Development of micro nozzles for thin organic semiconductor layer deposition for organic photodiodes and organic photovoltaic

Diese Arbeit beschreibt die Entwicklung von selbstansaugenden Mikrosprühdüsen zur Ab-scheidung organischer Halbleiter für die Herstellung organischer Photodioden und organi-scher Photovoltaik. Es wird dabei ein Überblick über bestehende Abscheideverfahren und deren Vor- und Nachteile gegeben, wobei die Sprühbeschichtung und deren Unterbereiche diskutiert werden. Vorüberlegungen zum Design der Mikrosprühdüsen und deren Realisierung werden dargestellt und umfassen die Betrachtung der vorhandenen Strömung nach Bernoulli und Venturi, Simulationen nach dem Prinzip der Finite-Elemente-Methode (FEM) und Be-ständigkeitstest der zu verwendenden Materialien gegenüber geeigneten Lösemitteln. Im Fol-genden werden die mikrotechnologische Umsetzung des Designs und die Evaluationsschritte bis zu den finalen Düsendesigns gezeigt. Die Evaluierung der finalen Düsendesigns erfolgt dabei in allen relevanten Punkten im Vergleich zu einer herkömmlichen Airbrush-/Zweistoffzerstäubungsdüse, welche für eine konventionelle Sprühbeschichtung organischer Halbleiter verwendet werden kann. Dazu zählt die Betrachtung des entstehenden Sprühke-gels, Aufnahmen mit einer Highspeed-Kamera, Bestimmung von Abscheideeffizienz und -geschwindigkeit und die Verteilung der Tröpfchengrößen (nur Mikrosprühdüsen). Abschlie-ßend wird die elektrische Charakterisierung gesprühter Schichten in organischen Photodioden dargestellt und ein Ausblick auf Mehrdüsen-Arrays gegeben.This work describes the development of self-suctioning micro nozzles for the coating of or-ganic semiconductors in organic photodiodes and organic photovoltaic. An overview of exist-ing coating methods and their advantages and disadvantages is given, focusing on spray coating and its subareas. Preliminary considerations on design and realization are represented and cover thoughts on existing Bernoulli and Venturi flow, simulations according to the finite element method (FEM) and tests on the resistance of materials to suitable solvents. The mi-crotechnological fabrication and evaluation steps towards final nozzle designs are described afterwards. Evaluation of final nozzle designs is done in all relevant aspects in comparison to a conventional air atomizing nozzle set, which may be used for traditional spray coating of organic semiconductors. This includes spray cone observation by high-speed camera, spray spot mapping, droplet size distributions (micronozzles only) as well as the determination of coating efficiency and deposition rate. Finally, electrical characterization of sprayed layers in organic photodiodes is presented and an outlook on multinozzle arrays is given

Silicon micro venturi nozzles for cost-efficient spray coating of thin organic P3HT/PCBM layers

Improvements on spray coating are of particular interest to different fields of technology as it is a scalable deposition method and processing from solutions offer various application possibilities outside of typical facilities. When it comes to the deposition of expensive and film-forming media such as organic semiconductors, consumption and nozzle cleaning issues are of particular importance. We demonstrate the simple steps to design and fabricate micro venturi nozzles for economical spray coating with a consumption as low as 30-50 µl centerdot min$^{-1}$. For spray coating an active area of 25 cm$^{2}$ a 2.45-4.01 fold coating efficiency is observed compared to a conventional airbrush nozzle set. The electrical characterization of first diodes sprayed with an active layer thickness of ~750 nm using a single micronozzle at a coating speed of 1.7 cm2 centerdot min−1 reveals a good external quantum efficiency of 72.9% at 532 nm and a dark current of ~7.4 centerdot 10$^{-5}$ mA centerdot cm$^{-2}$, both measured at  −2 V. Furthermore, the high resistance of the micronozzles against solvents and most acids is provided through realization in a silicon wafer with silicon dioxide encapsulation, therefore allowing easy and effective cleaning

Broad-spectrum Antibiotic Prophylaxis in Tumor and Infected Orthopedic Surgery - the prospective-randomized, microbiologist-blinded, stratified, superiority Trials - BAPTIST trials

