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Lorenzo Vannozzi,1 Leonardo Ricotti,1 Carlo Filippeschi,2 Stefania Sartini,3 Vito Coviello,3 Vincenzo Piazza,4 Pasqualantonio Pingue,5 Concettina La Motta,3 Paolo Dario,1 Arianna Menciassi1 1The BioRobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, 2Center for MicroBioRobotics at SSSA, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Pontedera, 3Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 4Center for Nanotechnology Innovation at NEST, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 5NEST, Scuola Normale Superiore, Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR, Pisa, Italy Abstract: This work aims to demonstrate the possibility to fabricate ultra-thin polymeric films loaded with an anti-restenotic drug and capable of tunable drug release kinetics for the local treatment of restenosis. Vascular nanopatches are composed of a poly(lactic acid) supporting membrane (thickness: ~250 nm) on which 20 polyelectrolyte bilayers (overall thickness: ~70 nm) are alternatively deposited. The anti-restenotic drug is embedded in the middle of the polyelectrolyte structure, and released by diffusion mechanisms. Nanofilm fabrication procedure and detailed morphological characterization are reported here. Barium titanate nanoparticles (showing piezoelectric properties) are included in the polymeric support and their role is investigated in terms of influence on nanofilm morphology, drug release kinetics, and cell response. Results show an efficient drug release from the polyelectrolyte structure in phosphate-buffered saline, and a clear antiproliferative effect on human smooth muscle cells, which are responsible for restenosis. In addition, preliminary evidences of ultrasound-mediated modulation of drug release kinetics are reported, thus evaluating the influence of barium titanate nanoparticles on the release mechanism. Such data were integrated with quantitative piezoelectric and thermal measurements. These results open new avenues for a fine control of local therapies based on smart responsive materials. Keywords: restenosis, micro/nanotherapeutic systems, thin films, layer-by-layer polyelectrolytes, barium titanate nanoparticles, drug delivery, ultrasound

Antonella Rocca,1,2 Attilio Marino,1,2 Veronica Rocca,3 Stefania Moscato,4 Giuseppe de Vito,5,6 Vincenzo Piazza,5 Barbara Mazzolai,1 Virgilio Mattoli,1 Thu Jennifer Ngo-Anh,7 Gianni Ciofani1 1Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Micro-BioRobotics @SSSA, Pontedera, Italy, 2Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, The BioRobotics Institute, Pontedera, Italy, 3Università di Pisa, Dipartimento di Ingegneria dell’Informazione, Pisa, Italy, 4Università di Pisa, Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Pisa, Italy, 5Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Nanotechnology Innovation @NEST, Pisa, Italy, 6Scuola Normale Superiore, NEST, Pisa, Italy, 7Directorate of Human Spaceflight and Operations, European Space Agency, Noordwijk, the Netherlands Background: Enhancement of the osteogenic potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is highly desirable in the field of bone regeneration. This paper proposes a new approach for the improvement of osteogenesis combining hypergravity with osteoinductive nanoparticles (NPs).Materials and methods: In this study, we aimed to investigate the combined effects of hypergravity and barium titanate NPs (BTNPs) on the osteogenic differentiation of rat MSCs, and the hypergravity effects on NP internalization. To obtain the hypergravity condition, we used a large-diameter centrifuge in the presence of a BTNP-doped culture medium. We analyzed cell morphology and NP internalization with immunofluorescent staining and coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering, respectively. Moreover, cell differentiation was evaluated both at the gene level with quantitative real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and at the protein level with Western blotting.Results: Following a 20 g treatment, we found alterations in cytoskeleton conformation, cellular shape and morphology, as well as a significant increment of expression of osteoblastic markers both at the gene and protein levels, jointly pointing to a substantial increment of NP uptake. Taken together, our findings suggest a synergistic effect of hypergravity and BTNPs in the enhancement of the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs.Conclusion: The obtained results could become useful in the design of new approaches in bone-tissue engineering, as well as for in vitro drug-delivery strategies where an increment of nanocarrier internalization could result in a higher drug uptake by cell and/or tissue constructs. Keywords: mesenchymal stem cells, hypergravity, barium titanate nanoparticles, osteogenesis

