Wet chemical polishing for industrial type PERC solar cells

Industrial PERC cell process flows typically apply the polishing of the rear side after texturing as well as the edge isolation after POCl3 diffusion. In this paper, we present a novel single step polishing process which we apply post double sided texturing and diffusion in order to remove the rear emitter and to reduce the rear surface roughness. One challenge is to minimize the etch back of the front side emitter during rear side polishing due to the reactive gas phase of the polishing process. By optimizing the polishing process, we are able to limit the increase of the emitter sheet resistance below 5 Ω/sq. However, the wet cleaning post polishing contributes an additional 20 Ω/sq emitter sheet resistance increase which is subject to further optimization. We compensate the emitter sheet resistance increase due to wet cleaning by applying a 45 Ω/sq POCl3 diffusion instead of a 60 Ω/sq diffusion. The resulting PERC solar cells with polished rear surface post texture and diffusion show conversion efficiencies up to 19.6% which is comparable to the reference PERC cells which apply a rear protection layer instead of a polishing process.German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety/0325296Heraeus Precious MetalsRenaSingulus TechnologiesSolar Worl

Behavioral Health Risk Factors and Motivation to Change among Cardiovascular General Hospital Patients Aged 50 to 79 Years

Little is known about the (co-)occurrence of smoking, alcohol at-risk drinking, physical inactivity and overweight, and the motivation to change these behavioral health risk factors (HRFs) in older general hospital patients with cardiovascular disease. Between October and December 2016, all consecutively admitted patients aged 50 to 79 years were proactively recruited on 3 cardiology wards and asked to participate in a survey on HRFs and behavior change motivation. Of the eligible patients, 80.4% participated in the survey (n = 328). The mean age was 66.5 years (standard deviation 9.0), and 65.5% were male. At least 1 HRF was present in 91.8% (n = 280), at least 2 HRFs in 54.4% (n = 166), and 3 or 4 HRFs in 12.1% (n = 37) of participants. The proportion of older adults who contemplated or were changing or planning to change their behavior to meet health behavior recommendations ranged between 66.0% (smoking) and 93.2% (alcohol consumption). The results indicate a notable co-occurrence of behavioral HRFs in older patients with cardiovascular disease. The majority of older adults were at least considering changing the respective behavior. To prevent and treat diseases efficiently, hospitalization may be a suitable moment for systematic multiple HRF screening and intervention.Peer Reviewe

Untersuchung der Thymian-Kollektion aus der Bundeszentralen Ex situ- Genbank Gatersleben – Vergleich morphologischer, phytochemischer und molekularer Merkmale

18 Akzessionen der Gaterslebener Thymian-Kollektion aus sieben verschiedenen Arten wurden mit einem standardisierten Boniturschema morphologisch beschrieben. Besonderes Augenmerk lag dabei auf der Anzahl der Drüsenhaare. Außerdem wurden durch Durchflusszytometrie die Genomgröße bestimmt und der Ploidiegrad ermittelt. Die Verwandtschaftsverhältnisse wurden durch ITS-Marker analysiert. Des Weiteren wurde die Zusammensetzung des ätherischen Öls mittels Gaschromatographie gekoppelt an Massenspektrometrie untersucht. Verschiedene Chemotypen konnten dabei gefunden werden. Alle erhobenen Daten werden verglichen und miteinander in Beziehung gesetzt. Stichwörter: Ätherisches Öl, Chemotypen, Drüsenhaare, ITS-Analyse, Thymus spp.Screening of the thyme collection of the federal ex situ genebank in Gatersleben – comparison of morphological, phytochemical and molecular data18 accessions of the Gatersleben thyme collection from seven different species were characterized morphologically with a standardized descriptor. A special focus was on the number of secretory cells. Besides, the genome size was detected with flow cytometry in order to determine the number of chromosomes and the ploidy level. ITS markers were used to analyze the phylogenetic relationship. In addition, the essential oil compounds were studied with gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Within the 18 accessions different chemotypes could be found. All data will be compared and evaluated. Keywords: Chemotypes, essential oil, ITS analysis, secretory cells, Thymus spp

Lower plasma insulin levels during overnight closed-loop in school children with type 1 diabetes: Potential advantage? A randomized cross-over trial.

