Copper-Arsenic-Sulfide Thin-Films from Local Raw Materials Deposited via RF Co-Sputtering for Photovoltaics.

The inexorable increase of energy demand and the efficiency bottleneck of monocrystalline silicon solar cell technology is promoting the research and development of alternative photovoltaic materials. Copper-arsenic-sulfide (CAS) compounds are still rather unexplored in the literature, yet they have been regarded as promising candidates for use as p-type absorber in solar cells, owing to their broad raw material availability, suitable bandgap and high absorption coefficient. Here, a comprehensive study is presented on the structural and optoelectronic properties of CAS thin-films deposited via radio-frequency magnetron co-sputtering, using a commercial Cu target together with a Cu-As-S target with material obtained from local resources, specifically from mines in the Portuguese region of the Iberian Pyrite Belt. Raman and X-ray diffraction analysis confirm that the use of two targets results in films with pronounced stoichiometry gradients, suggesting a transition from amorphous CAS compounds to crystalline djurleite (Cu31S16), with the increasing proximity to the Cu target. Resistivity values from 4.7 mΩ·cm to 17.4 Ω·cm are obtained, being the lowest resistive films, those with pronounced sub-bandgap free-carrier absorption. The bandgap values range from 2.20 to 2.65 eV, indicating promising application as wide-bandgap semiconductors in third-generation (e.g., multi-junction) photovoltaic devices.

Drying Microalgae Using an Industrial Solar Dryer: A Biomass Quality Assessment.

Microalgae are considered a promising resource of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and other functional biomolecules for food and feed markets. Competitive drying solutions are required to meet future demands for high-quality algal biomass while ensuring proper preservation at reduced costs. Since often used drying methods, such as freeze or spray drying, are energy and time consuming, more sustainable processes remain to be developed. This study tested an indirect and hybrid solar dryer as an alternative to conventional freeze drying of industrially produced Tetraselmis chui and Nannochloropsis oceanica wet paste. The effects of the drying method on biomass quality parameters, including biochemical profiles, functional properties, and microbial safety, were assessed. No significant differences were found between the applied drying technologies for total proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and fatty acid profiles. On the other hand, some pigments showed significant differences, displaying up to 44.5% higher contents in freeze-dried samples. Minor differences were also registered in the mineral profiles (<10%). Analyses of microbial safety and functional properties of the solar-dried biomass appear adequate for food and feed products. In conclusion, industrial solar drying is a sustainable technology with a high potential to preserve high-quality microalgal biomass for various markets at expected lower costs.

Colloidal Lithography for Photovoltaics: An Attractive Route for Light Management.

The pursuit of ever-more efficient, reliable, and affordable solar cells has pushed the development of nano/micro-technological solutions capable of boosting photovoltaic (PV) performance without significantly increasing costs. One of the most relevant solutions is based on light management via photonic wavelength-sized structures, as these enable pronounced efficiency improvements by reducing reflection and by trapping the light inside the devices. Furthermore, optimized microstructured coatings allow self-cleaning functionality via effective water repulsion, which reduces the accumulation of dust and particles that cause shading. Nevertheless, when it comes to market deployment, nano/micro-patterning strategies can only find application in the PV industry if their integration does not require high additional costs or delays in high-throughput solar cell manufacturing. As such, colloidal lithography (CL) is considered the preferential structuring method for PV, as it is an inexpensive and highly scalable soft-patterning technique allowing nanoscopic precision over indefinitely large areas. Tuning specific parameters, such as the size of colloids, shape, monodispersity, and final arrangement, CL enables the production of various templates/masks for different purposes and applications. This review intends to compile several recent high-profile works on this subject and how they can influence the future of solar electricity.

