Organic Thin Film Transistors with Polyvinylpyrrolidone / Nickel Oxide Sol-Gel Derived Nanocomposite Insulator

Abstract Polyvinylpyrrolidone / Nickel oxide (PVP/NiO) dielectrics were fabricated with sol-gel method using 0.2 g of PVP at different working temperatures of 80, 150 and 200 ºC. Structural properties and surface morphology of the hybrid films were investigated by XRay diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) respectively. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) was used to make a quantitative chemical analysis of an unknown material. The obtained results demonstrate the feasibility of using high dielectric constant nanocomposite PVP/NiO as gate dielectric insulator in the organic thin film transistors (OTFTs). JNS All rights reserve

Measurements of bioaerosols in the air around the facilities of waste collection and disposal

Exposure to bioaerosols at various stages of waste management system (collection, transfer and disposal) has been evaluated by recording of the bacterial and fungal concentrations in the air around these facilities. Regardless of the season, the total bacteria and total fungi were detected for all sampies, whereas the fungal genera were not. The bioaerosol concentrations measured in the waste collection bins were significantly higher than those of the transfer station and landfill site. The mean microbial concentrations at wastes container bins and in-operation trench exceeded the Iran outdoor bioaerosol guidelines (850 CFU/m3), thus suggesting the need for remedial action regarding microorganisms, in order to reduce the exposure at the wastes management system

Biological Monitoring of Heavy Metals in Blood of Kerman Residents, Southeast of Iran

Heavy metals, particularly lead, cadmium, chromium and arsenic, are toxic elements and can cause serious complications for human health. This research is a cross-sectional descriptive study with the aim of biomonitoring heavy metals found in blood of residents in Kerman. Sampling was conducted by random sampling at 8 sites on a total of 80 people (10 per site). The samples were examined by acid digestion using ICP-OES to measure the heavy metals. The results of the present study confirmed a concentration of toxic heavy metals in the blood of residents of Kerman. The maximum concentration of heavy metals were observed in the blood of the residents of Moshtagh and Azadi districts, which were theheavy-traffic areas of the city. A statistically significant relationship was seen between the concentration of some of the above elements and occupation, education and smoking. Statistical tests showed a significant relationship between lead concentration and age. The results suggested that exposure to lead elements can cause some degrees of depression in humans. The presence of toxic heavy metals in the blood of residents can affect their health and also cause some complications

Growth and investigation of TiO2 and AlN nanostructure’s properties

 We have grown TiO2 and AlN under ultra high vacuum and high pressure conditions and studied their structures with using AES and SEM techniques. The obtained results show that an amorphous film of TiO2 and AlN could be formed on silicon substrate. Furthermore, TiO2 and AlN are high – K dielectric materials and they can thus be replaced to ultra thin gate oxide film

Estimation of lattice strain in metallic oxide–organic material nanocomposite using Williamson-Hall equation

In the present work, metallic oxide–organic material hybrid nanocomposites (Poly vinyl pyrrolidone- zinc oxide, PVP-ZnO) have been synthesized using sol-gel method. Nanostructural properties of aforementioned materials were studied by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction techniques. Williamson equation was used to estimate lattice strain in the PVP-ZnO nanocomposite. The dominated peaks in XRD spectra and Williamson- Hall diagrams were considered and the nano crystallite strain was plotted by drawing strain slopes. The obtained results showed that hybrid nanocomposites synthesized at 150ºC have lower strain and therefore higher yield strain. The SEM image indicated that nanoparticles are distributed uniformly

SYNTHESIS AND STRENGTH STUDY OF CEMENT MORTARS CONTAINING SiC NANO PARTICLES

In this work we have demonstrated a series of experiments for the synthesis of nano scale silicon carbide (SiC) crystallite in cement mortar in powder form and studied the stressstrain (and strength) of cement mortar containing SiCnano particles using AFM (Atomic Force Microscopy)and XRD (X-ray Diffraction) techniques and X-powder, WilliamsonHall andNanosurf methods.The obtained results show a more stable structure of the sample with 10% SiCnano particles

In vitro effects of glutathione on Transforming Growth Factor beta and epidermal Growth Factor Receptor genes expression in the protoscoleces and strobilated worms of Echinococcus granulosus

Cystic Echinococcosis (CE) caused by the small taeniid cestode Echinococcus granulosus, is a globally distributed zoonosis. Administration of some chemicals or natural compounds could lead to significant effects on the expression of some developmentally important genes including Transforming Growth Factor beta (TGF-β) and Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) in other parasitic organisms. The main purpose of this study was to describe the effect of glutathione (GSH) on the expression of TGF-β and EGFR genes in different developmental stages of E. granulosus. Protoscoleces of hydatid cysts collected from naturally infected sheep liver were cultured in diphasic CMRL1066 medium. Glutathione Mono-ethyl Ester (GME) at 250 μg/ml concentration was applied on the invaginated protoscoleces (PSCi), evaginated protoscoleces (PSCe) and strobilated worms (SW3) in vitro. TGF-β and EGFR genes expression were evaluated by using Real Time qPCR analysis compared to the controls. In response to GME treatment TGF-β expression was affected, however no significant effect was observed in EGFR expression. The results indicate a significant difference of TGF-β expression in the intact protoscoleces and the strobilated worms comparing to the controls. In intact invaginated protoscoleces TGF-β expression was significantly increased (p < 0.01) while in the strobilated worms a significant decrease was observed comparing to no-treatment controls (p < 0.001). None of the three developmental stages of E. granulosus demonstrated significant changes in EGFR expression. The results indicated that administration of GSH modified TGF-β expression in the protoscoleces and strobilar stages of E. granulosus. To improve our understanding of the physiology and biochemistry of the parasite more in depth in vitro and in vivo studies on the morphological and molecular effects of glutathione on the parasite is recommended. Further investigation on the gene profiles in other stages including microcysts and germinal layer cells is also suggested. This paves the way for the effective treatment and control of cystic echinococcosis. © 2020 Elsevier Inc