Orientador: Francisco das Chagas Marques / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Fisica Gleb Wataghin / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-16T08:31:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Viana_GustavoAlexandre_D.pdf: 26050862 bytes, checksum: 8af75e89f5e6b6013343b0c988c3e7ee (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010 / Resumo: Ao longo desse projeto de doutorado, foi projetado e construído um sistema de deposição de filmes, livre de bombeamento (LB) de gás(es) no decorrer dos processos e capaz de realizar deposições em duas modalidades: ¿Sputtering¿ e PECVD (Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition). Amostras amorfas carbohidogenadas (a-C:H) do tipo diamantinas (DLC) e poliméricas (PLC) foram obtidas em deposições por PECVD, nas quais, variou-se o fluxo de gás metano (CH4 ¿ precursor). Com a redução dos fluxos, dentro das condições de deposição adotadas e da geometria de nosso sistema, são observados, para os filmes DLC (PLC), aumento da ordem de 83% (54%) para a taxa de deposição e queda de 44% (56%) no volume de CH4 consumido, para cada nm de filme depositado, porém, em razão da saturação da atmosfera de deposição por H2, não concomitante com o regime LB. Através de caracterizações optoeletrônicas, vibracionais e mecânicas, conforme se reduz o fluxo de CH4, observam-se comportamentos semelhantes em ambos os tipos de amostras depositadas para os valores do gap óptico e hidrogenação, sempre com as amostras do tipo PLC mais isolantes e hidrogenadas. Contudo, comportamentos distintos em relação ao índice de refração (n) e stress intrínseco são estabelecidos. Enquanto as amostras do tipo PLC apresentam-se praticamente não estressadas e com tendência de queda para o valor de , as do tipo DLC assistem ao crescimento de ambos os valores. Além disso, medidas de Raman no visível revelam aumentos para os valores da posição da banda G e razão ID/IG, conforme se reduz o fluxo de CH4, indicando aumento na proporção da razão sp2/sp3. Ainda para as amostras DLC, medidas de dureza mostraram ótimos resultados para este tipo de modalidade de deposição, chegando a valores de até ~20 GPa. Filmes amorfos não hidrogenados de carbono (a-C) foram depositados por ¿Sputtering ¿de um alvo de grafite em atmosferas de deposição compostas por Argônio (Ar) e Xenônio (Xe). Todas as deposições em atmosferas de Xe foram realizadas em regime LB, visando, com isso, além da economia no consumo de Xe, obter as condições de deposição que mais favorecessem sua incorporação por parte das matrizes de a-C. Da redução dos fluxos de Ar empregados nas deposições, os melhores resultados foram concomitantemente obtidos para o regime LB (diferente do que se observa em PECVD), onde um aumento de 70% na taxa de deposição foi acompanhado de uma queda de seis ordens de grandeza no volume de gás consumido para cada nm de filme depositado. Resultado este, excelente do ponto de vista de economia de gás(es). Assim como nas amostras depositadas por PECVD, nestas também foram realizadas caracterizações optoeletrônicas e mecânicas, as quais revelaram valores para o stress, gap óptico e n condizentes com amostras do tipo grafíticas (GLC). Medidas de efusão térmica, realizadas em amostras incorporadas de Xe, permitiram pela primeira vez, até onde sabemos, a determinação do coeficiente de difusão e da energia livre de difusão (~1.9 e V) para átomos de Xe aprisionados em uma matriz amorfa do tipo GLC. Procedimentos de ativação e posterior espectroscopia gama, conduzidos em amostras de a-C:Xe, confirmaram a capacidade de transmutação do isótopo estável 124Xe (abundância natural de 0.1%), via bombardeio de nêutrons térmicos e capturas eletrônicas, para o radionuclídeo 125I, muito utilizado em tratamentos anticancerígenos como o de próstata, por exemplo. Dessa forma, baseados nos resultados de ativação e detecção gama, na habilidade terapêutica do 125I e na bio/hemocompatibilidade dos filmes de a-C, nesse trabalho de doutorado, é proposto um modelo comercial para sementes clínicas, utilizadas em tratamentos localizados anticancerígenos denominados de Braquiterapia, baseadas em filmes amorfos de carbono incorporados do isótopo 124Xe (i.e., a-C:124Xe), com dose e atividade adequados para tal propósito / Abstract: In this PhD thesis a Sputtering and PECVD (Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition) deposition system, appropriated for deposition free of gas pumping along the procedure, was projected and built. Hydrogenated amorphous (a-C:H) with Diamond-Like carbon (DLC) and Polymer-Like carbon (PLC) structures were deposited by PECVD under different methane (CH4) flow rate. The properties of the films changes significantly as the CH4 flow rate decreases from high flow (~80 sccm) to zero