Validation of two algorithms to evaluate the interface between bone and orthopaedic implants

The level of fit and fill of the prosthetic stem in the femoral canal is an important parameter when planning a cementless total hip arthroplasty. However, the standard templates used in combination with radiographs are not always effective in the pre-operative evaluation of the level of fitting. For this reason, two algorithms were developed able to provide clinically relevant three-dimensional indicators of the implant fit and fill in the host femur, based on the CT data of each specific patient as collected in vivo. In this study the computational methods were described and validated using digital phantom datasets. Then the algorithms were applied for in vivo datasets and the sensitivity of each indicator was evaluated. The validation showed that the two algorithms are accurate from a computational point of view. Moreover, the in vivo testing demonstrated that the developed methods provide reasonable quantitative indicators of the stem positioning in the femoral CT dataset.     

Context Management for Adaptive Information Systems

Modern technologies enable users accessing services using multiple channels. In the service design phase, this poses additional requirements for high software adaptivity along different technical requirements and different user expectations. During execution, services are usually dynamically selected; this service selection phase requires the identification of the most suitable service along the context that characterizes the users in the time instant in which they send the service request. This paper focuses on the selection phase and it aims at providing a framework to define and manage the context in a general environment characterized by adaptivity and multichannel access. An example to demonstrate the suitability and feasibility of the framework is provided referring to the MAIS (Multichannel Adaptive Information Systems) architecture and considering services related to the tourism domain. The MAIS architecture aims at providing automatically and efficiently services with the appropriate features by choosing among many provider offerings.     

Palladium Supported on Cross‐Linked Imidazolium Network on Silica as Highly Sustainable Catalysts for the Suzuki Reaction under Flow Conditions

Highly cross‐linked imidazolium‐based materials, obtained by radical oligomerization of bis‐vinylimidazolium salts in the presence of 3‐mercaptopropyl‐modified silica gel, were used as supports for palladium catalysts. Thanks to the high imidazolium loading these materials were able to support a high amount of the metal (10 wt%). Such materials were characterized by several techniques (¹³C magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance, the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller technique, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy). The palladium catalysts displayed good activity allowing the synthesis of several biphenyl compounds in high yields working with only 0.1 mol% of palladium loading at 50 °C in ethanol/water under batch condition. Moreover, a flow apparatus, to optimize the efficiency of the isolation of the pure products and minimize waste (E‐factor), was investigated. For the first time the palladium catalyst and base (K₂CO₃) were placed in two separate columns allowing an easy recovery of the products with very low E‐factor values (<4). Waste production was reduced by over 99% compared to classic batch conditions. Because of the high Pd loading only 42 mg of catalysts were employed in the Suzuki reaction between 160 mmol of 4‐bromotoluene and 180 mmol of phenylboronic acid. No loss in activity was observed.     

Single‐ and Double‐Sided Chemical Functionalization of Bilayer Graphene

An experimental study on the interaction between the top and bottom layer of a chemically functionalized graphene bilayer by mild oxygen plasma is reported. Structural, chemical, and electrical properties are monitored using Raman spectroscopy, transport measurements, conductive atomic force microscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Single‐ and double‐sided chemical functionalization are found to give very different results: single‐sided modified bilayers show relatively high mobility (200–600 cm² V^?1 s^?1 at room temperature) and a stable structure with a limited amount of defects, even after long plasma treatment (>60 s). This is attributed to preferential modification and limited coverage of the top layer during plasma exposure, while the bottom layer remains almost unperturbed. This could eventually lead to decoupling between top and bottom layers. Double‐sided chemical functionalization leads to a structure containing a high concentration of defects, very similar to graphene oxide. This opens the possibility to use plasma treatment not only for etching and patterning of graphene, but also to make heterostructures (through single‐sided modification of bilayers) for sensors and transistors and new graphene‐derivatives materials (through double‐sided modification).     

Structural characterization of nanocrystalline lanthanum oxyfluoride films obtained by chemical vapor deposition

This study is devoted to a thorough structural and microstructural characterization of nanophasic LaOF-based thin films. The coatings were synthesized by Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) onto Si(100) substrates at growth temperatures between 250 and 500 degrees C, using La(hfa)3.diglyme (Hhfa = 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoro-2,4-pentanedione; diglyme = bis(2-methoxyethyl)ether) as both La and F molecular source under nitrogen + wet oxygen atmospheres. The system structure and microstructure were investigated by Glancing Incidence X-ray Diffraction (GIXRD) and X-ray microdiffraction. The most relevant sample features, with particular attention to the phase composition as a function of the synthesis conditions, are critically discussed.     

Residual tobacco smoke: measurement of its washout time in the lung and of its contribution to environmental tobacco smoke

Background

Tobacco smoking entails inhaling millions of fine particles with each puff, and it is intuitive that after smoking a cigarette it will take a certain time to washout residual tobacco smoke (RTS) from the lungs with subsequent breaths.

Objectives

To study the washout time of 0.3–1.0 µm particles after the last puff in 10 volunteer smokers by using equipment capable of measuring particle concentration in real time in the exhaled air.

