Defects and strain enhancements of second-harmonic generation in Si/Ge superlattices

International audienceStarting from experimental findings and interface growth problems in Si/Ge superlattices, we have investigated through ab initio methods the concurrent and competitive behavior of strain and defects in the second-harmonic generation process. Interpreting the second-harmonic intensities as a function of the different nature and percentage of defects together with the strain induced at the interface between Si and Ge, we found a way to tune and enhance the second-harmonic generation response of these systems. (C) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC

The stigma of schizophrenia from patients' and relatives' view: A pilot study in an Italian rehabilitation residential care unit

OBJECTIVE: To identify the constituent elements of the stigma from the perspective of those having first-hand experiences of it. METHODS: Subjective experiences of stigma were explored in six focus groups: three with people suffering from schizophrenia and three with patients' relatives. Focus group sessions were tape-recorded, transcribed and analyzed by means of an inductive method, forming categories from the texts, as a basis for coding. Analysis aimed at establishing a typology of stigmatization experiences from the spoken words of the focus group participants. RESULTS: Four dimensions of stigma were identified: access to social roles; internalization of stigma; quality of mental health services, public image of mental illness. CONCLUSION: The most frequently found topics concerned experiences of marginalization and discrimination that people with schizophrenia experience in their daily life. These results mirror the findings of similar studies obtained in other cultural contexts

Dexamethasone nano-embedded sodium hyaluronate microparticles for treatment of COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome

Dexamethasone (DX) is a synthetic glucocorticoid employed in a wide range of diseases asimmunosuppressant. Recent studies reported that DX could be administered orally or intravenouslyfor the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome in patients with COVID-19 phase-3infection caused by an overreaction of their immune system, reducing 28-day mortality in patientsmechanically ventilated or receiving oxygen [1]. Nevertheless, the long-term systemicadministration of dexamethasone led to severe side effects, highlighting the urgent need of newstrategies for its delivery [2][3]. The aim of this work was to develop a new formulation for inhalationbased on DX-nanoparticles. High molecular weight sodium hyaluronate (HA, 750 kDa) was employedto coat DX nanoparticles to exploit HA targeting to CD44 receptors on pulmonary macrophages andits anti-inflammatory effects[4]. DX-nanoparticles were obtained by anti-solvent precipitation usingwater as anti-solvent dripped into an alcoholic solution of drug. The suspension was spray-dried toobtain a dry powder. Size distribution and morphology of microparticles were investigated by laserdiffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Nanoparticle characteristics and composition wereassessed after powder redispersion in physiological medium by dynamic light scattering and X-rayscattering techniques. Results revealed the release of quite polydisperse nanoparticles (PdI = 0.3-0.4) with size around 290 nm in water and 180 nm in phosphate buffer. SAXS results showednanoparticles with a DX-rich crystalline core stabilized in solution by the presence of a shell of HAchains partially embedded in the core. After particle redispersion in water the aerodynamicbehavior of the obtained suspension was assessed in vitro using a device for aerosol therapyobtaining a Fine Particle Fraction of 87.5 +- 0.7% while the Emitted Fraction was 26.4 +-2.9%. Thelatter figure represents a limit that may be overcome by nebulizing directly the nanosuspension inthe pipe of a ventilator.Fil: Laura Bertocchi. Università di Parma; Italia. Departamento de Alimentos y Drogas ; Universita Degli Studi Di Parma;Fil: Cámara, Candelaria Inés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Laura F. Cantú. Universita Degli Studi Di Milano. Dipartimento Di Beitecnologe Mediche E Medicina Traslazionale.; ItaliaFil: Elena Del Favero. Universita Degli Studi Di Milano. Dipartimento Di Beitecnologe Mediche E Medicina Traslazionale.; ItaliaFil: Ruggero Bettini. Departamento de Alimentos y Drogas ; Universita Degli Studi Di Parma;20th Advanced Course in Pharmaceutical TechnologyItaliaAssociazione Docenti e Ricercatori Italiani di Tecnologie e Legislazione Farmaceutich

Hyaluronic acid—dexamethasone nanoparticles for local adjunct therapy of lung inflammation