flow (pumping free deposition). An increase in the deposition rate of the DLC (PLC) films by 83% (54%), accompanied by a fall of 44% (56%) of the CH4 volume consumed to deposited the films, was observed at CH4 flow rate of 3.9 sccm, compared to films deposited at high flow rate. For smaller CH4 flow rate, the deposition rate decreases due to H2 saturation of the deposition atmosphere. The optical gap (determined by uv-visible transmission spectroscopy) and hydrogen concentration (determined by FTIR) varies in a similar fashion for both series of films (DLC and PLC) as a function of CH4 flow rate. Electrical conductivity measurements revealed that the PLC films are always more insulating than the DLC films. The concentration of hydrogen (determined by FTIR) is much higher in PLC films. The behavior of the index of refraction and the stress as a function of CH4 flow rate, for both series of films, are quite different from each other. PLC films has very small stress and the index of refraction decreases as the CH4 decrease, while the opposite is observed for DLC films, which are very compressive stressed and the index of refraction increases in the same range. Visible Raman scattering, performed on the DLC films, shows an increase of the G peak position and ID/IG rate, as the CH4 decreases, indicating an increase in the sp2/sp3 ratio. Nanohardness measurements also show that the harder films (~20 GPa) are obtained at relatively low flow rate. Non-hydrogenated amorphous carbon films (a-C) were deposited by Sputtering a graphite target in argon (Ar) or xenon (Xe) atmosphere. Differently from the result observed in films deposited by PECVD, the highest deposition rate obtained by sputtering was under pumping free deposition (zero argon flow rate). In this case an increase of 70% in the deposition rate was obtained, accompanied by six order of magnitude drop of the gas consumption. All the depositions performed in Xe atmosphere were carried out in pumping free regime to reduce Xe consumption and also to determine the best deposition setup in order to acquire the higher incorporation on Xe into the a-C matrix. High concentration of xenon (3.6%) was obtained with an extremely low consumption of xenon gas. Optoelectronic and mechanical characterization were carried out in the films deposited by sputtering and revealed that their stress, index of refraction and optical gap are consistent with graphite-like carbon films (GLC). Thermal desorption spectroscopy, performed in Xe incorporated samples, allowed, for the first times, to the best of our knowledge, to determine the diffusion coefficient and the free diffusion energy (~19eV) of Xe atoms trapped into amorphous GLC matrix. Activation procedure followed by gamma counting spectroscopy, carried out in a-C:Xe films, confirm the isotopic transmutation ability of the stable 124Xe(0.1% of natural abundance), by thermal neutrons bombardment and electrons capture, to the radionuclide 125I, which is an element largely employed in anticancer treatment, like the prostate one, for example. Thus, based on the activation and gamma counting results, on the 125I therapeutic ability and the a-C hemo/biocompatibility, in this PhD thesis it is proposed a model for commercial clinical seeds, used in local anticancer treatment named Brachytherapy, based on the isotope 124Xe incorporated amorphous carbon film (i.e., a-C:124Xe), with appropriate dose and activity to this purpose / Doutorado / Física da Matéria Condensada / Doutor em Ciências

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:37:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T14:09:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 02029.pdf: 4740189 bytes, checksum: ff05d787c5ab98b675cc36bbe2b0c062 (MD5) / Tese (Doutoramento) / IPEN/T / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN/CNEN-SP

Submitted by Marco Antonio Oliveira da Silva (maosilva@ipen.br) on 2016-08-26T11:26:18Z No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-26T11:26:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / A água é um recurso essencial à vida, logo deve estar presente em quantidade e qualidade adequada para seu consumo. O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a qualidade ambiental da represa Guarapiranga, Localizado em partes dos municípios de Cotia, Embu, Itapecerica da Serra, Juquitiba, São Lourenço da Serra e São Paulo e na área total do município de Embu Guaçu, este sistema tem significativa degradação em sua qualidade de água devido ao aporte de efluente doméstico e industrial aumentando o custo do tratamento e dificultando o acesso a água potável. Foram apresentados os resultados de 26 metais, 7 ânions, parâmetros limnológicos: pH, condutividade, temperatura, oxigênio dissolvido, transparência da