Background: The perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis with 1st or 2nd-generation cephalosporins is evidence-based in orthopedic surgery. There are, however, situations with a high risk of prophylaxis-resistant surgical site infections (SSI). Methods: We perform a superiority randomized-controlled trial with a 10% margin and a power of 90% in favor of the broad-spectrum prophylaxis. We will randomize orthopedic interventions with a high risk for SSI (open fractures, surgery under therapeutic antibiotics, tumor surgery, spine surgery with ASA-Score ≥ 3 points) in a prospective-alternating scheme (1:1, standard prophylaxis with mostly cefuroxime versus a broad-spectrum prophylaxis of a combined single-shot of vancomycin 1 g & gentamicin 5 mg/kg parenterally). The primary outcomes are "remission" at 6 weeks; or at 1 year for surgeries with implant. Secondary outcomes are the risk for prophylaxis-resistant SSI pathogens, revision surgery for any reason, change of antibiotic therapy, adverse events and the incidence of non-SSI infections within 6 weeks (e.g. urine infections). With event-free surgeries to 95% in the broad-spectrum versus 85% in the standard arm, we need 2 x 207 orthopedic surgeries among all groups. Discussion: In selected patients with a high risk for prophylaxis-resistant SSI, a broad-spectrum combination might prevent SSIs better than the standard prophylaxis. Trial registration: ClinicalTrial.gov NCT05502380. Registered on 12 August 2022. Protocol version: 2 (3 June 2022

The use of stained cytologic direct smears for ALK gene rearrangement analysis of lung adenocarcinoma

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/100150/1/cncy21286.pd

Monitoring synaptic function at the neuromuscular junction of a mouse expressing synaptopHluorin

We monitored presynaptic exocytosis and vesicle recycling at neuromuscular junctions of transgenic mice expressing synaptopHluorin (spH), using simultaneous optical and electrophysiological recordings. Synaptic transmission was indistinguishable from that in wildtype controls. Fluorescence rose during and decayed monotonically after stimulus trains to the nerve, with amplitudes and decay times increasing with the amount of stimulation. The relatively large size of synaptic terminals allowed us to examine the spatial profile of fluorescence changes. We identified hot spots of exocytosis, which were stable with repeated trains. Photobleach experiments showed that spH freshly exposed by nerve stimulation was not preferentially retrieved by compensatory endocytosis; instead, most retrieved spH preexisted in the surface membrane. Finally, we compared fluorescence and electrical [summed end-plate potentials (EPPs)] estimates of exocytosis, which diverged during repeated trains, as fluorescence exceeded summed EPPs, although the average amplitude of miniature EPPs was unchanged. This might reflect exocytosis of spH-containing, acetylcholine-free (“empty”) vesicles or other organelles during intense stimulation

Sodium Hydroxide Catalyzed Dehydrocoupling of Alcohols with Hydrosilanes

An O–Si bond construction protocol employing abundantly available and inexpensive NaOH as the catalyst is described. The method enables the cross-dehydrogenative coupling of an alcohol and hydrosilane to directly generate the corresponding silyl ether under mild conditions and without the production of stoichiometric salt byproducts. The scope of both coupling partners is excellent, positioning the method for use in complex molecule and materials science applications. A novel Si-based cross-coupling reagent is also reported

Thrombolytic removal of intraventricular haemorrhage in treatment of severe stroke: results of the randomised, multicentre, multiregion, placebo-controlled CLEAR III trial

