Strong Reduction of the Field-Dependent Microwave Surface Resistance in YBCO with BaZrO_3 Inclusions

We present measurements of the magnetic field dependent microwave surface resistance in laser-ablated YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-\delta}$ films on SrTiO$_3$ substrates. BaZrO$_3$ crystallites were included in the films using composite targets containing BaZrO$_3$ inclusions with mean grain size smaller than 1 $\mu$m. X-ray diffraction showed single epitaxial relationship between BaZrO$_3$ and YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-\delta}$. The effective surface resistance was measured at 47.7 GHz for 60$< T <$90 K and 0$< \mu_0H <$0.8 T. The magnetic field had a very different effect on pristine YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-\delta}$ and YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-\delta}$/BaZrO$_3$, while for $\mu_0H=$0 only a reduction of $T_c$ in the YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-\delta}$/BaZrO$_3$ film was observed, consistent with dc measurements. At low enough $T$, in moderate fields YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-\delta}$/BaZrO$_3$ exhibited an intrinsic thin film resistance lower than the pure film. The results clearly indicate that BaZrO$_3$ inclusions determine a strong reduction of the field-dependent surface resistance. From the analysis of the data in the framework of simple models for the microwave surface impedance in the mixed state we argue that BaZrO$_3$ inclusions determine very steep pinning potentials.Comment: LaTeX, 6 pages, 4 figures, uses jpconf.cls and jpconf11.clo class files, talk given at EUCAS 2007, submitted to J. Phys.: Conf. Serie

Intestinal perforation after surgical treatment for incisional hernia. iatrogenic or idiopathic?

Intestinal perforation (IP) is a life-threatening gastroenterological condition requiring urgent surgical care, which may present itself as an uncommon complication following incisional hernia repair surgery, most often because of iatrogenic traumatism occurring during the procedure. However, we report a case where a spontaneous onset can be hypothesised. A 60-years-old patient underwent repair of an abdominal laparocele, through rectus abdominis muscle plasty, 5 years after development of an incisional hernia due to exploratory laparotomy for the treatment of acute appendicitis. Xipho-pubic scar was excised and umbilicus and supra-umbilical hernia sac dissected, a linear median incision was performed along the sub-umbilical linea alba, reaching preperitoneal plane to assess any intestinal loop adherence to the abdominal wall. After limited viscerolysis, abdominal wall defect was corrected by 'rectus abdominis muscle plasty' and umbilicus reconstruction by Santanelli technique. Postoperative course was uneventful until Day 29, with sudden onset of epigastric pain, fever and bulge. Sixty cubic centimeter pus was drained percutaneously and cavity was rinsed with a 50% H2O2 and H2O V-V solution until draining clear fluid. Symptoms recurred two days later, while during rinsing presented dyspnoea. X-Ray and CT scan diagnosed IP, and she underwent under emergency an exploratory laparotomy, leading to right hemicolectomy extended to last ileal loops and middle third of the transverse, right monolateral salpingo-ovariectomy and a temporary ileostomy by general surgeon. Twenty-three days later an ileostomy reversal surgery was performed and 8 days after she was discharged. At latest follow-up patient showed fair conditions, complaining abdominal pain and diarrhoea, attributable to the extensive intestinal resection. IP following incisional hernia repair, is reported as uncommon and early postoperative complication. In our case, the previous regular postoperative course with late onset lead us to hypothesise a possible idiopathic etiopathogenesis, because of a strangulation followed by gangrene and abscess formation, which might begin before the incisional hernia repair and unnoticed at the time surgery was performed

Duration of air leak is reduced after awake nonresectional lung volume reduction surgery

OBJECTIVE: Prolonged air leak occurs frequently after lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) and can negatively affect both morbidity and hospital stay. We hypothesised that awake nonresectional LVRS could reduce the duration of air leak in emphysema patients. METHODS: This analysis included 66 patients undergoing awake, unilateral plication of the most emphysematous lung regions under sole epidural anaesthesia. Primary outcome measure was the rate of prolonged (>7 days) air leak; secondary outcome measures included the mean duration of air leak, hospital stay and early discharges (<or=4 days). All results were retrospectively compared with those of a similar control group undergoing resectional LVRS under general anaesthesia. RESULTS: Intergroup comparisons showed that demographics and baseline data were well matched. Prolonged air leak occurred in 12 patients (18%) in the awake group versus 27 patients (40%) in the control group (p=0.007) with a mean duration of 5.2+/-6.5 days versus 7.9+/-7.6 days (p<0.0002). Mean hospital stay was significantly shorter in the awake group (6.3+/-2.8 days vs 9.2+/-5.6 days, p<0.0001). At univariate analysis, resectional LVRS (p=0.007), higher severity of emphysema (p<0.0001) and lower diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (p=0.0001) correlated with occurrence of prolonged air leak; however, logistic regression indicated high severity of emphysema as the most important factor predicting prolonged air leak (odds ratio=4.85, p<0.0001). At 6 months, dyspnoea index, FEV1 and 6 min walking test improved significantly in both study groups. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, awake nonresectional LVRS was associated with a lower rate of prolonged air leak and a shorter hospital stay than the standard resectional technique