Análisis de eficiencia multidireccional en hospitales públicos del Valle del Cauca / Multidirectional Efficiency Analysis in Public Hospitals of Valle Del Cauca / Análise de eficiência multidirecional em hospitais públicos do Valle del Cauca

Resumen La crisis financiera de los hospitales públicos en Colombia conlleva un análisis detallado de cómo funcionan los diferentes servicios de salud, a fin de detectar fallas y generar una mejor utilización de los recursos. En esta investigación se estudiaron los niveles de eficiencia de 44 hospitales públicos del departamento del Valle del Cauca, referente a los servicios de ginecología y obstetricia, odontología y urgencias, entre los años 2007 y 2014. Adoptamos un método determinístico no paramétrico reciente, hasta ahora no aplicado en estudios científicos de salud en Colombia, el cual combina el análisis de eficiencia multidireccional con otras relevantes técnicas para comparar grupos con diferentes niveles de eficiencia. Los resultados indicaron que más del 60 % de los hospitales quedaron en el rango de poco eficientes, lo cual evidencia un inadecuado uso de los insumos (inputs). Esperamos motivar a burócratas a incorporar este tipo de técnicas de evaluación en su proceso de toma de decisiones.

Abstract Financial crises in the Colombian public hospitals call for a detailed analysis on how its different health services work, in order to detect the failures and attain a better use of the resources. This research examined the efficacy levels in 44 public hospitals throughout the Valle del Cauca province, covering the gynecology and obstetrics, dentistry, and emergency services between 2007 and 2014. A recent non-parametric deterministic method was used. Thus far, it has not been applied to health scientific studies in Colombia. It combines the multidirectional efficacy analysis with other relevant techniques in order to compare groups with different efficiency levels. Results showed that more than 60% of the hospitals were in the poor efficiency level, which evinces they are not making an appropriate use of their inputs. This report is expected to encourage the bureaucrats to include evaluation techniques like this in their decision-making processes.

Resumo A crise financeira dos hospitais públicos na Colômbia envolve uma análise detalhada de como funcionam os diferentes serviços de saúde, a fim de detectar falhas e gerar um melhor uso dos recursos. Nesta pesquisa estudaram-se os níveis de eficiência de 44 hospitais públicos do departamento do Valle del Cauca, referente aos serviços de ginecologia e obstetrícia, odontologia e urgências, entre os anos 2007 e 2014. Pegamos um método determinístico não paramétrico recente, até agora não aplicado em estudos científicos de saúde na Colômbia, o qual combina análise de eficiência multidirecional a outras relevantes técnicas para comparar grupos com diferentes níveis de eficiência. Os resultados indicaram que mais de 60 % dos hospitais ficou na faixa de pouco eficientes, o que evidencia um inadequado uso dos insumos (inputs). Esperamos motivar os burocratas para incorporarem este tipo de técnicas de avaliação no seu processo de tomada de decisões.

Systemic effects of controlled exposure to diesel exhaust: a meta-analysis from randomized controlled trials.

INTRODUCTION: Ambient air pollution is associated with adverse cardiovascular events. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the short-term association between air pollution and cardiovascular effects on healthy volunteers. METHODS: We searched databases to identify randomized trials with controlled human exposures to either of two models for studying ambient particulate matter: diesel-exhaust or concentrated ambient particles. Estimates of size effect were performed using standardized mean difference (SMD). Heterogeneity was assessed with I2 statistics. Outcomes were vascular function estimated by forearm blood flow (FBF), blood pressure, heart rate, and blood analysis. RESULTS: Database searches yielded 17 articles (n = 342) with sufficient information for meta-analyses. High levels of heterogeneity for the some outcomes were analyzed using random-effects model. The pooled effect estimate showed that short-term exposure to air pollution impaired FBF response from 2.7 to 2.5 mL/100 mL tissue/min (SMD 0.404; p = .006). There was an increase in 5000 platelet/mm3 following pollution exposure (SMD 0.390; p = .050) but no significant differences for other outcomes. CONCLUSION: Controlled human exposures to air pollution are associated with the surrogates of vascular dysfunction and increase in platelet count, which might be related to adverse cardiovascular events. Given the worldwide prevalence of exposure to air pollution, these findings are relevant for public health. KEY MESSAGES Controlled exposure to air pollution impairs vasomotor response, which is a surrogate for adverse cardiovascular events. This is the first meta-analysis from randomized clinical trials showing short-term association between air pollution and cardiovascular effects on healthy volunteers. Given the worldwide prevalence of exposure to air pollution, this finding is important for public health.

