Analysing the effect of crystal size and structure in highly efficient CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite solar cells by spatially resolved photo- and electroluminescence imaging.

CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite solar cells with a mesoporous TiO2 layer and spiro-MeOTAD as a hole transport layer (HTL) with three different CH3NH3I concentrations (0.032 M, 0.044 M and 0.063 M) were investigated. Strong variations in crystal size and morphology resulting in diversified cell efficiencies (9.2%, 16.9% and 12.3%, respectively) were observed. The physical origin of this behaviour was analysed by detailed characterization combining current-voltage curves with photo- and electroluminescence (PL and EL) imaging as well as light beam induced current measurements (LBIC). It was found that the most efficient cell shows the highest luminescence and the least efficient cell is most strongly limited by non-radiative recombination. Crystal size, morphology and distribution in the capping layer and in the porous scaffold strongly affect the non-radiative recombination. Moreover, the very non-uniform crystal structure with multiple facets, as evidenced by SEM images of the 0.032 M device, suggests the creation of a large number of grain boundaries and crystal dislocations. These defects give rise to increased trap-assisted non-radiative recombination as is confirmed by high-resolution µ-PL images. The different imaging techniques used in this study prove to be well-suited to spatially investigate and thus correlate the crystal morphology of the perovskite layer with the electrical and radiative properties of the solar cells and thus with their performance.

Oligomerisation of ethylene by bis(imino)pyridyliron and -cobalt complexes

A series of bis(imino)pyridyliron and -cobalt complexes [[2,6-(CR=NAr)2C5H3N]MX2] (R=H, Me; M=Fe, Co; X=Cl, Br) 8-16 containing imino-aryl rings (Ar) with at least one small ortho substituent, as well as Ar=biphenyl and Ar=naphthyl, has been synthesised. Crystallographic analyses of complexes 9 (Ar = 2,3-dimethylphenyl), 13 and 14 (Ar= biphenyl; X= Cl or Br, respectively) reveal a distorted trigonal-bipyramidal geometry in the solid state. These complexes, in combination with methyl aluminoxane (MAO), are active catalysts for the oligomerisation of ethylene, yielding >99% linear alpha-olefin mixtures that follow a Schulz-Flory distribution. Iron ketimine (R = Me) precatalysts give the highest activities and a greater alpha-value than their aldimine (R = H) analogues. Cobalt precatalysts follow a similar trend, though their activities are almost two orders of magnitude lower than those of the corresponding iron catalysts. Ethylene pressure studies on cobalt precatalyst 15 reveal a first-order dependence on ethylene for both the rate of propagation and the rate of chain transfer, and a pressure independence of the alpha value.

[Characteristics of Italian thermal parks and gardens: explorative study; therapeutic possibilities. I]. / Entità e caratteristiche di parchi e giardini termali italiani: censimento esplorativo; possibilità in terapia. Parte I.

There are reported the results of a research about thermal parks and thermal gardens own to 27 italian Spas. The considerable areas of green around Spas, the correct ratio with the number of subjects in thermal treatment and others arguments represent favourable elements for italian Medical Hydrology. The importance of green around Spas in Thermal Medicine and in Ecology il stressed.

[Extension and features of parks and gardens around spas in Italy: explorative census; possible therapeutic usefulness II]. / Entità e caratteristiche di parchi e giardini termali italiani: censimento esplorativo; possibilità in terapia. Parte II.

There are described the results of a census about parks and gardens own to 27 italian Spas. The considerable areas of green around Spas, the correct ratio whith the number of subjects in thermal treatment and other arguments represent favourable elements for italian medical Hydrology. In our census the found plants generally are in conformity with their correct geographical placing. Moreover they are in order to cause favourable effects for environmental Psychology and Therapeutics. The species of recommended plants for the increase and for improvement of green around italian Spas are mentioned. The importance of green around Spas in thermal Medicine and in Ecology is stressed.

[Motility of the gastric antrum and the gallbladder following oral administration of sulfate-bicarbonate]. / Motilità dell'antro gastrico e della colecisti dopo somministrazione orale di un'acqua minerale solfato-bicarbonata.

