Enhancing conductivity of silver nanowire networks through surface engineering using bidentate rigid ligands

Solution processable metallic nanomaterials present a convenient way to fabricate conductive structures, which are necessary in all electronic devices. However, they tend to require post-treatments to remove the bulky ligands around them to achieve high conductivity. In this work, we present a method to formulate a post-treatment free conductive silver nanowire ink by controlling the type of ligands around the silver nanowires. We found that bidentate ligands with a rigid molecular structure were effective in improving the conductivity of the silver nanowire networks as they could maximize the number of linkages between neighboring nanowires. In addition, DFT calculations also revealed that ligands with good LUMO to silver energy alignment were more effective. Because of these reasons, fumaric acid was found to be the most effective ligand and achieved a large reduction in sheet resistance of 70% or higher depending on the nanowire network density. The concepts elucidated from this study would also be applicable to other solution processable nanomaterials systems such as quantum dots for photovoltaics or LEDs which also require good charge transport being neighboring nanoparticles

A thin layer angiogenesis assay: a modified basement matrix assay for assessment of endothelial cell differentiation

BACKGROUND: Basement matrices such as Matrigel™ and Geltrex™ are used in a variety of cell culture assays of anchorage-dependent differentiation including endothelial cell tube formation assays. The volumes of matrix recommended for these assays (approximately 150 μl/cm(2)) are costly, limit working distances for microscopy, and require cell detachment for subsequent molecular analysis. Here we describe the development and validation of a thin-layer angiogenesis (TLA) assay for assessing the angiogenic potential of endothelial cells that overcomes these limitations. RESULTS: Geltrex™ basement matrix at 5 μl/cm(2) in 24-well (10 μl) or 96-well (2 μl) plates supports endothelial cell differentiation into tube-like structures in a comparable manner to the standard larger volumes of matrix. Since working distances are reduced, high-resolution single cell microscopy, including DIC and confocal imaging, can be used readily. Using MitoTracker dye we now demonstrate, for the first time, live mitochondrial dynamics and visualise the 3-dimensional network of mitochondria present in differentiated endothelial cells. Using a standard commercial total RNA extraction kit (Qiagen) we also show direct RNA extraction and RT-qPCR from differentiated endothelial cells without the need to initially detach cells from their supporting matrix. CONCLUSIONS: We present here a new thin-layer assay (TLA) for measuring the anchorage-dependent differentiation of endothelial cells into tube-like structures which retains all the characteristics of the traditional approach but with the added benefit of a greatly lowered cost and better compatibility with other techniques, including RT-qPCR and high-resolution microscopy. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12860-014-0041-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

LOUTH (Irlanda). Condado. Mapas generales. 1777. 1:41200

Dedicatoria : "To John Foster Esquire, Knight of the Shire for the County of Louth ; This Map is with Gratitude & Respect Inscribed by this much ObligedEscalas gráficas de 6 millas británicas de 69 1/2 al grado [= 23,4 cm] y 4millas [= 19,9 cm]. Coordenadas referidas al meridiano de Londres (O 7°40'--O 7°04'/N 54°10'--53°41'). Recuadro geográfico de 5' en 5'. Orientado con lis en rosa de dieciseis vientos prolongadosOrografía a trazosIndica sondas batimétricas, veriles, y calidad del fondoDestaca especialmente la división administrativaTabla de signos convencionales para indicar colinas, línea de costa, ríos, bosques, caminos, asentamientos de caballeros campesinos, baronías, iglesas, parroquias, castillos en ruinasClave de abreviaturas para los edificios más destacadas representadosTabla que indica las distancias desde cinco lugares principales, respecto a otros puertos de menor importancia insertos en cada uno de esos cincoTítulo en cartela decorada con motivos vegetale

Cost analysis of the development and implementation of a spatial decision support system for malaria elimination in Solomon Islands

