Virtual Reality (VR) is a promising technology for implementing personalized, motivating and controlled rehabilitation scenarios. Although its clear potential benefits, VR has been poorly ...investigated in pulmonary rehabilitation. This review analyses the state of the art, by searching the scientific and grey literature, regarding the use of VR for the rehabilitation of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, providing a technological perspective. First, the main characteristics of the included systems are presented in terms of visualization devices, way of interaction and type of feedback they provide. Then, results of the selected studies are reported considering feasibility, safety, usability and user experience as outcomes. Finally, the main findings are discussed and future directions for research are outlined.
An atmospheric pressure DC transferred arc twin torch thermal plasma system has been characterized by 3D simulation in order to assess its potential for the synthesis of Cu nanoparticles from solid ...precursors. The numerical model also takes into account the non-negligible effect on process temperature of radiative losses, transport and thermodynamic properties of Cu vapour. In the frame of design-oriented simulation and optimization of the synthesis process, mean diameter and yield of the synthetized nanoparticles have been investigated for different current levels, gas flow rates, precursor feed rates and nanoparticles model. Results show that evaporation efficiency is considerably high even at precursor feed rates up to 25 kg d−1, while the presence of vortices inside the chambers causes a significative loss of nanoparticles to the reactor walls, with a detrimental effect to the yield.
Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics published the first Plasma Roadmap in 2012 consisting of the individual perspectives of 16 leading experts in the various sub-fields of low temperature plasma ...science and technology. The 2017 Plasma Roadmap is the first update of a planned series of periodic updates of the Plasma Roadmap. The continuously growing interdisciplinary nature of the low temperature plasma field and its equally broad range of applications are making it increasingly difficult to identify major challenges that encompass all of the many sub-fields and applications. This intellectual diversity is ultimately a strength of the field. The current state of the art for the 19 sub-fields addressed in this roadmap demonstrates the enviable track record of the low temperature plasma field in the development of plasmas as an enabling technology for a vast range of technologies that underpin our modern society. At the same time, the many important scientific and technological challenges shared in this roadmap show that the path forward is not only scientifically rich but has the potential to make wide and far reaching contributions to many societal challenges.
To quantify the proteome composition of the GCF in periodontal health (HH) and in sites with different clinical conditions in chronic periodontitis (CP) subjects.
5 subjects with HH and 5 with CP ...were submitted to full-mouth periodontal examination, and GCF sampling. Sites in the CP group were classified and sampled as periodontitis (P, probing depth, PD>4 mm), gingivitis (G, PD≤3 mm with bleeding on probing, BOP), and healthy sites (H, PD≤3 mm without BOP). GCF proteins were subjected to liquid chromatography electrospray ionization mass spectrometry for identification, characterization and quantification.
230 proteins were identified; 145 proteins were detected in HH, 214 in P, 154 in G, and 133 in H. Four proteins were exclusively detected at HH, 43 proteins at P, 7 proteins at G, and 1 protein at H. Compared to HH group, 35 and 6 proteins were more abundant in P and G (p<0.001), respectively; and 4, 15 and 37 proteins were less abundant in P, G and H (p≤0.01), respectively.
There are marked differences in the GCF proteome according to disease profile. Comprehension of the role of the identified proteins in the etiopathogenesis of periodontal disease may lead to biomarkers definition.
