The Optimizing of Prefabricated Solar Cells by Dual Plasmonic Nanoparticles

Background: The quest for improving the efficiency of solar cells has garnered considerable attention in numerous scientific investigations. One promising approach involves utilizing plasmons generated by metal nanoparticles to enhance the performance of photovoltaic solar cells. Materials and Methods: High-purity gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), and a combination of both were synthesized using pulsed laser ablation in distilled water. Subsequently, these nanoparticles were deposited onto silicon (Si) substrates and pre-existing Si homo-junction photovoltaic cells. Results: The optical analysis of the prepared nanoparticle suspension revealed distinct plasmonic bands located at approximately 400 nm and 523 nm wavelengths for AgNPs and AuNPs, respectively. In the case of the AuNPs:AgNPs mixture, two plasmonic bands were observed, corresponding to the presence of both types of metal nanoparticles. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of the deposited nanoparticle samples on Si wafers demonstrated a polycrystalline structure for all samples. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging displayed uniformly distributed spherical Au nanoparticles on the substrate, while AgNPs exhibited some aggregations. Conclusion: The photovoltaic (PV) solar cells demonstrated an enhanced performance, attributed to the ability of the plasmonic nanoparticles to facilitate increased light absorption or enhance surface conductivity. The combination of silver and gold particles holds promise for solar surface coating, further optimizing the cells to capture a greater amount of solar radiation within their plasmon peaks. This study highlights the potential of plasmonic nanoparticles to enhance the efficiency of previously prepared PV cells

Optimize of LIBS Setup to the Determination of Laser Breakdown Power of Writing Inks

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy system (LIBS) had been designed to the determinate of the best ionization laser power for analysis of the writing inks via analysis induced plasma emission. Passively Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser at the fundamental wavelength 1064 nm  with different  energies (60 mJ,80mJ, 100 mJ, 200 mJ, 300mJ, 400mJ and 500 mJ) with (10 ns) pulse duration, the laser beam was focused via converging lens with focal length (100 mm) that generates different power intensity, optical spectrum analysis system used was within (Si-CCD)  array detector, within spectrum range of (200 - 900 nm) with (0.8 nm) optical resolution. Use A4 sheets of commercially available standard white office paper with 2 Ballpoint pens and 1 Gel pen as samples. Show the results that the laser energy (80 mJ) with (  power density, was the best power to generate plasma homogeneous for all component writing inks and ionize it without effect on the paper material. Keywords: LIBS, Laser intensity, Writing inks, White paper, plasma emissions lines, emission line analyses DOI: 10.7176/CPER/61-05 Publication date: July 31st 201

Image Encryption using Resilient Boolean Function and DCT

The information security is becoming more important in data storage and transmission, where images are widely used in it. The Stream cipher cryptosystems are extensively used for provide a reliable and efficient method of security. The new propose system image encryption investigated by encrypt the powerful frequency coefficients in DCT by used saturated best resilient Boolean function that constructed by Zhang's constructions that implement Maiorana-McFarland like constructions technique and its modifications. The simulation results of the proposal system calculate correlation test (Corr1) and PSNR1 to compare between original and encrypted image as parameter of robustness, and correlation test (Corr2) and PSNR2 as correlation parameter between original and decrypted image as parameter of quality in reconstruct image

Cytological and Immunocytochemical Study of Bronchial Wash in Bronchogenic Carcinoma

Background: - Carcinoma of the lung has became the most common type of cancer since 1985 & the most common cause of cancer death in both males & females. Aim of study: - To assess the diagnostic accuracy of bronchial wash cytology & application of immunocytochemical methods, using two tumor markers (low molecular weight cytokeratin & epithelial membrane antigen) for more accurate & precise diagnosis of lung tumors. Patients, materials and methods: - Fifty fifes suspected lung cancer cases according to their clinicoradiological examinations were included in this study. Bronchial wash cytology was performed for all the 55 patients. Smears were stained by conventional cytological stain in addition to immunocytochemial staining using low molecular weight cytokeratin & epithelial membrane antigen. The final results of bronchial wash were compared to histopathological results & final clinical diagnosis as. Results: - Cytological smears of bronchial wash revealed the presence of malignant cells in 33 cases (60%). The sensitivity of bronchial wash cytology was 82.5%; the specificity was 100.0%, with overall accuracy of 87.3%. Using cytokeratin staining, 26 cases (47%) were positive for malignant cells, & 29 were negative. The sensitivity, specificity & overall accuracy were 65%, 100%, & 74.5% respectively. With EMA staining, 19 cases (27%) were positive for malignant cells & 36 were negative. The sensitivity, specificity & overall accuracy were 47.5%, 100%, & 61.8% respectively. Combined use of CK & EMA raised the sensitivity to 72.5%, specificity of 100% & overall accuracy of 80%. Combined use of monoclonal antibodies & conventional cytology raised the sensitivity to 95%, specificity 100%, with overall accuracy of 96.3%.  Conclusions: - Using more than one monoclonal antibody, or using combined conventional cytology & immunocytochemistry increase the sensitivity for detection of malignant cells in bronchial wash smears