água, obtidos a partir das amostras das coletas realizadas entre os anos de 2011 a 2013, em amostras de água na superfície, meio e fundo em 14 pontos e de sedimento de fundo nestes mesmos pontos sendo avaliando 26 metais. Os resultados de sedimento foram comparados com os valores de TEL e PEL e os resultados de água foram com os limites de estabelecidos pela resolução COMANA 357/2005. Os parâmetros limnológicos, condutividade, pH e oxigênio dissolvido ficaram fora do enquadramento da resolução do COMANA 357/05. Todas as espécies iônicas atenderam ao estabelecido pelo CONAMA 357/05, no entanto é observado um aumento das concentrações no decorrer das coletas. A serie nitrogenada assim com a relação Fe:P mostraram ser importantes parâmetros de controle do aporte da carga orgânica no reservatório. Dos 26 elementos analisados somente Al, Cu, Mn apresentaram concentrações fora do estabelecido pela resolução COMANA 357/05. Os sedimentos analisados os elementos químicos Cu, Cr, Zn apresentaram valores acima do TEL e do PEL. A partir dos resultados obtidos infere-se que o reservatório do Guarapiranga apresenta dois compartimentos distintos, um mais degradado que vai do ponto 05 a 14 que sofre os impactos da ocupação do seu entorno e um mais preservado que vai do ponto 01 a 05, sem tanta influência de ocupação urbana no seu entorno. / Dissertação (Mestrado em Tecnologia Nuclear) / IPEN/D / Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares - IPEN-CNEN/SP

Orientador: Richard Landers / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Fisica Gleb Wataghin / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-15T20:58:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Moreira_WilliamdeOliveira_M.pdf: 9448249 bytes, checksum: 3dd42234cee158f2636fa903c68e5819 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010 / Abstract: The Fermi Energy of a metal or a metal alloy is an important parameter for defining the energy levels associated with the material. Usually all other energy levels are defined relative to it. Notwithstanding the experimental determination of the absolute Fermi Energy (EF ) of a system is almost impossible. On the other hand to measure important phenomena such as charge transfer between the elements of a metal alloy, knowledge of changes of the EF are necessary. In this study we explore the use of chemical shifts derived from X-ray excited photoelectrons and Auger electrons to map changes in the relative EF as a function of concentration for the solid solution AuxPd1-x. First observing the Auger shifts of the Au, analogously to Nascente et al. [4] and then looking at the shifts of the Ar2p line of Ar atoms implanted with low energy into the alloys. Due to the inert nature of Ar atoms it is predicted that these shifts should be related to the changes in the FE of the alloy determined by shifts of the Au XAES lines. It is shown that both methods produce equivalent results, validating the prediction, and possibly indicating that the use of shifts from Ar implanted into a more general class of alloys could be a useful tool for detecting changes in EF in alloys / Mestrado / Física da Matéria Condensada / Mestre em Física

Problema: O emprego do titânio e ligas de titânio para aplicações médicas e odontológicas tem aumentado nas últimas décadas, porém, o alto custo do material desestimula o seu uso rotineiro. Objetivos: Avaliar o efeito da pureza do argônio nas propriedades mecânicas, microestrutura e modo de fratura do titânio comercialmente puro (Grau I) e da liga Ti-6Al-4V. Material e Métodos: As fundições para cada liga foram realizadas em uma máquina de indução eletromagnética com um argônio de alta pureza (99,999%) e um argônio conhecido como industrial (99,98%). Os testes de resistência à tração, limite de proporcionalidade e alongamento foram realizados em máquina de ensaio universal sob velocidade de 1 mm/min. Os espécimes fraturados foram embutidos em resina fenólica (baquelite) e polidas para a realização da microdureza Vickers (100g/15s), a a 25, 50, 100, 200 e 500?m da borda do corpo-de-prova. A microestrutura das ligas também foi analisada em alguns espécimes, com o objetivo de avaliar a superfície fraturada dos espécimes alguns foram submetidos à microscopia eletrônica de varredura. Análise estatística: Os dados provenientes de cada teste mecânico foram submetidos a uma análise de variância (tipo de titânio vs. pureza do argônio) e teste de Tukey (? = 0,05). Os dados de microdureza Vickers foram submetidos a uma análise de variância de medidas repetidas (fatores principais: liga e argônio) e medida repetida: distância e teste de Tukey para o contraste entre médias (? = 0,05). Resultados: O grau de pureza do gás não influenciou os valores do limite de proporcionalidade, da resistência à tração e alongamento, assim como a microdureza Vickers, microestrutura e padrão de fratura. A liga Ti-6Al-4V apresentou alto valores de resistência à tração, limite de proporcionalidade e microdureza Vickers, e baixo alongamento. A microdureza dos materiais foi alta nas proximidades da borda, mas a pureza do argônio não teve influência alguma. Conclusões: O argônio industrial pode ser utilizado para realizar as fundições do Ti CP e Ti-6Al-4V sem prejuízos nas suas propriedades. / Background: Although CP titanium and titanium alloys have been used for medical and dental applications, their high cost has not stimulated their current use. