C ion-implanted TiO2 thin film for photocatalytic applications

Third-generation TiO2 photocatalysts were prepared by implantation of C+ ions into 110 nm thick TiO2 films. An accurate structural investigation was performed by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry, secondary ion mass spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, Raman-luminescence spectroscopy, and UV/VIS optical characterization. The C doping locally modified the TiO2 pure films, lowering the band-gap energy from 3.3 eV to a value of 1.8 eV, making the material sensitive to visible light. The synthesized materials are photocatalytically active in the degradation of organic compounds in water under both UV and visible light irradiation, without the help of any additional thermal treatment. These results increase the understanding of the C-doped titanium dioxide, helpful for future environmental applications. (C) 2015 AIP Publishing LLC

Detection of GRB signals with Fluorescence Detectors

Gamma Ray Bursts are being searched in many ground based experiments detecting the high energy component (GeV $\div$ TeV energy range) of the photon bursts. In this paper, Fluorescence Detectors are considered as possible candidate devices for these searches. It is shown that the GRB photons induce fluorescence emission of UV photons on a wide range of their spectrum. The induced fluorescence flux is dominated by GRB photons from 0.1 to about 100 MeV and, once the extinction through the atmosphere is taken into account, it is distributed over a wide angular region. This flux can be detected through a monitor of the diffuse photon flux, provided that its maximum value exceeds a threshold value, that is primarily determined by the sky brightness above the detector. The feasibility of this search and the expected rates are discussed on the basis of the current GRB observations and the existing fluorescence detectors.Comment: 16 pages 9 eps figure

Low temperature deactivation of Ge heavily n-type doped by ion implantation and laser thermal annealing

International audienceHeavy doping of Ge is crucial for several advanced micro-and optoelectronic applications, but, at the same time, it still remains extremely challenging. Ge heavily n-type doped at a concentration of 1 X 10(20) cm(-3) by As ion implantation and melting laser thermal annealing (LTA) is shown here to be highly metastable. Upon post-LTA conventional thermal annealing As electrically deactivates already at 350 degrees C reaching an active concentration of similar to 4 x 10(19) cm(-3). No significant As diffusion is detected up to 450 degrees C, where the As activation decreases further to similar to 3 x 10(19) cm(-3). The reason for the observed detrimental deactivation was investigated by Atom Probe Tomography and in situ High Resolution X-Ray Diffraction measurements. In general, the thermal stability of heavily doped Ge layers needs to be carefully evaluated because, as shown here, deactivation might occur at very low temperatures, close to those required for low resistivity Ohmic contacting of n-type Ge

Actinomycosis of the sigmoid colon: A case report

Abdominal actinomycosis is a chronic suppurative infection caused by Actinomyces species. The ileo-cecal region is most commonly affected, while the left side of the colon is more rarely involved. The infection has a tendency to infiltrate adjacent tissues and is therefore rarely confined to a single organ. Presentation may vary from non specific symptoms and signs to an acute abdomen. A computed tomography scan is helpful in identifying the inflammatory process and the organs involved. It also allows visual guidance for percutaneous drainage of abscesses, thus aiding diagnosis. Culture is difficult because of the anaerobic character and slow growth of actinomycetes. Colonoscopy is usually normal, but may shows signs of external compression. Preoperative diagnosis is rare and is established only in less than 10% of cases. In uncomplicated disease, high dose antibiotic therapy is the mainstay of treatment. Surgery is often performed because of a difficulty in diagnosis. Surgery and antibiotics are required in the case of complicated disease. Combined medical and surgical treatment achieves a cure in about 90% of cases. The authors report a case of sigmoid actinomycosis where diagnosis was made from the histology, and a review of the literature is presented

A valid academic path to promote respiratory physiotherapy

A one- year post- graduate Master in Physiotherapy and Pulmonary Rehabilitation has been offered within the University of Milan Medical School in collaboration with Associaz ione Italiana Riabilitatori dell\u2019Insufficienz a Respiratoria (ARIR). The aim is to cover a gap in Italian Physiotherapy academic curricula offering a course with theoretical and practical teaching that make students capable of using different techniques and procedures in respiratory physiotherapy. After the recognition by the International Education Recognition System (IERS), ARIR wanted to investigate if and how this course has affected students'attitude and their profession. METHODS A structured questionnaire made up of 15 multiple- choices items (8 on perceived quality of education and 7 on professional change) was sent by email to all physiotherapists who graduated in the previous four editions of the Master. One month was given for completion. Age, gender, year of degree and year of Master where considered as background variables. RESULTS We had a 78% response rate with 57 out of 73 physiotherapists sending the questionnaire back. Mean age was 37 years (23- 60) and women were the majority (78%). Forty- two students (74%) worked in the respiratory field at the time of application but only 15 (36%) dealt with respiratory patients only. Expectations were completely met at the end of Master for 71% of physiotherapists. 96% reported greater professional and clinical skills after the master with a 67% saying working team relationship has improved. 28% improved their job position thanks to the master degree and physiotherapy working in the respiratory field increased by 22%. CONCLUSIONS This course seems to meet students expectations and offer a solid knowledge to better work within the field of respiratory physiotherapy. It is also a way to promote the profession of respiratory physiotherapy in Italy

Exploring the Possible Use of AI Chatbots in Public Health Education: Feasibility Study

