Thermal Deposition of Intact Tetrairon(III) Single‐Molecule Magnets in High‐Vacuum Conditions

A tetrairon(III) single‐molecule magnet is deposited using a thermal evaporation technique in high vacuum. The chemical integrity is demonstrated by time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry on a film deposited on Al foil, while superconducting quantum interference device magnetometry and alternating current susceptometry of a film deposited on a kapton substrate show magnetic properties identical to the pristine powder. High‐frequency electron paramagnetic resonance spectra confirm the characteristic behavior for a system with S = 5 and a large Ising‐type magnetic anisotropy. All these results indicate that the molecules are not damaged during the deposition procedure keeping intact the single‐molecule magnet behavior.     

Genetic and Epigenetic Factors of Takotsubo Syndrome: A Systematic Review

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS), recognized as stress’s cardiomyopathy, or as left ventricular apical balloon syndrome in recent years, is a rare pathology, described for the first time by Japanese researchers in 1990. TTS is characterized by an interindividual heterogeneity in onset and progression, and by strong predominance in postmenopausal women. The clear causes of these TTS features are uncertain, given the limited understanding of this intriguing syndrome until now. However, the increasing frequency of TTS cases in recent years, and particularly correlated to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, leads us to the imperative necessity both of a complete knowledge of TTS pathophysiology for identifying biomarkers facilitating its management, and of targets for specific and effective treatments. The suspect of a genetic basis in TTS pathogenesis has been evidenced. Accordingly, familial forms of TTS have been described. However, a systematic and comprehensive characterization of the genetic or epigenetic factors significantly associated with TTS is lacking. Thus, we here conducted a systematic review of the literature before June 2021, to contribute to the identification of potential genetic and epigenetic factors associated with TTS. Interesting data were evidenced, but few in number and with diverse limitations. Consequently, we concluded that further work is needed to address the gaps discussed, and clear evidence may arrive by using multi-omics investigations.     

Chemico-physical modifications induced by plasma and ozone sterilizations on shape memory polyurethane foams

Thermally activated shape memory polyurethane foams are promising materials for minimally invasive surgical procedures. Understanding their physical and chemical properties, in vitro response and effects of sterilization is mandatory when evaluating their potential as biomaterials. In this work, we report on the characterization of two Cold Hibernated Elastic Memory (CHEM) foams before and after two novel low-temperature sterilization techniques (plasma and ozone). Foams have different transition temperatures (T_trans), as determined by Tanδ peaks in DMA tests, that depend on their chemical composition: both foams possess excellent shape recovery ability (Recovery Rate up to 99%) in conventional shape recovery tests. Plasma sterilization (Sterrad^® sterilization system) resulted in a slight increase of open porosity, but no effects on bulk chemical and thermo-mechanical properties were observed. Ozone sterilization had a stronger effect on foams morphology, both in terms of an evident rupture of pore walls and surface oxidation. These modifications affected both thermomechanical and shape recovery behavior. Furthermore, plasma sterilized foams cytocompatibility was investigated with L929 fibroblast cell line in vitro, showing a good adhesion and proliferation, as confirmed by SEM observation and Alamar blue assay. The obtained results contribute to define the role of shape memory foams as biomaterials and open novel questions on the role of sterilization technique effects on cellular solids.     

Porous scaffolds of polycaprolactone reinforced with in situ generated hydroxyapatite for bone tissue engineering

Polycaprolactone/hydroxyapatite (PCL/HA) composites were prepared by in situ generation of HA in the polymer solution starting from the precursors calcium nitrate tetrahydrate and ammonium dihydrogen phosphate via sol–gel process. Highly interconnected porosity was achieved by means of the salt-leaching technique using a mixture of sodium chloride and sodium bicarbonate as porogens. Structure and morphology of the PCL/HA composites were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, and mechanical properties were determined by means of tensile and compression tests. The possibility to employ the developed composites as scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration was assessed by cytotoxicity test of the PCL/HA composites extracts and cell adhesion and proliferation in vitro studies.     