Modeling ionic liquids mixture viscosity using Eyring theory combined with a SAFT-based EOS

This work aims to calculate the viscosities of ionic liquid mixtures using the Eyring theory combined with the SAFT-VR Morse EOS. The free volume theory was used to correlate the pure viscosity of ionic liquids (ILs) and solvents. Three model parameters have been adjusted using experimental viscosity data of ILs between 282 K and 413 K and 1 bar to 350 bar. The average ARD%, Bias%, and rmsd between model estimation and viscosity experimental data for pure ILs have been obtained 4.9 %, 1.015 %, and 0.67, respectively. The average error of the proposed model tends to increase at a pressure higher than 200 bar. The average ARD% for [C2mim][Tf2N] and [C6mim][Tf2N] is about 3.8 % and 3.4 % at pressures lower than 200 bar, while the average ARD% values increase sharply at higher pressures. This is due to the weak performance of the SAFT-VR Morse EOS for the calculation of IL density at high pressures. The SAFT-VR Morse EOS has been coupled with the Eyring theory, and the Redlich-Kister mixing rule to estimate the mixture viscosity of ILs-ILs and ILs-solvent systems. The thermal contribution of excess activation free energy has been calculated using the Redlich-Kister mixing rule with four adjustable parameters. The average ARD%, rmsd, and Bias% for fifteen binary mixtures have been obtained 3.9 %, 2.51, and 0.57 %, respectively. The average error values for mixture viscosity of ILs-polar solvent are higher than non-polar solvents. In the case of binary IL-IL systems, the model results are in good agreement with experimental data. The model performance has been evaluated using the viscosity deviation property. The SAFT-VR Morse EOS predicts the negative viscosity deviation. The strong attractive interaction in the mixture than a pure component is the major contribution to negative viscosity deviation. The results show that the new model can calculate the mixture viscosity and viscosity deviation of binary systems satisfactory. The obtained error values of mixture viscosity show that the Eyring theory can be coupled with a SAFT-based EOS to calculate the viscosity of ILs over a wide range of pressures and temperatures satisfactory

Cabbage and fermented vegetables : From death rate heterogeneity in countries to candidates for mitigation strategies of severe COVID-19

Large differences in COVID-19 death rates exist between countries and between regions of the same country. Some very low death rate countries such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, or the Balkans have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods. Although biases exist when examining ecological studies, fermented vegetables or cabbage have been associated with low death rates in European countries. SARS-CoV-2 binds to its receptor, the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). As a result of SARS-CoV-2 binding, ACE2 downregulation enhances the angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT(1)R) axis associated with oxidative stress. This leads to insulin resistance as well as lung and endothelial damage, two severe outcomes of COVID-19. The nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) is the most potent antioxidant in humans and can block in particular the AT(1)R axis. Cabbage contains precursors of sulforaphane, the most active natural activator of Nrf2. Fermented vegetables contain many lactobacilli, which are also potent Nrf2 activators. Three examples are: kimchi in Korea, westernized foods, and the slum paradox. It is proposed that fermented cabbage is a proof-of-concept of dietary manipulations that may enhance Nrf2-associated antioxidant effects, helpful in mitigating COVID-19 severity.Peer reviewe

Nrf2-interacting nutrients and COVID-19 : time for research to develop adaptation strategies

