Inverted hybrid solar cell based on PbS nanocrystals embedded in P3HT: C60 system

Ternary system hybrid solar cells, with an inverted structure, that are composed of P3HT, PbS nanocrystals (PbS NCs) and C60; with weight ratio (1:0.6:0.3) were investigated and compared with our control cell without PbS nanocrystals. The incorporation of PbS nanocrystals showed increased power conversion efficiency (PCE) compared with that of a binary system with P3HT and C60. The effect of active layer thickness was also studied. Through thickness, structural, optical, electrical measurements and SEM micrographs, it is evident that low-cost PbS NCs in such devices can efficiently improve charge carrier transport and exciton dissociation. This simple approach for increasing the photocurrent by NCs will be useful for the development of the organic solar cells

Proučavanje kemijski i termički priređenih tankih slojeva CuInS2

Copper indium disulfide (CuInS2) thin films were thermally and chemically prepared, and the structural, optical and electrical properties were investigated. X-ray analysis indicates only single-phase chalcopyrite with no extra planes. The optical and the thermal energy gap was determined. The gap of the annealed thermally-prepared samples in sulfur vapour is greater than of the as-deposited films, which indicates the decrease of d-level contribution to the valence band.Tanki slojevi bakarnog indij disulfida (CuInS2) priređeni su kemijski i naparavanjem u vakuumu, i istraživana su njihova strukturna, optička i električna svojstva. Rendgenska strukturna analiza pokazuje samo jednofazni kalkopirit bez dodatnih ravnina. Određeni su optički i termički procijepi. Procijep naparenih slojeva, otpuštanih u parama sumpora, veći od procijepa svježe naparenih slojeva. To ukazuje na smanjenje doprinosa d-pojasa valentnom pojasu

Proučavanje kemijski i termički priređenih tankih slojeva CuInS2

Copper indium disulfide (CuInS2) thin films were thermally and chemically prepared, and the structural, optical and electrical properties were investigated. X-ray analysis indicates only single-phase chalcopyrite with no extra planes. The optical and the thermal energy gap was determined. The gap of the annealed thermally-prepared samples in sulfur vapour is greater than of the as-deposited films, which indicates the decrease of d-level contribution to the valence band.Tanki slojevi bakarnog indij disulfida (CuInS2) priređeni su kemijski i naparavanjem u vakuumu, i istraživana su njihova strukturna, optička i električna svojstva. Rendgenska strukturna analiza pokazuje samo jednofazni kalkopirit bez dodatnih ravnina. Određeni su optički i termički procijepi. Procijep naparenih slojeva, otpuštanih u parama sumpora, veći od procijepa svježe naparenih slojeva. To ukazuje na smanjenje doprinosa d-pojasa valentnom pojasu

An Investigation of the Relationship between Unplanned Buying and Post-purchase Regret

Abstract The purpose of this study is to investigate the association of unplanned buying with post-purchase regret, moderated by consumer-family income and gender, as well as the association of both sales promotion and bankcard payment with unplanned buying in the Saudi market. Drawing on unplanned buying and post-purchase literature, the study tested a model of post-purchase regret. A survey was conducted among Saudi consumers of retail stores in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A convenience sample of 927 respondents was taken for data collection, among them 903 were finalized for analysis. The study concluded that there is a positive relationship between unplanned buying and post-purchase regret. An increased association of unplanned buying with post-purchase regret has been found among low-income earners and male consumers. Furthermore, bank-card payment, but not sales promotion, has a significant association with unplanned buying. Practically, consumers and marketers can benefit from the results and recommendations of this study, both avoiding the bad consequences of post-purchase regret. Self-awareness of the factors that cause regret may turn consumers to be more rational in their future buying decisions. Marketers' perceptions of those factors may also be helpful in setting marketing strategies towards their target markets; satisfying, and retaining consumers. The original contribution of this study comes from a lack of research in the Middle East on unplanned buying, post-purchase regret and their relationship antecedents

Inter-observer agreement of whole-body computed tomography in staging and response assessment in lymphoma : the lugano classification

