The role of hole transport between dyes in solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells

In dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) photogenerated positive charges are normally considered to be carried away from the dyes by a separate phase of hole-transporting material (HTM). We show that there can also be significant transport within the dye monolayer itself before the hole reaches the HTM. We quantify the fraction of dye regeneration in solid-state DSSCs that can be attributed to this process. By using cyclic voltammetry and transient anisotropy spectroscopy, we demonstrate that the rate of interdye hole transport is prevented both on micrometer and nanometer length scales by reducing the dye loading on the TiO₂ surface. The dye regeneration yield is quantified for films with high and low dye loadings (with and without hole percolation in the dye monolayer) infiltrated with varying levels of HTM. Interdye hole transport can account for >50% of the overall dye regeneration with low HTM pore filling. This is reduced to about 5% when the infiltration of the HTM in the pores is optimized in 2 μm thick films. Finally, we use hole transport in the dye monolayer to characterize the spatial distribution of the HTM phase in the pores of the dyed mesoporous TiO₂

Clinical characteristics and management of cancer-associated acute venous thromboembolism: findings from the MASTER Registry.

Background: Clinical characteristics and management of acute deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism (PE) have been reported to be different in patients with and without cancer. The aim of this paper was to provide information on clinical characteristics and management of acute venous thromboembolism in patients with cancer by means of a large prospective registry. Design and Methods: MASTER is a multicenter registry of consecutively recruited patients with symptomatic, objectively confirmed, acute venous thromboembolism. Information about clinical characteristics and management was collected by an electronic data network at the time of the index event. Results: A total of 2119 patients were enrolled, of whom 424 (20%) had cancer. The incidence of bilateral lower limb deep vein thrombosis was significantly higher in patients with cancer than in patients without cancer (8.5% versus 4.6%; p<0.01), as were the rates of iliocaval thombosis (22.6% versus 14%; p<0.001), and upper limb deep vein thrombosis (9.9% versus 4.8%; p<0.001). Major bleeding (3.3% versus 1.1%; p=0.001), in-hospital treatment (73.3% versus 66.6%; p=0.02) and inferior vena cava filter implantation (7.3% versus 4.1%; p=0.005) were significantly more frequent in patients with cancer, in whom oral anticoagulants were less often used (64.2% versus 82%; p<0.0001). Conclusions: The clinical presentation of acute venous thromboembolism is different and often more extensive in cancer patients than in patients free from malignancy. Moreover, the management of the acute phase of venous thromboembolism is more problematic in cancer patients, especially because of a higher rate of major bleeding and the need for implantation of inferior vena cava filters

Pediatric obesity and vitamin D deficiency: a proteomic approach identifies multimeric adiponectin as a key link between these conditions.

Key circulating molecules that link vitamin D (VD) to pediatric obesity and its co-morbidities remain unclear. Using a proteomic approach, our objective was to identify key molecules in obese children dichotomized according to 25OH-vitamin D (25OHD) levels. A total of 42 obese children (M/F = 18/24) were divided according to their 25OHD3 levels into 25OHD3 deficient (VDD; n = 18; 25OHD<15 ng/ml) or normal subjects (NVD; n = 24; >30 ng/ml). Plasma proteomic analyses by two dimensional (2D)-electrophoresis were performed at baseline in all subjects. VDD subjects underwent a 12mo treatment with 3000 IU vitamin D3 once a week to confirm the proteomic analyses. The proteomic analyses identified 53 "spots" that differed between VDD and NVD (p<0.05), amongst which adiponectin was identified. Adiponectin was selected for confirmational studies due to its tight association with obesity and diabetes mellitus. Western Immunoblot (WIB) analyses of 2D-gels demonstrated a downregulation of adiponectin in VDD subjects, which was confirmed in the plasma from VDD with respect to NVD subjects (p<0.035) and increased following 12mo vitamin D3 supplementation in VDD subjects (p<0.02). High molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin, a surrogate indicator of insulin sensitivity, was significantly lower in VDD subjects (p<0.02) and improved with vitamin D3 supplementation (p<0.042). A direct effect in vitro of 1α,25-(OH)2D3 on adipocyte adiponectin synthesis was demonstrated, with adiponectin and its multimeric forms upregulated, even at low pharmacological doses (10(-9) M) of 1α,25-(OH)2D3. This upregulation was paralleled by the adiponectin interactive protein, DsbA-L, suggesting that the VD regulation of adiponectin involves post-transciptional events. Using a proteomic approach, multimeric adiponectin has been identified as a key plasma protein that links VDD to pediatric obesity

