Efficiency enhancement and angle-dependent color change in see-through organic photovoltaics using distributed Bragg reflectors

A distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) is conducted as a bottom reflector in see-through organic photovoltaics (OPVs) with an active layer of poly(3-hexylthiophene) and phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (P3HT:PCBM). The DBR consists of alternative layers of the high-and low-refractive index materials of Ta2O5 (n = 2.16) and SiO2 (n = 1.46). The DBR selectively reflects the light within a specific wavelength region (490 nm-630 nm) where the absorbance of P3HT: PCBM is maximum. The see-through OPVs fabricated on DBR exhibit efficiency enhancement by 31% compared to the device without DBR. Additionally, the angle-dependent transmittance of DBR is analysed using optical simulation and verified by experimental results. As the incident angle of light increases, peak of reflectance shifts to shorter wavelength and the bandwidth gets narrower. This unique angle-dependent optical properties of DBR allows the facile color change of see-through OPVs. (C) 2016 AIP Publishing LLC.open1110sciescopu

Ulam type stability problems for alternative homomorphisms

We introduce an alternative homomorphism with respect to binary operations and investigate the Ulam type stability problem for such a mapping. The obtained results apply to Ulam type stability problems for several important functional equations.ArticleJOURNAL OF INEQUALITIES AND APPLICATIONS. 2014:228 (2014)journal articl

The association between histamine 2 receptor antagonist use and Clostridium difficile infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a major health problem. Epidemiological evidence suggests that there is an association between acid suppression therapy and development of CDI. Purpose We sought to systematically review the literature that examined the association between histamine 2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs) and CDI. Data source We searched Medline, Current Contents, Embase, ISI Web of Science and Elsevier Scopus from 1990 to 2012 for all analytical studies that examined the association between H2RAs and CDI. Study selection Two authors independently reviewed the studies for eligibility. Data extraction Data about studies characteristics, adjusted effect estimates and quality were extracted. Data synthesis Thirty-five observations from 33 eligible studies that included 201834 participants were analyzed. Studies were performed in 6 countries and nine of them were multicenter. Most studies did not specify the type or duration of H2RAs therapy. The pooled effect estimate was 1.44, 95% CI (1.22–1.7), I2 = 70.5%. This association was consistent across different subgroups (by study design and country) and there was no evidence of publication bias. The pooled effect estimate for high quality studies was 1.39 (1.15–1.68), I2 = 72.3%. Meta-regression analysis of 10 study-level variables did not identify sources of heterogeneity. In a speculative analysis, the number needed to harm (NNH) with H2RAs at 14 days after hospital admission in patients receiving antibiotics or not was 58, 95% CI (37, 115) and 425, 95% CI (267, 848), respectively. For the general population, the NNH at 1 year was 4549, 95% CI (2860, 9097). Conclusion In this rigorous systematic review and meta-analysis, we observed an association between H2RAs and CDI. The absolute risk of CDI associated with H2RAs is highest in hospitalized patients receiving antibiotics

Wnt5a stimulates chemotactic migration and chemokine production in human neutrophils

Wnt5a is a ligand that activates the noncanonical Wnt signaling pathways (??-catenin-independent pathways). Human neutrophils expressed several Wnt5a receptors, such as Frizzled 2, 5 and 8. Stimulation of human neutrophils with Wnt5a caused chemotactic migration and the production of two important chemokines, CXCL8 and CCL2. CCL2 production by Wnt5a was mediated by a pertussis toxin-sensitive G-protein-dependent pathway. Wnt5a also stimulated the phosphorylation of three mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs: ERK, p38 MAPK and JNK) and Akt. Inhibition of ERK, p38 MAPK or JNK by specific inhibitors induced a dramatic reduction in Wnt5a-induced CCL2 production. Supernatant collected from lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages induced neutrophil chemotaxis, which was significantly inhibited by anti-Wnt5a antibody. Our results suggested that Wnt5a may contribute to neutrophil recruitment, mediating the inflammation response.open4