BACKGROUND The goal of malaria elimination faces numerous challenges. New tools are required to support the scale up of interventions and improve national malaria programme capacity to conduct detailed surveillance. This study investigates the cost factors influencing the development and implementation of a spatial decision support system (SDSS) for malaria elimination in the two elimination provinces of Isabel and Temotu, Solomon Islands. METHOD Financial and economic costs to develop and implement a SDSS were estimated using the Solomon Islands programme's financial records. Using an ingredients approach, verified by stakeholders and operational reports, total costs for each province were quantified. A budget impact sensitivity analysis was conducted to investigate the influence of variations in standard budgetary components on the costs and to identify potential cost savings. RESULTS A total investment of US$96,046 (2012 constant dollars) was required to develop and implement the SDSS in two provinces (Temotu Province US$ 49,806 and Isabel Province US$46,240). The single largest expense category was for computerized equipment totalling approximately US$ 30,085. Geographical reconnaissance was the most expensive phase of development and implementation, accounting for approximately 62% of total costs. Sensitivity analysis identified different cost factors between the provinces. Reduced equipment costs would deliver a budget saving of approximately 10% in Isabel Province. Combined travel costs represented the greatest influence on the total budget in the more remote Temotu Province. CONCLUSION This study provides the first cost analysis of an operational surveillance tool used specifically for malaria elimination in the South-West Pacific. It is demonstrated that the costs of such a decision support system are driven by specialized equipment and travel expenses. Such factors should be closely scrutinized in future programme budgets to ensure maximum efficiencies are gained and available resources are allocated effectively

Next generation of consumer aerosol valve design using inert gases

The current global consumer aerosol products such as deodorants, hairsprays, air-fresheners, polish, insecticide, disinfectant are primarily utilised unfriendly environmental propellant of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for over three decades. The advantages of the new innovative technology described in this paper are: (i) no butane or other liquefied hydrocarbon gas; (ii) compressed air, nitrogen or other safe gas propellant; (iii) customer acceptable spray quality and consistency during can lifetime; (iv) conventional cans and filling technology. Volatile organic compounds and greenhouse gases must be avoided but there are no flashing propellants replacements that would provide the good atomisation and spray reach. On the basis of the energy source for atomising, the only feasible source is inert gas (i.e. compressed air), which improves atomisation by gas bubbles and turbulence inside the atomiser insert of the actuator. This research concentrates on using ‘bubbly flow’ in the valve stem, with injection of compressed gas into the passing flow, thus also generating turbulence. Using a vapour phase tap in conventional aerosol valves allows the propellant gas into the liquid flow upstream of the valve. However, forcing bubbly flow through a valve is not ideal. The novel valves designed here, using compressed gas, thus achieved the following objectives when the correct combination of gas and liquid inlets to the valve, and the type and size of atomiser ‘insert’ were derived: 1. Produced a consistent flow rate and drop size of spray throughout the life of the can, compatible with the current conventional aerosols that use LPG: a new ‘constancy’ parameter is defined and used to this end. 2. Obtained a discharge flow rate suited to the product to be sprayed; typically between 0.4 g/s and 2.5 g/s. 3. Attained the spray droplets size suited to the product to be sprayed; typically between 40 mm and 120 mm

syn,syn-15,17-Di-2-naphthyl­hexa­cyclo­[10.2.1.13,10.15,8.02,11.04,9]hepta­decane deuterochloro­form monosolvate

The main molecule of the title compound, C37H36·CDCl3, is a hydro­carbon with two naphthalene segments attached to opposite ends of a rigid norbornylogous spacer with an overall structure that is approximately C-shaped. The dihedral angle between the naphthalene ring planes is 9.27 (7)°. The cleft that exists between the naphthalene rings is large enough that the compound crystallizes with a solvent mol­ecule (CDCl3) in the cleft. The CDCl3 solvent mol­ecule is present in two disordered orientations in a 3:2 ratio, each involving C—D⋯π to C 6 ring centers

