Electron localization and possible phase separation in the absence of a charge density wave in single-phase 1T-VS2_2

We report on a systematic study of the structural, magnetic and transport properties of high-purity 1T-VS$_2$ powder samples prepared under high pressure. The results differ notably from those previously obtained by de-intercalating Li from LiVS$_2$. First, no Charge Density Wave (CDW) is found by transmission electron microscopy down to 94 K. Though, \textit{ab initio} phonon calculations unveil a latent CDW instability driven by an acoustic phonon softening at the wave vector ${\bf q}_{CDW} \approx$ (0.21,0.21,0) previously reported in de-intercalated samples. A further indication of latent lattice instability is given by an anomalous expansion of the V-S bond distance at low temperature. Second, infrared optical absorption and electrical resistivity measurements give evidence of non metallic properties, consistent with the observation of no CDW phase. On the other hand, magnetic susceptibility and NMR data suggest the coexistence of localized moments with metallic carriers, in agreement with \textit{ab initio} band structure calculations. This discrepancy is reconciled by a picture of electron localization induced by disorder or electronic correlations leading to a phase separation of metallic and non-metallic domains in the nm scale. We conclude that 1T-VS$_2$ is at the verge of a CDW transition and suggest that residual electronic doping in Li de-intercalated samples stabilizes a uniform CDW phase with metallic properties.Comment: 22 pages, 10 Figures. Full resolution pictures available at http://journals.aps.org/prb/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevB.89.23512

CT imaging findings of abdominopelvic vascular compression syndromes: what the radiologist needs to know

Abdominopelvic vascular compression syndromes include a variety of uncommon conditions characterized by either extrinsic compression of blood vessels by adjacent anatomical structures (i.e., median arcuate ligament syndrome, nutcracker syndrome, May-Thurner syndrome) or compression of hollow viscera by adjacent vessels (i.e., superior mesenteric artery syndrome, ureteropelvic junction obstruction, ureteral vascular compression syndromes, portal biliopathy). These syndromes can be unexpectedly diagnosed even in asymptomatic patients and the predisposing anatomic conditions can be incidentally discovered on imaging examinations performed for other indications, or they can manifest with atypical abdominal symptoms and acute complications, which may lead to significant morbidity if unrecognized. Although computed tomography (CT) is an accurate noninvasive technique for their detection, the diagnosis remains challenging due to the uncommon clinical presentation and often overlooked imaging features. Dynamic imaging may be performed in order to evaluate patients with inconstant symptoms manifesting in a specific position. The purposes of this paper are to review the CT imaging findings of abdominopelvic vascular compression syndromes, correlating with anatomical variants and to provide key features for the noninvasive imaging diagnosis

CT angiography for the assessment of EVAR complications: a pictorial review

Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is a minimally invasive treatment proposed as an alternative to open repair in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms. EVAR consists in a stent-graft placement within the aorta in order to exclude the aneurysm from arterial circulation and reduce the risk of rupture. Knowledge of the various types of devices is mandatory because some stents/grafts are more frequently associated with complications. CT angiography is the gold standard diagnostic technique for preprocedural planning and postprocedural surveillance. EVAR needs long-term follow-up due to the high rate of complications. Complications can be divided in endograft device-related and systemic complications. The purpose of this article is to review the CT imaging findings of EVAR complications and the key features for the diagnosis

First cases of combined full robotic partial nephrectomy and colorectal resections: Results and new perspectives

Background: Nowadays the robotic platform is widespread in general surgery, urology, and gynecology. Combined surgery may represent an alternative to sequential procedures and it allows the treatment, at the same time, of coexisting lesions; in this perspective, full-robotic multiorgan surgery is starting to gain interest from surgeons worldwide. Methods: Between April and June 2019, two patients presenting with synchronous colorectal and kidney cancers underwent, respectively, full-robotic right colectomy with right partial nephrectomy and anterior rectal resection with left partial nephrectomy. Surgeries were performed by both the general surgery and urology team. Results: No intraoperative complications were registered and the postoperative course was uneventful in both cases. Conclusions: Combined multiple organ surgery with full robotic technique is safe and offers oncological adequate results. A multi-team surgical pre-planning is mandatory to reduce invasiveness and operative time. To the best of our knowledge, these are the first reports of full robotic partial nephrectomy combined with colorectal procedures

Beam-induced damage on diffractive hard X-ray optics

Beam-induced damage on diffractive hard X-ray optics is studied by means of X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy

Lipid composition optimization in spray congealing technique and testing with curcumin-loaded microparticles

Spray-congealing, a technique based on the fast solidification of sprayed molten lipids, is considered a novel strategy to encapsulate natural products. Among others, it is a safe, low cost, fast and reproducible technique, with rising interest for several applications (e.g. food applications). One of the key parameters for the application of this technique is the lipid solidification temperature, which can be modulated by optimizing the lipid composition. In this work, three lipid components (beeswax, carnauba wax, and medium-chain triglycerides (Miglyol 812)) were selected, and the mixture composition modelled using a simplex-centroid experimental design. Three different lipid compositions were chosen to validate the proposed model, then tested in the preparation of curcumin-loaded microparticles (1.5%, w/w). The produced microparticles were analysed in terms of colour, morphology, particle size, encapsulation efficiency and load, physicochemical, crystalline, and thermal properties. Results evidenced that microparticle's properties, including encapsulation efficiency, vary according to the used lipid mixture, supporting their tailoring role. This fact brings advantages in the design of microencapsulation systems based on spray congealing processes, broadening their applicability. Moreover, lipid composition optimisation was proved to be an important tool to precede the development of spray-congealing applications.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Prevention of skin reactions due to teletherapy in women with breast cancer: a comprehensive review

