Kinetics of exciton photoluminescence in type-II semiconductor superlattices

The exciton decay rate at a rough interface in type-II semiconductor superlattices is investigated. It is shown that the possibility of recombination of indirect excitons at a plane interface essentially affects kinetics of the exciton photoluminescence at a rough interface. This happens because of strong correlation between the exciton recombination at the plane interface and at the roughness. Expressions that relate the parameters of the luminescence kinetics with statistical characteristics of the rough interface are obtained. The mean height and length of roughnesses in GaAs/AlAs superlattices are estimated from the experimental data.Comment: 3 PostScript figure

Conclusion on the peer review of the pesticide risk assessment of confirmatory data submitted for the active substance dimethoate

The conclusions of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) following the peer review of the initial risk assessment carried out by the competent authority of the rapporteur Member State the United Kingdom, for the pesticide active substance dimethoate are reported. The context of the peer review was that requested by the European Commission following the submission and evaluation of confirmatory mammalian toxicology, residues and ecotoxicology data. The conclusions were reached on the basis of the evaluation of the representative uses of dimethoate as an insecticide on sugar beet and protected lettuce. Concerns are identified

Behandling och överlevnad i Merkelcellskarcinom vid Helsingfors Universitets Centralsjukhus 2010 - 2018 : specifik betoning på adjuvant strålbehandling

Background: Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC) is a very rare but lethal skin cancer, most commonly presenting in elderly individuals with fair skin. UV-exposure or infection with the Merkel Cell Polyomavirus are crucial for the MCC pathogenesis. MCC most commonly presents as a local red-pink nodule, usually on UV-exposed skin areas of the head and neck or the extremities. The recommended treatment consists of a surgical tumour resection, a sentinel lymph node biopsy and adjuvant radiation therapy (RT), in metastatic MCC chemotherapy or immunotherapies can be added. Five-year survival is 40 - 70%. The aims for this study was to analyse MCC patients regarding patient and disease characteristics and administered treatments and the effects they pose on disease prognosis, with a special emphasis on radiation therapy. Methods: Data regarding patient and disease characteristics, treatments, disease progression and survival was collected from patient databases regarding all patients diagnosed with MCC at HUH in the period 2010-2018. Statistical analyses were made regarding independent variable effect on survival, with more thorough calulations regarding the effect on adjuvant radiotherapy. Results: 47 patients were included in this study. The mean age was 79 years, 59.6% were female, the primary tumour most commonly in the head and neck area and most patients presented with a local disease. 43 patients had a surgical re-excision, 28 patients received adjuvant RT, one patient was treated with chemotherapy and one with the immunotherapy avelumab. A small tumour size, low stage, lower patient age and treatment with adjuvant RT correlated with improved survival. Two-year survival was 57.1%. The disease specific survival for patients treated with RT was 74.0%, and 51.8% for patients who did not receive RT. Conclusion: The patient cohort was similar to those presented in previous studies. A small primary tumour, local disease, lower age at time of diagnosis and treatment with adjuvant RT was beneficial for survival. MCC is still an aggressive cancer with high mortality, and the administered treatments vary between patients at HUH.Bakgrund: Merkelcellkarcinom (MCC) är en mycket ovanlig men väldigt dödlig hudcancer som främst förekommer hos äldre individer med ljus hudton. Exponering för UV-strålning eller infektion med Merkelcell polyomavirus är centralt för patogenesen. MCC kommer oftast till uttryck som en rosa-röd lokal nodul på UV-exponerade hudområden i hals- och huvudområdet eller extremiteterna. Den rekommenderade behandlingen utgörs av en kirurgisk tumörresektion, portvaktskörtelbiopsi och adjuvant strålbehandling, vid metastaserad sjukdom även av cytostatikabehandling eller immunterapi. Femårsöverlevnaden är 40 - 70%. Studiens syfte var att analysera MCC-patienter gällande patient- och sjukdomskarakteristika och behandlingar samt inverkan de har på sjukdomsprognosen med en specifik betoning på adjuvant strålbehandling. Metoder: Data gällande patient- och sjukdomskarakteristika, behandlingar, sjukdomsprogression och överlevnad samlades in ur patientjournaler gällande alla patienter diagnostiserade med MCC inom HUCS-området 2010-2018. Statiska analyser gjordes gällande oberoende variablers inverkan på överlevnaden, med grundligare kalkyleringar gällande inverkan av adjuvant strålbehandling. Resultat: 47 patienter inkluderades i studien. Medelåldern bland patienterna var 79 år, 59,6% var kvinnor, primärtumören var oftast i huvud-halsområdet och sjukdomen lokal vid diagnostidpunkten. 43 patienter genomgick en kirurgisk tumörresektion, 28 patienter fick adjuvant strålbehandling, en patient behandlades med cytostatika, och en med immunoterapi. En liten tumörstorlek, låg tumörklass, lägre ålder vid diagnostidpunkten och behandling med adjuvant strålbehandling var fördelaktiga för överlevnaden. 2-årsöverlevnaden var 57,1%. Den sjukdomsspecifika 3-årsöverlevnaden för patienter som behandlades med strålbehandling var 74,0%, och för de som inte behandlades med strålbehandling 51,8%. Slutsats: Patientgruppen motsvarade till sina egenskaper det som beskrivits i tidigare litteratur. En liten primärtumör, lokal sjukdom vid diagnos, lägre ålder vid insjuknande samt behandling med adjuvant strålbehandling var fördelaktigt för prognosen. MCC är fortfarande en aggressiv cancer med hög mortalitet och behandlingarna varierar märkbart mellan patienter inom HUCS-området

Evolving townscapes and landscapes within their settings: managing dynamic change

San Pawl Milqi is found in the north-eastern part of the island of Malta next to Salina bay and overlooking Burmarrad valley. The site was originally situated on an important harbour that is now silted, and was surrounded by agricultural land. The area is rich in archaeological remains belonging to different periods. The boundary wall of the multi-cultural site incorporates an area of approximately 4000 m2. Within this area there is evidence of prehistoric settlement, punic farmhouse, a rural villa belonging to the end of the 2nd century B.C. and evidence of a later period from the 1st to the 11th century A.D. There is evidence that at least two churches were constructed on site. The potential and value of San Pawl Milqi is historical and archaeological, scientific, didactic, social and religious and most importantly a very good example of an ever changing cultural landscape. Recently there have been attempts in studying the environment of the archaeological remains that are exposed together with the environment of the archaeological remains that are underneath the existing structure of the church. A conservation plan for the site was also being set up that was intended to lead to the presentation of the site to be public due to a museographical project.peer-reviewe