Inverted perovskite solar cells with transparent hole transporting layer based on semiconducting nickel oxide

Perovskite (CH3NH3PbI3) solar cells (PSCs) were produced in the inverted architecture employing transparent nickel oxide (NiO) as hole transporting layer (HTL). The different functional layers of the photoconversion device were solution processed in ambient conditions the HTL of NiO being prepared via sol-gel and successively deposited by spin-coating. The conditions of preparation of the transparent HTL were optimized through the stabilization of the nickel-containing sol with bulky alcohols and strong inorganic acids. The photoactive layer of CH3NH3PbI3 was deposited in air at high relative humidity (ca. 50-60%). The electron selective contact was constituted by spin coated 3H-cyclopropa[1,9] [5,6]fullerene-C60-Ih-3'-butanoic acid 3'-phenyl methyl ester (PCBM) with solution processed 2,9-Dimethyl-4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (bathocuproine, BCP) as interlayer. The deposition of CH3NH3PbI3 in ambient conditions as well as the processing of the BCP interlayer from solution simplified enormously the entire procedure of device fabrication. The largest value of photoconversion efficiency (PCE) we achieved with the inverted architecture photocells was 14 % with an average PCE of 12 %. The solar cells displayed an hysteresis-free behavior with excellent time stability of the maximum power output

profilo psicopatologico e correlati metabolici in un campione di soggetti obesi

RIASSUNTO L’Organizzazione Mondiale della Sanità (OMS) ha definito l’obesità come una condizione cronica caratterizzata da un eccessivo peso corporeo per accumulo di tessuto adiposo, in misura tale da influire negativamente sullo stato di salute. Numerosi dati di letteratura mostrano alti tassi di comorbidità tra obesità e disturbi psichiatrici in particolar modo i disturbi dell’umore e i disturbi della condotta alimentare. Pertanto, sebbene la sovrapposizione fra disturbi dell’umore e obesità possa essere casuale, è possibile che vi siano fattori comuni nell’eziopatogenesi e nello sviluppo di questi disturbi. Spesso l’obesità rappresenta l’esito di comportamenti patologici attuati nell’ambito di un disturbo della condotta alimentare pur non configurandosi un disturbo di Asse I, pertanto è importante evidenziare il concetto di “spettro”, modello che contempla sintomi atipici o isolati, segni, comportamenti, manifestazioni sottosoglia. La Sindrome Metabolica include una serie di condizioni cliniche caratterizzate dall’associazione tra obesità viscerale, alterazioni del metabolismo glucidico, lipidico ed ipertensione arteriosa; in ambito psichiatrico, i pazienti con malattie mentali hanno un’aumentata prevalenza di sindrome metabolica. Il tessuto adiposo non rappresenta un semplice deposito passivo di energia ma un organo endocrino a tutti gli effetti, in grado di secernere sostanze. Molte delle sostanze secrete dal tessuto adiposo hanno attività proinfiammatoria, il loro coinvolgimento nel meccanismo di insulino-resistenza giustifica le opinioni secondo le quali l’obesità e l’insulino-resistenza costituirebbero uno stato di infiammazione cronica subclinica che diventa il substrato per le complicanze vascolari. In ambito psichiatrico, alterazioni delle citochine proinfiammatorie si sono riscontrate nei pazienti depressi. L’iperattività dell’asse HPA e una ridotta funzione dell’asse HPS è responsabile anche di modificazioni comportamentali e del frequente riscontro di sintomi depressivi, ansiosi e ossessivi nei soggetti obesi. In questo studio sono state valutate, in previsione dell’intervento di bendaggio gastrico, 110 donne obese (BMI medio = 42.79) di età compresa tra i 20 e 67 anni (età media = 41.19), afferite al Centro Multidisciplinare per la Diagnosi e Cura dell'Obesità e dei Disturbi del Comportamento Alimentare dell'Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, in collaborazione fra il Dipartimento di Endocrinologia e il Dipartimento di Psichiatria dell’Università di Pisa. Lo scopo di questa tesi è: descrivere la prevalenza di disturbi psichiatrici di Asse I e II in un campione di donne affette da obesità di grado III in attesa di intervento di bendaggio gastrico; valutare la correlazione tra i parametri metabolici e la sintomatologia di Asse I e II e sottosoglia. In conclusione, dal presente studio emerge una complessa correlazione tra parametri metabolici e sintomi psichiatrici di Asse I e sottosoglia in soggetti affetti da obesità. Questo dato supporta l’ipotesi di una molteplice integrazione tra fattori endocrino-metabolici (glicemia, IL-6, PAI-1, TNF-alfa, GH) e psichiatrici (sintomi di panico, flessione del tono dell’umore, tratti ossessivo-compulsivi) sia nello sviluppo dell’obesità sia dei sintomi affettivi. Tuttavia, trattandosi di uno studio osservazionale, ulteriori valutazioni dovranno essere effettuate confrontando il nostro campione con controlli sani ed eseguendo prelievi dopo test di stimolo