Result

Mean (standard deviation (SD)) lung RTS washout time was 58.6 (23.6) s, range 18–90 s, and corresponded to 8.7 (4.6) subsequent breathings. The contribution of individual and overall RTS to indoor pollution was calculated by subtracting incremental background particle concentration from room concentration after 10 consecutive re‐entries of smokers after the last puff into a room of 33.2 m³, with an air exchange rate per hour in the range of 0.2–0.4. Mean (SD) individual RTS contribution consisted of 1402 (1490) million particles (range 51–3611 million), whereas RTS increased room 0.3–1.0 µm particle concentration from a baseline of 22 283 particles/l to a final room concentration of 341 956 particles/l, corresponding to a total increase in particulate matter (2.5) from a background of 0.56 up to 3.32 µg/m³.

Conclusion

These data reveal a definite although marginal, role of RTS as a source of hidden indoor pollution. Further studies are needed to understand the relevance of this contribution in smoke‐free premises in terms of risk exposure; however, waiting for about 2 min before re‐entry after the last puff would be enough to avoid an unwanted additional exposure for non‐smokers.Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is considered to be the most important source of indoor pollution and a recognised health risk factor.^1,2 Despite a putative lower exposure to toxic substances of tobacco, its effect on human tissues and organs seems to be almost as dangerous as active smoke.³ ETS monitoring carried out by means of particulate matter measurements showed that the smoke of a few cigarettes can contribute to indoor pollution up to levels exceeding outdoor limits,^1,4 and even higher than those produced by recent diesel engines.⁵ Research in this field conducted in the past 20 years led to the enactment of smoking policy rules in many countries, whose enforcement was linked to improvement in the health status of citizens.⁶ Where smoking is restricted, smokers are required to smoke outdoors, and often light up in the vicinity or in front of the buildings; they then re‐enter the buildings through common entrances immediately after finishing their cigarettes. To date, the retention time of mainstream smoke in the lung residual tobacco smoke (RTS) after the last puff has been investigated for volatile organic compounds,^7,8 but not yet for particulate matter, and its contribution to indoor ETS pollution has not been fully evaluated.⁹ New technologies in the field of aerosol analysers have recently made it possible to measure aerosol particles in the exhaled air in real time.¹⁰ We carried out this study to measure the retention time of tobacco smoke particulate matter after the last puff and to evaluate the contribution of RTS to ETS pollution.     

Yeast dynamics during the fermentation of brined green olives treated in the field with kaolin and Bordeaux mixture to control the olive fruit fly

The yeast microbiota associated with naturally fermented and inoculated green table olives, differently treated in the field with non-conventional repellent and antiovipositional products in the control of Bactrocera oleae, was analysed using a combination of culture-dependent and -independent molecular fingerprinting. The routine yeast isolation gave rise to 118 strains, whose identification was performed by PCR-RFLP of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions. Total DNA was extracted directly from the brine throughout fermentation by means of an experimental protocol that included the removal of Taq polymerase inhibitors. Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE) of 26S rRNA gene PCR amplicons highlighted the yeast community. Comparison of both culture-dependent and independent methods indicated that the yeast species Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Wickerhamomyces anomalus, Candida diddensiae and Issatchenkia orientalis were dominant during fermentation despite the addition of the Lactobacillus plantarum starter used in brining. The resultant isolated species were unaffected by treatments in field, except for C. diddensiae whose growth was delayed by kaolin.     

Mono- and bi-functional arenethiols as surfactants for gold nanoparticles: synthesis and characterization

Stable gold nanoparticles stabilized by different mono and bi-functional arenethiols, namely, benzylthiol and 1,4-benzenedimethanethiol, have been prepared by using a modified Brust's two-phase synthesis. The size, shape, and crystalline structure of the gold nanoparticles have been determined by high-resolution electron microscopy and full-pattern X-ray powder diffraction analyses. Nanocrystals diameters have been tuned in the range 2 ÷ 9 nm by a proper variation of Au/S molar ratio. The chemical composition of gold nanoparticles and their interaction with thiols have been investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. In particular, the formation of networks has been observed with interconnected gold nanoparticles containing 1,4-benzenedimethanethiol as ligand.     

Traffic emission scenarios in Lombardy region in 1998-2015

This study assesses and discusses the current and future contribution of road traffic to primary PM10 and PM10 main precursors (i.e. NO(x), SO(2), NH(3), VOC) in the Lombardy region (Italy). It defines a coherent and updated set of input parameters (emission factors, mileage and fleet composition) for traffic emission estimation between 1998 and 2015. 1998-2004 emissions are assessed basing on historical data, while 2005-2015 rely on different hypothesis about mobility development and vehicular turnover rate. The work shows that road traffic emissions of PM10 and PM10 precursors are expected to decrease in the period 2005-2015, with a reduction greater than 70% in scenarios with a fast vehicle turnover and a decrease in fuel usage. Increase in fuel consumption could substantially lower the emission reduction expected, off-setting a substantial part of the new technology benefits. The introduction of DPF (diesel particulate filter) vehicles will determine a reduction of PM10 exhaust, however this could potentially be stalled by the increase in diesel usage in the vehicle fleet and an increase in mileage driven, as the latter causes a rise in the contribution of PM10 from abrasion. Concerning the total atmospheric emissions in Lombardy, SO(2) (-6%) and NH(3) (<-2%) emission will remain constant, while PM10, VOC and NO(x) emission will decrease, respectively by 2-30%, 6-15% and 2-32% in the period 2001-2015.