Jumping Dynamics of Cyanomethyl Radicals on Corrugated Graphene/Ru(0001) Substrates.

Graphene adsorbed on Ru(0001) has been widely used as a template for adsorbing and isolating molecules, assembling organic-molecule structures with desired geometric and electronic properties and even inducing chemical reactions that are challenging to achieve in the gas phase. To fully exploit the potential of this substrate, for example, by being able to tune a graphene-based catalyst to perform optimally under specific conditions, it is crucial to understand the factors and mechanisms governing the molecule-substrate interaction. To contribute to this effort, we have conducted a combined experimental and theoretical study of the adsorption of cyanomethyl radicals (-CHCN) on this substrate below room temperature by performing scanning tunneling microscopy experiments and density functional theory simulations.

The Influence of Mesoscopic Surface Structure on the Electrocatalytic Selectivity of CO Reduction with UHV-Prepared Cu(111) Single Crystals.

The key role of morphological defects (e.g., irregular steps and dislocations) on the selectivity of model Cu catalysts for the electrocatalytic reduction of CO (CORR) is illustrated here.

Balloon Eustachian tuboplasty for obstructive Eustachian tube dysfunction: retrospective multicentre cohort study of 248 patients.

Objective: To present the results after balloon eustachian tuboplasty (BET) in patients with obstructive Eustachian tube dysfunction (OETD) grouped up into: baro-challenge, chronic serous otitis media and adhaesive otitis media.

Methods: A retrospective study was carried out on patients who underwent BET surgery. As outcome measures, otoscopy, tympanometry, Eustachian tube dysfunction questionnaire-7 (ETDQ-7) and ability to perform the Valsalva manoeuvre were recorded at baseline and at 3, 12 and 24 months after BET.

Covalent Adsorption of N-Heterocyclic Carbenes on a Copper Oxide Surface.

Tuning the properties of oxide surfaces through the adsorption of designed ligands is highly desirable for several applications, such as catalysis. N-Heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) have been successfully employed as ligands for the modification of metallic surfaces. On the other hand, their potential as modifiers of ubiquitous oxide surfaces still needs to be developed.

Growth of N-Heterocyclic Carbene Assemblies on Cu(100) and Cu(111): From Single Molecules to Magic-Number Islands.

N-Heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) have superior properties as building blocks of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). Understanding the influence of the substrate in the molecular arrangement is a fundamental step before employing these ligands in technological applications. Herein, we study the molecular arrangement of a model NHC on Cu(100) and Cu(111).

Development of a single crystal sample holder for interfacing ultrahigh vacuum and electrochemical experimentation.

Electrocatalyst surfaces prepared under ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) conditions can create model surfaces to better connect theoretical calculations with experimental studies. The development of a single crystal sample holder and inert electrochemical cells prepared with modularity and chemical stability in mind would allow for expensive single crystals to be reused indefinitely in both UHV and electrochemical settings. This sample holder shows reproducible surface preparations for single crystal samples and consistent electrochemical experiments without the introduction of impurities into the surface.

Efficient photogeneration of nonacene on nanostructured graphene.

The on-surface photogeneration of nonacene from α-bisdiketone precursors deposited on nanostructured epitaxial graphene grown on Ru(0001) has been studied by means of low temperature scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy. The presence of an unoccupied surface state, spatially localized in the regions where the precursors are adsorbed, and energetically accessible in the region of the electromagnetic spectrum where n-π* transitions take place, allows for a 100% conversion of the precursors into nonacenes. With the help of state-of-the-art theoretical calculations, we show that such a high yield is due to the effective population of the surface state by the incoming light and the ensuing electron transfer to the unoccupied states of the precursors through an inelastic scattering mechanism.

Crystallographic Orientation Dependence of Surface Segregation and Alloying on PdCu Catalysts for CO Hydrogenation.

The influence of the crystallographic orientation on surface segregation and alloy formation in model PdCu methanol synthesis catalysts was investigated using near-ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy under CO hydrogenation conditions. Combined with scanning tunneling microscopy and density functional theory calculations, the study showed that submonolayers of Pd undergo spontaneous alloy formation on Cu(110) and Cu(100) surfaces in vacuum, whereas they do not form an alloy on Cu(111). Upon heating in H, inward diffusion of Pd into the Cu lattice is favored, facilitating alloying on all Cu surfaces.

Consensus on treatment of obstructive Eustachian tube dysfunction with balloon Eustachian tuboplasty.