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of argon purity on the mechanical properties, microstructure and fractography of CP Ti (Grade I) and Ti-6Al- 4V cast alloys. Material and Methods: The castings for each alloy were made in a centrifugal casting machine using either a high-purity (99.999%) and or an industrial argon gas (99.98%). The ultimate tensile strength (UTS), proportional limit (PL) and elongation (EL) were evaluated in a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min. The fractured specimens were embedded in phenolic resin and polished down for Vicker\'s microhardness (VHN) measurement (100g, 15s) from 25 ?m below the cast surface, then at 50?m, 100?m, 200?m and 500?m. The microstructures of the alloys were also revealed. Scanning electron microscopy fractography was undertaken for the fractured surfaces after tensile testing. The data from the mechanical tests and hardness were subjected to a two-way ANOVA and Tukey\'s test (? = 0.05). Results: The mean values of UTS, PL, EL and VHN were not affected by the argon gas purity. Higher UTS, PL and VHN and lower EL was observed for Ti-6Al-4V. The microhardness values of both alloys were higher at the surface layers and it was not influenced by the argon gas purity. Conclusions: It was concluded that the industrial argon gas can be safely used to cast CP Ti and Ti-6Al- 4V, since it does not alter the mechanical properties of the studied alloys.

L'électronique organique a connu durant la dernière décennie un essor considérable. La production de dispositifs à base de matériaux organiques reste néanmoins freinée par différents verrous technologiques. La caractérisation de ce type de systèmes conduit à des besoins analytiques spécifiques et la spectrométrie de masse des ions secondaires à temps de vol (Timeof-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry – ToF SIMS) est a priori très pertinente notamment grâce à l'utilisation d'un nouveau type de faisceau d'ions à base d'agrégats d'argon (Arn +). L'objectif principal de ce travail a donc été de comprendre l'interaction ions-matière d'un tel faisceau avec les matériaux organiques utilisés en électronique organique. Une étude fondamentale a d'abord été réalisée en comparant différents faisceaux d'ions de décapage (Cs+, C60 ++, Arn +) sur des échantillons organiques structurés (tels que les copolymères à blocs PS-b-PMMA) et il est apparu que, bien que la taille des agrégats et leur énergie ont peu d'effet sur l'endommagement observable sur les échantillons, les agrégats d'argon de grande taille induisent de la rugosité lors du profil en profondeur ToF SIMS, sans modification chimique, ce qui a été confirmé par des analyses complémentaires – AFM (Atomic Force Microscopy) et XPS (X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy) – et une modélisation géométrique. Ensuite, différents dispositifs du domaine de l'électronique organique ont été caractérisés. Ainsi, l'étude de l'auto structuration des copolymères à blocs PS-b-PMMA a permis d'évaluer l'influence du temps de recuit et de l'épaisseur de la couche. Par ailleurs, un protocole a été développé pour l'analyse d'empilements de couches inorganiques/organiques, notamment ceux des OLED. Il a ainsi été possible de caractériser par profil en profondeur ToF-SIMS les différents empilements d'un dispositif de l'électronique organique en conservant la détection d'un signal moléculaire et une haute résolution en profondeur de 2 nm. Parallèlement, nous avons identifié la dégradation chimique d'un matériau organique du multicouche constitutif de l'empilement et évalué la protection de celui-ci via des couches barrières. Plus précisément, les signatures de la réaction d'hydrolyse de la couche ont été identifiées ainsi que la teneur en humidité après encapsulation / During the last decade, organic electronics have developed rapidly. However, the production of organic electronic devices is still impeded because of various technological barriers. Such systems have specific analytical needs and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) is per se highly relevant, particularly when considering