Nanocrystalline lanthanide-doped Lu3Ga5O12 garnets: interesting materials for light-emitting devices

Nanocrystalline Lu3Ga5O12, with average particle sizes of 40 nm, doped with a wide variety of luminescent trivalent lanthanide ions have been prepared using a sol\u2013gel technique. The structural and morphological properties of the powders have been investigated by x-ray powder diffraction, high resolution transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Structural data have been refined and are presented for Pr3+, Eu3+, Gd3+, Ho3+, Er3+ and Tm3+ dopants, while room temperature excited luminescence spectra and emission decay curves of Eu3+-, Tm3+- and Ho3+-doped Lu3Ga5O12 nanocrystals have been measured and are discussed. The Eu3+ emission spectrum shows typical bands due to 5D0 \u21927FJ (J = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4) transitions and the broadening of these emission bands with the non-exponential behaviour of the decay curves indicates the presence of structural disorder around the lanthanide ions. Lanthanide-doped nanocrystalline Lu3Ga5O12 materials show better luminescence intensities compared to Y2O3, Gd3Ga5O12 and Y3Al5O12 nanocrystalline hosts. Moreover, the upconversion emission intensity in the blue-green region for the Tm3+- and Ho3+-doped samples shows a significant increase upon 647.5 nm excitation with respect to other common oxide hosts doped with the same lanthanide ions

Effects of oral administration of caffeine on some physiological parameters and maternal behaviour of sows at farrowing

Caffeine has been demonstrated to have a protective effect on neonatal viability of piglets. In order to assess whether caffeine, administered to parturient sows, also affects maternal behaviour, respiratory rate, and dopamine, nitric oxide and serotonin plasma levels, 20 sows, with induced parturition, received orally 27 mg/kg of body weight of caffeine (T group; n = 10) or not (NT group; n = 10), on day 113 of gestation. Treatment did not affect the farrowing length. There were less stillborn piglets in T group than NT group (0.67 vs 2.44; P< 0.05), whereas no differences in dead piglets at 24 h from birth was observed. Caffeine did not affect physiological parameters of sows, as the behaviour score of sows laying on belly was reduced (P < 0.05). In conclusion, although the present study was carried out with a limited number of sows, administration of caffeine to parturient sows has the potential for reducing the number of stillborn

Le patronyme

Les études actuelles sur les « noms de famille », loin de se borner au seul terrain de la généalogie, font désormais pleinement partie du domaine de la recherche. Elles permettent de ce fait un décryptage original des conditions tant historiques qu’anthropologiques qui ont déclenché, en divers points de l’Europe, à différents moments, le processus d’identification des personnes : mouvement progressif dans l’Europe au Moyen Âge ; processus qui peut être coercitif, comme lors de l’attribution de patronymes aux esclaves affranchis, et devenu largement réglementaire après la promulgation de lois sur la transmission des noms. Étudiant tour à tour les origines et l’histoire des patronymes, leur distribution géographique et les liens entre marqueurs génétiques et patronymiques, les auteurs réunis dans cet ouvrage – anthropologues, historiens de la famille, démographes, spécialistes de la génétique des populations, sociologues – montrent combien une approche pluridisciplinaire est nécessaire à l’explication du phénomène du patronyme. En effet, l’informatisation récente de divers registres de noms de famille a permis le développement de nouvelles méthodes d’analyse, dérivées de la démographie historique et de la génétique des populations. Elles permettent non seulement de décrire l’évolution, au fil des générations, des cercles de mariage, des règles d’alliance et de la consanguinité, mais aussi de quantifier la direction et l’ampleur des migrations entre populations. Fondé sur des exemples concrets, des provinces baltes à la Sardaigne ou l’Atlas marocain, des Flamands de France aux Français du Québec, cet ouvrage offre un état sans équivalent de la question des origines et de l’évolution du patronyme

Comment on “Real-World Use of a New Hybrid Closed Loop Improves Glycemic Control in Youth with Type 1 Diabetes” by Messer et al

We read with interest the article by Messer et al.1 reporting a significant increase in time in range (TIR, +9%, P < 0.001) in 191 children and adolescents using a closed-loop control (CLC) system (Tandem t:slim X2 insulin pump with Control-IQ technology, San Diego, CA). This result is noteworthy given the difficulties in achieving good glycemic control, especially in children.2,3 In addition to technology, we believe that education, especially when designed for sharing between pediatric centers, can maximize the benefits of new diabetes technology. To this end, in 2020 and at the same time as CLC with the Control-IQ system was introduced in Italy, we organized a virtual educational camp (vEC) for children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. The aims, structure, and 3- and 6-month outcomes of the vEC are detailed elsewhere.4,5 In this study, we present the glycemic metrics 9 months after the vEC. Nineteen Italian pediatric diabetes centers participated in this IRB-approved prospective multicenter clinical study.4,5 Children (6–17 years) who had already used the Basal-IQ system for at least 3 months with the carbohydrate counting system and were available to test Control-IQ and share their data on data-syncing software were enrolled and actively participated in the vEC.4 Each patient was then followed up by their own center every 3 months. If needed, teleconsultation and televisits were offered. The main study outcomes are as shown in Table 1. The 43 participants were aged 7–16 years (median 12, interquartile range [IQR] 9–13), of whom 53.5% were female. The duration of diabetes ranged from 2 to 13 years (median 6; IQR 4–9). The median body mass index z-score was −0.2 (IQR −0.6 to 0.2), and 19 (45%) participants were prepubertal according to Tanner's classification

Significant and persistent improvements in time in range and positive emotions in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes using a closed-loop control system after attending a virtual educational camp

Objective To evaluate the six-month impact of the advanced automated functions of a closed-loop control (CLC) system (Control-IQ) and a virtual educational camp (vEC) on emotions and time in range (TIR) of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Methods Children and their parents participated in a three-day vEC. Clinical, glucose, and emotion data were evaluated before, just after, and six months after the vEC. Emotions were evaluated using adapted Plutchik's and Geneva Emotion Wheels. Results Forty-three children and adolescents (7–16 years) showed significant improvements in positive emotions immediately and six months after the vEC (67% and 65% vs 38%, p < 0.05, respectively), while mixed emotions were reduced (32% and 15% vs 61%, p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively). The median percentage TIR increased from 64% (IQR 54–72) to 75% (IQR 70–82) with Control-IQ (p < 0.001) six months after the vEC. Conclusions Positive emotions (joy, serenity, and satisfaction) significantly improved while mixed emotions were significantly worse six months after the initiation of a CLC system (Control-IQ) and a vEC