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) is a rapidly developing field with the potential to transform various aspects of health care and public health, including medical training. During the “Hygiene and Public Health” course for fifth-year medical students, a practical training session was conducted on vaccination using AI chatbots as an educational supportive tool. Before receiving specific training on vaccination, the students were given a web-based test extracted from the Italian National Medical Residency Test. After completing the test, a critical correction of each question was performed assisted by AI chatbots. Objective: The main aim of this study was to identify whether AI chatbots can be considered educational support tools for training in public health. The secondary objective was to assess the performance of different AI chatbots on complex multiple-choice medical questions in the Italian language. Methods: A test composed of 15 multiple-choice questions on vaccination was extracted from the Italian National Medical Residency Test using targeted keywords and administered to medical students via Google Forms and to different AI chatbot models (Bing Chat, ChatGPT, Chatsonic, Google Bard, and YouChat). The correction of the test was conducted in the classroom, focusing on the critical evaluation of the explanations provided by the chatbot. A Mann-Whitney U test was conducted to compare the performances of medical students and AI chatbots. Student feedback was collected anonymously at the end of the training experience. Results: In total, 36 medical students and 5 AI chatbot models completed the test. The students achieved an average score of 8.22 (SD 2.65) out of 15, while the AI chatbots scored an average of 12.22 (SD 2.77). The results indicated a statistically significant difference in performance between the 2 groups (U=49.5, P<.001), with a large effect size (r=0.69). When divided by question type (direct, scenario-based, and negative), significant differences were observed in direct (P<.001) and scenario-based (P<.001) questions, but not in negative questions (P=.48). The students reported a high level of satisfaction (7.9/10) with the educational experience, expressing a strong desire to repeat the experience (7.6/10). Conclusions: This study demonstrated the efficacy of AI chatbots in answering complex medical questions related to vaccination and providing valuable educational support. Their performance significantly surpassed that of medical students in direct and scenario-based questions. The responsible and critical use of AI chatbots can enhance medical education, making it an essential aspect to integrate into the educational system

Limitations on the principle of stationary phase when it is applied to tunneling analysis

Using a recently developed procedure - multiple wave packet decomposition - here we study the phase time formulation for tunneling/reflecting particles colliding with a potential barrier. To partially overcome the analytical difficulties which frequently arise when the stationary phase method is employed for deriving phase (tunneling) time expressions, we present a theoretical exercise involving a symmetrical collision between two identical wave packets and an one-dimensional rectangular potential barrier. Summing the amplitudes of the reflected and transmitted waves - using a method we call multiple peak decomposition - is shown to allow reconstruction of the scattered wave packets in a way which allows the stationary phase principle to be recovered.Comment: 17 pages, 2 figure

A Combined Ion Implantation/Nanosecond Laser Irradiation Approach towards Si Nanostructures Doping

The exploitation of Si nanostructures for electronic and optoelectronic devices depends on their electronic doping. We investigate a methodology for As doping of Si nanostructures taking advantages of ion beam implantation and nanosecond laser irradiation melting dynamics. We illustrate the behaviour of As when it is confined, by the implantation technique, in a SiO2/Si/SiO2multilayer and its spatial redistribution after annealing processes. As accumulation at the Si/SiO2interfaces was observed by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry in agreement with a model that assumes a traps distribution in the Si in the first 2-3 nm above the SiO2/Si interfaces. A concentration of 1014 traps/cm2has been evaluated. This result opens perspectives for As doping of Si nanoclusters embedded in SiO2since a Si nanocluster of radius 1 nm embedded in SiO2should trap 13 As atoms at the interface. In order to promote the As incorporation in the nanoclusters for an effective doping, an approach based on ion implantation and nanosecond laser irradiation was investigated. Si nanoclusters were produced in SiO2layer. After As ion implantation and nanosecond laser irradiation, spectroscopic ellipsometry measurements show nanoclusters optical properties consistent with their effective doping

Perineural invasion in vulvar squamous-cell carcinoma is an independent risk factor for cancer-specific survival, but not for locoregional recurrence: results from a single tertiary referral center

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Vulvar squamous cell carcinoma is a rare tumor but represents a serious health issue, especially due to the increasing incidence over the past decades. Many efforts have been made to identify new prognostic and therapeutic factors and, in this context, growing evidence concerning a pivotal role of perineural invasion. With this study, we investigated the role of perineural invasion in a large cohort of FIGO stage Ib-IIIc vulvar squamous cell carcinomas and found that perineural invasion-positive tumors have more aggressive biological behaviors and showed reduced cancer-specific survival as compared to perineural invasion-negative tumors, while this feature does not appear to be related to a greater risk to develop loco-regional recurrence. Further evaluations are warranted to confirm the prognostic role of perineural invasion and its potential use to tailor adjuvant treatment. ABSTRACT: The aims of this study were to assess the prevalence of perineural invasion (PNI) in vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC) and its prognostic role in locoregional recurrence (LRR) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). We performed a retrospective analysis of 223 consecutive stage IB–IIIC surgically treated VSCCs at S. Anna Hospital, University of Turin, from 2000 to 2019. We identified 133/223 (59.6%) patients with PNI-positive VSCCs. PNI was associated with aggressive biological features (i.e., advanced FIGO stage, larger tumor diameter, greater depth of invasion, a higher number of metastatic lymph nodes, and lymphovascular invasion) and shorter 5-year CSS (78% vs. 90%, log-rank p = 0.02) compared with PNI-negative VSCCs. Multivariate analysis showed that PNI (HR 2.99 CI 95% 1.17–7.63; p = 0.02) and the presence of tumor cells on pathological surgical margins (HR 3.13 CI 95% 1.37–7.13; p = 0.007) are independent prognostic factors for CSS. PNI does not appear to be related to LRR, but is an independent prognostic factor for worse survival outcomes. Future studies are necessary to explore the possible value of PNI in tailoring the choice of adjuvant treatment