Elmira FarrokhTakin,1,2 Gianni Ciofani,1 Gian Luigi Puleo,1 Giuseppe de Vito,3,4 Carlo Filippeschi,1 Barbara Mazzolai,1 Vincenzo Piazza,3 Virgilio Mattoli1 1Center for Micro-BioRobotics @SSSA, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Pontedera, Pisa, Italy; 2The Biorobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pontedera, Pisa, Italy; 3Center for Nanotechnology Innovation @NEST, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Pisa, Italy; 4NEST, Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy Abstract: The development of new tools and devices to aid in treating cancer is a hot topic in biomedical research. The practice of using heat (hyperthermia) to treat cancerous lesions has a long history dating back to ancient Greece. With deeper knowledge of the factors that cause cancer and the transmissive window of cells and tissues in the near-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum, hyperthermia applications have been able to incorporate the use of lasers. Photothermal therapy has been introduced as a selective and noninvasive treatment for cancer, in which exogenous photothermal agents are exploited to achieve the selective destruction of cancer cells. In this manuscript, we propose applications of barium titanate core–gold shell nanoparticles for hyperthermia treatment against cancer cells. We explored the effect of increasing concentrations of these nanoshells (0–100 µg/mL) on human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells, testing the internalization and intrinsic toxicity and validating the hyperthermic functionality of the particles through near infrared (NIR) laser-induced thermoablation experiments. No significant changes were observed in cell viability up to nanoparticle concentrations of 50 µg/mL. Experiments upon stimulation with an NIR laser revealed the ability of the nanoshells to destroy human neuroblastoma cells. On the basis of these findings, barium titanate core–gold shell nanoparticles resulted in being suitable for hyperthermia treatment, and our results represent a promising first step for subsequent investigations on their applicability in clinical practice. Keywords: barium titanate nanoparticles, gold nanoshells, NIR stimulation, human neuroblastoma

The performance of core–shell InGaN/GaN nanowire (NW) light emitting diodes (LEDs) can be limited by wire-to-wire electrical inhomogeneities. Here we investigate an array of core–shell InGaN/GaN NWs which are morphologically identical, but present electrical dissimilarities in order to understand how the nanoscale phenomena observed in individual NWs affect the working performance of the whole array. The LED shows a low number of NWs (∼20%) producing electroluminescence under operating conditions. This is related to a presence of a potential barrier at the interface between the NW core and the radially grown n-doped layer, which differently affects the electrical properties of the NWs although they are morphologically identical. The impact of the potential barrier on the performance of the NW array is investigated by correlating multi-scanning techniques, namely electron beam induced current microscopy, electroluminescence mapping and cathodoluminescence analysis. It is found that the main cause of inhomogeneity in the array is related to a non-optimized charge injection into the active region, which can be overcome by changing the contact architecture so that the electrons become injected directly in the n-doped underlayer. The LED with so-called 'front-n-contacting' is developed leading to an increase of the yield of emitting NWs from 20% to 65%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many aspects of the supposed hyperthermal Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event (T-OAE, Early Jurassic, c. 182 Ma) are well understood but a lack of robust palaeotemperature data severely limits reconstruction of the processes that drove the T-OAE and associated environmental and biotic changes. New oxygen isotope data from calcite shells of the benthic fauna suggest that bottom water temperatures in the western Tethys were elevated by c. 3.5 °C through the entire T-OAE. Modelling supports the idea that widespread marine anoxia was induced by a greenhouse-driven weathering pulse, and is compatible with the OAE duration being extended by limitation of the global silicate weathering flux. In the western Tethys Ocean, the later part of the T-OAE is characterized by abundant occurrences of the brachiopod Soaresirhynchia, which exhibits characteristics of slow-growing, deep sea brachiopods. The unlikely success of Soaresirhynchia in a hyperthermal event is attributed here to low metabolic rate, which put it at an advantage over other species from shallow epicontinental environments with higher metabolic demand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the analysis of the electrical properties of Inx−1GaxP nanowires (NWs) grown by template-assisted selective epitaxy. The individual NW properties are investigated by means of electron beam induced current microscopy (EBIC) and current-voltage curves acquired on single nano-objects. First, a set of samples containing n-doped InGaP NWs grown on a p-doped Si substrate are investigated. The electrical activity of the hetero-junction between the NWs and the substrate is demonstrated and the material parameters are analyzed, namely, the n-doping level is determined in relation to the dopant flow used during the growth. These results were used to design and elaborate InGaP NWs containing a p-n homo-junction. The electrical activity of the homo-junction is evidenced using EBIC mapping on single NWs, and material parameters (namely, the doping and the minority carrier diffusion lengths) for the p- and n-doped InGaP segments are estimated. Finally, the first proof of a photovoltaic effect from the NW homo-junctions is obtained by photocurrent measurements of a contacted NW array under white light irradiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Pump speed optimization in patients implanted with a ventricular assist device represents a major challenge during the follow-up period. We present our findings on whether combined invasive hemodynamic ramp tests and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX) can help optimize patient management. Methods Eighteen patients implanted with a HeartMate 3 (HM3) device underwent ramp tests with right heart catheterization (including central venous pressure [CVP], pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure [PCWP], and blood pressure) and echocardiography. Data were recorded at up to 4 speed settings. Speed changes were in steps of 200 revolutions/min (rpm). Evaluation of functional capacity by CPX was conducted according to the modified Bruce protocol. Results Only 30% of patients had normal PCWPs at their original rpm settings. In going from lowest to highest speeds, cardiac output improved by 0.25 ± 0.35 L/min/step (total change, 1.28 ± 0.3 L/min), and PCWP decreased by 1.9 ± 0.73 mm Hg/step (total change, 6 ± 1.6 mm Hg). CVP and systolic blood pressure did not change significantly with rpm. The rpm assessment was adjusted based on test results to achieve CVPs and PCWPs as close to normal limits as possible, which was feasible in all patients. On CPX, all patients demonstrated good performance (peak VO 2 , 16.8 ± 3.5 mL/kg/min). Conclusion Hemodynamic ramp testing provides an objective means of optimizing rpm, and has the potential to provide good exercise tolerance. Highlights • This was a prospective, nonrandomized study. • This study was conducted on patients implanted with a new device. • We first optimized pre- and afterload before moving to right catheterization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Titanium-island formation on graphene as a function of defect density is investigated. When depositing titanium on pristine graphene, titanium atoms cluster and form islands with an average diameter of about 10 nm and an average height of a few atomic layers. We show that if defects are introduced in the graphene by ion bombardment, the mobility of the deposited titanium atoms is reduced and the average diameter of the islands decreases to 5 nm with monoatomic height. This results in an optimized coverage for hydrogen storage applications, since the actual titanium surface available per unit graphene area is significantly increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Given the paucity of prospective randomized controlled trials assessing comparative performances of different dialysis techniques, we compared on-line high-flux hemofiltration (HF) with ultrapure low-flux hemodialysis (HD), assessing survival and morbidity in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). STUDY DESIGN: An investigator-driven, prospective, multicenter, 3-year-follow-up, centrally randomized study with no blinding and based on the intention-to-treat principle. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: Prevalent patients with ESRD (age, 16 to 80 years; vintage > 6 months) receiving renal replacement therapy at 20 Italian dialysis centers. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were centrally randomly assigned to HD (n = 32) or HF (n = 32). OUTCOMES & MEASUREMENTS: All-cause mortality, hospitalization rate for any cause, prevalence of dialysis hypotension, standard biochemical indexes, and nutritional status. Analyses were performed using the multivariate analysis of variance and Cox proportional hazard method. RESULTS: There was significant improvement in survival with HF compared with HD (78%, HF versus 57%, HD) at 3 years of follow-up after allowing for the effects of age (P = 0.05). End-of-treatment Kt/V was significantly higher with HD (1.42 +/- 0.06 versus 1.07 +/- 0.06 with HF), whereas beta(2)-microglobulin levels remained constant in HD patients (33.90 +/- 2.94 mg/dL at baseline and 36.90 +/- 5.06 mg/dL at 3 years), but decreased significantly in HF patients (30.02 +/- 3.54 mg/dL at baseline versus 23.9 +/- 1.77 mg/dL; P < 0.05). The number of hospitalization events for each patient was not significantly different (2.36 +/- 0.41 versus 1.94 +/- 0.33 events), whereas length of stay proved to be significantly shorter in HF patients compared with HD patients (P < 0.001). End-of-treatment body mass index decreased in HD patients, but increased in HF patients. Throughout the study period, the difference in trends of intradialytic acute hypotension was statistically significant, with a clear decrease in HF (P = 0.03). LIMITATIONS: This is a small preliminary intervention study with a high dropout rate and problematic generalizability. CONCLUSION: On-line HF may improve survival independent of Kt/V in patients with ESRD, with a significant decrease in plasma beta(2)-microglobulin levels and increased body mass index. A larger study is required to confirm these results. Copyright © 2008 National Kidney Foundation, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Indoor air quality near the industrial site is tightly joined to pollutant concentration level, since outdoor pollution heavily influences air quality and, consequently, inhabitants health. A pollution management system is essential for health protection. Automatic air quality management systems have became an important research issue with strong implications for inhabitants’ health. In this paper an