs=10−15 s) or sub-femtosecond timescale. The experimental availability of few-femtosecond and attosecond (1 as=10−18 s) XUV pulses achieved in the last 10 years offers, for the first time, the opportunity to excite and probe in time these dynamics giving the possibility to trace and control multielectron processes. The generation of ultrashort XUV radiation has triggered the development and application of spectroscopy techniques that can achieve time resolution well into the attosecond domain, thereby offering information on the correlated electronic motion and on the correlation between electron and nuclear motion. A deeper understanding of how electron correlation works could have a large impact in several research fields, such as biochemistry and biology, and trigger important developments in the design and optimization of electronic devices