One of the possible courses of cancer treatment is teletherapy, and one of the most important adverse side effects are skin reactions, an ailment more commonly called radiodermatitis. The main purpose of this study is to analyze knowledge of the evidence about topical products used in the prevention of radiodermatitis, to support care delivery to women with breast cancer during teletherapy. The research method used here is the comprehensive literature review. Four databases were used to select the bibliography. The sample consists of 15 articles. The data shows that, among the topical products analyzed here, Calendula, corticosteroids and Xclair have shown significant protective effects, underlining their actions. The lack of articles published in Brazil highlights the need for further research in this area, seeking better care quality through the use of products with scientifically proven efficiency.Teleterapia está entre las modalidades de tratamiento para el cáncer y uno de sus principales efectos adversos son reacciones de la piel, comúnmente llamado radiodermatitis. Este estudio objetivó analizar el conocimiento acerca de los productos tópicos utilizados para la prevención de la radiodermatitis que justifiquen la atención en teleterapia en mujeres con cáncer de mama. Se adoptó como método de investigación la revisión integradora de la literatura. Para la selección de los artículos se utilizaron cuatro bases de datos. La muestra fue constituida por 15 artículos. Los datos muestran que entre los productos tópicos analizados la caléndula, esteroides y Clair X tuvo un efecto protector significativo, destacando así por sus acciones. La ausencia de artículos publicados en Brasil se centra en la necesidad de seguir investigando para mejorar la calidad de la atención mediante el uso de productos con una eficacia científicamente probada.Dentre as modalidades de tratamento para o câncer está a teleterapia, e um dos principais efeitos adversos dessa modalidade são as reações de pele, comumente chamadas radiodermatites. O presente estudo teve como objetivo analisar o conhecimento sobre as evidências acerca de produtos tópicos, utilizados na prevenção de radiodermatite, que fundamente o cuidado em teleterapia direcionado a mulheres com câncer de mama. Adotou-se como método de pesquisa a revisão integrativa da literatura. Para a seleção da bibliografia utilizaram-se quatro bases de dados. A amostra constitui-se de 15 artigos. Os dados demonstram que, dentre os produtos tópicos analisados, a calêndula, os corticoesteroides e o Xclair tiveram efeito protetor significante, destacando-se, assim, pelas suas ações. A ausência de artigos publicados no Brasil mostra a necessidade de mais pesquisas nessa área, visando a melhor qualidade na assistência a mulheres com câncer de mama, por meio da utilização de produtos com eficácia comprovada cientificamente

Powder diffraction studies on proteins: An overview of data collection approaches

Following the seminal work of Von Dreele, high quality powder X-ray diffraction studies on proteins are being established as a valuable complementary technique to single-crystal measurements. Several studies using a variety of experiments approaches have been reported in the literature, including high-resolution studies employing parallel beam geometry and high intensity measurements using position sensitive detectors. The choice of the optimum instrumental configuration depends on a number of competing factors such as the amount of sample available, its radiation sensitivity, and the quality of the data required for data analysis, e.g. angular resolution, the extent of the data in d-spacing, or the number of patterns required to explore the protein’s behaviour at different temperatures, or under different crystallisation conditions, etc. Here we discuss several advantages and disadvantages of different data collection methods followed for selected examples of small proteins

A Rice Gene of De Novo Origin Negatively Regulates Pathogen-Induced Defense Response

How defense genes originated with the evolution of their specific pathogen-responsive traits remains an important problem. It is generally known that a form of duplication can generate new genes, suggesting that a new gene usually evolves from an ancestral gene. However, we show that a new defense gene in plants may evolve by de novo origination, resulting in sophisticated disease-resistant functions in rice. Analyses of gene evolution showed that this new gene, OsDR10, had homologs only in the closest relative, Leersia genus, but not other subfamilies of the grass family; therefore, it is a rice tribe-specific gene that may have originated de novo in the tribe. We further show that this gene may evolve a highly conservative rice-specific function that contributes to the regulation difference between rice and other plant species in response to pathogen infections. Biologic analyses including gene silencing, pathologic analysis, and mutant characterization by transformation showed that the OsDR10-suppressed plants enhanced resistance to a broad spectrum of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae strains, which cause bacterial blight disease. This enhanced disease resistance was accompanied by increased accumulation of endogenous salicylic acid (SA) and suppressed accumulation of endogenous jasmonic acid (JA) as well as modified expression of a subset of defense-responsive genes functioning both upstream and downstream of SA and JA. These data and analyses provide fresh insights into the new biologic and evolutionary processes of a de novo gene recruited rapidly