Electron affinity of metal oxide thin films of TiO2, ZnO, and NiO and their applicability in 28.3 THz rectenna devices

The holy grail of achieving efficient operation of infrared (IR) rectennas continues to be the realization of a high performance rectifier. In this paper, we have fabricated metal–insulator–metal (MIM) diodes based on TiO2, ZnO, and NiO thin films using shadow mask evaporation, photolithography, and sputtering. The electron affinities of oxides have been measured by a combination of variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometry and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, as well as deduction from the extraction of metal/oxide barrier heights of Fowler–Nordheim tunneling plots. Our results confirm a low value for the electron affinity of NiOx of ∼2.1–2.5 eV, which correlates with the high zero-bias dynamic resistance (RD0) of ∼500 kΩ of an associated MIM diode. These values render NiOx to be unsuitable for use in a rectenna device. Better performance has been observed from diodes based on TiO2 and ZnOx films. The best rectification performance was achieved for a Au/2.6 nm ZnOx/Cr diode, scaled down to 1 μm2 device area, showing a zero-bias dynamic resistance of RD0 = 71 kΩ, zero-bias responsivity β0 = 0.28 A/W, and a coupling efficiency of ηc = 2.4 × 10−5% for rectification at 28.3 THz. The main significance of this study is that it employs a methodology whereby key parameters of the MIM stack are derived from physical measurements, which are then used to assist in the fitting of electrical current–voltage data to produce a reliable appraisal of diode performance in an IR rectenna.</jats:p

Challenges in Whole Exome Sequencing: An Example from Hereditary Deafness

Whole exome sequencing provides unprecedented opportunities to identify causative DNA variants in rare Mendelian disorders. Finding the responsible mutation via traditional methods in families with hearing loss is difficult due to a high degree of genetic heterogeneity. In this study we combined autozygosity mapping and whole exome sequencing in a family with 3 affected children having nonsyndromic hearing loss born to consanguineous parents. Two novel missense homozygous variants, c.508C>A (p.H170N) in GIPC3 and c.1328C>T (p.T443M) in ZNF57, were identified in the same ∼6 Mb autozygous region on chromosome 19 in affected members of the family. Both variants co-segregated with the phenotype and were absent in 335 ethnicity-matched controls. Biallelic GIPC3 mutations have recently been reported to cause autosomal recessive nonsyndromic sensorineural hearing loss. Thus we conclude that the hearing loss in the family described in this report is caused by a novel missense mutation in GIPC3. Identified variant in GIPC3 had a low read depth, which was initially filtered out during the analysis leaving ZNF57 as the only potential causative gene. This study highlights some of the challenges in the analyses of whole exome data in the bid to establish the true causative variant in Mendelian disease

Applicability of Sc2O3 versus Al2O3 in MIM rectifiers for IR rectenna

Impedance matching between the terahertz antenna and ultra-fast Metal-Insulator-Metal (MIM) diode is a crucial issue in realizing rectenna technology for harvesting infrared (IR) energy spectrum. In this paper, scandium oxide (Sc 2O 3)-based MIM diodes were fabricated using magnetron sputtering and their rectification performance compared to state-of-the-art Au/Al 2O 3/Au diodes. The fabricated Al/Sc 2O 3/Al diode has exhibited around two orders of magnitude lower zero-bias dynamic resistance (R D0 = 956 kΩ) and high zero-bias responsivity (β 0 = 1 A/W) in advance to Au/Al 2O 3/Au diode. The results point to applicability of scandium oxide in MIM rectifiers for IR rectenna

Risk factors for occupational brucellosis among veterinary personnel in Turkey.

Veterinarians and veterinary technicians are at risk for occupational brucellosis. We described the risk factors of occupational brucellosis among veterinary personnel in Turkey. A multicenter retrospective survey was performed among veterinary personnel who were actively working in the field. Of 712 veterinary personnel, 84 (11.8%) had occupational brucellosis. The median number of years since graduation was 7 (interquartile ranges [IQR], 4-11) years in the occupational brucellosis group, whereas this number was 9 (IQR, 4-16) years in the non-brucellosis group (p<0.001). In multivariable analysis, working in the private sector (odds ratio [OR], 2.8; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.55-5.28, p=0.001), being male (OR, 4.5; 95% CI, 1.05-18.84, p=0.041), number of performed deliveries (OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.002-1.02, p=0.014), and injury during Brucella vaccine administration (OR, 5.4; 95% CI, 3.16-9.3, p<0.001) were found to be risk factors for occupational brucellosis. We suggest that all veterinary personnel should be trained on brucellosis and the importance of using personal protective equipment in order to avoid this infection