There are large between- and within-country variations in COVID-19 death rates. Some very low death rate settings such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, the Balkans and Africa have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods whose intake is associated with the activation of the Nrf2 (Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2) anti-oxidant transcription factor. There are many Nrf2-interacting nutrients (berberine, curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate, genistein, quercetin, resveratrol, sulforaphane) that all act similarly to reduce insulin resistance, endothelial damage, lung injury and cytokine storm. They also act on the same mechanisms (mTOR: Mammalian target of rapamycin, PPAR gamma:Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, NF kappa B: Nuclear factor kappa B, ERK: Extracellular signal-regulated kinases and eIF2 alpha:Elongation initiation factor 2 alpha). They may as a result be important in mitigating the severity of COVID-19, acting through the endoplasmic reticulum stress or ACE-Angiotensin-II-AT(1)R axis (AT(1)R) pathway. Many Nrf2-interacting nutrients are also interacting with TRPA1 and/or TRPV1. Interestingly, geographical areas with very low COVID-19 mortality are those with the lowest prevalence of obesity (Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia). It is tempting to propose that Nrf2-interacting foods and nutrients can re-balance insulin resistance and have a significant effect on COVID-19 severity. It is therefore possible that the intake of these foods may restore an optimal natural balance for the Nrf2 pathway and may be of interest in the mitigation of COVID-19 severity

Immunohistochemical expression of PCNA and CD34 in colorectal adenomas and carcinomas using specified automated cellular image analysis system: A clinicopathologic study

Background/Aim: To evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and CD34 in colorectal adenomas and carcinomas, and to correlate this expression with different clinicopathologic parameters. Materials and Methods: The study was retrospectively designed. A total of 86 tissue samples, including 33 paraffin blocks from patients with colorectal adenomas, 33 paraffin blocks from patients with colorectal adenocarcinomas, and a control group of 20 samples of nontumerous colonic tissue, were included in the study. From each block, 3 sections of 5 ΅m thickness were taken, 1 section was stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H and E) and the other 2 sections were stained immunohistochemically for PCNA and CD34. Scoring of the immunohistochemical staining was performed using a specified automated cellular image analysis system (Digimizer). Results: PCNA expression was significantly increased in a sequence of normal mucosa-adenoma-carcinoma. It was significantly higher in adenomas ≥ 1 cm and those with severe dysplasia, and it showed a significant positive correlation with grade and lymph node involvement in colorectal carcinoma. CD34 showed significantly higher expression in carcinoma than adenoma and in adenoma than in the control group. CD34 expression showed a significant correlation with adenomas carrying severe dysplasia and large-sized adenomas (≥1cm). It was significantly correlated with tumor grade, lymphovascular invasion, and lymph node involvement in colorectal carcinoma. Conclusion: PCNA plays an important role in colorectal neoplastic progression and can be utilized as ancillary marker for the risk of malignant transformation in colorectal adenomas as it correlates with high grade dysplasia and size. Intratumoral quantification of the mean (A and N) of CD34 in colorectal carcinoma reflects the grade of tumors and can predict lymph node involvement and lymphovascular invasion, to make a useful additional prognostic factor

Immunohistochemical expression of matrix metalloproteinase-7 in human colorectal adenomas using specified automated cellular image analysis system: A clinicopathological study

Background/Aim: To evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) in colorectal adenomas, and to correlate this expression with different clinicopathological parameters. Patients and Methods: The study was retrospectively designed. Thirty three paraffin blocks from patients with colorectal adenoma and 20 samples of non-tumerous colonic tissue taken as control group were included in the study. MMP-7 expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry method. The scoring of immunohistochemical staining was conducted utilizing a specified automated cellular image analysis system (Digimizer). Results: The frequency of positive immunohistochemical expression of MMP-7 was significantly higher in adenoma than control group (45.45% versus 10%) (P value < 0.001). Strong MMP-7 staining was mainly seen in adenoma cases (30.30%) in comparison with control (0%) the difference is significant ( P < 0.001). The three digital parameters of MMP-7 immunohistochemical expression (Area (A), Number of objects (N), and intensity (I)) were significantly higher in adenoma than control. Mean (A and I) of MMP-7 showed a significant correlation with large sized adenoma (≥ 1cm) ( P < 0.05), also a significant positive correlation of the three digital parameters (A, N, and I) of MMP-7 expression with villous configuration and severe dysplasia in colorectal adenoma had been identified ( P < 0.05). Conclusion: MMP-7 plays an important role in the growth and malignant conversion of colorectal adenomas as it is more likely to be expressed in advanced colorectal adenomatous polyps with large size, severe dysplasia and villous histology. The use of automated cellular image analysis system (Digmizer) to quantify immunohistochemical staining yields more consistent assay results, converts semi-quantitative assay to a truly quantitative assay, and improves assay objectivity and reproducibility