Polaron relaxation in ferroelectric thin films

We report a dielectric relaxation in ferroelectric thin films of the ABO3 family. We have compared films of different compositions with several growth modes: sputtering (with and without magnetron) and sol-gel. The relaxation was observed at cryogenic temperature (T<100K) for frequencies from 100Hz up to 10MHz. This relaxation activation energy is always lower than 200meV. It is very similar to the polaron relaxation that we reported in the parent bulk perovskites. Being independent of the materials size, morphology and texture, this relaxation can be a useful probe of defects in actual integrated capacitors with no need for specific shapin

Virtual and augmented reality as enablers for improving the service on distributed assets

The evolution of Augment and Virtual Reality is enabling new solutions. This paper addresses creation of applications to support service and maintenance of distributed systems. Indeed this approach could be applied to devices provided as service for industrial and individual use and could introduce new capabilities in terms of training for operators, control and remote service support. The paper presents a case study devoted to lead the introduction of these innovative solutions in industrial and health care system

Preschool wheezing and gastro-esophageal reflux: –causal or casual coincidence? update from literature

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and wheeze are two common conditions in children. GER has been advocated as a causative factor for explaining recurrent to persistent respiratory symptoms at any age. This association very often means that many children with cough, wheezing, or recurrent respiratory infections receive empirical anti-reflux medications. The causal relationship is still largely discussed. Compared to the large number of studies in infants and adolescents, literature on the relationship between GER and wheeze in preschool children is scarce and inconclusive. The aim of the present narrative review was to summarize what is known so far, and what the literature has proposed in the last 20 years, on the relationship between preschool wheezing and GER. In preschool children with respiratory symptoms there is a high rate of positivity of reflux testing, for this reason pH-MII testing and endoscopy are recommended. Flexible bronchoscopy may be useful to exclude anatomical abnormalities as the cause of wheezing in infancy and preschool years. Several biomarkers, as well as empirical anti-reflux therapy, have been proposed for the diagnosis of GER-related airway diseases, but the conclusions of these studies are controversial or even conflicting. There is a great need for future clinical trials to confirm or rule out the association

Oral manifestations in a boy with X-linked reticulate pigmentary disorder

X-linked reticulate pigmentary disorder (XLPDR) is a rare, multi-systemic disease with only a limited number of families described in the literature. XLPDR has a genetic origin and the gene has been mapped to Zp22p21. Dental features resemble those of hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia. A case of a 3-years-old boy is described

High quality MgB2 thin films in-situ grown by dc magnetron sputtering

Thin films of the recently discovered magnesium diboride (MgB2) intermetalic superconducting compound have been grown using a magnetron sputtering deposition technique followed by in-situ annealing at 830 C. High quality films were obtained on both sapphire and MgO substrates. The best films showed maximum Tc = 35 K (onset), a transition width of 0.5 K, a residual resistivity ratio up to 1.6, a low temperature critical current density Jc > 1 MA/cm2 and anisotropic critical field with gamma = 2.5 close to the values obtained for single crystals. The preparation technique can be easily scaled to produce large area in-situ films.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figure

Autonomous systems for operations in critical environments

This paper proposes an environment devoted to simulate the use of autonomous systems in the context of space exploratory missions and operations; this research focuses on supporting engineering of autonomous systems and of their innovative artificial intelligences through interoperable simulation. The proposed approach enables also development of training and educational solutions for use of robots and autonomous systems in space critical environments. The paper addresses different application areas including robotic inventory and warehouse solutions, intelligent space guard systems, drones for supporting extravehicular activities and for managing accidents and health emergencies. The paper investigates the potential of autonomous systems as well as their capability to interoperate with other systems and with humans, especially in critical environments. Finally, the paper presents the existing researches for interoperable simulators devoted to address these challenging topics within Simulation Exploratory Experience initiative

STM tunneling spectroscopic studies of YNdxBa2−xCu3O7−δ thin films

We performed tunneling spectroscopy on high quality superconducting YNdxBa2-xCu3O7-delta thin films using a low-temperature scanning tunneling microscope. Superconducting regions show very well-defined gap structures. Disorder introduced by Nd substitution at the Ba site dramatically affects locally the quasiparticle density of states. The measurements show that the impurities induce surface resonant states at energies very close to the Fermi energy, typical of a d-wave superconductor

Oral manifestation of Goltz-Gorlin syndrome in a young girl

Introduction Focal dermal hypoplasia (Goltz-Gorlin syndrome) is a multi-system disorder characterized by involvement of skin, skeletal system, eyes and face. It is caused by loss-of-function mutations in the PORCN gene. We report the case of a young female, focusing on the dental features. Aim To describe the oral manifestation of a rare disorder that resembles ectodermal dysplasia (ED). Case report Clinical, radiological and genetic findings revealed common features of Goltz-Gorlin syndrome and pure ED. Oro-dental characteristics of the patient mostly corresponded to those described in the literature. However, previously unreported oro-dental findings such as taurodontism, peg-shaped teeth and microdontia are considered unusual for Goltz-Gorlin syndrome, but similar to the dental features of hypohidrotic ED. Clinical characterization of the patient by a multidisciplinary approach is described and a comprehensive review of the literature is presented

Fibrin clot adhesion to conditioned root surfaces: an in vitro study with scanning electron microscopy analysis

Aim: Periodontal regeneration is contingent on the adhesion and maturation of fibrin clot to a root surface exposed to periodontal disease. Root surface demineralization in vitro improves the formation of a stable union between the fibrin clot and the root surface. In scientific literature there are not studies of comparison that stand which demineralizing agent is the best in promoting fibrin clot adhesion. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy of six root conditionings in removing the smear layer and developing the fibrin clot in static and dynamic conditions. Methods: 36 single-root teeth extracted for periodontal disease were cut with a microtome in order to obtain 72 specimens that were divided in three groups: 24 samples not covered with blood, 24 covered with fresh human whole blood, 24 covered with blood and rinsed in a rotary shaker table (Vortex\uae). 4 specimens from each group were conditioned for 3 minutes with: physiological saline solution (FISIO) as the control group, saturated solution of citric acid 25% (AC), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid 24% (EDTA), a solution of tetracycline 200mg/mL (TETRA), a solution of tetracycline and citric acid (TETRA+AC), Prefgel\uae and successively Emdogain\uae (EMD). Then the 48 samples from group 2 and 3 were covered with blood, which was allowed to coagulate for 20 minutes in a 37\ub0C chamber. The blocks were rinsed and dehydrated under standardized conditions; specimens of group 3 were vortexed (100rpm). All the blocks were then sputtered with gold and analyzed with SEM. SEM images were evaluated by two blinded examiners, starting from the cementoenamel junction (CEJ), at 5 standardized points 2 mm distant from each other. A statistical analysis was performed. Results: EMD samples showed a more disorganized smear layer, in which is probably present the residual vehicle (propylene glycol alginate). However, in the 90% of all the specimens smear layer was found. AC treated samples showed a firmly adherent fibrin clot that covered the surfaces for the 70% of the specimens (the data was statistically relevant). Same results were found in TETRA+AC samples. The conditioning with EDTA, TETRA and EMD resulted in a sparsely organized clot worsened by the application of tensile forces, especially in TETRA samples. Only few blood cells without any clot organization were found in the control group, confirming that conditioning root surfaces improves the fibrin clot adhesion. Conclusion: The best formation of fibrin clot was observed for AC treated samples; this is probably due to the increase of root surface wettability caused by AC. The other root conditioning agents, even if lead to results better than the control group, are more susceptible to external forces and do not promote a stable fibrin clot adhesion