the use of a new type of ion source based on argon clusters (Arn +). The main objective of this work was therefore to understand the ion-matter interactions of such a cluster beam with the organic materials used in organic electronics. A fundamental study was carried out by comparing sputtering with three different ion beams (Cs+, C60 ++, Arn +) on organic structured samples (such as PS-b-PMMA block copolymers) and it transpired that although cluster size and energy has little effect on the observable damage to the sample, larger argon clusters induce more roughness during ToFSIMS depth profiling. This was confirmed by AFM (Atomic Force Microscopy) and XPS (Xray Photoelectron Spectroscopy) and a geometric model. Next, different devices in organic electronics were characterized by ToF-SIMS. The study of self-assembling PS-b-PMMA block copolymers made possible to evaluate the influence of the annealing duration and of the thickness of the layer. Furthermore, a protocol was developed to analyse stacks of inorganic/organic layers, in particular those contained in OLED devices. It was then possible to characterize the stacks of a complete organic light-emitting device whilst maintaining molecular signal and a high depth resolution of 2 nm. In parallel we identified the chemical degradation of an organic material in the stack and evaluated the efficiency of barrier layers designed to protect it. More precisely, specific signatures to the hydrolysis reaction of the layer as well as increase in moisture level after encapsulation were identified

This thesis focuses on the analysis of heavy noble gases (argon, krypton and xenon) and halogens (chlorine, bromine and iodine) in Martian meteorites. In the absence of a sample-return mission, Martian meteorite analysis is essential for establishing evidence for an active fluid system, evaluating the potential for life and understanding the formation and evolution of Mars. Noble gas analysis has multiple applications for Martian meteorite study, as described in this thesis. The noble gas isotopic signatures of Earth’s atmosphere, Martian atmosphere and Martian interior are sufficiently different that they can be distinguished through noble gas analysis. Analysis of bulk and mineral separates of shergottites showed that Martian atmospheric Xe was distributed evenly amongst samples, whilst terrestrially weathered samples contained elevated concentrations of terrestrial atmospheric Xe. Both atmospheric components were introduced by weathering. Shock redistribution is responsible for the distribution of Martian atmosphere into more retentive sites. Crustal contamination may be responsible for the presence or absence of detectable 129Xe from the Martian atmosphere. Halogen abundances can be determined as an extension of the Ar-Ar dating technique. As the halogen system on Earth acts as a tracer for important fluid related processes, Martian halogen abundances in meteorites may provide a tracer for the Martian fluid system. Analysis of bulk and mineral separates of nakhlites showed that halogens are distributed amongst minor phases and clear variation of Br/Cl and I/Cl ratios was observed amongst samples. Elevated I concentrations in low temperature releases of finds NWA 998 and MIL 03346 are consistent with terrestrial contamination. Analysis of Nakhla, (a meteorite fall), showed a trend of elevated Br/Cl and I/Cl ratios in crush and low temperature releases, consistent with Br/Cl ratios observed in Martian rocks, soils and weathering products. In contrast, high temperature releases had lower I/Cl and Br/Cl ratios, which are broadly comparable to the terrestrial mantle. This trend may represent mixing of hydrothermal fluids (low Br/Cl and I/Cl) and surface brines (high Br/Cl and I/Cl). An impact-induced hydrothermal system may provide a mechanism for mixing of both fluid types. The crystallisation ages of nakhlite meteorites were determined using the Ar-Ar dating technique. The apparent ages measured were similar to previous Ar-Ar analysis, and older than reported for other chronometers. Previously unrecognised components were observed, including evidence for a trapped hydrous fluid. This Cl-rich component showed strong correlation with 40Ar and had 40Ar/36Ar and 40Ar/129XeXS ratios consistent with Martian atmosphere. As this component was released during crush and low temperature analysis, fluid inclusions formed by percolation of brines from the Martian surface are likely hosts. Both finds showed clear evidence of a trapped component with 40Ar/36Ar ratios similar to either terrestrial atmosphere or the Martian interior. A further component observed in olivine phases had low 40Ar/36Ar ratios, and likely formed by the release of 36Ar formed by cosmic-ray spallation reactions on iron.

