Preparation and characterization of porous TiO2 thin films by sol-gel method for Extremely Thin Absorber-ETA solar cell applications

Nanoporous TiO2 thin films have been widely used as window and n-type material for the Extremely Thin Absorber-ETA solar cells. Nano scale titanium dioxide (TiO2) films were deposited on the surfaces of bare glass and Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) coated glass substrates using spin coating method. The effect of different spinning rates on the surface structures and properties of the films was investigated. The surface morphology of nanostructure TiO2-coated films were characterized by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Scanning Electron Microcopy (SEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and BET studies. UV-Vis spectroscopy and dark I-V measurement were also performed to get the information about the optical and electrical properties. The test results proved that; by changing the spinning rates homogeneous anatase films of TiO2 with different thicknesses can be produced. The investigation show that TiO2 porous films obtained by spin coating method with 8000 rpm-spinning rate have the appropriate properties for ETA solar cell studyNano-gözenekli TiO2 ince filmleri, Çok İnce Soğurucu - ETA güneş gözeleri için pencere katmanı ve n-tipi malzeme olarak yaygın bir şekilde kullanılmaktadır. Nano boyutlu titanyum dioksit (TiO2) filmleri işlenmemiş cam ve indiyum kalay oksit (ITO) kaplı cam alttaş yüzeylerine döndürerek kaplama (spin coating) yöntemi kullanılarak büyütülmüştür. Farklı döndürme hızlarının yüzey yapıları ve ince filmlerin özellikleri üzerine etkileri incelenmiştir. Nano-yapıda TiO2 kaplı filmlerin yüzey morfolojisi Atomik Kuvvet Mikroskopu (AFM), Taramalı Elektron Mikroskopu (SEM), X-Işını Kırınımı (XRD) ve BET çalışmaları ile karakterize edilmiştir. Ayrıca, UV-Vis spektroskopi ve karanlık I-V ölçümleri optik ve elektriksel özellikler hakkında bilgi edinmek için gerçekleştirilmiştir. Deneme sonuçları, döndürme hızlarını değiştirerek farklı kalınlıklarda homojen anataz TiO2 ince filmlerinin üretilebildiğini göstermektedir. Araştırmalar 8000 rpm döndürme hızı ile döndürerek kaplama metodu ile elde edilen gözenekli TiO2 filmlerin ETA güneş gözeleri çalışması için uygun özellikler taşıdığını göstermekted

Enhanced Performance of Nanowire-Based All-TiO2 Solar Cells using Subnanometer-Thick Atomic Layer Deposited ZnO Embedded Layer

In this paper, the effect of angstrom-thick atomic layer deposited (ALD) ZnO embedded layer on photovoltaic (PV) performance of Nanowire-Based All-TiO2 solar cells has been systematically investigated. Our results indicate that by varying the thickness of ZnO layer the efficiency of the solar cell can be significantly changed. It is shown that the efficiency has its maximum for optimal thickness of 1 ALD cycle in which this ultrathin ZnO layer improves device performance through passivation of surface traps without hampering injection efficiency of photogenerated electrons. The mechanisms contributing to this unprecedented change in PV performance of the cell have been scrutinized and discussed. © 2015 Elsevier Ltd

Cisplatin plus oral etoposide (EoP) combination is more effective than paclitaxel in patients with advanced breast cancer pretreated with anthracyclines: a randomised phase III trial of Turkish Oncology Group

Our objective was to determine whether oral etoposide and cisplatin combination (EoP) is superior to paclitaxel in the treatment of advanced breast cancer (ABC) patients pretreated with anthracyclines. From December 1997 to August 2003, 201 patients were randomised, 100 to EoP and 101 to paclitaxel arms. Four patients in each arm were ineligible. The doses of etoposide and cisplatin were 50 mg p.o. twice a day for 7 days and 70 mg m−2 intravenously (i.v.) on day 1, respectively, and it was 175 mg m−2 on day 1 for paclitaxel. Both treatments were repeated every 3 weeks. A median of four cycles of study treatment was given in both arms. The response rate obtained in the EoP arm was significantly higher (36.3 vs 22.2%; P=0.038). Median response duration was longer for the EoP arm (7 vs 4 months) (P=0.132). Also, time to progression was significantly in favour of the EoP arm (5.5 vs 3.9 months; P=0.003). Median overall survival was again significantly longer in the EoP arm (14 vs 9.5 months; P=0.039). Toxicity profile of both groups was similar. Two patients in each arm were lost due to febrile neutropenia. The observed activity and acceptable toxicity of EoP endorses the employment of this combination in the treatment of ABC following anthracyclines

<記録II>ハミル館一〇〇年の歩み : 1918～2018

Renewable energy systems are of importance as being modular, nature-friendly and domestic. Among the renewable energy systems, a great deal of research has been conducted especially on photovoltaic, wind energy and fuel cell in the recent years. One of the hybrid renewable energy systems consisting of 5 kWp photovoltaic panels, 800 Wp wind turbines and 2.4 kWp fuel cell modules was installed at Clean Energy House (CEH), Pamukkale University in Denizli, Turkey. To protect this laboratory, a "Lightning Protection System" was installed at the CEH. In this study, design and installation processes of a lightning protection system for the hybrid renewable energy system at the CEH are considered. III. 7, bibl. 15 (in English; abstracts in English and Lithuanian)