Las actas notariales

La incorporación de un instrumento público con una gran tradición. La entrada en vigencia del Código Civil y Comercial ha terminado con un debate de vieja data en materia de instrumentos incorporando a la legislación común a las actas notariales. 1.- Los antecedentes. El derogado art. 979 C.C. no las consideraba entre los casos expresos de los instrumentos públicos, sin perjuicio que de la apertura que el inciso 2 hacía con respecto a “cualquier otro instrumento que extendieren los escribanos o funcionarios públicos en la forma que las leyes hubieren determinado”, se considerara que resultaban incluidas. Esta consideración lateral suscitó diversas posturas. Unos entendían que, por tratarse de un instrumento notarial unilateral, expedido sin la intervención ni contralor de la parte a quien se le pretendieran oponer sus constancias, carecía de las prerrogativas probatorias propias del instrumento público según las previsiones de los arts. 993 a 995 C.C. Otros, por el contrario, las entendían como instrumentos públicos, sin distinciones, dada la previsión legal antes mencionada.Facultad de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociale

Interdye Hole Transport Accelerates Recombination in Dye Sensitized Mesoporous Films

Charge recombination between oxidized dyes attached to mesoporous TiO2 and electrons in the TiO2 was studied in inert electrolytes using transient absorption spectroscopy. Simultaneously, hole transport within the dye monolayers was monitored by transient absorption anisotropy. The rate of recombination decreased when hole transport was inhibited selectively, either by decreasing the dye surface coverage or by changing the electrolyte environment. From Monte Carlo simulations of electron and hole diffusion in a particle, modeled as a cubic structure, we identify the conditions under which hole lifetime depends on the hole diffusion coefficient for the case of normal (disorder free) diffusion. From simulations of transient absorption and transient absorption anisotropy, we find that the rate and the dispersive character of hole transport in the dye monolayer observed spectroscopically can be explained by incomplete coverage and disorder in the monolayer. We show that dispersive transport in the dye monolayer combined with inhomogeneity in the TiO2 surface reactivity can contribute to the observed stretched electron-hole recombination dynamics and electron density dependence of hole lifetimes. Our experimental and computational analysis of lateral processes at interfaces can be applied to investigate and optimize charge transport and recombination in solar energy conversion devices using electrodes functionalized with molecular light absorbers and catalysts

production and thermalization of positronium in homogeneous porous silica

Positronium yield using the "3γ method" and lifetime measurements were performed at cryogenic and room temperature by means of a variable energy positron beam in homogeneous porous silica (Aerogel). An estimation of the positronium (Ps) mean diffusion length was obtained by measuring capped samples. An efficient formation of cooled Ps atoms is a requisite for the production of antihydrogen, with the aim of a direct measurement of the Earth gravitational acceleration g of antimatter, which is the primary scientific goal of AEgIS (Antimatter Experiment: gravity, Interferometry, Spectroscopy; CERN, Geneva). Porous materials are necessary to obtain a high Ps yield as well as to thermalize Ps. Our results indicate a high Ps production, long survival time and diffusion length in Aerogel samples. It will be shown that positronium yield, lifetime and diffusion length are independent on temperature and on the effect of gas adsorption at low temperature. The results indicate that Aerogel is a good candidate for an efficient formation of cold Ps for the AEgIS experiment

Streamlining Power Electronics Teaching

This work intends to introduce the use of remote laboratories for power electronics teaching, by means of VISIR (Virtual Instrument System in Reality). The system is applied for the analysis of two simple circuits, a RC filter and an AC measuring network. The proposed methodology introduces remote activities after theoretical lessons, pen and pencil exercises, circuit simulations, and on-site laboratory experimentation. This strategy has been validated by professors and a pilot group of students at the Electronics Department of the Federal Institute of Santa Catarina. As a general conclusion, remote labs contribute to learning, but cannot substitute completely on-site laboratories.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio