Growth of room temperature ferromagnetic Ge1-xMnx quantum dots on hydrogen passivated Si (100) surfaces

A method for the synthesis of room-temperature ferromagnetic dilute semiconductor Ge1-xMnx (5 % < x < 8 %) quantum dots by molecular beam epitaxy by selective growth on hydrogen terminated silicon (100) surface is presented. The functionalized substrates, as well as the nanostructures, were characterized in situ by reflection high-energy electron diffraction. The quantum dots density and equivalent radius were extracted from field emission scanning electron microscope pictures, obtained ex-situ. Magnetic characterizations were performed by superconducting quantum interference device vibrating sample magnetometry revealing that ferromagnetic order is maintained up to room temperature: two different ferromagnetic phases were identified by the analysis of the field cooled – zero field cooled measurements

The treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers by percutaneous metatarsal osteotomies: A prospective study

Background: Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFUs) are present on about 15% of diabetic patients and still represent a challenge for orthopaedic surgeons. The aim of this prospective study was to analyse the functional and radiographic results of patients with DFUs treated by percutaneous metatarsal osteotomy. Materials and methods: 35 DFUs on 30 patients (mean age of 67 years) operated by the same surgeon were included in this study. All of the patients had peripheral neuropathy and a diagnosis of DM for a mean of 19 years. The mean diameter of the plantar ulcers was 163; 62 mm (50\u2013250), and the most frequent grade of the University of Texas score was IIIB (43%). The mean age of the ulcers was 10.3 months. Results: The mean healing time was 7.94 \ub1 4.04 weeks (4 to 17 wks) and all of the patients healed. We did not record cases of ulcer recurrence at a mean follow-up of 25 months (9 to 71). The mean AOFAS score before operating was 55 (42 to 71) and, at the last check-up, was 81 (64 to 100). We had a single complication: a skin infection of Streptococcus Agalactiae, treated with antibiotic therapy. Conclusions: Minimally Invasive metatarsal osteotomy is recommended for patients with forefoot plantar DFUs without any exception of the University of Texas Diabetic Wound Classification

F360 and F6 Skytaper: SEM evaluation of cleaning efficiency

Root canal preparation may produce a large quantity of smear layer that covers canal walls. Single-file systems have recently appeared, with the aim of reducing the number of steps and files to reach a correct endodontic treatment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate by SEM the root canal walls after instrumentation with F360 (Komet, Brasseler GmbH & Co., Lemgo, Germany) and F6 Skytaper (Komet, Brasseler GmbH & Co., Lemgo, Germany), in order to evaluate the presence/absence of smear layer and the presence/absence of open tubules on the root canal walls at coronal, middle, and apical third of each sample

Growth of room temperature ferromagnetic Ge 1-x

A method for the synthesis of room-temperature ferromagnetic dilute semiconductor Ge1-xMnx (5 % < x < 8 %) quantum dots by molecular beam epitaxy by selective growth on hydrogen terminated silicon (100) surface is presented. The functionalized substrates, as well as the nanostructures, were characterized in situ by reflection high-energy electron diffraction. The quantum dots density and equivalent radius were extracted from field emission scanning electron microscope pictures, obtained ex-situ. Magnetic characterizations were performed by superconducting quantum interference device vibrating sample magnetometry revealing that ferromagnetic order is maintained up to room temperature: two different ferromagnetic phases were identified by the analysis of the field cooled – zero field cooled measurements

