Memristive devices and materials are extensively studied as they offer diverse properties and applications in digital, analog and bio-inspired circuits. In this paper, we present an important class ...of memristors, multiferroic memristors, which are composed of multiferroic multilayer BaTiO
3
/NiFe
2
O
4
/BaTiO
3
thin films, fabricated by a spin-coating deposition technique on platinized Si wafers. This cost-effective device shows symmetric and reproducible current–voltage characteristics for the actuating voltage amplitude of ±10 V. The origin of the conduction mechanism was investigated by measuring the electrical response in different voltage and temperature conditions. The results indicate the existence of two mechanisms: thermionic emission and Fowler–Nordheim tunnelling, which alternate with actuating voltage amplitude and operating temperature.
The pathophysiological mechanisms of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) are not well elucidated. It is assumed that oxidative stress and inflammation are the key underlying culprits for its onset ...and progression. To gain deeper insight into these processes, we have evaluated several oxidative stress parameters, inflammation markers i.e., high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), serum amyloid A1 (SAA1), soluble programmed cell death-ligand 1 (sPD-L1), and 25-hydroxyvitamin D 25(OH)D in IPF patients.
Biochemistry analyses were done in 30 consecutive IPF patients and 30 age and gender-matched healthy control group (CG).
IPF patients had significantly higher advanced oxidation protein products (p<0.001), pro-oxidant-antioxidant balance (p=0.010), total oxidative status (p<0.001), and ischemia modified albumin (p<0.001) compared to CG. Lower total antioxidant status and total sulfhydryl groups (tSGH) and significantly higher sPD-L1, hsCRP (p<0.001 for all), SAA1 proteins (p=0.014) and 25(OH)D severe deficiency 11.0 (9.6-15.1) nmol/L in IPF patients compared to CG were observed. Paraoxonase 1 activity and hsCRP level were lower, while tSHG and sPD-L1 were higher in IPF patients with more severe disease (i.e., II+III stage compared to I stage, p<0.05 for all).
IPF patients are in a state of profound oxidative stress compared to healthy people. The inflammatory component of the disease was confirmed by higher hsCRP and SAA1, but lower 25(OH)D in IPF than in healthy people. Also, higher levels of sPD-L1 in patients with IPF compared to healthy individuals suggest that sPD-L1 may have a significant role in immune response in IPF.
The surgical treatment of the intermediate-risk DTC (1–4 cm) remains still controversial. We analyzed the current practice in Italy regarding the surgical management of intermediate-risk unilateral ...DTC to evaluate risk factors for recurrence and to identify a group of patients to whom propose a total thyroidectomy (TT) vs. hemithyroidectomy (HT). Among 1896 patients operated for thyroid cancer between January 2017 and December 2019, we evaluated 564 (29.7%) patients with unilateral intermediate-risk DTC (1–4 cm) without contralateral nodular lesions on the preoperative exams, chronic autoimmune thyroiditis, familiarity or radiance exposure. Data were collected retrospectively from the clinical register from 16 referral centers. The patients were followed for at least 14 months (median time 29.21 months). In our cohort 499 patients (88.4%) underwent total thyroidectomy whereas 65 patients (11.6%) underwent hemithyroidectomy. 151 (26.8%) patients had a multifocal DTC of whom 57 (10.1%) were bilateral. 21/66 (32.3%) patients were reoperated within 2 months from the first intervention (completion thyroidectomy). Three patients (3/564) developed regional lymph node recurrence 2 years after surgery and required a lymph nodal neck dissection. The single factor related to the risk of reoperation was the histological diameter (HR = 1.05 (1.00–1-09),
p
= 0.026). Risk stratification is the key to differentiating treatment options and achieving better outcomes. According to the present study, tumor diameter is a strong predictive risk factor to proper choose initial surgical management for intermediate‐risk DTC.
Background
Acute complications of biliary calculi are common, morbid, and complex to manage. Variability exists in the techniques utilized to treat these conditions at an individual surgeon and unit ...level.
Aim
To identify, through an international prospective nonrandomized cohort study, the epidemiology and areas of practice variability in management of acute complicated calculous biliary disease (ACCBD) and to correlate them against reported outcomes.
Methods
A preplanned analysis of the European Society of Trauma and Emergency Surgery (ESTES) 2018 Complicated Biliary Calculous Disease audit was performed. Patients undergoing emergency hospital admission with ACCBD between 1 October 2018 and 31 October 2018 were included. All eligible patients with acute complicated biliary calculous disease were recorded contemporaneously using a standardized predetermined protocol and a secure online database and followed-up through to 60 days from their admission.
Endpoints
A two-stage data collection strategy collecting patient demographics, details of operative, endoscopic and radiologic intervention, and outcome metrics. Outcome measures included mortality, surgical morbidity, ICU stay, timing of operative intervention, and length of hospital stay.