The risk of thrombo-embolic events is increased in patients with germ-cell tumours and can be predicted by serum lactate dehydrogenase and body surface area

The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of thrombo-embolic events (TEE) in patients with germ-cell tumours (GCT) who receive cisplatin-based chemotherapy, to compare this risk to that of a matched control group of non-GCT cancer patients, and to identify risk factors of TEE. The rate of TEE during the 6 months following the initiation of chemotherapy was assessed in 100 consecutive patients with GCT and in 100 controls with various neoplasms who were matched on sex and age, and who received first-line cisplatin-based chemotherapy during the same period of time at Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France. Data were subsequently tested on a validation group of 77 GCT patients treated in Lyon, France. A total of 19 patients (19%) (95% confidence interval (CI): 13–28) and six patients (6%) (95% CI: 3–13) had a TEE in the GCT group and the non-GCT control group, respectively (relative risk (RR): 3.4; P<0.01). Three patients from the GCT group died of pulmonary embolism. In multivariate analysis, two factors had independent predictive value for TEE: a high body surface area (>1.9 m2) (RR: 5 (1.8–13.9)) and an elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (RR: 6.4 (2.3–18.2)). Patients with no risk factor (n=26) and those with at least one risk factor (n=71) had a probability of having a TEE of 4% (95% CI: 1–19) and 26% (95% CI: 17–37), respectively. In the GCT validation set, 10 (13%) patients had a TEE; patients with no risk factor and those with at least one risk factor had a probability of having a TEE of 0 and 17% (95% CI: 10–29), respectively. Patients with GCT are at a higher risk for TEE than patients with non-GCT cancer while on cisplatin-based chemotherapy. This risk can be accurately predicted by serum LDH and body surface area. This predictive index may help to study prospectively the impact of thromboprophylaxis in GCT patients

Phase I/II study of S-1 combined with irinotecan for metastatic advanced gastric cancer

A dose-escalation study of irinotecan (CPT-11) combined with S-1, an oral dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase inhibitory fluoropyrimidine, was performed to determine the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD), recommended dose (RD), dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs), and objective response rate (RR) in advanced gastric cancer (AGC). S-1 was administered orally at 80 mg m−2 day−1 from day 1 to 14 of a 28-day cycle and CPT-11 was given intravenously on day 1 and 8 at an initial dose of 70 mg m−2 day−1, stepping up to 100 mg m−2. The treatment was repeated every 4 weeks, unless disease progression was observed. In the phase I portion, the MTD of CPT-11 was presumed to be 100 mg m−2, because 66.6% of patients (two of three) developed DLTs. All three patients at the initial RD of CPT-11 (90 mg m−2) experienced grade 4 haematological or grade 3 nonhaematological toxicities at second course, followed by the dose reduction of CPT-11 from the third course. Considering safety and the ability to continue treatment, the final RD was determined to be 80 mg m−2. In the phase II portion, 42 patients including seven patients in the final RD phase I portion were evaluated. The median treatment course was five (range: 1–13). The incidences of severe (grade 3–4) haematological and nonhaematological toxicities were 19 and 10%, respectively, but all were manageable. The RR was 62% (26 of 42, 95% confidence interval: 47.2–76.6%), and the median survival time was 444 days. Our phase I/II trial showed S-1 combined with CPT-11 is effective for AGC and is well tolerated, with acceptable toxicity

Chemotherapy for malignant pleural mesothelioma: past results and recent developments

PubMedWo

Changes in circulating microRNA levels can be identified as early as day 8 of pregnancy in cattle

<div><p>Poor reproductive performance remains a major issue in the dairy industry, with low conception rates having a significant impact on milk production through extended calving intervals. A major limiting factor is the lack of reliable methods for early pregnancy diagnosis. Identification of animals within a herd that fail to conceive within 3 weeks after insemination would allow early re-insemination and shorten calving intervals. In a previous study, we found an increase in plasma miR-26a levels in Day 16-pregnant relative to non-pregnant heifers, however changes in miRNA levels that early during pregnancy were very small which likely prevented the identification of robust biomarkers. In this study, we extended our analyses to a wider interval during pregnancy (Days 8 to 60, n = 11 heifers) with the rationale that this may facilitate the identification of additional early pregnancy miRNA biomarkers. Using small RNA sequencing we identified a total of 77 miRNAs that were differentially expressed on Day 60 relative to Day 0 of pregnancy. We selected 14 miRNAs for validation by RT-qPCR and confirmed significant differences in the expression of let-7f, let-7c, miR-30c, miR-101, miR-26a, miR-205 and miR-143 between Days 0 and 60. RT-qPCR profiling throughout Days 0, 8, 16 and 60 of pregnancy showed a distinct increase in circulating levels of miR-26a (3.1-fold, P = 0.046) as early as Day 8 of pregnancy. In summary, in contrast to earlier stages of pregnancy (≤ Day 24), marked differences in the levels of multiple miRNAs can be detected in circulation by Day 60 in cattle. Retrospective analyses showed miR-26a levels to be increased in circulation as early as Day 8, sooner than previously reported in any species, suggesting a biological role for this miRNA in the very early events of pregnancy.</p></div