CdS Nanoparticles: A Facile route to Size-Controlled Synthesis of Quantum Dots on a Polymer Matrix

An efficient route for fabrication of cadmium sulfide nanoparticles in polymer matrix is presented in this paper. CdS quantum dots have been prepared in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) by SILAR method. The effect of cycle number on physical properties of CdS nanoparticles has been studied. The optical, structural and morphological properties of nanocrystal samples were characterized by Uv-Vis absorbance, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), respectively. The shift of optical absorption edge to shorter wavelengths, than that for the bulk CdS, indicates that the nanometer-sized particles represent the quantum confinement effects. The band gaps are calculated from the optical absorption studies, ranging from 2.88 to 2.41 eV. Particle sizes are estimated from the effective mass approximation. In addition, particle sizes are calculated from the XRD studies that are in good agreement with those estimated from the band gap values. XRD results illustrate nanocrystals have cubic structure with (111) preferred orientation. AFM pictures of the CdS/PVA surfaces show cluster formation of nanoparticles

An Investigation of High Performance Heterojunction Silicon Solar Cell Based on n-type Si Substrate

In this study, high efficient heterojunction crystalline silicon solar cells without using an intrinsic layer were systematically investigated. The effect of various parameters such as work function of transparent conductive oxide (ϕTCO), density of interface defects, emitter and crystalline silicon thickness on heterojunction silicon solar cell performance was studied. In addition, the effect of band bending and internal electric field on solar cell performance together with the dependency of cell performance on work function and reflectance of the back contact were investigated in full details. The optimum values of the solar cell properties for the highest efficiency are presented based on the results of the current study. The results represent a complete set of optimum values for a heterojunction solar cell with high efficiency up to the 24.1 % with VOC = 0.87 V and JSC =32.69 mA⋅cm – 2

An Investigation of High Performance Heterojunction Silicon Solar Cell Based on n-type Si Substrate

In this study, high efficient heterojunction crystalline silicon solar cells without using an intrinsic layer were systematically investigated. The effect of various parameters such as work function of transparent conductive oxide (ϕTCO), density of interface defects, emitter and crystalline silicon thickness on heterojunction silicon solar cell performance was studied. In addition, the effect of band bending and internal electric field on solar cell performance together with the dependency of cell performance on work function and reflectance of the back contact were investigated in full details. The optimum values of the solar cell properties for the highest efficiency are presented based on the results of the current study. The results represent a complete set of optimum values for a heterojunction solar cell with high efficiency up to the 24.1 % with VOC = 0.87 V and JSC =32.69 mA⋅cm – 2

The Relationship between Environmental, Cultural and Chronological Factors with the Frequency, Cause and Type of Burn Injuries Admitted to the Trauma and Burn Center Motahari Hospital, during the Years 2007to 2011

Background:One of the most important health associated problem are events, which burns considered the most common of them. To prevent burn and reduce the complication and mortality rate, accurate information of epidemiology of burn is essential for planning properly.This study was conducted to determine the relationship between environmental and cultural factors and the type, cause and extent of burn injuries admitted to the trauma and burn center of Motahari hospital during 1386 to 1390.Methods: In this routine data base study, we recruited all burned patients whichreferred to trauma andburncenter of ShahidMotahari hospital between 2007 and 2011. Mainvariables includingeconomic conditions, season ofoccurrenceof the accident,the accident tocurriedonspecial occasions, yearof accident, accidentstatuson holidays, type of injury, cause of injury, injuryseverity, burnarea, anddemographic variables such asage and gender were entered in checklist from patient’s documents.Collected data were entered into softwareSPSS version 11 and were analyzed.Results:5511 patients were admitted to Motahari hospital during the April of 1386 to the end of 1390, from which 1448 (26.3%) cases were female and 4063 (73.7%) male. The mean age of subjects was 28.47 (SD=1.88).There was significant difference between different gender and etiology, so that men were burned more by oil, gasoline and diesel fuel rather than women.There was significant difference about the number of burned cases by the flame at different seasons of the year. Average number of people burned by gas cylinders,electricity,caraccident,bitumen was significantly different in different seasons.Conclusion:There were significant differences about burn injuries due to the gas cylinders,bitumen,electricity and car accidents in different seasons and months.To inform burn centers, principalship of these data increases their ability to manage populated and harmful days. According to the higher rate of explosive burn injury in the last month of the year producing harmless explosive materials can be so effective to support patients lives