Results
Three hundred thirty-eight patients were included, with a mean age of 65 years and 54% were female. Diagnosis at admission were: cholecystitis (45.6%), biliary pancreatitis (21%), choledocholithiasis with and without cholangitis (13.9% and 18%). Index admission cholecystectomy was performed in just 50% of cases, and 28% had an ERCP performed. Morbidity and mortality were low.
Conclusion
This first ESTES snapshot audit, a purely descriptive collaborative study, gives rich ‘real world’ insights into local variability in surgical practice as compared to international guidelines, and how this may impact upon outcomes. These granular data will serve to improve overall patient care as well as being hypothesis generating and inform areas needing future prospective study.
Methane (CH4) in continental serpentinized peridotites (MSP) has been documented in numerous hyperalkaline (pH > 9) springs and gas seeps worldwide. With a dominantly abiotic origin, MSP is often ...associated with considerable amounts of hydrogen (H2), produced by serpentinization. Both gases may fuel microbial activity in igneous rocks and may have played roles in the origin of life. MSP is also a natural CH4 source for the atmosphere, not included in the global greenhouse-gas budget, yet. Here we document a new and major case of MSP, in the Dinaride ophiolite belt in Bosnia and Herzegovina. CH4 is dissolved (83–2706 μM) in low temperature (13–30 °C), hyperalkaline (pH 10 to 12.8) waters in six sites, sampled through springs and boreholes. Four sites (Slanac, Vlajići, Kulaši and Lješljani) show CH4 isotopic signatures typical of abiotic MSP (δ13C: −18.5 to −35.7‰; δ2H: −221 to −335.4‰); two sites (Vaićeva and Kiseljak) show a dominantly biotic signature (δ13C: −58.8 and −65.1‰; δ2H: −310.8 and −226.8‰), probably due to mixing with gas from coal-beds adjacent to the ultramafic rocks. H2 concentration is highly variable (up to 348 μM), ethane, propane and butane reach 0.13 vol.% in total, and helium isotopic composition (R/Ra: 0.12 to 0.48) reflects a dominant crustal signature. The Lješljani site features the highest pH (12.8) and CH4 emission (∼9 ton y−1) in peridotite-hosted hyperalkaline groundwater documented so far. Geological and geochemical data converge towards the hypothesis that, as proposed in similar cases, CH4 was mainly generated by Sabatier reaction between H2 (from serpentinization) and CO2 (from C-bearing rocks, in tectonic contact with the ophiolite, or other CO2 sources). CH4-H2-H2O disequilibria and Sabatier reaction constraints suggest that CH4 is not formed in the hyperalkaline water, but in water-free or unsaturated rocks hosting opportune metal catalysts (e.g., chromitites). The amount of methane released to the atmosphere from individual springs is comparable to that of conventional biotic gas seeps/springs in sedimentary basins.
•A new case of abiotic methane and hydrogen in continental serpentinized peridotite.•The highest CH4 concentration and pH (12.8) documented in hyperalkaline waters so far.•Methane is likely produced in metal(catalyst)-rich, unsaturated rocks at T < 120 °C.•Methane output to the atmosphere is comparable to that of biotic seeps in sedimentary basins.
Memristive devices and materials are extensively studied as they offer diverse properties and applications in digital, analog and bio-inspired circuits. In this paper, we present an important class ...of memristors, multiferroic memristors, which are composed of multiferroic multilayer BaTiO3/NiFe2O4/BaTiO3 thin films, fabricated by a spin-coating deposition technique on platinized Si wafers. This cost-effective device shows symmetric and reproducible current-voltage characteristics for the actuating voltage amplitude of ±10 V. The origin of the conduction mechanism was investigated by measuring the electrical response in different voltage and temperature conditions. The results indicate the existence of two mechanisms: thermionic emission and Fowler-Nordheim tunnelling, which alternate with actuating voltage amplitude and operating temperature.
► Mercury concentrations in agricultural and grazing land soil of Europe are presented. ► The paper presents the Hg-background for two types of soil-use at the European scale. ► Geology and climate ...dominate the continental-scale Hg distribution. ► Anthropogenic Hg sources are visible on a local scale.
Agricultural (Ap, Ap-horizon, 0–20cm) and grazing land soil samples (Gr, 0–10cm) were collected from a large part of Europe (33 countries, 5.6million km2) at an average density of 1sample site/2500km2. The resulting more than 2×2000 soil samples were air dried, sieved to <2mm and analysed for their Hg concentrations following an aqua regia extraction. Median concentrations for Hg are 0.030mg/kg (range: <0.003–1.56mg/kg) for the Ap samples and 0.035mg/kg (range: <0.003–3.12mg/kg) for the Gr samples. Only 5 Ap and 10 Gr samples returned Hg concentrations above 1mg/kg. In the geochemical maps the continental-scale distribution of the element is clearly dominated by geology. Climate exerts an important influence. Mercury accumulates in those areas of northern Europe where a wet and cold climate favours the build-up of soil organic material. Typical anthropogenic sources like coal-fired power plants, waste incinerators, chlor-alkali plants, metal smelters and urban agglomerations are hardly visible at continental scales but can have a major impact at the local-scale.
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