Objective: There is a great variability in diagnosis of obstructive Eustachian tube dysfunction and its treatment by balloon Eustachian tuboplasty (BET). The aim of this paper was to present a consensus on indications, contraindications, methodology, complications and results after BET.

Material And Methods: We obtained a consensus on BET, after a systematic review of the literature on BET from 1966 to November 2018, using MESH terms «Eustachian tube and (dilation or dysfunction)», including a total of 1.

Utility of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of cholesteatoma and the influence of the learning curve.

Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the usefulness and reliability of this technique in our center, correlating the radiological and surgical findings and to study the influence of the learning curve by comparing the initial results with a radiological analysis performed 3 years after.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Methods: 67 patients with clinical cholesteatoma suspicion were included in the study, 24 with previously not operated cholesteatoma and 43 with suspicion of recurrent or residual cholesteatoma.

Electronic Properties of Sulfur Covered Ru(0001) Surfaces.

The structural properties of sulfur superstructures adsorbed on Ru(0001) have been widely studied in the past. However, much less effort has been devoted to determine their electronic properties. To understand the connection between structural and electronic properties, we have carried out density functional theory periodic boundary calculations mimicking the four long-range ordered sulfur superstructures identified experimentally by means of scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) techniques.

High yielding and extremely site-selective covalent functionalization of graphene.

We describe a method to functionalize graphene covalently with 92% yield and 98% site-selectivity and strict spatial periodicity on the nanometer scale. This method could be extended to other functional molecules.

Middle cranial fossa approach for the repair of spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid leaks to the middle ear.

Introduction: Spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks to the middle ear due to tegmen tympani defects can result in hearing loss or hypoacusis and predispose to meningitis as well as other neurological complications. Surgical repair of the defect can be performed through a middle cranial fossa (MCF) approach or a transmastoid approach.

Material And Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of the patients in our Department due to a spontaneous CSF leak to the middle ear treated using a MCF approach during a 6-year period (2009-2014).

Study of the improvement in bone conduction threshold after stapedectomy.

Introduction And Objectives: Bone conduction threshold depression is not always a result of inner ear and cochlear nerve pathology. In fact, middle ear pathologies may be responsible for such threshold depression, as occurs in otosclerosis. The aims of this study were to evaluate the improvement of bone conduction threshold in patients with otosclerosis that underwent stapedectomy and to study the postoperative audiological results.

Management of chronic otitis media by subtotal petrosectomy.

Introduction And Objectives: Subtotal petrosectomy is the complete exenteration of all air cell tracts of the temporal bone. The isthmus of the Eustachian tube is obliterated and the external auditory canal is closed. The aim of this study was to describe the use of this technique in the management of certain cases of chronic otitis media.

Organic Covalent Patterning of Nanostructured Graphene with Selectivity at the Atomic Level.

Organic covalent functionalization of graphene with long-range periodicity is highly desirable-it is anticipated to provide control over its electronic, optical, or magnetic properties-and remarkably challenging. In this work we describe a method for the covalent modification of graphene with strict spatial periodicity at the nanometer scale. The periodic landscape is provided by a single monolayer of graphene grown on Ru(0001) that presents a moiré pattern due to the mismatch between the carbon and ruthenium hexagonal lattices.

Bone-anchored hearing device surgery: Linear incision without soft tissue reduction. A prospective study.

Introduction And Objectives: The classic surgical procedure for percutaneous bone-anchored hearing devices involves removal of a large area of subcutaneous tissue down to the periosteum. This leads to alopecia and raises the risk of devascularization of the overlying skin with the potential for infection and scarring. The objective of this study was to determine the results of implant placement using a single, linear incision with no underlying soft tissue reduction.

Island cartilage tympanoplasty in revision cases: anatomic and functional results.

We report our experience with island cartilage tympanoplasty in revision cases and assess the anatomical and functional outcomes. We conducted a retrospective chart review at a tertiary referral center for patients who underwent revision tympanoplasty using cartilage with the island technique without mastoidectomy between January 2002 and December 2008. 60 cases were included in the study and successful closure without reperforation was obtained in 52 of 60 patients (87%).

[Island cartilage myringoplasty. Anatomical and functional results in 122 cases].

Introduction And Objectives: In certain situations ("high risk perforations") such as large perforations, revision cases, middle ear pathology, eustachian tube dysfunction and atelectatic ears, the failure rate of myringoplasty is high. Some authors have suggested that the materials most frequently used for myringoplasty (fascia and perichondrium) may have a role in this failure rate. Cartilage myringoplasty, however, achieves good results in these "high risk" cases.