Nanostructured metal-fullerene field emission cathode

One of the important properties of carbon nanostructures is their cold electron emission ability. Carbon nanotubes and other nanostructures are capable of emitting high currents at relatively low electrical fields. They are already used in functional devices such as field emitters. The conventional method of carbon nanostructured cathodes manufacturing is thin film nanocarbon deposition using CVD process on electrically conducting substrate like metal or doped silicon plates. The alternative way of manufacturing of carbon field emission cathodes is based on a special processing of carbon microfibers or composite materials in metal holders. We used the similar approach to produce composite metal-nanocarbon material which may be easily processed and shaped to produce an effective field emission cathode which can be easily fixed an any environment. When you are citing the document, use the following link http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/2058

Thermoelectric properties of Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3/C60 nanocomposites

A thermoelectric nanocomposite of Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3 with the C60 fullerene molecules has been synthesized and studied. The fullerene molecules provide the phonons blocking, reducing the lattice thermal conductivity. The reduction of the electrical conductivity is much less than the heat conductivity reduction at a low fullerene content. Therefore, the thermoelectric figure of merit increases up to 25% at 305 K. The thermoelectric properties of the synthesized materials have been analyzed theoretically in the frame of the Boltzmann equation approach. The calculations predict the optimal carrier concentration and C60 content for a maximal value of the thermoelectric figure of merit in a wide temperature range

Impact of COVID-19 on Cardiovascular Testing in the United States Versus the Rest of the World

Objectives: This study sought to quantify and compare the decline in volumes of cardiovascular procedures between the United States and non-U.S. institutions during the early phase of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the care of many non-COVID-19 illnesses. Reductions in diagnostic cardiovascular testing around the world have led to concerns over the implications of reduced testing for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Methods: Data were submitted to the INCAPS-COVID (International Atomic Energy Agency Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocols Study of COVID-19), a multinational registry comprising 909 institutions in 108 countries (including 155 facilities in 40 U.S. states), assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of diagnostic cardiovascular procedures. Data were obtained for April 2020 and compared with volumes of baseline procedures from March 2019. We compared laboratory characteristics, practices, and procedure volumes between U.S. and non-U.S. facilities and between U.S. geographic regions and identified factors associated with volume reduction in the United States. Results: Reductions in the volumes of procedures in the United States were similar to those in non-U.S. facilities (68% vs. 63%, respectively; p = 0.237), although U.S. facilities reported greater reductions in invasive coronary angiography (69% vs. 53%, respectively; p < 0.001). Significantly more U.S. facilities reported increased use of telehealth and patient screening measures than non-U.S. facilities, such as temperature checks, symptom screenings, and COVID-19 testing. Reductions in volumes of procedures differed between U.S. regions, with larger declines observed in the Northeast (76%) and Midwest (74%) than in the South (62%) and West (44%). Prevalence of COVID-19, staff redeployments, outpatient centers, and urban centers were associated with greater reductions in volume in U.S. facilities in a multivariable analysis. Conclusions: We observed marked reductions in U.S. cardiovascular testing in the early phase of the pandemic and significant variability between U.S. regions. The association between reductions of volumes and COVID-19 prevalence in the United States highlighted the need for proactive efforts to maintain access to cardiovascular testing in areas most affected by outbreaks of COVID-19 infection