Introdução: A derivação gástrica em Y-de-Roux (DGYR) é um dos procedimentos bariátricos mais realizados em todo o mundo. Apesar de sua alta eficácia, significativa proporção de pacientes recupera parte do peso perdido. Várias terapias endoscópicas foram introduzidas como alternativas para tratar o reganho de peso, mas a maioria dos artigos publicados tem amostra relativamente pequena, com dados pouco claros e de curto prazo. Objetivo: Avaliar sistematicamente a eficácia das terapias endoscópicas para reganho de peso pós-DGYR. Métodos: Foram realizadas buscas nas bases MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane, OVID, CINAHL/EBSCo, LILACS/Bireme e literatura cinzenta. Os desfechos primários avaliados foram perda absoluta de peso (PAP), perda de excesso de peso (PEP) e perda total de peso corporal (PPTP). Resultados: Trinta e dois estudos foram incluídos na análise qualitativa. Vinte e seis trabalhos envolvendo 1148 pacientes descreveram sutura endoscópica de espessura total (SET) e PAP, PEP e PPTP em 3 meses foram 8,5±2,9kg, 21,6±9,3% e 7,3±2,6%, respectivamente. Aos 6 meses, foram de 8,6±3,5kg, 23,7±12,3% e 8,0±3,9%. Aos 12 meses, 7,63±4,3kg, 16,9±11,1% e 6,6±5,0%. A análise de subgrupos mostrou melhores resultados no subgrupo submetido à coagulação com plasma de argônio (APC) prévio à SET (p < 0,0001). A metanálise incluindo 15 desses estudos mostrou resultados concordantes e confirmou a superioridade estatística da SET+APC em comparação à SET isolada. Três estudos descreveram sutura de espessura superficial (SEP) com PAP média de 3,0±3,8kg, 4,4±0,07kg e 3,7±7,4 kg em 3, 6 e 12 meses, respectivamente. No seguimento de curto, médio e longo prazo, a SET proporcionou resultados superiores em relação à SEP (p < 0,05). Dois artigos descreveram APC isolada com PAP média de 15,4±2,0 kg e 15,4±9,1kg em 3 e 6 meses. Nenhum estudo relatando escleroterapia satisfez os critérios de elegibilidade. Conclusões: A sutura de espessura total é efetiva no tratamento do reganho de peso pós-DGYR. A realização de APC antes da sutura parece resultar em maior perda de peso. Estudos comparativos são necessários para confirmar nossos resultados. A sutura de espessura total relaciona-se com melhores resultados em comparação à sutura de espessura superficial. Poucos estudos avaliam adequadamente a eficácia de outras técnicas endoscópicas / Introduction: Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB) is the most commonly performed bariatric procedure. Despite its high efficacy, some patients regain part of their lost weight. Several endoscopic therapies have been introduced as alternatives to treat weight regain but most of the articles are relatively small with unclear long-term data. Aim: To systematically assess the efficacy of endoscopic therapies for weight regain after RYGB. Methods: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane, OVID, CINAHL/EBSCo, LILACS/Bireme and gray literature. Primary outcomes were absolute weight loss (AWL), excess weight loss (EWL) and total body weight loss (TBWL). Results: Thirty-two studies were included in qualitative analysis. Twenty-six articles enrolling 1148 patients described fullthickness (FT) endoscopic suturing and pooled AWL, EWL and TBWL at 3 months were 8.5±2.9kgs, 21.6±9.3% and 7.3±2.6%, respectively. At 6 months, they were 8.6±3.5kg, 23.7±12.3% and 8.0±3.9%. At 12 months, they were 7.63±4.3kg, 16.9±11.1% and 6.6±5.0%. Subgroup analysis showed that all outcomes were significantly higher in the group with FT suturing combined with argon plasma coagulation (APC) (p < 0.0001). Meta-analysis including 15 FT studies showed greater results and confirmed the significant superiority of FT-APC compared to FT alone. Three studies described superficial-thickness suturing with pooled AWL of 3.0±3.8kg, 4.4±0.07kg and 3.7±7.4kg at 3, 6 and 12 months, respectively. At short, mid and long-term follow-up, FT suturing provided better outcomes compared to ST (p < 0.05). Two articles described APC alone with mean AWL of 15.4±2.0kg and 15.4±9.1kg at 3 and 6 months. No study describing sclerotherapy fulfilled eligibility criteria. Conclusions: Full-thickness suturing is effective at treating weight regain after RYGB. Performing APC prior to suturing seems to result in greater weight loss. Head-to-head studies are needed to confirm our results. Full-thickness suturing lead to greater outcomes compared to superficial thickness suturing. Few studies adequately assess effectiveness of other endoscopic techniques