How to avoid complications of distraction osteogenesis for first brachymetatarsia

Background and purpose Distraction osteogenesis may be used for the treatment of brachymetatarsia. However, few reports have been published on first metatarsal lengthening by this method. We evaluated the complications of distraction osteogenesis for first brachymetatarsia and here we provide a solution

Enhanced resistance to bacterial and fungal pathogens by overexpression of a human cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide (hCAP18/LL-37) in Chinese cabbage

The human cathelicidin antimicrobial protein hCAP18, which includes the C-terminal peptide LL-37, is a multifunctional protein. As a possible approach to enhancing the resistance to plant disease, a DNA fragment coding for hCAP18/LL-37 was fused at the C-terminal end of the leader sequence of endopolygalacturonase-inhibiting protein under the control of the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter region. The construct was then introduced into Brassica rapa. LL-37 expression was confirmed in transgenic plants by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis. Transgenic plants exhibited varying levels of resistance to bacterial and fungal pathogens. The average size of disease lesions in the transgenic plants was reduced to less than half of that in wild-type plants. Our results suggest that the antimicrobial LL-37 peptide is involved in wide-spectrum resistance to bacterial and fungal pathogen infection

Preliminary Clinical Results of a Biphasic Waveform and an RV Lead System

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/72921/1/j.1540-8159.1999.tb00500.x.pd

Use of a colonoscope for distal duodenal stent placement in patients with malignant obstruction

Background: Stent placement in the distal duodenum or proximal jejunum with a therapeutic gastroscope can be difficult, because of the reach of the endoscope, loop formation in the stomach, and flexibility of the gastroscope. The use of a colonoscope may overcome these problems. Objective: To report our experience with distal duodenal stent placement in 16 patients using a colonoscope. Methods: Multicenter, retrospective series of patients with a malignant obstruction at the level of the distal duodenum and proximal jejunum and treated by stent placement using a colonoscope. Main outcome measurements are technical success, ability to eat, complications, and survival. Results: Stent placement was technically feasible in 93% (15/16) of patients. Food intake improved from a median gastric outlet obstruction scoring system (GOOSS) score of 1 (no oral intake) to 3 (soft solids) (p = 0.001). Severe complications were not observed. One patient had persistent obstructive symptoms presumably due to motility problems. Recurrent obstructive symptoms were caused by tissue/tumor ingrowth through the stent mesh [n = 6 (38%)] and stent occlusion by debris [n = 1 (6%)]. Reinterventions included additional stent placement [n = 5 (31%)], gastrojejunostomy [n = 2 (12%)], and endoscopic stent cleansing [n = 1 (6%)]. Median survival was 153 days. Conclusion: Duodenal stent placement can effectively and safely be performed using a colonoscope in patients with an obstruction at the level of the distal duodenum or proximal jejunum. A colonoscope has the advantage that it is long enough and offers good endoscopic stiffness, which avoids looping in the stomach

Substance use and psychological disorders among art and non-art university students: an empirical self-report survey

Media stories often suggest that those working in the creative arts appear to use and abuse psychoactive substances. The aim of the present study was to analyze the relationship between the use of psychoactive substances and the presence of psychological disorders among art and non-art students. Questionnaires related to these two areas were completed by 182 art students in higher education and a control group of 704 non-art university students. To assess psychoactive substance use, a structured questionnaire including the Cannabis Abuse Screening Test (CAST) and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) was administered to participants. Psychological disorders were assessed using the Hungarian version of the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) and the Global Severity Index (GSI). After analyzing the data, significant differences were found between the two groups regarding their first use of psychoactive substances. Art students' current substance use was found to be significantly more frequent compared to the control group. In relation to psychological disorders, art students scored significantly higher on three scales of the BSI (i.e., psychoticism, hostility, and phobic anxiety). Overall, a significantly higher proportion of artists were labeled as "problematic" using the GSI. The results suggest that artists have a higher risk of both substance use and experiencing psychological disorders