Mobile setup for synchrotron based in situ characterization during thermal and plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition

We report the design of a mobile setup for synchrotron based in situ studies during atomic layer processing. The system was designed to facilitate in situ grazing incidence small angle x-ray scattering (GISAXS), x-ray fluorescence (XRF), and x-ray absorption spectroscopy measurements at synchrotron facilities. The setup consists of a compact high vacuum pump-type reactor for atomic layer deposition (ALD). The presence of a remote radio frequency plasma source enables in situ experiments during both thermal as well as plasma-enhanced ALD. The system has been successfully installed at different beam line end stations at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility and SOLEIL synchrotrons. Examples are discussed of in situ GISAXS and XRF measurements during thermal and plasma-enhanced ALD growth of ruthenium from RuO4 (ToRuS™, Air Liquide) and H2 or H2 plasma, providing insights in the nucleation behavior of these processes

The templated growth of a chiral transition metal chalcogenide

We demonstrate that an intrinsically chiral, high Miller index surface of an achiral metal can be used to template the enantioselective growth of chiral transition metal chalcogenide films. Specifically, Cu(643)R can be used as a template for the enantioselective growth of a chiral copper telluride alloy surface. Beyond a critical alloy thickness the chiral influence of the Cu(643)R surface diminishes and an achiral surface forms. Our work demonstrates a new method of producing chiral transition metal chalcogenide surfaces, with potential applications in the study of structurally chiral topological insulators

Comparison of hormonal receptor and HER-2 status between breast primary tumours and relapsing tumours: clinical implications of progesterone receptor loss

Differences in hormone receptor and HER-2 status between primary tumour and corresponding relapse could have a substantial impact on clinical management of patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate change in expression of hormone receptors and HER-2 status between primary tumour and corresponding local recurrence or distant metastasis. We analysed 140 primary tumours and related recurrent or metastatic samples. Hormone receptors status was evaluated by immunohistochemistry, while HER-2 status by immunohistochemistry and silver in situ hybridisation. A change in HER-2 was rare; 3.7% of cases by immunohistochemistry and only 0.7% by silver in situ hybridisation analysis. A change in estrogen and progesterone receptors was seen in 6.4% and 21.4% of cases, respectively. Estrogen receptor change was not affected by adjuvant therapy, whereas progesterone receptor was influenced by adjuvant chemotherapy associated to hormone therapy (P = 0.0005). A change in progesterone receptor was more frequent in distant metastases than in local recurrences (P = 0.03). In the setting of estrogen receptor positive tumours, patients with progesterone receptor loss in local recurrence had a statistically significant lower median metastasis free survival compared to others patients; progesterone receptor positive, 112 months; progesterone receptor negative, 24 months (P = 0.005). A change between primary tumour and corresponding relapse is frequent for progesterone receptor, infrequent for estrogen receptor and rare for HER-2. In cases with changes in HER-2, it is worthwhile reassessing HER-2 status with both immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridisation analysis. Progesterone receptor loss seems to be influenced by therapy and to correlate with a worse prognosis

Prevention of congenital malformations and other adverse pregnancy outcomes with 4.0 mg of folic acid : community-based randomized clinical trial in Italy and the Netherlands

Background: In 2010 a Cochrane review confirmed that folic acid (FA) supplementation prevents the first- and second-time occurrence of neural tube defects (NTDs). At present some evidence from observational studies supports the hypothesis that FA supplementation can reduce the risk of all congenital malformations (CMs) or the risk of a specific and selected group of them, namely cardiac defects and oral clefts. Furthermore, the effects on the prevention of prematurity, foetal growth retardation and pre-eclampsia are unclear.Although the most common recommendation is to take 0.4 mg/day, the problem of the most appropriate dose of FA is still open.The aim of this project is to assess the effect a higher dose of peri-conceptional FA supplementation on reducing the occurrence of all CMs. Other aims include the promotion of pre-conceptional counselling, comparing rates of selected CMs, miscarriage, pre-eclampsia, preterm birth, small for gestational age, abruptio placentae.Methods/Design: This project is a joint effort by research groups in Italy and the Netherlands. Women of childbearing age, who intend to become pregnant within 12 months are eligible for the studies. Women are randomly assigned to receive 4 mg of FA (treatment in study) or 0.4 mg of FA (referent treatment) daily. Information on pregnancy outcomes are derived from women-and-physician information.We foresee to analyze the data considering all the adverse outcomes of pregnancy taken together in a global end point (e.g.: CMs, miscarriage, pre-eclampsia, preterm birth, small for gestational age). A total of about 1,000 pregnancies need to be evaluated to detect an absolute reduction of the frequency of 8%. Since the sample size needed for studying outcomes separately is large, this project also promotes an international prospective meta-analysis.Discussion: The rationale of these randomized clinical trials (RCTs) is the hypothesis that a higher intake of FA is related to a higher risk reduction of NTDs, other CMs and other adverse pregnancy outcomes. Our hope is that these trials will act as catalysers, and lead to other large RCTs studying the effects of this supplementation on CMs and other infant and maternal outcomes.Trial registration: Italian trial: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01244347.Dutch trial: Dutch Trial Register ID: NTR3161

Ion beam self organized FePt nanowires investigated by grazing incidence X-ray techniques

National audienc

Clinician versus nurse symptom reporting using the National Cancer Institute--Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events during chemotherapy: results of a comparison based on patient's self-reported questionnaire.

Background: Monitoring adverse events during chemotherapy by clinicians is a standard practice but clinicians mayreport fewer side-effects or lower symptom severity than patients. Our aim was to compare symptoms self-reported bypatients with symptoms registered by clinicians and nurses, to assess validity of a nurse reporting.Methods: From April to August 2007, a double-blind questionnaire with 13 common items graduated according tothe National Cancer Institute\u2019s Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events was completed by clinicians andnurses for outpatients undergoing chemotherapy at our Medical Oncology Day Hospital Unit. Patients completeda modified questionnaire with simplified terms. They were requested to specify seriousness of symptoms witha subjective scale varying from 1 to 4. Every patient\u2013nurse\u2013clinician questionnaire was registered for the statisticalanalysis. Agreement was evaluated by Cohen\u2019s kappa coefficient.Results: Eighty-five paired questionnaires were completed. Patients, nurses and clinicians agreed on mostsymptoms and toxicity grade. Agreements between patients and nurses were stronger than those between patientsand physicians for the six most common symptoms: asthenia (kappa 75% versus 37%), constipation (83% versus45%), neuropathy (82% versus 55%), mucositis (78% versus 46%) and diarrhoea (90% versus 77%). Thesedifferences mainly reflected differences in the proportion of positive agreement: nurses were more able to detectsymptoms self-reported by patients than physicians. The only exception was nausea, as kappa coefficient was verygood for both health professionals (91% versus 89%). When considering the different grade of toxicity by the weightedkappa coefficient, we scored again the highest agreement between patient and nurse, with weighted kappa rangingfrom 55% (asthenia) to 86% (diarrhoea), and the lowest agreement between patient and physician, with weightedkappa ranging from 32% (asthenia) to 74% (nausea). The agreement between physician and nurse slightly improved,with weighted kappa ranging from 41% (constipation) to 77% (nausea).Conclusion: Our results support the validity of nurse toxicity reporting and that the nurse staff could be successfullyemployed in collecting toxicity data because of a greater ability to elicit information from patients than the medical staff

In-situ GISAXS investigation of the early stages growth of nanoporous alumina

International audienc