In vitro fermentation characteristics of diets with different forage/concentrate ratios: comparison of rumen and faecal inocula

BACKGROUND: The aim of this trial was to evaluate the replacement of rumen fluid with faeces as inoculum in studying the invitrofermentationcharacteristicsofdietsforruminantsusingtheinvitrogasproduction technique.Sixiso-proteindietswith different forage/concentrate ratios were incubated with rumen fluid (RI) or faeces (FI) collected from sheep. RESULTS: Most of the fermentation parameters were influenced by diet and inoculum (P < 0.01). With both inocula, organic matterdegradability(dOM),cumulativegasproduction(OMCV)andmaximumfermentationrate(Rmax)increasedastheamount ofconcentrateinthedietincreased.Rmax waslowerwithFIvsRI(P < 0.01);dOMwashigherwithFIvsRIandthediet×inoculum interaction was significant. As expected, with both inocula, Rmax increased as the neutral detergent fibre content of the diet decreased. Significant correlations were obtained using both inocula between OMCV/dOM and gas/volatile fatty acid (VFA), while the correlation VFA/dOM was significant only with FI. The microbial biomass yield calculated by stoichiometric analysis for all diets was higher with FI vs RI. With FI the organic matter used for microbial growth showed an overall decreasing trend as the amount of concentrate in the diet increased. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that both faeces and rumen fluid from sheep have the potential to be used as inoculum for the in vitro gas production technique

Effect of different methods of cooling for targeted temperature management on outcome after cardiac arrest : a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Although targeted temperature management (TTM) is recommended in comatose survivors after cardiac arrest (CA), the optimal method to deliver TTM remains unknown. We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of different TTM methods on survival and neurological outcome after adult CA. Methods We searched on the MEDLINE/PubMed database until 22 February 2019 for comparative studies that evaluated at least two different TTM methods in CA patients. Data were extracted independently by two authors. We used the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and a modified Cochrane ROB tools for assessing the risk of bias of each study. The primary outcome was the occurrence of unfavorable neurological outcome (UO); secondary outcomes included overall mortality. Results Our search identified 6886 studies; 22 studies (n = 8027 patients) were included in the final analysis. When compared to surface cooling, core methods showed a lower probability of UO (OR 0.85 [95% CIs 0.75-0.96]; p = 0.008) but not mortality (OR 0.88 [95% CIs 0.62-1.25]; p = 0.21). No significant heterogeneity was observed among studies. However, these effects were observed in the analyses of non-RCTs. A significant lower probability of both UO and mortality were observed when invasive TTM methods were compared to non-invasive TTM methods and when temperature feedback devices (TFD) were compared to non-TFD methods. These results were significant particularly in non-RCTs. Conclusions Although existing literature is mostly based on retrospective or prospective studies, specific TTM methods (i.e., core, invasive, and with TFD) were associated with a lower probability of poor neurological outcome when compared to other methods in adult CA survivors (CRD42019111021).Peer reviewe

The stellar metallicities of massive quiescent galaxies at 1.0 &lt; z &lt; 1.3 from KMOS+VANDELS

We present a rest-frame UV-optical stacked spectrum representative of massive quiescent galaxies at $1.010.8$. The stack is constructed using VANDELS survey data, combined with new KMOS observations. We apply two independent full-spectral-fitting approaches, measuring a total metallicity, [Z/H]=$-0.13\pm0.08$ with Bagpipes, and [Z/H]=$0.04\pm0.14$ with Alf, a fall of $\sim0.2-0.3$ dex compared with the local Universe. We also measure an iron abundance, [Fe/H] =$-0.18\pm0.08$, a fall of $\sim0.15$ dex compared with the the local Universe. We measure the alpha enhancement via the magnesium abundance, obtaining [Mg/Fe]=$0.23\pm$0.12, consistent with similar-mass galaxies in the local Universe, indicating no evolution in the average alpha enhancement of log$(M_*/\rm{M_\odot})=11$ quiescent galaxies over the last $\sim8$ Gyr. This suggests the very high alpha enhancements recently reported for several bright $z\sim1-2$ quiescent galaxies are due to their extreme masses, log$(M_*/\rm{M_\odot})\gtrsim11.5$, rather than being typical of the $z\gtrsim1$ population. The metallicity evolution we observe with redshift (falling [Z/H], [Fe/H], constant [Mg/Fe]) is consistent with recent studies. We recover a mean stellar age of $2.5^{+0.6}_{-0.4}$ Gyr, corresponding to a formation redshift, z_\rm{form}=2.4^{+0.6}_{-0.3}. Recent studies have obtained varying average formation redshifts for $z\gtrsim1$ massive quiescent galaxies, and, as these studies report consistent metallicities, we identify different star-formation-history models as the most likely cause. Larger spectroscopic samples from upcoming ground-based instruments will provide precise constraints on ages and metallicities at $z\gtrsim1$. Combining these with precise JWST $z>2$ quiescent-galaxy stellar-mass functions will provide an independent test of formation redshifts derived from spectral fitting.Comment: 16 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication in Ap

