Fabrication and properties of luminescence polymer composites with erbium/ytterbium oxides and gold nanoparticles

Rare-earth-doped optical materials are important for light sources in optoelectronics, as well as for efficient optical amplification elements and other elements of photonics. On the basis of the previously developed method of anhydrous, low-temperature synthesis of Er/Yb oxides from their chlorides we fabricated proper nanoparticles with defined parameters and used them for the development of optically transparent, luminescent polymer nanocomposite with low optical scattering, suitable for direct, light-induced formation of photonic elements. Introduction of preformed gold nanoparticles in such a nanocomposite was also performed and an enhancement of luminescence due to the influence of plasmon effects was detected

ОПТИЧЕСКИЕ СВОЙСТВА ТОНКИХ ПЛЕНОК ZnO+10 % ITO НА ПОДЛОЖКАХ АНОДНОГО ОКСИДА АЛЮМИНИЯ

ZnO thin films of zinc oxide doped with 10 % ITO (indium tin oxide) on anodic aluminum oxide substrates are formed in vacuum during high-frequency repetitively pulsed laser deposition. The morphology of films on porous and non-porous surfaces of substrates was studied by atomic force microscopy. The optical properties of the films in the visible, near, and middle IR regions of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum, the Raman spectra, and also the features of the photoluminescence characteristics have been experimentally investigated. Zinc oxide films can be used in optoelectronic transducers, as luminescent material, in the form of transparent electrodes, sensitive layers of gas and biological sensors, catalysts, X-ray and gamma-radiation detectors.Тонкие пленки оксида цинка ZnO, легированные 10 % ITO (оксидом индия-олова), на подложках из анодного оксида алюминия сформированы в вакууме при высокочастотном импульснопериодическом лазерном осаждении. Методом атомно-силовой микроскопии изучены морфологии пленок на пористой и беспористой поверхностях подложек. Экспериментально исследованы оптические свойства пленок в видимой, ближней и средней инфракрасных областях спектра электромагнитного излучения, спектры комбинационного рассеяния, а также особенности фотолюминесцентных характеристик. Пленки оксида цинка могут быть использованы в оптоэлектронных преобразователях как люминесцентный материал, в виде прозрачных электродов, чувствительных слоев газовых и биологических сенсоров, катализаторов, детекторов рентгеновского и гамма-излучений

People with high HIV viral load within risk networks: who are these people and who refers them best?

IntroductionViral load is one of the most important determinants for HIV transmission. Identification of people with high viral load (PHVL) can be effective in limiting onward HIV transmission. In order to improve the identification of these individuals within risk networks, we determined a) the number of PHVL recruited through risk networks b) their socio-demographic, behavioural and clinical characteristics and c) the characteristics of individuals who referred these PHVL to the study.MethodologyFrom November 2013 to March 2016, in Odessa, Ukraine, Transmission Reduction Intervention Project (TRIP) was implemented to identify people recently infected with HIV within the risk networks of "seeds" and "venues" where they engaged in risk behaviour.ResultsTRIP identified 53 PHVL, of whom 32 (60%) injected drugs; 42 (79%) were unaware of their HIV status; 25 (47%) had more than one sex partner, and only 14 (26%) were using condoms. There were 164 people who referred individuals into the study; 33 of them (20%) referred PHVL. In terms of referrers, those with lower than secondary level of education, not living with a sex partner, and reporting regular condom use were significantly more likely (p < 0.05) to refer PHVL. Most PHVL (38, 72%) and their referrers (27, 82%) were found through venues.ConclusionsIn Odessa city, PHVL are at high risk of transmitting HIV as the majority inject drugs, do not know their HIV status, and have unprotected sex and/or multiple partners. Targeting these individuals for HIV prevention, harm reduction and initiation of antiretroviral treatment (ART) is urgent

Optical properties of thin films ZNO+10 % ITO on the substrate of anodic aluminum oxide

ZnO thin films of zinc oxide doped with 10 % ITO (indium tin oxide) on anodic aluminum oxide substrates are formed in vacuum during high-frequency repetitively pulsed laser deposition. The morphology of films on porous and non-porous surfaces of substrates was studied by atomic force microscopy. The optical properties of the films in the visible, near, and middle IR regions of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum, the Raman spectra, and also the features of the photoluminescence characteristics have been experimentally investigated. Zinc oxide films can be used in optoelectronic transducers, as luminescent material, in the form of transparent electrodes, sensitive layers of gas and biological sensors, catalysts, X-ray and gamma-radiation detectors