Microwave-assisted low-temperature growth of thin films in solution.

Thin films find a variety of technological applications. Assembling thin films from atoms in the liquid phase is intrinsically a non-equilibrium phenomenon, controlled by the competition between thermodynamics and kinetics. We demonstrate here that microwave energy can assist in assembling atoms into thin films directly on a substrate at significantly lower temperatures than conventional processes, potentially enabling plastic-based electronics. Both experimental and electromagnetic simulation results show microwave fields can selectively interact with a conducting layer on the substrate despite the discrepancy between the substrate size and the microwave wavelength. The microwave interaction leads to localized energy absorption, heating, and subsequent nucleation and growth of the desired films. Electromagnetic simulations show remarkable agreement with experiments and are employed to understand the physics of the microwave interaction and identify conditions to improve uniformity of the films. The films can be patterned and grown on various substrates, enabling their use in widespread applications.

Prevalence of oral mucosal lesions from birth to two years.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of lesions of the oral mucosa from birth to two years in Turkish pediatric patients . MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 299 infants from newborn to two years of age were evaluated from the Outpatient Clinics of the Pediatric Department, in the Fatih University Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. The mucosal lesions were documented. The data were presented as percentages and for categorical comparisons Chi-square or Fisher's Exact test were used. A P-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Of the 299 infants, mucosal lesions were seen in only 65 (21.27%). In the study, the most common lesions were candidiasis (10.70%), Ebstein's pearls (2.68%), and geographic tongue (2.68%). The frequency of children with mucosal alterations was higher in the group of children from two to twelve months. CONCLUSIONS: Although the lesions that were found the most in our study were benign lesions, unrelated to systemic diseases, we still believe that oral mucosal lesions can be a sign of a systemic or dermatological disease in infants, which affects the oral feeding of the infants. Routine examination of the oral mucosa should be a part of the pediatric examination.

Nail alterations in 250 infant patients: a clinical study.

AIMS: To investigate the frequency and the nature of nail alterations in infants. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 250 infant patients from newborn to 2 years of age were evaluated from the outpatient clinics of paediatrics and dermatology departments, Fatih University Hospital. The nail alterations were documented. The data were presented as percentages, and for categorical comparisons, Chi-squared or Fisher's Exact test were used. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Of the 250 infant patients, nail alterations were seen in only 17 (6.8%). Most of the patients had toe nail involvement. In 12 of 17 (70.6%) infants, there was one type of nail alteration; in 4 of 17 (23.5%) infants, there was two type of nail alterations; and in 1 of 17 (5.9%) infants, there was three type of nail alterations. The most frequent diagnosis was onychoschizia in 6 of 17 (2.4%) and congenital hypertrophy of the lateral nail fold together with ingrown nail in 6 (2.4%) infants. CONCLUSION: Because nail alterations could be a manifestation of systemic or dermatologic diseases in infants, fingernail and toenail examination should be a part of the paediatric dermatology examination.