Structural properties of fluorinated SiO2 thin films

Fluorinated SiO₂ (SiOF) films, prepared by plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition from SiH₄, N₂O and CF₄ precursors, have been analysed by infrared (IR) spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to extract chemical and structural information. Notwithstanding XPS reveals that fluorine concentrations are quite low (less than 4 at.%), the analysis of the Si–O–Si vibration modes in the IR spectra indicates that CF₄ addition involves a deeper modification of the film structure, than the simple formation of Si–F bonds. In particular, by increasing the F concentration in the oxides, the stretching frequency of the Si–O–Si bonds increases, while the bending frequency decreases. On the basis of the central force model, both observations are consistent with the occurrence of a Si–O–Si bond angle relaxation phenomenon, the importance of which increases with the fluorine concentration in the films.     

Gender Differences in Diabetic Kidney Disease: Focus on Hormonal,Genetic and Clinical Factors

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is one of the most serious complications of both type 1 (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Current guidelines recommend a personalized approach in order to reduce the burden of DM and its complications. Recognizing sex and gender- differences in medicine is considered one of the first steps toward personalized medicine, but the gender issue in DM has been scarcely explored so far. Gender differences have been reported in the incidence and the prevalence of DKD, in its phenotypes and clinical manifestations, as well as in several risk factors, with a different impact in the two genders. Hormonal factors, especially estrogen loss, play a significant role in explaining these differences. Additionally, the impact of sex chromosomes as well as the influence of gene–sex interactions with several susceptibility genes for DKD have been investigated. In spite of the increasing evidence that sex and gender should be included in the evaluation of DKD, several open issues remain uncovered, including the potentially different effects of newly recommended drugs, such as SGLT2i and GLP1Ras. This narrative review explored current evidence on sex/gender differences in DKD, taking into account hormonal, genetic and clinical factors.     

Improved sample complexity estimates for statistical learningcontrol of uncertain systems

Probabilistic methods and statistical learning theory have been shown to provide approximate solutions to “difficult” control problems. Unfortunately, the number of samples required in order to guarantee stringent performance levels may be prohibitively large. This paper introduces bootstrap learning methods and the concept of stopping times to drastically reduce the bound on the number of samples required to achieve a performance level. We then apply these results to obtain more efficient algorithms which probabilistically guarantee stability and robustness levels when designing controllers for uncertain systems     

TiO2‐Oligoaldaramide nanocomposites as efficient core‐shell systems for wood preservation

Homogeneous core‐shell systems were obtained with a growth, in controlled steps, of several oligoamides on TiO₂ nanoparticles. Derivatives of natural compounds, such as l ‐tartaric acid and α,α′‐trehalose, were used as diesters in the polycondensation reactions with ethylenediamine. TiO₂ anatase was chosen because of its high photo‐activity and its antimicrobial activity. The TiO₂ nanoparticles had been previously activated then functionalized using two different coupling agents, and finally, the TiO₂‐oligoamide nanocomposites were synthesized using two synthetic pathways. The final products were characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, FT‐IR, and transmission electron microscope. These nanocomposites can show improved properties in comparison with the single components (TiO₂ nanoparticles or oligoamides), which are useful in many fields, such as antimicrobial coatings for surfaces in cultural heritage conservation. A nanocomposite (TiO₂‐polyethylenetartaramide) was used for applicative studies, and it has shown a good efficacy against fungal attack by Trametes versicolor on wood specimens (Fagus sylvatica). © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42047.     

Towards Ideal Magnetofluorescent Nanoparticles for Bimodal Detection of Breast‐Cancer Cells

An increasing number of novel molecular markers based on nanomaterials for tumor diagnostics have been developed in recent years. Many efforts have focused on the achievement of site‐targeted bioconjugated nanoparticles. In contrast, the mechanisms of toxicity, endocytosis, and degradation pathways are still poorly understood, despite their primary importance for clinical translation. In this study, three different model nanoscale magnetofluorescent particle systems (MFNs) are designed and fabricated. These nanoparticles are evaluated in terms of size, morphology, zeta potential, fluorescence efficiency, capability of enhancing T₂ relaxivity of water protons, and stability. Accordingly, two are developed and the mechanism of internalization, the intracellular fate, and the toxicity in MCF‐7 adenocarcinoma cells are studied. Besides the well‐documented size effect, the anionic charge seems to be a crucial factor for particle internalization, as MFN penetration through the cell membrane could be modulated by surface charge. Ultrastructural analysis of transmission electron micrographs combined with evidence from confocal microscopy reveals that MFNs are internalized by clathrin‐mediated endocytosis and macropinocytosis. Moreover, MFNs are found in EEA1‐positive endosomes and in lysosomes, indicating that they follow a physiological pathway of endocytosis. Magnetorelaxometric analysis demonstrates that MFNs enable the detection of 5 × 10⁵ cells mL^?1 after treatment with particle dosages as low as 30 µg mL^?1. Hence, MFNs appear to be a valuable and safe bimodal contrast agent that can be developed for the noninvasive diagnosis of breast cancer.     