We have deposited bulk, monolayer and few-layers as well as large-scale 2D layered MoS2 thin films by pulsed DC magnetron sputtering from an MoS2 target. MoS2 has gained great attention lately, together with other layered Transition Metal Dichalcogenides (TMDCs), for its unique optical and electrical properties with thickness-dependent bandgap. MoS2 also transitions from an indirect to a direct bandgap when thinned down to monolayer. This is intriguing in the fabrication of novel solar cells and photodetectors. Sputter-deposition has the advantage of producing large-scale, high-quality films, which is paramount for layered MoS2 to be applicable on an industrial level. The quality in terms of crystallinity and c⊥-texture of sputtered bulk MoS2 was evaluated as a function of several deposition process parameters: process pressure, substrate temperature and H2S-to-Ar ratio. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) results revealed that the high substrate temperature of 700 °C together with reactive H2S process gas improved the quality regardless of pressure. However, the quality was slightly improved further with increasing pressure up to 50 mTorr. We also found that the quality improved with increasing temperature up to 700 °C using pure Ar as the process gas. Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS) analysis showed that with the addition of H2S the stoichiometry of MoSx improved from MoS1.78 using pure Ar to fully stoichiometric MoS2.01 at 40% H2S in the H2S/Ar mixture. Cross-sectional Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) imaging revealed the high-quality 2D layered structure of the MoS2 films and a maximum thickness of 5 nm of c⊥-growth MoS2 before the onset of the undesirable c∥-growth. These results provide a solution with respect to the ongoing challenge of obtaining high quality and good stoichiometry of sputtered TMDC films at elevated temperatures. Formation of monolayer and few-layers MoS2 was confirmed by Raman and Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The peak separation of the E12g and A1g Raman-active modes for MoS2 monolayer was measured to 19.3 cm-1 on SiO2/Si, increases substantially in the transition to bilayer MoS2 and exhibits bulk values from four layers MoS2 and above. This result serves as a good indicator of monolayer as well as few-layers MoS2 formation. The monolayer film exhibits a strong photoluminescence peak at 1.88 eV owing to its direct optical bandgap, as compared to the indirect one of bilayer and thicker films. X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) spectra of the monolayer MoSx film indicate successful sulfurization of the molybdenum atoms and absence of residual sulfur. XPS also showed ideal stoichiometric MoS2.03 ± 0.03 of the monolayer film. Furthermore, a uniform MoS2 monolayer was successfully grown on a 4" SiO2/Si wafer, demonstrating the large-scale uniformity that can be achieved by sputter-deposition, making it highly applicable on an industrial level.

Plasma polymer films of tetravinylsilane and mixture of tetravinylsilane and oxygen gas were deposited on silicon wafers. Oxygen gas was mixed in tetravinylsilane to improve the compatibility of thin films on glass substrates. Mass spectroscopy was employed during the cleaning of the deposition chamber to check residual gases and process gases, during plasma deposition to monitor neutral plasma species and to follow plasma stability.