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Mandibular fractures are very common in maxillofacial trauma surgery. While previous studies have focused on possible risk factors related to post-operative complications, none have tried to identify pre-existing conditions that may increase the risk of mandibular fractures. We hypothesized, through clinical observation, that anatomical conditions involving poor dental contacts, such as malocclusions, may increase the risk of mandibular fractures. This work was subdivided into two parts. In the first part, Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) data of four healthy patients characterized by different dentoskeletal occlusions (class I, class II, class III, and anterior open bite) have been used to develop four finite element models (FEMs) that accurately reproduce human bone structure. A vertical and lateral impact have been simulated at increasing speed on each model, analyzing the force distribution within the mandibular bone. Both vertical and lateral impact showed higher level of stress at the impact point and in the condylar area in models characterized by malocclusion. Specifically, the class III and the open bite models, at the same speed of impact, had higher values for a longer period, reaching critical stress levels that are correlated with mandibular fracture, while normal occlusion seems to be a protective condition. In the second part of this study, the engineering results were validated through the comparison with a sample of patients previously treated for mandibular fracture. Data from 223 mandibular fractures, due to low-energy injuries, were retrospectively collected to evaluate a possible correlation between pre-existing malocclusion and fracture patterns, considering grade of displacement, numbers of foci, and associated CFI score. Patients were classified, according to their occlusion, into Class I, Class II, Class III, and anterior open bite or poor occlusal contact (POC). Class I patients showed lower frequencies of fracture tha

ZnO nanorods (NRs) play a crucial role in the manufacturing of electronic and optical devices and sensors. Using complementary techniques, we explore how their optical and conductive performances can be improved by Excimer Laser Annealing (ELA) at 75 and 100 mJ/cm2. Our data show that ELA induces the melting and re-crystallization of the NRs surface, resulting into the reduction of the average crystallite size and lattice parameter of the system and suggesting a partial transition towards metallic Zn. The increase of Zn and the removal of oxygen defects at the surface are compatible with photoelectron spectroscopies (UPS and XPS) data and explain the enhancement of the UV/visible emission ratio observed in photoluminescence. The ELA also affects the in-plane electrical conductivity: the carriers mobility improves up to 4 times depending on the laser energy density. Our results demonstrate that ELA is effective in tuning the surface properties of ZnO NRs affecting the Zn concentration at the surface and removing some oxygen defects. The combination of these two effects results into the improvement of the optical and electrical responses of the systems.

In the original publication of this article, after the name of the last author, the wording on behalf of the Italian Liver Transplant Working Group is missing.

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures were synthesized in the form of nanoparticles, nanoflowers and nanourchins. Structural, electronic and optical characterization of the samples was performed via standard techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), photoluminescence, Raman and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy. Point defect structures which are specific to each morphology have been investigated in terms of their concentration and location via state-of-the-art electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. According to the core-shell model, all the samples revealed core defects; however, the defects on the surface are smeared out. Finally, all three morphologies have been tested as electrode materials in a real supercapacitor device and the performance of the device, in particular, the specific capacitance and the storage mechanism, has been mediated by the point defects. Morphology-dependent defective ZnO electrodes enable the monitoring of the working principle of the supercapacitor device ranging from electric double-layer capacitors (EDLC) to pseudo-supercapacitors. © 2020 The Royal Society of Chemistry.

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures were synthesized in the form of nanoparticles, nanoflowers and nanourchins. Structural, electronic and optical characterization of the samples was performed via standard techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), photoluminescence, Raman and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy. Point defect structures which are specific to each morphology have been investigated in terms of their concentration and location via state-of-the-art electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. According to the core-shell model, all the samples revealed core defects; however, the defects on the surface are smeared out. Finally, all three morphologies have been tested as electrode materials in a real supercapacitor device and the performance of the device, in particular, the specific capacitance and the storage mechanism, has been mediated by the point defects. Morphology-dependent defective ZnO electrodes enable the monitoring of the working principle of the supercapacitor device ranging from electric double-layer capacitors (EDLC) to pseudo-supercapacitors. © 2020 The Royal Society of Chemistry.

Thin layers of MoOx have been deposited by thermal evaporation followed by post-deposition annealing. The density of states distributions of the MoOx films were extracted deconvoluting the absorption spectra, measured by a photothermal deflection spectroscopy setup, including the small polaron contribution. Results revealed a sub-band defect distribution centered 1.1 eV below the conduction band; the amplitude of this distribution was found to increase with post-deposition annealing temperature and film thickness., Accepted author manuscript, Photovoltaic Materials and Devices, Electrical Sustainable Energy