Hydrothermal stability of Ru/SiO2-C: A promising catalyst for biomass processing through liquid-phase reactions

In this work, structural and morphological properties of SiO2-C composite material to be used as support for catalysts in the conversion of biomass-derived oxygenated hydrocarbons, such as glycerol, were investigated in liquid water under various temperatures conditions. The results show that this material does not lose surface area, and the hot liquid water does not generate changes in the structure. Neither change in relative concentrations of oxygen functional groups nor in Si/C ratio due to hydrothermal treatment was revealed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. Raman analysis showed that the material is made of a disordered graphitic structure in an amorphous silica matrix, which remains stable after hydrothermal treatment. Results of the hydrogenolysis of glycerol using a Ru/SiO2-C catalyst indicate that the support gives more stability to the active phase than a Ru/SiO2 consisting of commercial silica

VUV-Vis optical characterization of Tetraphenyl-butadiene films on glass and specular reflector substrates from room to liquid Argon temperature

The use of efficient wavelength-shifters from the vacuum-ultraviolet to the photosensor's range of sensitivity is a key feature in detectors for Dark Matter search and neutrino physics based on liquid argon scintillation detection. Thin film of Tetraphenyl-butadiene (TPB) deposited onto the surface delimiting the active volume of the detector and/or onto the photosensor optical window is the most common solution in current and planned experiments. Detector design and response can be evaluated and correctly simulated only when the properties of the optical system in use (TPB film + substrate) are fully understood. Characterization of the optical system requires specific, sometimes sophisticated optical methodologies. In this paper the main features of TPB coatings on different, commonly used substrates is reported, as a result of two independent campaigns of measurements at the specialized optical metrology labs of ENEA and University of Tor Vergata. Measured features include TPB emission spectra with lineshape and relative intensity variation recorded as a function of the film thickness and for the first time down to LAr temperature, as well as optical reflectance and transmittance spectra of the TPB coated substrates in the wavelength range of the TPB emission

Guiding nipple-areola complex reconstruction.Lliterature review and proposal of a new decision-making algorithm

Background: Nipple-areola complex reconstruction (NAR) most commonly represents the finishing touch to breast reconstruction (BR). Nipple presence is particularly relevant to the patient’s psyche, beyond any shadow of doubt. Many reconstructive options have been described in time. Surgery is easy, but final result is often disappointing on the long run. Methods: The goal of this manuscript is to analyze and classify knowledge concerning NAR techniques and the factors that influence success, and then to elaborate a practical evidence-based algorithm. Out of the 3136 available articles as of August 8th, 2020, we selected 172 manuscripts that met inclusion criteria, which we subdivided into 5 main topics of discussion, being the various NAR techniques; patient factors (including patient selection, timing and ideal position); dressings; potential complications and finally, outcomes/patient satisfaction. Results: We found 92 articles describing NAR techniques, 41 addressing patient factors (out of which 17 discussed patient selection, 14 described ideal NAC location, 10 described appropriate timing), 10 comparing dressings, 7 studying NAR complications, and 22 addressing outcomes and patient satisfaction. We elaborated a comprehensive decision-making algorithm to help narrow down the choice among NAR techniques, and choose the correct strategy according to the various scenarios, and particularly the BR technique and skin envelope. Conclusions: No single NAR technique provides definitive results, which is why we believe there is no “end-all be-all solution”. NAR must be approached as a case-by-case situation. Furthermore, despite NAR being such a widely discussed topic in scientific literature, we still found a lack of clinical trials to allow for more thorough recommendations to be elaborated. Level of Evidence III: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each submission to which Evidence-Based Medicine rankings are applicable. This excludes Review Articles, Book Reviews, and manuscripts that concern Basic Science, Animal Studies, Cadaver Studies, and Experimental Studies. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/0026

Lung volume reduction reoperations

BACKGROUND: Optimal management of emphysematous patients who have lost the benefits achieved after lung volume reduction surgery is a clinical dilemma. We have hypothesized that in stringently selected instances, lung volume reduction reoperations might be considered as a salvage surgical treatment. We sought to analyze the results of a series of patients undergoing lung volume reduction reoperations after successful bilateral lung volume reduction surgery. METHODS: Between January 2000 and April 2006, 17 patients (mean age, 66 +/- 3 years) with radiologic evidence of distinct regional lung hyperinflation underwent lung volume reduction reoperations. Surgical procedures entailed completion lobectomy in 7 patients, nonanatomic resection of lung target areas were performed in 5 patients under general anesthesia with one-lung ventilation, and awake lung plication was performed in 5 patients under sole epidural anesthesia. Follow-up at 6 and 12 months was complete in all survivors. RESULTS: Mean operative time was 100 +/- 12 minutes. Two patients (11.7%) died perioperatively of adult respiratory distress syndrome. Hospital stay was 9 +/- 2 days. Significant improvements occurred for up to 12 months in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV(1); p < 0.001), forced vital capacity (p < 0.002), residual volume (p < 0.001), 6-minute walk test (p < 0.001), and modified Medical Research Council dyspnea index (p < 0.001). At 6-months, improvements in FEV(1) were greater than 200 mL in 11 patients and correlated with the postoperative reduction in residual volume (r = -0.62, p = 0.01); baseline residual volume was inversely correlated with the degree of improvement in the dyspnea index (r = -0.54, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Lung volume reduction reoperations can offer significant clinical improvement to stringently selected patients who have lost the clinical benefit achieved after lung volume reduction surgery