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that overnight closed-loop insulin delivery can improve glucose control and reduce the risk of hypoglycemia and hence may improve metabolic outcomes and reduce burden for children with type 1 diabetes and their families. However, research so far has not reported insulin levels while comparing closed-loop to open-loop insulin delivery in children. Therefore, in this study we obtained glucose levels as well as plasma insulin levels in children with type 1 diabetes to evaluate the efficacy of a model-based closed-loop algorithm compared to an open-loop administration. METHODS: Fifteen children with type 1 diabetes, 6-12 years, participated in this open-label single center study. We used a randomized cross over design in which we compared overnight closed-loop insulin delivery with sensor augmented pump therapy for two nights in both the hospital and at home (i.e., 1 night in-patient stay and at home per treatment condition). Only during the in-patient stay, hourly plasma insulin and blood glucose levels were assessed and are reported in this paper. RESULTS: Results of paired sample t-tests revealed that although plasma insulin levels were significantly lower during the closed-loop than in the open-loop (Mean difference 36.51 pmol/l; t(13) = 2.13, p = .03, effect size d = 0.57), blood glucose levels did not vary between conditions (mean difference 0.76 mmol/l; t(13) = 1.24, p = .12, d = 0.37). The administered dose of insulin was significantly lower during the closed-loop compared with the open-loop (mean difference 0.10 UI; t(12) = 2.45, p = .02, d = 0.68). CONCLUSIONS: Lower insulin doses were delivered in the closed-loop, resulting in lower plasma insulin levels, whereby glucose levels were not affected negatively. This suggests that the closed-loop administration is better targeted and hence could be more effective

Potenzial biogener Abfälle im Freistaat Sachsen

Untersucht wurden das tatsächliche und potenzielle Aufkommen und die Behandlung biogener Abfälle und Reststoffe im Freistaat Sachsen. Für die im Haushalt anfallenden Küchen- und Grünschnittabfälle ergibt sich eine potenzielle Sammelmenge von insgesamt 528.759 Mg bzw. 125 kg je Einwohner und Jahr. Für Grünschnitt ergeben sich vor allem im Bereich der Pflegemaßnahmen auf öffentlichen Flächen und der Landschaftspflege Mengenpotenziale für die Verwertung. Mit der Vermeidung von Speiseabfällen, der Intensivierung der Erfassung und der effizienten Verwertung der biogenen Abfälle und Reststoffe zeigen sich positive Effekte auf die Klimabilanz

Towards a cancer mission in Horizon Europe: recommendations.

A comprehensive translational cancer research approach focused on personalized and precision medicine, and covering the entire cancer research-care-prevention continuum has the potential to achieve in 2030 a 10-year cancer-specific survival for 75% of patients diagnosed in European Union (EU) member states with a well-developed healthcare system. Concerted actions across this continuum that spans from basic and preclinical research through clinical and prevention research to outcomes research, along with the establishment of interconnected high-quality infrastructures for translational research, clinical and prevention trials and outcomes research, will ensure that science-driven and social innovations benefit patients and individuals at risk across the EU. European infrastructures involving comprehensive cancer centres (CCCs) and CCC-like entities will provide researchers with access to the required critical mass of patients, biological materials and technological resources and can bridge research with healthcare systems. Here, we prioritize research areas to ensure a balanced research portfolio and provide recommendations for achieving key targets. Meeting these targets will require harmonization of EU and national priorities and policies, improved research coordination at the national, regional and EU level and increasingly efficient and flexible funding mechanisms. Long-term support by the EU and commitment of Member States to specialized schemes are also needed for the establishment and sustainability of trans-border infrastructures and networks. In addition to effectively engaging policymakers, all relevant stakeholders within the entire continuum should consensually inform policy through evidence-based advice

PTX3 Polymorphisms and Invasive Mold Infections After Solid Organ Transplant

Donor PTX3 polymorphisms were shown to influence the risk of invasive aspergillosis among hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. Here, we show that PTX3 polymorphisms are independent risk factors for invasive mold infections among 1101 solid organ transplant recipients, thereby strengthening their role in mold infection pathogenesis and patients' risk stratificatio