Electrical properties of Al2O3 films for TFEL-devices made with Sol-Gel technology.

Thin films of Al2O3 have been deposited on ITO-coated glass substrates by a sol-gel dipcoat process. Aluminium isopropoxide (Al(OC3H7)3) was used as the Al source material. X-ray diffraction measurements show that these films are amorphous. Scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy images of the films have revealed a relatively flat surface with no cracks. The dielectric properties of these aluminium oxide thin films have been investigated in the frequency range of 15 Hz to 1 MHz. We have also compared the electrical behaviour of conventional double insulator thin-film electroluminescent devices where the bottom insulator was partly or fully replaced by a sol-gel layer. These devices behave largely normal but show signs of losses in the sol-gel layer, which are likely linked to its porosity. The interface between the sol-gel bottom insulator and the ZnS phosphor layer shows no severe premature charge transfer as is usual for a similar atomic layer deposition insulator. KEYWORDS: Sol-gel, Electroluminescence, Al2O3, dielectric properties. 1

Atomic layer deposition of ZnO thin films on boron-doped nanocrystalline diamond

ZnO thin films were successfully prepared on boron-doped nanocrystalline diamond NCD by means of atomic layer chemical vapour deposition. Their growth and properties are similar to the layers grown by the same technique on glass. The layers thickness can be easily monitored by the number of precursors pulses. The ZnO layers are uniform and have perfect adhesion to NCD. Electrical measurements show that there is no current rectification if highly doped NCD and low resistance ALCVD ZnO are used. On the contrary, a rectifying behaviour can be obtained if lightly boron-doped NCD and resistive hydrothermally prepared ZnO are used

Cognitive, emotional and psychosocial functioning of girls treated with pharmacological puberty blockage for idiopathic central precocious puberty

Central precocious puberty (CPP) develops due to premature activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, resulting in early pubertal changes and rapid bone maturation. CPP is associated with lower adult height and increased risk for development of psychological problems. Standard treatment of CPP is based on postponement of pubertal development by blockade of the HPG axis with gonadotropin releasing hormone analogs (GnRHa) leading to abolition of gonadal sex hormones synthesis. Whereas the hormonal and auxological effects of GnRHa are well researched, there is a lack of knowledge whether GnRHa treatment influences psychological functioning of treated children, despite the fact that prevention of psychological problems is used as one of the main reasons for treatment initiation. In the present study we seek to address this issue by exploring differences in cognitive function, behavior, emotional reactivity, and psychosocial problems between GnRHa treated CPP girls and age-matched controls. Fifteen girls with idiopathic CPP; median age 10.4 years, treated with slow-release GnRHa (triptorelin acetate – Decapeptyl SR ® 11.25) and 15 age-matched controls, were assessed with a comprehensive test battery consisting of paper and pencil tests, computerized tasks, behavioral paradigms, heart rate variability, and questionnaires filled in by the children’s parents. Both groups showed very similar scores with regard to cognitive performance, behavioral and psychosocial problems. Compared to controls, treated girls displayed significantly higher emotional reactivity (p = 0.016; Cohen’s d = 1.04) on one of the two emotional reactivity task conditions. Unexpectedly, the CPP group showed significantly lower resting heart rates than the controls (p = 0.004; Cohen’s d = 1.03); lower heart rate was associated with longer treatment duration (r = - 0.582, p = 0.037). The results suggest that GnRHa treated CPP girls do not differ in their cognitive or psychosocial functioning from age matched controls. However, they might process emotional stimuli differently. The unexpected finding of lower heart rate that was associated with longer duration of the treatment should be further explored by methods appropriate for assessment of cardiac health

Care delivery and outcomes among Belgian children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

We aimed to investigate care processes and outcomes among children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes treated in hospital-based multidisciplinary paediatric diabetes centres. Our retrospective cross-sectional study among 12 Belgian centres included data from 974 patients with type 1 diabetes, aged 0-18 years. Questionnaires were used to collect data on demographic and clinical characteristics, as well as process of care completion and outcomes of care in 2008. Most patients lived with both biological or adoption parents (77 %) and had at least one parent of Belgian origin (78 %). Nearly all patients (>/=95 %) underwent determination of HbA(1c) and BMI. Screening for retinopathy (55 %) and microalbuminuria (73 %) was less frequent, but rates increased with age and diabetes duration. Median HbA(1c) was 61 mmol/mol (7.7 %) [interquartile range 54-68 mmol/mol (7.1-8.4 %)] and increased with age and insulin dose. HbA(1c) was higher among patients on insulin pump therapy. Median HbA(1c) significantly differed between centres [from 56 mmol/mol (7.3 %) to 66 mmol/mol (8.2 %)]. Incidence of severe hypoglycaemia was 30 per 100 patient-years. Admissions for ketoacidosis had a rate of 3.2 per 100 patient-years. Patients not living with both biological or adoption parents had higher HbA(1c) and more admissions for ketoacidosis. Parents' country of origin was not associated with processes and outcomes of care. Conclusion: Outcomes of care ranked well compared to other European countries, while complication screening rates were intermediate. The observed centre variation in HbA(1c) remained unexplained. Outcomes were associated with family structure, highlighting the continuing need for strategies to cope with this emerging challenge