Turkey

Veterinarians and veterinary technicians are at risk for occupational brucellosis. We described the risk factors of occupational brucellosis among veterinary personnel in Turkey. A multicenter retrospective survey was performed among veterinary personnel who were actively working in the field. Of 712 veterinary personnel, 84(11.8%) had occupational brucellosis. The median number of years since graduation was 7 (interquartile ranges [IQR], 4-11) years in the occupational brucellosis group, whereas this number was 9 (IQR, 4-16) years in the non-brucellosis group (p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, working in the private sector (odds ratio [OR], 2.8; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.55-5.28, p = 0.001), being male (OR, 4.5; 95% CI, 1.05-18.84, p = 0.041), number of performed deliveries (OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.002-1.02, p = 0.014), and injury during Brucella vaccine administration (OR, 5.4; 95% CI, 3.16-9.3, p < 0.001) were found to be risk factors for occupational brucellosis. We suggest that all veterinary personnel should be trained on brucellosis and the importance of using personal protective equipment in order to avoid this infection. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

neutropenia

Background: We studied the comparative effectiveness of biosimilar filgrastim vs original filgrastim in patients with chemotherapy-induced neutropenia.Patients and methods: This multicenter, observational study was conducted at 14 centers. The study included 337 patients experiencing neutropenia under chemotherapy. Patients were given either filgrastim 30 MIU or 48 MIU (Neupogen (R)) or biosimilar filgrastim 30 MIU (Leucostim (R)). Data regarding age, chemotherapeutic agents used, number of chemotherapy courses, previous diagnosis of neutropenia, neutrophil count of patients after treatment, medications used for the treatment of neutropenia, and duration of neutropenia were collected. Time to absolute neutrophil count (ANC) recovery was the primary efficacy measure.Results: Ambulatory and hospitalized patients comprised 11.3% and 45.1% of the enrolled patients, respectively, and a previous diagnosis of neutropenia was reported in 49.3% of the patients, as well. Neutropenia occurred in 13.7% (n=41), 45.5% (n=136), 27.4% (n=82), 11.4% (n=34), and 2.0% (n=6) of the patients during the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth cycles of chemotherapy, respectively. While the mean neutrophil count was 0.53 +/- 0.48 before treatment, a significant increase to 2.44 +/- 0.66 was observed after treatment (p=0.0001). While 90.3% of patients had a neutrophil count,1.49 before treatment, all patients had a neutrophil count >= 1.50 after treatment. Neutropenia resolved within <= 4 days of filgrastim therapy in 60.1%, 56.7%, and 52.6% of the patients receiving biosimilar filgrastim 30 MIU, original filgrastim 30 MIU, and original filgrastim 48 MIU, respectively. However, there was no significant difference between the three arms (p=0.468). Similarly, time to ANC recovery was comparable between the treatment arms (p=0.332).Conclusion: The results indicate that original filgrastim and biosimilar filgrastim have comparable efficacy in treating neutropenia. Biosimilar filgrastim provides a valuable alternative; however, there is need for further studies comparing the two products in different patient subpopulations

Biosimilar filgrastim vs filgrastim: a multicenter nationwide observational bioequivalence study in patients with chemotherapy-induced neutropenia.

BACKGROUND: We studied the comparative effectiveness of biosimilar filgrastim vs original filgrastim in patients with chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This multicenter, observational study was conducted at 14 centers. The study included 337 patients experiencing neutropenia under chemotherapy. Patients were given either filgrastim 30 MIU or 48 MIU (Neupogen(®)) or biosimilar filgrastim 30 MIU (Leucostim(®)). Data regarding age, chemotherapeutic agents used, number of chemotherapy courses, previous diagnosis of neutropenia, neutrophil count of patients after treatment, medications used for the treatment of neutropenia, and duration of neutropenia were collected. Time to absolute neutrophil count (ANC) recovery was the primary efficacy measure. RESULTS: Ambulatory and hospitalized patients comprised 11.3% and 45.1% of the enrolled patients, respectively, and a previous diagnosis of neutropenia was reported in 49.3% of the patients, as well. Neutropenia occurred in 13.7% (n=41), 45.5% (n=136), 27.4% (n=82), 11.4% (n=34), and 2.0% (n=6) of the patients during the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth cycles of chemotherapy, respectively. While the mean neutrophil count was 0.53±0.48 before treatment, a significant increase to 2.44±0.66 was observed after treatment (p=0.0001). While 90.3% of patients had a neutrophil count <1.49 before treatment, all patients had a neutrophil count ≥1.50 after treatment. Neutropenia resolved within ≤4 days of filgrastim therapy in 60.1%, 56.7%, and 52.6% of the patients receiving biosimilar filgrastim 30 MIU, original filgrastim 30 MIU, and original filgrastim 48 MIU, respectively. However, there was no significant difference between the three arms (p=0.468). Similarly, time to ANC recovery was comparable between the treatment arms (p=0.332). CONCLUSION: The results indicate that original filgrastim and biosimilar filgrastim have comparable efficacy in treating neutropenia. Biosimilar filgrastim provides a valuable alternative; however, there is need for further studies comparing the two products in different patient subpopulations