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Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Abstract Deionized water, phosphate buffer and dilute electrolyte solution from sodium dihydrogenphosphate were treated by nanosecond pulsed DBD air plasma. Hydrogen peroxide, nitrates and nitrites ...produced by plasma treatment were measured by means of both quantitative and semi-quantitative methods. Phenol was used as chemical probe for ROS and RNS. Post-discharge kinetic of phenol degradation gave evidence of the formation of peroxynitrite by H+ -catalyzed reaction of H2 O2 and NO 2 - in plasma activated water (PAW). Antimicrobial activity of two types of PAWs prepared by exposing deionized water with DBD air plasma for different times (5 and 10 min, named PAW-5MIN and PAW-10MIN, respectively) was investigated on Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus, among the most common causes of nosocomial infections. The activity of PAWs decreased strongly with post-discharge time. For PAW-5MIN the activity held for about 30 min while for PAW-10MIN just less than 15 min. This correlated with the time evolution of peroxynitrite chemistry observed on phenol in both PAWs. OH, NO2 radicals with acidified NO 2 - and acidic pH itself were most likely the main biocidal agents in PAWs acting on tested microorganisms. Since the initial concentrations of H2 O2 and NO 2 - (as precursors of peroxynitrite formation in PAW) were comparable in both PAWs, the main reason for difference in their antimicrobial activity was most likely in their pH (pH 2.3 for PAW-10MIN vs pH 2.7 for PAW-5MIN), which accelerated the rate of peroxynitrite formation in PAW-10MIN but lowered time of its antimicrobial activity. These relatively short latency times of antimicrobial activity should be taken into the consideration while using PAW in biological applications, as time delays the between preparation and application of PAW should be minimized.
Microplastics (plastics <5 mm) contamination is of worldwide concern and represents a threat to the environment, biota, and humans. Also, they are potential carriers of other contaminants, increasing ...their adverse effects. In this study, it was analyzed for the first time the chemical composition and abundance of microplastics (MPs) in the commercial shrimp Pleoticus muelleri. Fibers were the predominant plastics (mean: 1.31 fibers g−1 wet weight) in the abdominal muscle of the shrimps being black, the dominant colour. μ-Raman showed that fibers were composed of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and cellulose. Also, weathering and topography of the fibers were analyzed through wide-field confocal microscopy. C, O, Si, Al, K, as well as Fe, Zn, S, Ba, Br, and Ti on the plastic surface were detected with SEM/EDS, indicating potential carriers of contaminants.
The shrimp Pleoticusmuelleri ingests fibers with different chemical elements adsorbed on the plastic surface.
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•First study of the chemical characterization of microplastics in Pleoticus muelleri•Shrimps ingest mainly synthetic fibers.•Ba, Br, Zn, and Fe found in the MPs, could outline a potential health concern.•MPs in the edible part of the shrimps may be transferred to humans.
Background: This study compared the subgingival microbiota of subjects with refractory periodontitis (RP) to those in subjects with treatable periodontitis (GRs = good responders) or periodontal ...health (PH) using the Human Oral Microbe Identification Microarray (HOMIM).
Methods: At baseline, subgingival plaque samples were taken from 47 subjects with periodontitis and 20 individuals with PH and analyzed for the presence of 300 species by HOMIM. The subjects with periodontitis were classified as having RP (n = 17) based on mean attachment loss (AL) and/or more than three sites with AL ≥2.5 mm after scaling and root planing, surgery, and systemically administered amoxicillin and metronidazole or as GRs (n = 30) based on mean attachment gain and no sites with AL ≥2.5 mm after treatment. Significant differences in taxa among the groups were sought using the Kruskal‐Wallis and χ2 tests.
Results: More species were detected in patients with disease (GR or RP) than in those without disease (PH). Subjects with RP were distinguished from GRs or those with PH by a significantly higher frequency of putative periodontal pathogens, such as Parvimonas micra (previously Peptostreptococcus micros or Micromonas micros), Campylobacter gracilis, Eubacterium nodatum, Selenomonas noxia, Tannerella forsythia (previously T. forsythensis), Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella spp., Treponema spp., and Eikenella corrodens, as well as unusual species (Pseudoramibacter alactolyticus, TM7 spp. oral taxon OT 346/356, Bacteroidetes sp. OT 272/274, Solobacterium moorei, Desulfobulbus sp. OT 041, Brevundimonas diminuta, Sphaerocytophaga sp. OT 337, Shuttleworthia satelles, Filifactor alocis, Dialister invisus/pneumosintes, Granulicatella adiacens, Mogibacterium timidum, Veillonella atypica, Mycoplasma salivarium, Synergistes sp. cluster II, and Acidaminococcaceae G‐1 sp. OT 132/150/155/148/135) (P <0.05). Species that were more prevalent in subjects with PH than in patients with periodontitis included Actinomyces sp. OT 170, Actinomyces spp. cluster I, Capnocytophaga sputigena, Cardiobacterium hominis, Haemophilus parainfluenzae, Lautropia mirabilis, Propionibacterium propionicum, Rothia dentocariosa/mucilaginosa, and Streptococcus sanguinis (P <0.05).
Conclusion: As determined by HOMIM, patients with RP presented a distinct microbial profile compared to patients in the GR and PH groups.
A numerical model for the simulation of the copper nanoparticles synthesis process by an induction thermal plasma system has been developed, taking into account the joint effects of radiative losses ...from the metallic vapour and thermophoretic transport of the synthetized nanoparticles on the process performance; the final aim of the work is that of setting up an accurate modelling tool for design-oriented simulation and optimization of the synthesis process. Radiative losses from copper vapour and thermophoresis have been taken into account for different reaction chamber geometries (a cylindrical one and one with a conical top section) combined with different quench gas injection strategies and different power levels, in order to evaluate the impact of these phenomena in process design strategies. The numerical results show that both these phenomena have a relevant impact on the process parameters for all the investigated cases, and that they should be taken into account in order to develop increasingly accurate models for process design and optimization.
Atmospheric pressure plasma jets (APPJs) have been one of the most studied nonthermal discharges in the past decade. Recently, the use of multiple jets in order to cover larger areas has become ...desirable. However, the interaction between neighboring jets is a common phenomenon that can greatly modify plasma characteristics up to the point of merging several jets into a single one. The present study focus on bringing new insight on this phenomenon, named jet-to-jet coupling, investigating the discharge modes (coupled and uncoupled) of a plasma source composed of an array of seven plasma jets arranged adjacent to one another and driven by a sinusoidal excitation. The experimental results achieved by means of mass spectrometry, show a considerable increase in ion concentrations in the plasma, up to some orders of magnitude in the case of negative ions, as an effect of jet-to-jet coupling. Temporally resolved imaging of the discharge also shows how the evolution and intensity of the discharge are greatly affected by jet-to-jet interaction. Air/helium mole fraction and negative ions concentration are regarded as the main possible parameters affecting the coupling phenomenon. Moreover, experimental results suggest that the presence of remnant conductive channels behind the ionization fronts governs the propagation of the next ionization fronts, independently from the direction of propagation (from the source toward the target or vice versa). Furthermore, a parametrical investigation of the coupled mode discharge showed the presence of a critical value of the imposed voltage for which a drastic change in the electrical characteristics of the discharge is observed.
Highly porous homoleptic Ni(bpb) and Zn(bpb) materials have been obtained by reaction of nickel(II) and zinc(II) salts with the deprotonated form of the 1,4-(4-bispyrazolyl)benzene ligand (H2bpb). ...Ab-initio structure solution methods and thermodiffractometry have allowed the determination of their crystal structures, framework flexibility, and thermal stability. The different stereochemical requirements of the Ni(II) and Zn(II) ions induce, in Ni(bpb) and Zn(bpb), rhombic and square channels, respectively, accounting for 57 and 65% of the total cell volume. The two materials feature high adsorption capacities toward small gaseous molecules (N2 and Ar at 77 K, CO2 and CH4 at 273 K), peaking at 22 mmol g−1 of N2 in the case of the zinc(II) derivative, which is reflected by a very large surface area (above 2000 m2 g−1). The flexibility, size, and hydrophobic nature of their channels are adequate also for the incorporation of organic vapors. In this regard, the adsorption of benzene and cyclohexane has been studied under static conditions at 303 K, while that of thiophene has been investigated in dynamic conditions, by measurement, at 298 K, of the breakthrough curves of a flow of CH4/CO2 containing 30 ppm of thiophene. Ni(bpb) and Zn(bpb) are outperforming adsorbents, uptaking up to 0.34 g of thiophene per gram of material. The presence of humidity (60%), which is a major drawback for practical applications of MOFs, does not significantly affect the performance of Ni(bpb) in the removal of thiophene, at variance with Zn(bpb) and HKUST-1, Cu3(btc)2 (btc = benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylate), which become ineffective in the presence of moisture. Additional XRPD studies have been performed on benzene-loaded Ni(bpb) samples in order to shed some light on the affinity of this material for aromatic guests.
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