automatic forecaster based on neural networks for SO2 concentration prevision is proposed. The analyzed area covers different small towns near the industrial site of Priolo, in the south of the world. Among these towns, Melilli was the first town in Italy that was evacuated for high level of pollutant concentrations. In the paper, a traditional stochastic method and several neural models are also compared. Overall, the results of the simulation show that the employment of a neural network forecaster is the most efficient tool to follow the big variations of pollutants concentration when thermal inversion height is taking place. In particular, an Elman neural network shows interesting results in 1, 2, and 3h ahead forecasting of SO2 concentration, doing the proposed forecaster a powerful tool for both pollution management and health warning systems. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Artificial neural networks are functional alternative techniques in modelling the intricate vehicular exhaust emission dispersion phenomenon. Pollutant predictions are notoriously complex when using either deterministic or stochastic models, which explains why this model was developed using a neural network. Neural networks have the ability to learn about non-linear relationships between the used variables. In this paper a recurrent neural network (Elman model) based forecaster for the prediction of daily maximum concentrations of SO2, O3, PM10, NO2, CO in the city of Palermo is proposed. The effectiveness of the presented forecaster was tested using a time series recorded between 1 January 2003 to 31 December 2004 in eight monitoring stations in urban area of Palermo (Italy). Experimental trials show that the developed and tuned model is appropriate, giving small values of root mean square error (RMSE) , mean absolute error (MAE) and mean square error (MSE). In addition, the related correlation coefficient ranges from 0. 72 to 0. 97 for each forecasted pollutant, underlying a small difference between the forecasted and the measured values. The above results make the proposed forecaster a powerful tool for pollution management systems. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The aim of the present study was to investigate the presence and distribution of cholinergic molecules in Balanus amphitrite cyprids and their possible involvement in settlement and adhesion. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE, the lythic enzyme of acetylcholine) activity was detected, for the first time, by biochemical and histoenzymological methods, in the thoracic muscles, gut wall and cement gland. The immunodetection of choline acetyltransferase-like (ChAT) molecules in the same area and in the neuropil of the central nervous system suggests the presence of a cholinergic innervation, and the involvement of acetylcholine in muscular contraction and cement gland exocytosis. The binding of FITC-conjugate α-bungarotoxin in the cement gland cells confirms the latter hypothesis. Acetylcholine involvement in the settlement process was also investigated by laboratory tests employing cholinergic antagonists and agonists. An increase of available acetylcholine due to the partial inhibition of AChE activity produced an increase in cyprid settlement. The data presented support the hypothesis that acetylcholine has a neurotransmitter/neuromodulator role in settlement and adhesion of barnacle cyprids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

.Rationale. Modafinil is a drug that promotes wakefulness and, as such, is used to treat hypersomnia and narcolepsy. Preclinical and clinical studies suggest that modafinil could possess weak reinforcing effects in drug-experienced subjects. However, its abuse potential in drug-naive healthy individuals is still totally uninvestigated, despite the fact that availability of modafinil has recently increased.Objectives. The purpose of our study was to investigate the potential addictive properties of modafinil by testing its reinforcing effects in naive rats. The interactions of modafinil with the reinforcing effects of cocaine were also tested.Methods. First, using i.v. self-administration and place conditioning tests, we studied the reinforcing and rewarding effects of a large range of doses of modafinil in naive rats. Second, we tested the influence of modafinil on reinforcing and incentive effects of cocaine in rats trained for cocaine self-administration. The effects of modafinil were compared with those of amphetamine and haloperidol.Results. Modafinil did not produce reinforcing or rewarding effects and did not modify the effects of cocaine.Conclusions. Our results suggest that modafinil does not possess an addictive potential in naive individuals. Furthermore, it would be behaviorally distinct from classical central nervous system stimulants which are known to alter cocaine-induced effects. However, as shown previously in nonhuman primates and in humans, modafinil could possibly have reinforcing effects in cocaine-experienced individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prospective studies have shown that the annual incidence of non-A, non-B (NANB) hepatitis may be high in haemodialysis patients. To assess whether hepatitis C virus (HCV), the major causative agent of post-transfusion and community-acquired NANB hepatitis, has a role in the pathogenesis of liver disease in dialysed patients, we have studied the prevalence and significance of antibodies to HCV in a cohort of patients with end-stage renal disease on chronic haemodialysis treatment. Seventy-four (30%) had circulating antibodies to HCV. Statistically significant associations with the anti-HCV carrier status were duration of haemodialysis treatment, blood transfusions, and the finding of abnormally elevated ALT on retrospective analysis. In contrast, only one of 103 dialysis staff members showed transient positivity for anti-HCV, suggesting a low risk of professional exposure to HCVThese findings suggests that HCV infection is relatively frequent in haemodialysis patients and may be responsible for a significant proportion of liver disease in this clinical setting. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We report the magnetotransport properties of a two-dimensional electron gas in a modulation-doped AlGaAs/GaAs heterostructure subjected to a lateral potential with honeycomb geometry. Periodic oscillations of the magnetoresistance and a delocalized-localized transition are shown by applying a gate voltage. We argue that electrons in such artificial-graphene lattices offer a promising approach for the simulation of quantum phases dictated by Coulomb interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A scheme that allows all-electrical high-bandwidth readout of a cantilever deflection by means of an integrated interdigitated transducer is presented. The present approach takes advantage of the piezoelectricity of the chosen cantilever substrate material to generate and detect surface-acoustic-waves by means of an interdigitated transducer (IDT) and to determine cantilever deflections. We shall also show that the same IDT can be used to excite the oscillation modes of the lever. Our scheme is compatible with implementations exploiting wireless excitation and readout and in mass sensing applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fabrication and performances of cantilevered probes with reduced parasitic capacitance starting from a commercial Si3N4 cantilever chip is presented. Nanomachining and metal deposition induced by focused ion beam techniques were employed in order to modify the original insulating pyramidal tip and insert a conducting metallic tip. Two parallel metallic electrodes deposited on the original cantilever arms are employed for tip biasing and as ground plane in order to minimize the electrostatic force due to the capacitive interaction between cantilever and sample surface. Excitation spectra and force-to-distance characterization are shown with different electrode configurations. Applications of this scheme in electrostatic force microscopy, Kelvin probe microscopy and local anodic oxidation is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A tunable directional coupler based on Coulomb blockade effect is presented. Two electron waveguides are coupled by a quantum dot to an injector waveguide. Electron confinement is obtained by surface Schottky gates on a single GaAs/AlGaAs heterojunction. Magneto-electrical measurements down to 350 mK are presented and large transconductance oscillations are reported on both outputs up to 4.2 K. Experimental results are interpreted in terms of Coulomb blockade effect and the relevance of the present design strategy for the implementation of an electronic multiplexer is underlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optical and electrical characteristics of quantum cascade lasers, made in the GaAs-AlxGa1-xAs material system, show persistent changes at low temperatures, when devices are illuminated with an external white light. The magnitude of the effect is a function of the exposure time and finally saturates. The induced variation on the threshold current density of the lasers is more than 30%. This effect is related to the presence of deep donors (DX centers) in the high aluminum content AlGaAs cladding layers, which under illumination release electrons, thus increasing waveguide losses. By analyzing the light induced variations of the optical characteristics we were able to deduce the waveguide losses of our devices [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Pruritus is a common symptom in uraemic patients and its aetiology is poorly understood, although several factors have been implicated, including high histamine plasma levels. The aim of the study was to evaluate plasma levels. The aim of the study was to evaluate plasma levels of histamine in patients on maintenance haemodialysis in relation to the presence of itching (35 pruritic patients = group A; 50 non-pruritic patients = group B). Furthermore, we compared the values obtained with those of a healthy control group (64 subjectes). We observed increased plasma histanmine levels in uraemic patients compared with healthy controls. However, no relationship was found between plasma histamine values and itching because groups A and B showed overlapping values and there was no correlation between the intensity of pruritus and plasma histamine concentrations in group A patients. In conclusion, we suggest that there is no evidence for plasma histamine playing a significant part in uraemic pruritus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the cyprid of Balanus amphitrite (=Amphibalanus amphitrite) was investigated by settlement tests the role of serotonin, related substances and dopamine. The results indicate an