Generalized tonic colonic seizure followed by loss of consciousness early after using low dose of tramadol: A case report

Introduction: Despite high efficacy and safety of tramadol as a pain relieving analgesic, some minor side effects have been reported following its consumption. However, very rarely, serious and life-threatening side effects may appear following administration of tramadol. Case Presentation: This research describes a case of tramadol poisoning that appeared with acute seizure needing emergent and intensive cares. In the described case, using a low dose of tramadol (200 mg, orally), the patient experienced generalized tonic colonic seizure followed by loss of consciousness and shoulder dislocation due to trauma, requiring admission to the intensive care unit. Conclusions: As shown in the study, even using a low dose of tramadol might lead to acute generalized seizure with loss of consciousness and the need for intensive care. © 2018, Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine

Validating an infrared thermal switch as a novel access technology

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Recently, a novel single-switch access technology based on infrared thermography was proposed. The technology exploits the temperature differences between the inside and surrounding areas of the mouth as a switch trigger, thereby allowing voluntary switch activation upon mouth opening. However, for this technology to be clinically viable, it must be validated against a gold standard switch, such as a chin switch, that taps into the same voluntary motion.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In this study, we report an experiment designed to gauge the concurrent validity of the infrared thermal switch. Ten able-bodied adults participated in a series of 3 test sessions where they simultaneously used both an infrared thermal and conventional chin switch to perform multiple trials of a number identification task with visual, auditory and audiovisual stimuli. Participants also provided qualitative feedback about switch use. User performance with the two switches was quantified using an efficiency measure based on mutual information.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>User performance (p = 0.16) and response time (p = 0.25) with the infrared thermal switch were comparable to those of the gold standard. Users reported preference for the infrared thermal switch given its non-contact nature and robustness to changes in user posture.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Thermal infrared access technology appears to be a valid single switch alternative for individuals with disabilities who retain voluntary mouth opening and closing.</p

The physical and electrochromic properties of Prussian Blue thin films electrodeposited on ITO electrodes

In this article, a set of Prussian Blue (PB) thin films with different electrodeposition times (25 s, 50 s, 75 s, 100 s and 150 s) in air at ambient temperature was prepared. The layers were characterized by a variety of techniques which include, field effect scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infared spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectrophotometry, and electrochemical analysis. A simple and exact electrochemical method was used to estimate the optimal voltages for coloring and bleaching of different PB layers. Controlling electrodeposition time along with applying suitable voltage enabled us to investigate and improve electrochromic properties of PB layer. The sample prepared under 75 s deposition time showed probably a composition intermediate between the insoluble and soluble form. Furthermore, this sample (S75) shows a better electrochromic properties. High value of electrochromic contrast 55.36% at 555 nm and well stability of ion exchange by cycling are the characteristics of this layer. The control of the deposition time resulted in an increase of 9.38 times of the contrast ratio and corresponding values for optical density (Delta OD) of the PB layers.The authors also acknowledgement FEDER, through COMPETE and Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (FCT) Pest-OE/QUI/UI0616/2014 and the project LUMECD (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-016884)

The design and testing of a novel mechanomyogram-driven switch controlled by small eyebrow movements