The authors evaluate the influence of a sulphate-bicarbonate mineral water on gastric emptying and cholecystic motility. Nine healthy volunteers drunk at settled intervals and with same procedures equal doses of mineral water and tap water on alternate days. Ultrasonographic evaluation of the gastric emptying and cholecystic volumes was performed before and after mineral water and top water drinks at settled intervals. The mean values of the gastric and the cholecystic volumes were calculated and compared at the single times. The results showed a significant colecystocinetic effect of the mineral water compared with tap water. No difference was observed in the gastric emptying with the mineral and tap water. Our work contributes to the knowledge of the pharmacodynamic effects of the mineral water employed and confirms its usefulness in the syndromes based on alterations in bile secretion and bile excretion in duodenum.

[Thermal-spring parks within the ambit of protected areas: general trends in morphology and botany]. / Parchi termali nell'ambito delle aree protette: orientamenti generali di morfologia e botanica.

It is remembered that, in contemporary era, the thermal parks arose in U.S.A. and in Canada: they represent the first example of national parks in the world. Are described legislation, classifications and various types of protected areas. The species of recommended plants for the formation, increase and/or improvement of italian thermal are mentioned.

[Pneumothorax in pregnancy. A review of 16 cases including one of the authors']. / Il pneumotorace in gravidanza. Revisione di 16 casi di cui uno personale.

Pneumothorax in pregnancy raises several problems especially of therapy. In the present study we report a case observed in our Institution and literature data on 15 further cases. Pneumothorax occurred in 9 cases in the course of pregnancy, in 6 cases during delivery and in 1 case in the post-partum period. Immediate treatment was insertion of pleural drain in 13 patients and bed rest in 3 patients. Surgery was required in 8 cases and was performed after delivery in 5 cases and during pregnancy in 3 cases, 6 thoracotomies, 1 bilateral thoracotomy and 1 sternotomy for bilateral pneumothorax were carried out. Actually a videothoracoscopic treatment, requiring general anaesthesia, is also possible. In all observed cases pneumothorax didn't represent a serious risk for both mother and foetus, for the timely therapeutic measures. Pneumothorax represents an uncommon pathology, usually underestimated in literature, that must be taken into account whenever during pregnancy or the post-partum period a progressive respiratory failure arises.

[Effects of thermal balneo-fangotherapy on extra-articular rheumatic diseases in relation to sports activity]. / Effetti di trattamenti termali balneo-fangoterapici sulla patologia reumatica extra-articolare in rapporto ad attività sportiva.

Therapeutic muds have been applied-at "Terme dei Papi", Viterbo-to 30 subjects with subchronic extra-articular rheumatism (S.I.R., Italy 1986). Favourable effects have been obtained in a great majority of subjects treated. Improvement was obtained concerning provoked pain, spontaneous pain as well as function of sprained joints.

[Behavior of various enzymes and serum electrolytes in long distance runners during training. Effect of a bicarbonate-sulfate-calcium water of medium mineral content]. / Comportamento di alcuni enzimi ed elettroliti sierici in atleti fondisti (marciatori) durante allenamento. Influenza di un'acqua medio-minerale bicarbonato-solfato-calcica.

The above study was intended to assess the effect of a bicarbonate sulfate alkaline water of medium mineral contents in long-distance runners during training. Several parameters relating to water-electrolyte and lactate-pyruvate metabolism, and to the patterns of serum enzymes of variable cellular localization were determined. Altogether twelve indices were taken into account. No significant changes were observed fron the start to the end of mineral water treatment. This goes to show that training was well balanced and did not impair the athletes' biochemical homeostasis. At the end of the treatment period, non negligible fluctuations of CCK and LDH were observed. This finding is not devoid of interest and deserves further study.

[Formation and excretion of bile. An example of possible thermal "detoxification"]. / Formazione ed escrezione di bile. Esempio di possibile "detossicazione" termale.

The detoxifying activity of fraction III of the bile (anion choleresis) is stressed. The stimulation of bile formation by the drinking of mineral waters is apt to enhance this fraction indirectly. It is therefore thought that thermal therapy facilitates the secretory function of bile and the organic detoxification connected with it.