Minimally Invasive Distal Metatarsal Diaphyseal Osteotomy (DMDO) for Chronic Plantar Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Background: The aims of this prospective study were first to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of minimally invasive distal metatarsal diaphyseal osteotomies (DMDOs) for treating a consecutive series of diabetic patients with chronic plantar diabetic foot ulcers (CPDFUs) and second to assess their clinical-functional and radiographic outcomes. Methods: A consecutive series of patients affected by diabetes mellitus with CPDFUs, not responsive to previous nonoperative management, underwent DMDO. The CPDFUs were evaluated using the University of Texas Diabetic Wound Classification System (UTDWC). Demographic parameters, Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores, visual analog scale (VAS) scores, healing times, and complications were recorded. Maestro et al criteria and bone callus formation were analyzed radiologically. Statistical analysis was carried out ( P < .05). Thirty consecutive enrolled patients with a mean age of 66.7 (range, 53-75) years presented 35 CPDFUs with a mean diameter of 16.3 mm and a mean duration of 10.3 months. The most frequent grade of the UTDWC was IIIB (42.9%). Results: All ulcers recovered with a mean healing time of 7.9 \ub1 4.0 (range, 4-17) weeks. AOFAS scores improved significantly from 55.3 to 81.4 points ( P < .001). At a mean follow-up of 25.3 months (range, 18-71), no cases of ulcer recurrence were recorded, while a major complication or a wound infection required longer healing time. Conclusion: Minimally invasive DMDO was a safe and effective method in promoting CPDFU healing, regardless of the grade of severity, by the reduction of the high plantar pressure under the metatarsal heads. This technique improved functional and radiographic outcomes with few complications. Level of Evidence: IV, case serie

Manual orthodontic vs. oscillating-rotating electric toothbrush in orthodontic patients: a randomised clinical trial

Studio controllato e randomizzato sull'efficacia dello spazzolamento manuale vs elettrico rotante-oscillante nei pazienti in trattamentoortodontico fiss

Use of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Generic-30 Set for the characterization of outpatients: Italian Society of Physical and Rehabilitative Medicine Residents Section Project

The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) Generic-30 Set (previously referred to as Rehabilitation Set) is a minimal set of ICF categories for reporting and assessing functioning and disability in clinical populations with different health conditions along the continuum of care. Recently, the Italian Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (SIMFER) developed an Italian modification of the simple and intuitive descriptions (SID) of these categories. This study was the first one to implement the use of the SID in practice

Electronic Skin: achievements, issues and trends

The skin is one of the main organs of the human body and as such it implements many different and relevant functions, e.g. protection of the inner body organs, detection of cutaneous stimuli, etc. Due to its complexity, the development of artificial, or better, electronic skin (e-skin) is a very challenging goal which involves many different and complementary research areas. Nonetheless, the possible application areas are many and very relevant: e.g. humanoids and industrial robotics, artificial prosthetics, biomedical instrumentation, cyber physical systems, for naming a few. Many research groups are addressing the development of e-skin and the research scenario is exciting and continuously evolving. Due to its very peculiar features, the development of electronic skin can be effectively tackled using a holistic approach. Starting from the system specification definition, the mechanical arrangement of the skin itself (i.e. soft or rigid mechanical support, structural and functional material layers, etc.) needs to be designed and fabricated together with the electronic embedded system, to move toward aspects such as tactile data processing algorithms and the communication channel interface. In this paper, we present and assess the achievements of our research group in this field focusing on the following aspects: (i) The manufacturing technology of sensor arrays based on piezoelectric polymer (PVDF) transduction; (ii) The mixed-mode interface electronics; (iii) The tactile data processing algorithms; (iv) The electronic embedded system. Future trends and research perspectives will be also presented

Efficacy of professional hygiene and prophylaxis on preventing plaque increase in orthodontic patients with multibracket appliances: A systematic review

Background: Plaque increase is a troubling side-effect of fixed orthodontic therapy. This generally arise as a consequence of long-term difficulty in maintaining adequate oral hygiene while wearing multibracket appliances. Demineralization, also known as white spot, causes particular concern as it spoils the aesthetic outcome of the treatment itself, not to mention the integrity of the enamel. Objectives: To collate the existing literature by evaluating the efficacy of dental hygienist intervention on plaque increase in fixed orthodontics patients. Materials and methods: A targeted search of the Medline database (Entrez PubMed), EMBASE, and CENTRAL using relevant Medical Subject Headings was performed. The articles selected were all published before June 2013 and comprised randomized clinical trials, prospective longitudinal controlled clinical trials, and before/after studies onto the plaque increase of fixed appliances. Results: The search strategy yielded 630 articles. Following the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, 10 articles qualified for the final review. Conclusion: The quality of the retrieved researches ranged from low (one study) to high (one study). Six controlled trials were considered at unknown risk of bias. Data showed that regular patient motivation sessions and mechanical tooth cleaning by a professional dental hygienist help maintaining good oral hygiene during fixed orthodontics