LOTHIAN (Reino Unido). Escocia. Región. Mapas generales. 1745. 1:135000

Dedicatoria "To the Right Honble. John Earl of Stair Field Marshal & Commander in Chief of his Majesty's Forces in South Britain & C. This Map of the Lothians, shewing the March of the Rebels & Battle of Prestan Is inscribd by your Lordshps. most Obliged & most Obedt. Humble Servt. And. Miller"Escalas gráficas de 10 millas comunes escocesas de 60 al grado, 12 millas de 72 al grado y 8 millas escocesas de 48 al grado [= 13,8 cm]. Coordenadas referidas al meridiano de Edimburgo (O 0°34'--E 0°47'/n 56°13'--N 55°43'). Red geográfica de 5' en 5'. Orientado con lis en rosa de treinta y dos vientosOrografía por perfil. Veriles, bajos y bancos de arenaClave alfabética para indicar la posición de los componentes rebeldes y lealesLímites entre los distintos condados diferenciados por coloresTítulo y dedicatoria enmarcados en sendas cartelas barroca

Leg disorders in broiler chickens : prevalence, risk factors and prevention

Broiler (meat) chickens have been subjected to intense genetic selection. In the past 50 years, broiler growth rates have increased by over 300% (from 25 g per day to 100 g per day). There is growing societal concern that many broiler chickens have impaired locomotion or are even unable to walk. Here we present the results of a comprehensive survey of commercial flocks which quantifies the risk factors for poor locomotion in broiler chickens.We assessed the walking ability of 51,000 birds, representing 4.8 million birds within 176 flocks.We also obtained information on approximately 150 different management factors associated with each flock. At a mean age of 40 days, over 27.6% of birds in our study showed poor locomotion and 3.3% were almost unable to walk. The high prevalence of poor locomotion occurred despite culling policies designed to remove severely lame birds from flocks. We show that the primary risk factors associated with impaired locomotion and poor leg health are those specifically associated with rate of growth. Factors significantly associated with high gait score included the age of the bird (older birds), visit (second visit to same flock), bird genotype, not feeding whole wheat, a shorter dark period during the day, higher stocking density at the time of assessment, no use of antibiotic, and the use of intact feed pellets. The welfare implications are profound. Worldwide approximately 261010 broilers are reared within similar husbandry systems.We identify a range of management factors that could be altered to reduce leg health problems, but implementation of these changes would be likely to reduce growth rate and production. A debate on the sustainability of current practice in the production of this important food source is required

The Chemical-Composition of Distant Globular-Clusters - Are There Any Metal-Poor Clusters

The authors report echelle spectroscopy of giants in the distant globular clusters N4147, M53, N5466, and N6229. Abundances are determined from model atmosphere analyses of the equivalent widths of the metal lines. The analyses yield [Fe/H] values in the range of -1.3 to -1.9. These values are moderately high for clusters at these galactocentric distances (R ≡ 20 kpc). The data argue against the existence of a strong metallicity gradient in the halo. They may also suggest that the cluster system of the Galaxy predates the formation of the bulge and halo system

Novel statistical approaches for non-normal censored immunological data: analysis of cytokine and gene expression data

Background: For several immune-mediated diseases, immunological analysis will become more complex in the future with datasets in which cytokine and gene expression data play a major role. These data have certain characteristics that require sophisticated statistical analysis such as strategies for non-normal distribution and censoring. Additionally, complex and multiple immunological relationships need to be adjusted for potential confounding and interaction effects. Objective: We aimed to introduce and apply different methods for statistical analysis of non-normal censored cytokine and gene expression data. Furthermore, we assessed the performance and accuracy of a novel regression approach in order to allow adjusting for covariates and potential confounding. Methods: For non-normally distributed censored data traditional means such as the Kaplan-Meier method or the generalized Wilcoxon test are described. In order to adjust for covariates the novel approach named Tobit regression on ranks was introduced. Its performance and accuracy for analysis of non-normal censored cytokine/gene expression data was evaluated by a simulation study and a statistical experiment applying permutation and bootstrapping. Results: If adjustment for covariates is not necessary traditional statistical methods are adequate for non-normal censored data. Comparable with these and appropriate if additional adjustment is required, Tobit regression on ranks is a valid method. Its power, type-I error rate and accuracy were comparable to the classical Tobit regression. Conclusion: Non-normally distributed censored immunological data require appropriate statistical methods. Tobit regression on ranks meets these requirements and can be used for adjustment for covariates and potential confounding in large and complex immunological datasets