Finalised dependability framework and evaluation results

The ambitious aim of CONNECT is to achieve universal interoperability between heterogeneous Networked Systems by means of on-the-fly synthesis of the CONNECTors through which they communicate. The goal of WP5 within CONNECT is to ensure that the non-functional properties required at each side of the connection going to be established are fulfilled, including dependability, performance, security and trust, or, in one overarching term, CONNECTability. To model such properties, we have introduced the CPMM meta-model which establishes the relevant concepts and their relations, and also includes a Complex Event language to express the behaviour associated with the specified properties. Along the four years of project duration, we have developed approaches for assuring CONNECTability both at synthesis time and at run-time. Within CONNECT architecture, these approaches are supported via the following enablers: the Dependability and Performance analysis Enabler, which is implemented in a modular architecture supporting stochastic verification and state-based analysis. Dependability and performance analysis also relies on approaches for incremental verification to adjust CONNECTor parameters at run-time; the Security Enabler, which implements a Security-by-Contract-with-Trust framework to guarantee the expected security policies and enforce them accordingly to the level of trust; the Trust Manager that implements a model-based approach to mediate between different trust models and ensure interoperable trust management. The enablers have been integrated within the CONNECT architecture, and in particular can interact with the CONNECT event-based monitoring enabler (GLIMPSE Enabler released within WP4) for run-time analysis and verification. To support a Model-driven approach in the interaction with the monitor, we have developed a CPMM editor and a translator from CPMM to the GLIMPSE native language (Drools). In this document that is the final deliverable from WP5 we first present the latest advances in the fourth year concerning CPMM, Dependability&Performance Analysis, Incremental Verification and Security. Then, we make an overall summary of main achievements for the whole project lifecycle. In appendix we also include some relevant articles specifically focussing on CONNECTability that have been prepared in the last period

Design of Approaches for Dependability and Initial Prototypes

The aim of CONNECT is to achieve universal interoperability between heterogeneous Networked Systems. For this, the non-functional properties required at each side of the connection going to be established must be fulfilled. By the one inclusive term "CONNECTability" we comprehend properties belonging to all four non-functional concerns of interest for CONNECT, namely dependability, performance, security and trust. We model such properties in conformance with a meta-model which establishes the relevant concepts and their relations. Then, building on the conceptual models proposed in the first year in Deliverable D5.1, in this document we present the approaches developed for assuring CONNECTability both at synthesis time and at runtime. The contributions include: the Dependability&Performance analysis Enabler, for which we release a modular architecture supporting stochastic verification and state-based analysis; incremental verification and event-based monitoring for runtime analysis; a model-based approach to interoperable trust management; the Security-by-Contract-with-Trust framework, which guarantees and enforces the expected trust levels and security policies

Consolidated dependability framework

The aim of CONNECT is to achieve universal interoperability between heterogeneous Networked Systems. For this, the non-functional properties required at each side of the connection going to be established, which we refer to by the one inclusive term "CONNECTability", must be fulfilled. In Deliverable D5.1 we conceived the conceptual models at the foundation of CONNECTability. In D5.2 we then presented a first version of the approaches and of their respective enablers that we developed for assuring CONNECTability both at synthesis time and at run-time. In this deliverables, we present the advancements and contributions achieved in the third year, which include: - a refinement of the CONNECT Property Meta-Model, with a preliminary implementation of a Model-to-Code translator; - an enhanced implementation of the Dependability&Performance analysis Enabler, supporting stochastic verification and state-based analysis, that is enriched with mechanisms for providing feedback to the Synthesis enabler based on monitor's run-time observations; - a fully running version of the Security Enabler, following the Security-by-Contract-with-Trust methodology, for the monitoring and enforcement of CONNECT related security policies; - a complete (XML) definition of the Trust Model Description Language, an editor and the corresponding implementation of supporting tools to be integrated into the Trust Management Enabler