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Individuals with severe physical disabilities and minimal motor behaviour may be unable to use conventional mechanical switches for access. These persons may benefit from access technologies that harness the volitional activity of muscles. In this study, we describe the design and demonstrate the performance of a binary switch controlled by mechanomyogram (MMG) signals recorded from the frontalis muscle during eyebrow movements.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Muscle contractions, detected in real-time with a continuous wavelet transform algorithm, were used to control a binary switch for computer access. The automatic selection of scale-specific thresholds reduced the effect of artefact, such as eye blinks and head movement, on the performance of the switch. Switch performance was estimated by cued response-tests performed by eleven participants (one with severe physical disabilities).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The average sensitivity and specificity of the switch was 99.7 ± 0.4% and 99.9 ± 0.1%, respectively. The algorithm performance was robust against typical participant movement.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The results suggest that the frontalis muscle is a suitable site for controlling the MMG-driven switch. The high accuracies combined with the minimal requisite effort and training show that MMG is a promising binary control signal. Further investigation of the potential benefits of MMG-control for the target population is warranted.</p

Analysis and Design of a Compact Leaky-Wave Antenna for Wide-Band Broadside Radiation

A low-cost compact planar leaky-wave antenna (LWA) is proposed offering directive broadside radiation over a significantly wide bandwidth. The design is based on an annular metallic strip grating (MSG) configuration, placed on top of a dual-layer grounded dielectric substrate. This defines a new two-layer parallel-plate open waveguide, whose operational principles are accurately investigated. To assist in our antenna design, a method-of-moments dispersion analysis has been developed to characterize the relevant TM and TE modes of the perturbed guiding structure. By proper selection of the MSG for a fabricated prototype and its supporting dielectric layers as well as the practical TM antenna feed embedded in the bottom ground plane, far-field pencil-beam patterns are observed at broadside and over a wide frequency range, i.e., from 21.9 GHz to 23.9 GHz, defining a radiating percentage bandwidth of more than 8.5%. This can be explained by a dominantly excited TM mode, with low dispersion, employed to generate a two-sided far-field beam pattern which combines to produce a single beam at broadside over frequency. Some applications of this planar antenna include radar and satellite communications at microwave and millimeter-wave frequencies as well as future 5G communication devices and wireless power transmission systems

Srf1 Is a Novel Regulator of Phospholipase D Activity and Is Essential to Buffer the Toxic Effects of C16:0 Platelet Activating Factor

During Alzheimer's Disease, sustained exposure to amyloid-β42 oligomers perturbs metabolism of ether-linked glycerophospholipids defined by a saturated 16 carbon chain at the sn-1 position. The intraneuronal accumulation of 1-O-hexadecyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerophosphocholine (C16:0 PAF), but not its immediate precursor 1-O-hexadecyl-sn-glycerophosphocholine (C16:0 lyso-PAF), participates in signaling tau hyperphosphorylation and compromises neuronal viability. As C16:0 PAF is a naturally occurring lipid involved in cellular signaling, it is likely that mechanisms exist to protect cells against its toxic effects. Here, we utilized a chemical genomic approach to identify key processes specific for regulating the sensitivity of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to alkyacylglycerophosphocholines elevated in Alzheimer's Disease. We identified ten deletion mutants that were hypersensitive to C16:0 PAF and five deletion mutants that were hypersensitive to C16:0 lyso-PAF. Deletion of YDL133w, a previously uncharacterized gene which we have renamed SRF1 (Spo14 Regulatory Factor 1), resulted in the greatest differential sensitivity to C16:0 PAF over C16:0 lyso-PAF. We demonstrate that Srf1 physically interacts with Spo14, yeast phospholipase D (PLD), and is essential for PLD catalytic activity in mitotic cells. Though C16:0 PAF treatment does not impact hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine in yeast, C16:0 PAF does promote delocalization of GFP-Spo14 and phosphatidic acid from the cell periphery. Furthermore, we demonstrate that, similar to yeast cells, PLD activity is required to protect mammalian neural cells from C16:0 PAF. Together, these findings implicate PLD as a potential neuroprotective target capable of ameliorating disruptions in lipid metabolism in response to accumulating oligomeric amyloid-β42