Highly Enantioselective Copper‐Phosphoramidite‐Catalyzed Conjugate Addition of Dialkylzinc Reagents to Acyclic α,β‐Unsaturated Imides

A new and practical way to introduce an alkyl fragment in the β‐position of aliphatic carboxylic acid derivatives with high enantioselectivities by the use of a commercially available chiral ligand is reported. N‐Acylpyrrolidinones, as simple derivatives of an α,β‐unsaturated carboxylic acid, were found to be the substrates of choice featuring good reactivity and high enantioselectivities (up to >99% ee).     

Characterization of angled tapered superluminescent LEDs

We present a detailed analysis of the output beam of high-power edge-emitting angled tapered superluminescent LEDs (A-TSLEDs). A device model, including spontaneous and stimulated emission processes as well as the typical nonuniform carrier-density distribution due to current spreading and carrier diffusion, has been developed and used to interpret the experimentally obtained characteristics of inhouse-fabricated A-TSLEDs. The good match between measured and theoretical results indicates that the model reproduces the A-TSLED operation very satisfactorily and clearly explains the role of the collecting lens on the pronounced asymmetry of some of the measured optical intensity profiles.     

Advances in single-molecule magnet surface patterning through microcontact printing

We present an implementation of strategies to deposit single-molecule magnets (SMMs) using microcontact printing microCP). We describe different approaches of microCP to print stripes of a sulfur-functionalized dodecamanganese (III, IV) cluster on gold surfaces. Comparison by atomic force microscopy profile analysis of the patterned structures confirms the formation of a chemically stable single layer of SMMs. Images based on chemical contrast, obtained by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry, confirm the patterned structure.     

Multiregion bicentric-spheres models of the head for the simulation of bioelectric phenomena

Equations are derived for the electric potentials [electroencephalogram (EEG)] produced by dipolar sources in a multiregion bicentric-spheres volume-conductor head model. Being the equations valid for an arbitrary number of regions, our proposal is a generalization of many spherical models presented so far in literature, each of those regarded as a particular case of our multiregion model. Moreover, our approach allows considering new features of the head volume-conductor to better approximate electrical properties of the real head.     

Proposed corrections for the quantification of coupling patterns by recurrence plots

The aim of this paper is to quantify the coupling during phase-locking patterns by using the recurrence plot quantification approach. We found that the percent determinism of the recurrences and the entropy of recurrences--corrected for border effect induced by finite data lenght--succeeded in distinguishing three coupling conditions both in simulation signals and in real data from cardiorespiratory synchronization experiments.     

Mucilaginous aggregates in the northern Adriatic in the period 1999-2002: typology and distribution

The spatial and temporal distributions of different types of visible mucilaginous aggregates were investigated monthly by underwater video cameras in the northern Adriatic (NA) from June 1999 to July 2002. Small aggregates (flocs, macroflocs and stringers) were observed in all seasons with higher values in autumn and winter. Larger aggregates (ribbons, cobwebs, clouds, and false bottoms) formed only during late-spring and summer, particularly in 2000 and 2002, when the seasonal thermohaline stratification was marked. In fact, the process of mucilage formation took place mainly in the upper water column, above the main pycnocline. The spatial distribution shows that higher concentrations of small aggregates occur in the more productive coastal waters. The larger aggregates form or accumulate mainly in coastal waters in the southern part of the NA and in the central part of the Po River delta-Rovinj transect, where a gyre greatly influences the aggregates distribution. The fronts between low salinity coastal waters and high salinity waters of southern origin play an important role for accumulation and aggregation of the mucilage during spring and summer. Most of the aggregates accumulate in correspondence with strong pycnoclines with differences in density anomaly of 2 kg m(-3) or higher. False bottoms formed in correspondence with strong haloclines (DeltaS congruent with 2), while cobwebs and ribbons also occurred when the halocline was less marked (DeltaS<0.5). Meteorological conditions greatly influenced the aggregate formation. Calm weather and weak winds favour aggregation processes, while strong north-easterly winds, causing intense mixing, result in the dispersion of the mucilaginous aggregates, as occurred during the Bora event in July 2000.