Background: to assess inter-observer agreement of whole-body computed tomography (WBCT) in staging and response assessment in lymphoma according to the Lugano classification. Material/Methods: Retrospective analysis was conducted of 115 consecutive patients with lymphomas (45 females, 70 males; mean age of 46 years). Patients underwent WBCT with a 64 multi-detector CT device for staging and response assessment after a complete course of chemotherapy. Image analysis was performed by 2 reviewers according to the Lugano classification for staging and response assessment. Results: The overall inter-observer agreement of WBCT in staging of lymphoma was excellent (k=0.90, percent agreement=94.9%). There was an excellent inter-observer agreement for stage I (k=0.93, percent agreement=96.4%), stage II (k=0.90, percent agreement=94.8%), stage III (k=0.89, percent agreement=94.6%) and stage IV (k=0.88, percent agreement=94%). The overall inter-observer agreement in response assessment after a completer course of treatment was excellent (k=0.91, percent agreement=95.8%). There was an excellent inter-observer agreement in progressive disease (k=0.94, percent agreement=97.1%), stable disease (k=0.90, percent agreement=95%), partial response (k=0.96, percent agreement=98.1%) and complete response (k=0.87, Percent agreement=93.3%). Conclusions: We concluded that WBCT is a reliable and reproducible imaging modality for staging and treatment assessment in lymphoma according to the Lugano classification

Development of Graphical Analytical Models for Digital Signal Processing System Structures

This paper proposes an improved method for describing digital filter structures as part of digital signal processing (DSP) systems, characterized by the high information content of its models. The proposed approach is used to perform the synthesis of graphical analytical models of DSP systems as well as their analysis by means of multilevel decomposition. All the system elements are presented in the form of functional structures, and the input counts processing - by the discrete system - is considered as the process of converting arguments by these functional structures. Moreover, graphical analytical models of basic structures of the finite impulse response (FIR) and infinite impulse response (IIR) filters are developed and integrated with an object-oriented programming language to be used in various projects in the form of snap-in modules. Additionally, the method, proposed in this paper is used for synthesising an optimized structure of a digital filter for calculating the mean and current values of the determined periodic signal at the optimal discrete system’s speed and invariance to discretization frequency. The obtained practical results show that the proposed method can be used with great confidence in synthesizing optimized structures of digital filters as well as in the optimization of DSP systems’ structures with the purpose of identifying the mean and RMS voltage values. The latter is an indicator that the proposed method can be applied to various electronic systems

4-Hydroxy-2-methyl-N-(2-thiazole)-2H-1,2-benzothiazine-3-carboxamide-1,1-dioxide (EX15) and its Cu(II) Complex as New Oxicam Selective Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibitors

4-Hydroxy-2-methyl-N-(2-thiazole)-2H-1,2-benzothiazine-3-carboxamide-1,1-dioxide (EX15) as nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAIDs) of oxicam family has been synthesized bearing high se-lectivity for cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibition and high ability to chelate with Cu(II) ions. The EX15-Cu(II) complex, and [Cu(EX15)(OAc)(H2O)2], were synthesized and characterized by using elemental analysis, spectral (UV-Vis, IR), conductance, thermal and magnetic studies. Two equations were predicted using quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) and regression analysis for the COX-2 and COX-1 selectivity (microsomal assay) with a regression correlation (R) close to unity. Two techniques were used to investigate the validity of these equations; macrophage cell line (in vitro) selectivity and collagen-adjuvant arthritis model in rats (in vivo) which showed a significant antioxidant, analgesic and antirheumatic effect for 4-hydroxy-2-methyl-N-(2-thiazole)-2H-1,2-benzothiazine-3-carboxamide-1,1-dioxide and its Cu(II) complex, [Cu(EX15)(OAc)(H2O)2]. (doi: 10.5562/cca1802

Effect of Sildenafil Citrate on Success Rate of Ovulation Induction by Clomiphene Citrate

Background: Disorders of ovulation are common causes of infertility, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is by far the most frequent condition. Objetive: The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of adding vaginal sildenafil citrate to clomophine citrate used as ovarian stimulant drug on both endometrial thickness and pregnancy rate in patient with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCO). Patients and Methods: This prospective Comparative study included a total of 58 patients with primary and secondary infertility aged between18 years to 35 years, attending at Outpatient Clinics, Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Zagazig University Hospitals. Patients were divided into two equal groups; each were 29. 1st Group was given clomiphene, and 2nd group was given Clomophine citrate and Sildenafil. A transvaginal Scan for imaging the uterus and adnexa for any pathology and measuring the basic endometrial thickness was also done on Day 3. Results: This study shows that there was an increase in endometrial thickness in sildenafil group (13.4±1.814 mm) comparable with clomiphene citrate group only (8.52±2.081 mm) (P=0.01). The result was statistically significant with increase threshold regard for implantation with statistically significant in group B (P=0.018). Conclusions: It could be concluded that addition of sildenafil citrate to clomiphene citrate therapy for induction of ovulation in patients with PCOS resulted in significant increase of endometrial thickness and non-significant increase of pregnancy Rates