activity of serotonin in B. amphitrite cyprid as settlement inhibitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We report optical and morphological properties of organic photo-sensitive composite materials able to simultaneously produce polarization-dependent light concentration/directionality of an incident nano-pulsed laser-light and photo-generation of self-assembled polymeric texture, of which the orientation and location are dependent on the polarization-state of the incident laser-beam. Furthermore, we show that the same materials can be used in order to visualize the laser-light polarization state of high-intense nano-pulsed laser radiation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract Introduction The measurement of blood pressure (BP) and the management of hypertension in patients with continuous-flow ventricular assist devices (CF-VADs) can present unique challenges. Patients with CF-VADs often do not have a palpable pulse, and therefore traditional blood pressure measurement by auscultation or automated cuff is less reliable. We tested the efficacy of blood pressure estimation using sphygmomanometry combined with finger pulse oximetry only after a hemodynamic optimization was effected to make the values estimated approximately similar to mean arterial pressure. Methods Fifteen consecutive patients with a mean age of 57.8 ± 11.2 years were implanted with HeartMate 3 between November 2015 and March 2017. All patients underwent pump speed optimization by conducting a ramp test during right heart catheterization. The patients were prospectively studied during the follow-up period and mean arterial pressure was estimated using 3 different methodologies: Doppler ultrasound, pulse oximeter, and automated blood pressure cuff. For each method 3 consecutive evaluations were conducted during 3 follow-up visits. Results For each patient, 9 different evaluations were obtained (3 for each method). The overall success rate was 100% for blood pressure assessment conducted with Doppler ultrasound and pulse oximeter and 80%-87% for automated monitor evaluations. The first 2 methodologies were 100% successful, while the third was 60% successful. Pearson's correlation analyses for the Doppler ultrasound and pulse oximeter measurements showed a good correlation when evaluations conducted with the same method were compared. A high variability emerged between estimations obtained by using an automated monitor and a poor correlation was found when this method was compared to the Doppler ultrasound and pulse oximeter measurements. Conclusion According to our results, the pulse oximeter method showed a high success rate and a good correlation level with the standard procedure. Our data encourage the use of oximeters for domiciliary blood pressure assessment in patients implanted with a continuous flow device. Highlights • A prospective non-randomized study was conducted on patients implanted with the new HM3 device. • Blood pressure was monitored in patients implanted with an HM3 device. • This study compares 3 different methodologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • PE-MP are ingested by organisms representative of zooplanktonic marine taxa. • Virgin or BP-3 spiked PE-MP do not cause toxic effects on marine zooplankton. • BP-3 spiked PE-MP cause premature hatching of fish eggs compared with virgin PE-MP. • PE-MP do not pose remarkable environmental risk on marine plankton communities. Abstract Toxicity of polyethylene microplastics (PE-MP) of size ranges similar to their natural food to zooplanktonic organisms representative of the main taxa present in marine plankton, including rotifers, copepods, bivalves, echinoderms and fish, was evaluated. Early life stages (ELS) were prioritized as testing models in order to maximize sensitivity. Treatments included particles spiked with benzophenone-3 (BP-3), a hydrophobic organic chemical used in cosmetics with direct input in coastal areas. Despite documented ingestion of both virgin and BP-3 spiked microplastics no acute toxicity was found at loads orders of magnitude above environmentally relevant concentrations on any of the invertebrate models. In fish tests some effects, including premature or reduced hatching, were observed after 12 d exposure at 10 mg L−1 of BP-3 spiked PE-MP. The results obtained do not support environmentally relevant risk of microplastics on marine zooplankton. Similar approaches testing more hydrophobic chemicals with higher acute toxicity are needed before these conclusions could be extended to other organic pollutants common in marine ecosystems. Therefore, the replacement of these polymers in consumer products must be carefully considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a numerical model for shot-noise suppression in a semiconductor quantum wire, based on parameters obtained from a purposely fabricated and characterized device. Shot-noise suppression is studied as a function of the voltage applied to the depletion gates forming the wire in a GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructure, of the dopant concentration in the δ-doping layer, and of the length of the wire. Results provide an understanding of why a conclusive experimental demonstration of diffusive transport with 1/3 suppression of shot noise in mesoscopic semiconductor devices has so far proved to be elusive. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]