Background: Intraventricular haemorrhage is a subtype of intracerebral haemorrhage, with 50% mortality and serious disability for survivors. We aimed to test whether attempting to remove intraventricular haemorrhage with alteplase versus saline irrigation improved functional outcome. Methods: In this randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, multiregional trial (CLEAR III), participants with a routinely placed extraventricular drain, in the intensive care unit with stable, non-traumatic intracerebral haemorrhage volume less than 30 mL, intraventricular haemorrhage obstructing the 3rd or 4th ventricles, and no underlying pathology were adaptively randomly assigned (1:1), via a web-based system to receive up to 12 doses, 8 h apart of 1 mg of alteplase or 0·9% saline via the extraventricular drain. The treating physician, clinical research staff, and participants were masked to treatment assignment. CT scans were obtained every 24 h throughout dosing. The primary efficacy outcome was good functional outcome, defined as a modified Rankin Scale score (mRS) of 3 or less at 180 days per central adjudication by blinded evaluators. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00784134. Findings: Between Sept 18, 2009, and Jan 13, 2015, 500 patients were randomised: 249 to the alteplase group and 251 to the saline group. 180-day follow-up data were available for analysis from 246 of 249 participants in the alteplase group and 245 of 251 participants in the placebo group. The primary efficacy outcome was similar in each group (good outcome in alteplase group 48% vs saline 45%; risk ratio [RR] 1·06 [95% CI 0·88–1·28; p=0·554]). A difference of 3·5% (RR 1·08 [95% CI 0·90–1·29], p=0·420) was found after adjustment for intraventricular haemorrhage size and thalamic intracerebral haemorrhage. At 180 days, the treatment group had lower case fatality (46 [18%] vs saline 73 [29%], hazard ratio 0·60 [95% CI 0·41–0·86], p=0·006), but a greater proportion with mRS 5 (42 [17%] vs 21 [9%]; RR 1·99 [95% CI 1·22–3·26], p=0·007). Ventriculitis (17 [7%] alteplase vs 31 [12%] saline; RR 0·55 [95% CI 0·31–0·97], p=0·048) and serious adverse events (114 [46%] alteplase vs 151 [60%] saline; RR 0·76 [95% CI 0·64–0·90], p=0·002) were less frequent with alteplase treatment. Symptomatic bleeding (six [2%] in the alteplase group vs five [2%] in the saline group; RR 1·21 [95% CI 0·37–3·91], p=0·771) was similar. Interpretation: In patients with intraventricular haemorrhage and a routine extraventricular drain, irrigation with alteplase did not substantially improve functional outcomes at the mRS 3 cutoff compared with irrigation with saline. Protocol-based use of alteplase with extraventricular drain seems safe. Future investigation is needed to determine whether a greater frequency of complete intraventricular haemorrhage removal via alteplase produces gains in functional status

An atlas of mouse CD4(+) T cell transcriptomes.

BACKGROUND: CD4(+) T cells are key regulators of the adaptive immune system and can be divided into T helper (Th) cells and regulatory T (Treg) cells. During an immune response Th cells mature from a naive state into one of several effector subtypes that exhibit distinct functions. The transcriptional mechanisms that underlie the specific functional identity of CD4(+) T cells are not fully understood. RESULTS: To assist investigations into the transcriptional identity and regulatory processes of these cells we performed mRNA-sequencing on three murine T helper subtypes (Th1, Th2 and Th17) as well as on splenic Treg cells and induced Treg (iTreg) cells. Our integrated analysis of this dataset revealed the gene expression changes associated with these related but distinct cellular identities. Each cell subtype differentially expresses a wealth of 'subtype upregulated' genes, some of which are well known whilst others promise new insights into signalling processes and transcriptional regulation. We show that hundreds of genes are regulated purely by alternative splicing to extend our knowledge of the role of post-transcriptional regulation in cell differentiation. CONCLUSIONS: This CD4(+) transcriptome atlas provides a valuable resource for the study of CD4(+) T cell populations. To facilitate its use by others, we have made the data available in an easily accessible online resource at www.th-express.org

Sodium Hydroxide Catalyzed Dehydrocoupling of Alcohols with Hydrosilanes

An O–Si bond construction protocol employing abundantly available and inexpensive NaOH as the catalyst is described. The method enables the cross-dehydrogenative coupling of an alcohol and hydrosilane to directly generate the corresponding silyl ether under mild conditions and without the production of stoichiometric salt byproducts. The scope of both coupling partners is excellent, positioning the method for use in complex molecule and materials science applications. A novel Si-based cross-coupling reagent is also reported

Syrosingopine sensitizes cancer cells to killing by metformin

We report that the anticancer activity of the widely used diabetic drug metformin is strongly potentiated by syrosingopine. Synthetic lethality elicited by combining the two drugs is synergistic and specific to transformed cells. This effect is unrelated to syrosingopine's known role as an inhibitor of the vesicular monoamine transporters. Syrosingopine binds to the glycolytic enzyme α-enolase in vitro, and the expression of the γ-enolase isoform correlates with nonresponsiveness to the drug combination. Syrosingopine sensitized cancer cells to metformin and its more potent derivative phenformin far below the individual toxic threshold of each compound. Thus, combining syrosingopine and codrugs is a promising therapeutic strategy for clinical application for the treatment of cancer