Solution-Processed, Solid-State Solar Cells based on Environmentally Friendly AgBiS2 Nanocrystals

Solution-processed inorganic solar cells are a promising low-cost alternative to firstgeneration solar cells.1,2 Solution processing at low temperatures and the use of nontoxic and abundant elements can help minimize cost and facilitate regulatory acceptance. However, until now there has been no material that exhibits all of these features while demonstrating promising efficiencies. Many of the most promising solution-processed inorganic solar cells contain toxic elements such as lead or cadmium (perovskites,2,3 PbS,4 CdTe,5,6 CdS(Se)7,8) or scarce elements like tellurium or indium (CdTe, CIGS(Se)/CIS9,10). Others require high-temperature processes such as selenization or sintering or rely on vacuum deposition techniques ((Sb2S(Se)3,11–13 SnS,14,15 CZTS(Se)16). Here, we present AgBiS2 nanocrystals as a novel nontoxic,17 earth-abundant18 material for highperformance, solution-processed solar cells fabricated in ambient conditions at low temperatures (≤100°C). The AgBiS2 nanocrystals have favorable properties for solar-cell applications including a near-ideal bandgap and strong, broad absorption. We demonstrate a Newport certified power conversion efficiency of 6.3% with no hysteresis and a remarkably high short-circuit current density of about 22 mA·cm-2 for an active layer thickness of only ~35 nm.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Transcatheter vs. Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement in Patients at Intermediate Surgical Risk

Abstract Objective[AM1] : To compare the safety and efficacy of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis at intermediate surgical risk. Design: Systematic literature review. Methods: Literature searches were done in PubMed and Scopus search engines using key terms: TAVR, trans-catheter aortic valve replacement, SAVR, surgical aortic valve replacement, severe aortic stenosis, and intermediate risk. Filters included primary research only. Inclusion criteria were articles which studied an intermediate risk patient population (STS-PROM 3-15%), primary research, and compared outcomes of TAVR and SAVR in patients with severe aortic stenosis requiring replacement. Results: Two randomized control trials were identified (Reardon et al & Leon et al). One propensity matched retrospective cohort study was identified (Brennan et al). Conclusion: The side effect profile for both TAVR and SAVR are very different. TAVR shows higher rates of major vascular complications, pacemaker implantation, and risk of valvular regurgitation while patients undergoing SAVR experience greater rates of blood loss, kidney injury, atrial fibrillation and longer stays in the hospital and ICU. In patients at intermediate risk for surgery, the decision to undergo TAVR or SAVR should be based on the individual patient’s desired outcome. Both procedures show improved quality of life however TAVR has less risk for serious intraoperative complication and reduced recovery time while SAVR shows greater efficacy with less frequent paravalvular regurgitation, need for reintervention and pacemaker implantation. [AM1]I would bold or italicize these subheading

A Profile on First-Generation College Students at the University of Kentucky: A Focus on Retention Efforts

This paper provides an overview of the first-generation college student (FGCS) profile at the University of Kentucky. This paper then compares the FGCS population at the University of Kentucky to the general student population at the university, specifically focusing on levels of degree attainment. In addition, the national literature on FGCS is discussed. Based upon national literature and institutional data, the authors provide practical suggestions on how to best serve FGCS at the University of Kentucky

Expression profiling of snoRNAs in normal hematopoiesis and AML

Key Points A subset of snoRNAs is expressed in a developmental- and lineage-specific manner during human hematopoiesis. Neither host gene expression nor alternative splicing accounted for the observed differential expression of snoRNAs in a subset of AML.</jats:p

Contribution of simulation-based medical education to work-readiness of JCU graduates

The College of Medicine and Dentistry (CMD) at James Cook University (JCU) was established in regional north Queensland in 1999 with the mandate to select and educate medical graduates to work in underserviced areas, specifically rural, remote, and tropical locations. In 2006, the second graduating cohort at JCU were surveyed to determine if they felt ‘work ready‘. Results showed only 66% of students felt well or very well prepared for their first week of internship, and 13% of students felt inadequately prepared. The need for more CS activities within the curriculum was identified when the College underwent course accreditation in 2006

Robotic Surgery in Gynecologic Oncology

Robotic surgery for the management of gynecologic cancers allows for minimally invasive surgical removal of cancer-bearing organs and tissues using sophisticated surgeon-manipulated, robotic surgical instrumentation. Early on, gynecologic oncologists recognized that minimally invasive surgery was associated with less surgical morbidity and that it shortened postoperative recovery. Now, robotic surgery represents an effective alternative to conventional laparotomy. Since its widespread adoption, minimally invasive surgery has become an option not only for the morbidly obese but for women with gynecologic malignancy where conventional laparotomy has been associated with significant morbidity. As such, this paper considers indications for robotic surgery, reflects on outcomes from initial robotic surgical outcomes data, reviews cost efficacy and implications in surgical training, and discusses new roles for robotic surgery in gynecologic cancer management