Thoracic surgery in the COVID-19 era: an Italian university hospital experience

BackgroundAims of this study were to assess the results of anti-COVID19 measures applied to maintain thoracic surgery activity at an Italian University institution through a 12-month period and to assess the results as compared with an equivalent non-pandemic time span.MethodsData and results of 646 patients operated on at the department of Thoracic Surgery of the Tor Vergata University Policlinic in Rome between February 2019 and March 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided in 2 groups: one operated on during the COVID-19 pandemic (pandemic group) and another during the previous non-pandemic 12 months (non-pandemic group). Primary outcome measure was COVID-19 infection-free rate.ResultsThree patients developed mild COVID-19 infection early after surgery resulting in an estimated COVID-19 infection-free rate of 98%. At intergroup comparisons (non-pandemic vs. pandemic group), a greater number of patients was operated before the pandemic (352 vs. 294, p = 0.0013). In addition, a significant greater thoracoscopy/thoracotomy procedures rate was found in the pandemic group (97/151 vs. 82/81, p = 0.02) and the total number of chest drainages (104 vs. 131, p = 0.0001) was higher in the same group. At surgery, tumor size was larger (19.5 13 vs. 28.2 +/- 21; p &lt; 0.001) and T3-T4/T1-T2 ratio was higher (16/97 vs. 30/56; p &lt; 0.001) during the pandemic with no difference in mortality and morbidity. In addition, the number of patients lost before treatment was higher in the pandemic group (8 vs. 15; p = 0.01). Finally, in 7 patients admitted for COVID-19 pneumonia, incidental lung (N = 5) or mediastinal (N = 2) tumors were discovered at the chest computed tomography.Conclusions Estimated COVID-19 infection free rate was 98% in the COVID-19 pandemic group; there were less surgical procedures, and operated lung tumors had larger size and more advanced stages than in the non-pandemic group. Nonetheless, hospital stay was reduced with comparable mortality and morbidity. Our study results may help implement efficacy of the everyday surgical care

Manutenção em campo de níveis variados de palhada de cana-de-açúcar: efeitos sobre o acúmulo de nitrogênio nas plantas.

Resumo: O objetivo do trabalho foi estudar a contribuição de diferentes níveis de palhada sobre o acumulo de nitrogênio na cana-de-açúcar. O ensaio foi instalado em Araras-SP, durante as safras de 2011-12 e 2012-13 (variedade RB-845210). Foram aplicados cinco tratamentos, com níveis de 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% e 100% (0 - 2,8- 5,7- 8,5 -11,3 t ha-1 safra 2011-12) (0 - 3 - 6,2 - 9,4 - 12,8 t ha-1 safra 2012-13) dispostos em blocos ao acaso com quatro repetições. Para acompanhar o acumulo de N nos diferentes compartimentos da planta (folhas verdes, folhas secas e colmo) de cana-de-açúcar foram utilizados os dados de massa seca (kg ha-1) e concentrações de N (g kg-1) de cada um destes componentes, obtidos em biometrias realizadas ao longo dos dois ciclos de cultivos estudados. Utilizou-se a análise de variância e regressão para o tratamento estatístico dos resultados. Foi possível concluir que: a manutenção de quantidades de palhada entre 5-12 t ha-1 promovem o mesmo acúmulo de nitrogênio no colmo em relação à ausência deste resíduo (sem palhada) somente após dois ciclos de cultivo de cana-de-açúcar; sendo que no primeiro ciclo há superioridade do tratamento sem palhada apenas sobre o maior nível deste resíduo; não há uma tendência consistente para o acúmulo de nitrogênio para as folhas verdes e secas em função de diferentes aportes de palhada sobre o solo. Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the contribution of different levels of straw on the accumulation of nitrogen in sugarcane. The trial was conducted at the harvests of 2011-12 and 2012-13 in Araras-SP, using the RB-845210 variety. There were tested five levels of straw (0% - 25% - 50% - 75% - 100%), related with 2,8 - 5,7 - 8,5 -11,3 t ha -1 ( 2011-12) and 3,0 ? 6,2 ? 9,4 ? 12,8 t ha -1 (2012-13), that were arranged in a randomized block design with four replications. To determine N accumulation in sugarcane there was used dry mass (kg ha -1 ) and N concentrations (g kg -1 ) of stalk, green and dry leaves, obtained by biometry evaluations realized during the two ratoons. Variance analyses and regressions were used as statistic tool. It is possible to conclude that after two cycles of sugarcane the inputs of 5-12 t ha -1 of straw by harvest has the same contribution for nitrogen stalk accumulation than traits without straw; although in the first cycle the trait without straw is superior than the higher level of this residue. About green and dry leaves there is no tendency for the nitrogen accumulation for the input of different levels of straw in soil