0000000000352093
AUTHOR
Jun Zhong
Structural disorder and electronic hybridization in NicMg1−cO solid solutions probed by XANES at the oxygen K edge
A series of NicMg1−cO solid solutions has been studied for the first time looking at the structural disorder by means of x-ray absorption near-edge-structure (XANES) spectroscopy at the oxygen K edge. The experimental XANES signals were analysed within the full multiple scattering formalism and were interpreted taking into account clusters of up to 15 coordination shells around an absorbing oxygen atom. The substitution of nickel atoms by magnesium atoms results in a dramatic decrease of the empty density of states in the conduction band close to the Fermi level due to an exchange of the 3d(Ni)–2p(O) interaction with 3p(Mg)–2p(O). Besides, a simultaneous small decrease of the 3d(Ni)–2p(O) h…
Complications in Craniovertebral Junction Instrumentation: Hardware Removal Can Be Associated with Long-Lasting Stability. Personal Experience
Background The causes of craniovertebral junction (CVJ) instabilities include trauma, rheumatological diseases, tumors, infections, congenital malformations, and degenerative disease processes; these complex pathologies often require CVJ instrumentation. Hardware complications were analyzed in a personal series of 48 treated patients. In light of the analysis of very unusual radiological and clinical findings, the authors tried to better investigate the related mechanisms and to reach possible useful conclusions. Methods In a series of 48 patients who underwent CVJ instrumentation and fusion procedures in our Institution, we describe three cases of hardware failure, due to: (1) infection; (…
Oxygen K-edge XANES investigation of NicMg1−cO solid solutions
A series of Ni(c)Mg(1-c)O solid solutions are characterized by means of synchrotron radiation X-ray diffraction and X-ray absorption near-edge-structure spectroscopy at oxygen K-edge (532 eV). A dramatic drop of the pre-edge peak intensity is observed in the Ni(c)Mg(1-c)O system upon dilution. It can be attributed to a decrease of 3d(8)(Ni(2+))-2p(O(2-)) mixing upon dilution with magnesium ions due to a decrease of the number of 3d vacancies as nickel ion is replaced by magnesium ion. Similarly, the decrease of the number of 4s and 4p vacancies also leads to a decrease of 4s4p(Ni(2+))-2p(O(2-)) hybridization, and hence a drop of intensities of features B and C. The features E and F are more…
Update on mechanism and therapeutic implications of spinal cord stimulation and cerebral hemodynamics: A narrative review
Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is well known for its early role in the management of chronic pain, mainly failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS), spasticity, and bowel and bladder dysfunction. In more recent years, SCS has been proposed for patients suffering from refractory angina or peripheral vasculopathies in order to gain symptom relief, thus indicating some hemodynamic effect on the peripheral circulation. Taking into account this scientific observation, since the late1980s, researchers have started to investigate the potential effect of SCS on cerebral blood flow (CBF) regulation and its possible application in certain pathological settings dealing with vascular pattern dysfunction, such…
Recovery from chronic diseases of consciousness: State of the art in neuromodulation for persistent vegetative state and minimally conscious state
Chronic diseases of consciousness (CDC) can still be considered a challenging frontier for modern medicine, probably because of their not completely understood physiopathological mechanisms. Following encouraging evidence on cerebral hemodynamics, some authors have hypothesized a role for neuromodulation in the treatment of CDC patients. In the past 40 years, spinal cord stimulation (SCS) and deep brain stimulation (DBS) have been used experimentally for the treatment of patients in a severe altered state of consciousness, with some interesting but not conclusive results. The present review summarizes the data currently available in the literature on this particular and debated topic. On th…