The delivery of a dexamethasone formulation directly into the lung appears as an appro-priate strategy to strengthen the systemic administration, reducing the dosage in the treatment of lung severe inflammations. For this purpose, a hyaluronic acid-dexamethasone formulation was developed, affording an inhalable reconstituted nanosuspension suitable to be aerosolized. The physico-chemical and biopharmaceutical properties of the formulation were tested: size, stability, loading of the spray-dried dry powder, reconstitution capability upon redispersion in aqueous me-dia. Detailed structural insights on nanoparticles after reconstitution were obtained by light and X-ray scattering techniques. (1) The size of the nanoparticles, around 200 nm, is in the proper range for a possible engulfment by macrophages. (2) Their structure is of the core-shell type, hosting dex-amethasone nanocrystals inside and carrying hyaluronic acid chains on the surface. This specific structure allows for nanosuspension stability and provides nanoparticles with muco-inert proper-ties. (3) The nanosuspension can be efficiently aerosolized, allowing for a high drug fraction poten-tially reaching the deep lung. Thus, this formulation represents a promising tool for the lung administration via nebulization directly in the pipe of ventilators, to be used as such or as adjunct therapy for severe lung inflammation.Fil: Cámara, Candelaria Inés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Bertocchi, Laura. Departamento de Alimentos y Drogas ; Universita Degli Studi Di Parma;Fil: Ricci, Caterina. Universita Degli Studi Di Milano. Dipartimento Di Beitecnologe Mediche E Medicina Traslazionale.; ItaliaFil: Bassi, Rosaria. Universita Degli Studi Di Milano. Dipartimento Di Beitecnologe Mediche E Medicina Traslazionale.; ItaliaFil: Bianchera, Annalisa. Departamento de Alimentos y Drogas ; Universita Degli Studi Di Parma;Fil: Cantú, Laura F.. Universita Degli Studi Di Milano. Dipartimento Di Beitecnologe Mediche E Medicina Traslazionale.; ItaliaFil: Ruggero, Bettini. Departamento de Alimentos y Drogas ; Universita Degli Studi Di Parma;Fil: Del Favero, Elena. Universita Degli Studi Di Milano. Dipartimento Di Beitecnologe Mediche E Medicina Traslazionale.; Itali

The first record of translocated white-clawed crayfish from the Austropotamobius pallipes complex in Sardinia (Italy)

<p>The white-clawed crayfish <em>Austropotamobius pallipes </em>complex is native to Europe, being present in 18 European countries, Italy included. However, the number and abundance of its populations are today restricted and it has been recently classified as “endangered” by IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature). Here, we report the first record of this freshwater crayfish in Sardinia Island (Italy). Using a fragment of the mitochondrial DNA 16S rRNA gene, we identified three haplotypes that correspond to the <em>A. italicus meridionalis </em>subclade. We provide information about the sampling area, population density and finally discuss hypotheses about the occurrence of this population in Sardinia, comparing it with other Mediterranean populations. Our results improve the existing knowledge about the phylogeography of the taxon across Italy, confirming its complex pattern of distribution. In addition to the non-native status of the Sardinian <em>A. i. meridionalis</em> crayfish, we showed that the most proximal Mediterranean population of white-clawed crayfish existing in Corsica belongs to <em>A. pallipes</em> from Southern France.</p

Baseline and postoperative C-reactive protein levels predict mortality in operable lung cancer.

Background Higher blood levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) have been associated with shorter survival in patients with cardiovascular, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cancer. We investigated the impact of baseline and postoperative CRP levels on survival of patients with operable lung cancer (LC). Patients and methods CRP values at baseline (CRP0) and 3 days after surgery (CRP3) were measured in a consecutive series of 1750 LC patients who underwent complete resection between 2003 and 2015. Patients were classified as having 0 (N = 593), 1 (N = 658) or 2 (N = 553) risk factors: CRP0 and/or CRP3 values above the respective median value. The effect of higher CRP was evaluated by Kaplan–Meier mortality curves and adjusted hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI), by fitting Cox proportional hazards models. Results Cumulative proportions of 5-year survival were 67% for 0 risk factors, 58% for 1 risk factor and 41% for 2 risk factors (P < 0.0001). The overall 5-year mortality risk was significantly higher in patients with 1 risk factor (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.43 [95% CI 1.14–1.79]), or 2 risk factors (aHR 2.49 [95% CI 1.99–3.11]). A significant impact on survival was observed in each tumour-node-metastasis stage group, and in the subset of non-smokers. Postoperative 30-day mortality was significantly higher in patients with 2 risk factors only (aHR 2.2% versus 0.6%, p < 0.0475). Conclusions Baseline and postoperative CRP levels predict immediate and long-term mortality in all stages of operable lung cancer. Patients with higher CRP levels could be candidate to randomised adjuvant trials with anti-inflammatory agents

Suffrage, labour markets and coalitions in colonial Virginia

We study Virginia's suffrage from the early-17th century until the American Revolution using an analytical narrative and econometric analysis of unique data on franchise restrictions. First, we hold that suffrage changes reflected labour market dynamics. Indeed, Virginia's liberal institutions initially served to attract indentured servants from England who were needed in the labour-intensive tobacco farming but deteriorated once worker demand subsided and planters replaced white workers with slaves. Second, we argue that Virginia's suffrage was also the result of political bargaining influenced by shifting societal coalitions. We show that new politically influential coalitions of freemen and then of small and large slave-holding farmers emerged in the second half of the 17th and early-18th centuries, respectively. These coalitions were instrumental in reversing the earlier democratic institution\s. Our main contribution stems from integrating the labour markets and bargaining/coalitions arguments, thus proving a novel theoretical and empirical explanation for institutional change

Second Harmonic Generation in Silicon Based Heterostructures: The Role of Strain and Symmetry

Silicon is today the electronic material par excellence. Nevertheless the increasing demand for new, innovative and more efficient devices has driven scientists to explore new functionalities in Si-based materials. In silicon photonics the introduction of second-order nonlinearity by proper material engineering would be highly desirable. However a bulk second-order dipolar nonlinear optical susceptibility in Si is forbidden due to the bulk crystal centrosymmetry. Different approaches have been used to break this inversion symmetry: ..