substrate induced effects in thin films of a potential magnet composed of metal free organic radicals deposited on si 111

We deposit a paramagnetic pyrene derivative of the nitronyl nitroxide radical on Si(111). The molecules experience a strong chemical interaction with the substrate that influences the film growth. We also study the time evolution of the nitronyl nitroxide radical under a micro-focused soft X-ray beam, observing a stable radical as a product. This result hints at the possibility of using this class of materials in dosimeters and sensors

Synchrotron radiation photoionization mass spectrometry of laser ablated species

The present paper describes an experimental apparatus suitable to create and study free clusters by combining laser ablation and synchrotron radiation. First tests on sulfur samples, S, showed the production, through laser ablation, of neutral Sn clusters (n = 1–8). These clusters were ionized using synchrotron radiation at photon energies from 160 eV to 175 eV, across the S 2p core edge. The feasibility of such combined ablation–synchrotron radiation experiments is demonstrated, opening new possibilities on the investigation of free clusters and radical

CORRELATION BETWEEN CHRONIC MUCOSAL TRAUMA AND ORAL CANCER: A CASE REPORT AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Abstract – Objective: Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common malignancy in the oral cavity representing the 90% of all oral malignancies that affect oral cavity. Primary risk factors associated with oral cancer are alcohol and tobacco consumption. However, other emerging risk factors have been proposed in Literature, including chronic trauma of the oral mucosa related to dental prostheses and incongruous restorations. Therefore, the aim of this study was to review the literature on the correlation between oral carcinoma and chronic irritative trauma, with the help of a case report and with focus on clinical features and differential diagnosis. Materials and Methods: A literature search on MEDLINE, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and Wiley InterScience was performed, using the following words: Oral Cancer, chronic Trauma and Denture Trauma in various combinations. Results: The review produced 1356 results, but only 8 articles met the inclusion criteria and were involved in the review. No association has been proven between chronic mucosal trauma and oral cancer. Carcinoma has been shown to develop more frequently in trauma regions, particularly in the tongue. As for the data on the gender and age of affected patients, it emerges that most of the greatest incidence occurs around the sixth and seventh decade of life and men are more affected than women. Conclusions: Due to the heterogeneity of the different studies and the strong presence of other factors such as smoking and alcohol, the role of trauma in carcinogenesis is unclear. Further molecular, epidemiological and case-control studies are needed to define this correlation. It is advisable to carry out more restricted checks in patients at risk with dental prostheses

Manure management and nutrient cycling in smallholder crop-livestock systems in Nyando, Kenya

An essential aspect for smallholder crop-livestock farmers in sub-Saharan Africa is productive soils in order to maintain animal and crop productivity. Often, these systems are heavily dependent on local resources for their input and as a result, manure forms an important by-product to serve as fertiliser for their land. As part of the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), research on manure management in smallholder farmers in Nyando, western Kenya was done. The aim of this research was to assess manure management practices and current nutrient losses that occur through the manure management cycle. Based on these results, novel management activities were described that could improve current manure management and reduce nutrient losses. A questionnaire was used to acquire data on farm characteristics, manure management and farmers’ perceptions of 20 farms in the Nyando district. Fresh and stored manure samples were taken on-farm and analysed on nutrient content. Based on these results, nutrient losses between fresh and stored manure were calculated. The FARMSIM simulation model was used to calculate herd dynamics and production, especially production of manure. Results showed that between fresh and stored manure, dry matter loss was on average 75% and carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus showed an average loss of 80, 74 and 45%, respectively. On average, 82 kg N ha-1 year-1 was produced, whereas 42 kg N ha-1 year-1 was collected and only 17 kg N ha-1 year-1 was applied on farm. The results indicated that between manure excretion, collection and application large losses occur. Particularly manure collection and method of storage (i.e. manure stored on a heap or in a put, and uncovered or covered with a shed or tree) play an important role. Furthermore, current manure management practices do not provide the farm with sufficient amounts of nutrients needed for a stable crop production. Improvement of manure management practices could reduce nutrient losses and increase overall manure quality. Novel practices include more frequent collection of manure, decreasing the period of storage, covering the manure with a plastic sheet and altering the storage unit in order to reduce nutrient losses through leaching and evaporation

Cognitive Impairment and Age-Related Vision Disorders: Their Possible Relationship and the Evaluation of the Use of Aspirin and Statins in a 65 Years-and-Over Sardinian Population

Neurological disorders (Alzheimer’s disease, vascular and mixed dementia) and visual loss (cataract, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy) are among the most common conditions that afflict people of at least 65 years of age. An increasing body of evidence is emerging, which demonstrates that memory and vision impairment are closely, significantly, and positively linked and that statins and aspirin may lessen the risk of developing age-related visual and neurological problems. However, clinical studies have produced contradictory results. Thus, the intent of the present study was to reliably establish whether a relationship exist between various types of dementia and age-related vision disorders, and to establish whether statins and aspirin may or may not have beneficial effects on these two types of disorders. We found that participants with dementia and/or vision problems were more likely to be depressed and displayed worse functional ability in basic and instrumental activities of daily living than controls. Mini mental state examination scores were significantly lower in patients with vision disorders compared to subjects without vision disorders. A closer association with macular degeneration was found in subjects with Alzheimer’s disease than in subjects without dementia or with vascular dementia, mixed dementia, or other types of age-related vision disorders. When we considered the associations between different types of dementia and vision disorders and the use of statins and aspirin, we found a significant positive association between Alzheimer’s disease and statins on their own or in combination with aspirin, indicating that these two drugs do not appear to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease or improve its clinical evolution and may, on the contrary, favor its development. No significant association in statin use alone, aspirin use alone, or the combination of these was found in subjects without vision disorders but with dementia, and, similarly, none in subjects with vision disorders but without dementia. Overall, these results confirm the general impression so far; namely, that macular degeneration may contribute to cognitive disorders (Alzheimer’s disease in particular). In addition, they also suggest that, while statin and aspirin use may undoubtedly have some protective effects, they do not appear to be magic pills against the development of cognitive impairment or vision disorders in the elderly

Whitening with 980 nm diode laser in a dyschromic devitalized tooth with aesthetic value: long-term success

In our society, the progress of aesthetic standards has led to increasing demands from patients to have white and healthy teeth as an index of beauty and health. The main advantages of the laser bleaching technique include greater safety and control, as well as the prevention of tissue damage, the reduction of application times and greater patient satisfaction. Numerous studies in the literature underline that bleaching with diode laser is a safe. The purpose of this in vivo study was to assess the whitening effect of the 980 nm diode laser in combination with the whitening gel, containing hydrogen peroxide, in the discoloration treatment of a dental element undergone to endodontic therap

Formation mechanisms and phase stability of solid-state grown cspbi3 perovskites

CsPbI3 inorganic perovskite is synthesized by a solvent-free, solid-state reaction, and its structural and optical properties can be deeply investigated using a multi-technique approach. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Raman measurements, optical absorption, steady-time and time-resolved luminescence, as well as High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM) imaging, were exploited to understand phase evolution as a function of synthesis time length. Nanoparticles with multiple, well-defined crystalline domains of different crystalline phases were observed, usually surrounded by a thin, amorphous/out-of-axis shell. By increasing the synthesis time length, in addition to the pure α phase, which was rapidly converted into the δ phase at room temperature, a secondary phase, Cs4PbI6, was observed, together with the 715 nm-emitting γ phase