The Economic Impact of New Technology Adoption on the U.S. Apple Industry

We develop a temporal and spatial partial equilibrium model to evaluate the welfare impact of new technology on the apple industry to control fire blight. We show significant benefits of GM technology relative to conventional methods and other new methods such as microencapsulation of biological agents. We also show that the cost-reduction benefits of the technology exceed the yield-increasing benefits

Highly productive polar forests from the Permian of Antarctica

Two stratigraphically closely spaced bedding planes exposed at Lamping Peak in the Upper Buckley Formation, Beardmore Glacier area, Antarctica contain abundant in situ stumps (n=53, n=21) and other plant fossils that allow reconstruction of forest structure and biomass of Glossopteris forests that thrived at ~ 75o S paleolatitude in the Permian. Mean trunk diameter is 14 and 25 cm, corresponding to estimated mean maximum heights of 12 and 19 m. Basal areas are 65 and 80 m2ha- 1. The above ground biomass was calculated using allometric equations for Ginkgo biloba, yielding biomasses of 147 and 178 Mg ha- 1. Biomass estimates based on comparison with biomass of modern forests with equivalent basal areas are higher (225 – 400 Mg ha- 1). The amount of above ground biomass added each year (Annual Net Primary Productivity), based on biomass estimates and growth rings in silicified plant material from the Buckley Formation nearby, is poorly constrained, ranging from ~ 100 – 2000 g m- 2 yr- 1. Compared to modern forests at all latitudes, the Permian forests have high basal areas and high biomass, exceeded in both only by forests of the U.S. Pacific northwest and Sequoia forests. The estimated range of productivity (ANPP) is within that of many very productive modern forests. The Lamping Peak forests’ basal areas and calculated biomass are also larger than younger high paleolatitude fossil forests except for Arctic Cenozoic forests. Presence of these highly productive fossil forests at high paleolatitude is consistent with hothouse conditions during the Late Permian, prior to the eruption of the Siberian flood basalts

Development of a Quantum Dot, 0.6 eV InGaAs Thermophotovoltaic (TPV) Converter

Thermophotovoltaic (TPV) power conversion has to date demonstrated conversion efficiencies exceeding 20% when coupled to a heat source. Current III-V semiconductor TPV technology makes use of planar devices with bandgaps tailored to the heat source. The efficiency can be improved further by increasing the collection efficiency through the incorporation of InAs quantum dots. The use of these dots can provide sub-gap absorption and thus improve the cell short circuit current without the normal increase in dark current associated with lowering the bandgap. We have developed self-assembled InAs quantum dots using the Stranski-Krastanov growth mode on 0.74 eV In0.53GaAs lattice-matched to InP and also on lattice-mismatched 0.6 eV In0.69GaAs grown on InP through the use of a compositionally graded InPAsx buffer structure, by metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE). Atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements showed that the most reproducible dot pattern was obtained with 5 monolayers of InAs grown at 450 C. The lattice mismatch between InAs and In0.69GaAs is only 2.1%, compared to 3.2% between InAs and In0.53GaAs. The smaller mismatch results in lower strain, making dot formation somewhat more complicated, resulting in quantum dashes, rather than well defined quantum dots in the lattice-mismatched case. We have fabricated 0.6 eV InGaAs planer TPV cells with and without the quantum dashe

Plasmodium falciparum ligand binding to erythrocytes induce alterations in deformability essential for invasion

The most lethal form of malaria in humans is caused by Plasmodium falciparum. These parasites invade erythrocytes, a complex process involving multiple ligand-receptor interactions. The parasite makes initial contact with the erythrocyte followed by dramatic deformations linked to the function of the Erythrocyte binding antigen family and P. falciparum reticulocyte binding-like families. We show EBA-175 mediates substantial changes in the deformability of erythrocytes by binding to glycophorin A and activating a phosphorylation cascade that includes erythrocyte cytoskeletal proteins resulting in changes in the viscoelastic properties of the host cell. TRPM7 kinase inhibitors FTY720 and waixenicin A block the changes in the deformability of erythrocytes and inhibit merozoite invasion by directly inhibiting the phosphorylation cascade. Therefore, binding of P. falciparum parasites to the erythrocyte directly activate a signaling pathway through a phosphorylation cascade and this alters the viscoelastic properties of the host membrane conditioning it for successful invasion