Dual‐band artificial transmission lines branch‐line coupler

By using short‐circuited Composite Right/Left‐Handed Transmission Lines as loading stubs, and Purely Right‐Handed Artificial Transmission Lines, a Dual‐Band Branch‐Line coupler is presented. The adoption of such technologies adds degrees of freedom with respect to other already proposed design techniques, thus allowing the development of a very compact device, and a larger flexibility in the choice of the two operating frequencies and corresponding bandwidths. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE, 2008.     

Molecular analysis of poliovirus 3 isolated from an aerosol generated by a waste water treatment plant

We examined three samples of lysates from cell cultures that had previously been infected by the aerosol generated by a waste water treatment plant near Pisa. We first attempted to confirm that we were dealing with one of the enterovirus family, using an inverse PCR analysis of the RNA extracted from the cell lysates. This identified a single genome sequences in all the samples, which corresponded to poliovirus 3. Sequence analyses revealed that the genotyping of poliovirus 3 was accurate for the species, irrespective of the genomic region sequenced. Subspecies genotyping is only possible for the translated region, and in this case, it identified the Poliovirus type 3 Leon 12a1b strain as ancestor of the virus isolated. Molecular analyses were then carried out on the wild virus in the regions VP2 (9623 bp), VP3 (922 bp) and VP1 (1128 bp) and found various nucleotide mutations (e.g. 472_T→C; 970_{G→C, Cys→Ser}; 1319_{G→T, Val→Leu}; 1743_{T→C, Val→Ala}; 1817_{C→T, Hys→Tyr}). Thermosensitivity tests at 34°C and 44°C showed a slight reversion to the heat resistant phenotype. The need for adequate protective measures for plant staff, together with the frequent use of treated water for irrigation, means that effective methods of aerosol borne pathogen detection and risk determination must be adopted.     

Pyridine adsorption reveals high-coordinated cationic centres at the surface of microcrystalline ZnO

The adsorption of pyridine at 300 K on microcrystalline ZnO has been investigated by FTIR spectroscopy. Besides an interaction by H-bonding with surface OH groups, evidence is found for the Lewis coordination of pyridine onto coordinatively unsaturated surface Zn²⁺ centres possessing a regular tetrahedral coordination, as well as onto some other surface Zn²⁺ centres, only slightly uncoordinated. The creation at the surface of the ZnO of cationic centres with an anomalous coordination higher than 4 (quasi-octahedral) is thus postulated. No such high-coordinated Zn²⁺ centres seem to form to an appreciable extent when ZnO is dispersed (at least at up to a 3% weight level) at the surface of other microcrystalline oxides such as, for instance, TiO₂.     

Success of glucocorticoid replacement therapy on fertility in two adult males with 21-CAH homozygote classic form

A normal gonadal maturation with normal fertility are some of the major goals of long-term replacement therapy in adult males with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH). We describe here two young men, G.O. (case A, 23 years old) and S.S.(case B, 24 years old), both with a well defined diagnosis of CAH due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency classic homozygote form (21-CAH). In case A the diagnosis of the 21-CAH classic virilizing form was made at 3 years of age. The patient has undergone glucocorticoid therapy and is now 170 cm tall; all his hormonal findings are within the normal range. The semen analysis has shown a good fertility potential, with a slight modification when the patient decided to discontinue the therapy. In case B the diagnosis of the 21-CAH salt wasting form was performed at 9 days of age. The patient was initially treated with i.v. normal saline solution and a daily i.m. injection of hydrocortisone and, subsequently, with mineral and glucocorticoid replacement therapy po. A satisfactory adult stature (165 cm) was attained. The patient is still on therapy, with a good hormonal profile. The semen analysis has shown an apparently normal fertility. In conclusion, our experience in adult males with 21-CAH, who have been administered prompt and adequate replacement therapy, shows that these patients can attain normal quality of life, satisfactory growth and development, normal sexual maturation and activity, and adequate sperm fertilizing ability, thereby supporting the usefulness of continuing this therapy during adult age.