Exacerbation of recalcitrant cutaneous sarcoidosis with adalimumab--a paradoxical effect? A case report.

The paradoxical adverse effects of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) antagonists have been described frequently as a result of the widespread use of these drugs. Among the TNF-alpha blocking agents, few reports exist relating the use of adalimumab in cutaneous sarcoidosis, although all of them show good results. More recently, sarcoidosis onsets have been reported with various TNF-alpha inhibitors. The current case is, to our knowledge, the first to describe the exacerbation of cutaneous lesions of sarcoidosis treated with adalimumab.

Exacerbation of recalcitrant cutaneous sarcoidosis with adalimumab - a paradoxical effect? A case report / Agravamento de lesoes refratarias de sarcoidose cutanea com adalimumab- um efeito paradoxal? Relato de um caso

The paradoxical adverse effects of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) antagonists have been described frequently as a result of the widespread use of these drugs. Among the TNF-alpha blocking agents, few reports exist relating the use of adalimumab in cutaneous sarcoidosis, although all of them show good results. More recently, sarcoidosis onsets have been reported with various TNF-alpha inhibitors. The current case is, to our knowledge, the first to describe the exacerbation of cutaneous lesions of sarcoidosis treated with adalimumab.

Os efeitos paradoxais dos anti-TNF-alpha têm sido cada vez mais descritos com a utilização mais ampla dessas drogas. Entre os TNF-alpha, registam-se poucos casos com a utilização de adalimumab no tratamento da sarcoidose cutânea, sendo que todos eles apresentam bons resultados. Têm sido descritos, mais recentemente, casos de sarcoidose induzidos por vários anti-TNF-alpha. O presente caso é, até à data, o primeiro a descrever a exacerbação de lesões cutâneas de sarcoidose tratadas com adalimumab.

M-cadherin-mediated intercellular interactions activate satellite cell division.

Adult muscle stem cells and their committed myogenic precursors, commonly referred to as the satellite cell population, are involved in both muscle growth after birth and regeneration after damage. It has been previously proposed that, under these circumstances, satellite cells first become activated, divide and differentiate, and only later fuse to the existing myofiber through M-cadherin-mediated intercellular interactions. Our data show that satellite cells fuse with the myofiber concomitantly to cell division, and only when the nuclei of the daughter cells are inside the myofiber, do they complete the process of differentiation. Here we demonstrate that M-cadherin plays an important role in cell-to-cell recognition and fusion, and is crucial for cell division activation. Treatment of satellite cells with M-cadherin in vitro stimulates cell division, whereas addition of anti-M-cadherin antibodies reduces the cell division rate. Our results suggest an alternative model for the contribution of satellite cells to muscle development, which might be useful in understanding muscle regeneration, as well as muscle-related dystrophies.

Transient downregulation of Bmp signalling induces extra limbs in vertebrates.

Bone morphogenetic protein (Bmp) signalling has been implicated in setting up dorsoventral patterning of the vertebrate limb and in its outgrowth. Here, we present evidence that Bmp signalling or, more precisely, its inhibition also plays a role in limb and fin bud initiation. Temporary inhibition of Bmp signalling either by overexpression of noggin or using a synthetic Bmp inhibitor is sufficient to induce extra limbs in the Xenopus tadpole or exogenous fins in the Danio rerio embryo, respectively. We further show that Bmp signalling acts in parallel with retinoic acid signalling, possibly by inhibiting the known limb-inducing gene wnt2ba.

Skeletal muscle regeneration in Xenopus tadpoles and zebrafish larvae.

BACKGROUND: Mammals are not able to restore lost appendages, while many amphibians are. One important question about epimorphic regeneration is related to the origin of the new tissues and whether they come from mature cells via dedifferentiation and/or from stem cells. Several studies in urodele amphibians (salamanders) indicate that, after limb or tail amputation, the multinucleated muscle fibres do dedifferentiate by fragmentation and proliferation, thereby contributing to the regenerate. In Xenopus laevis tadpoles, however, it was shown that muscle fibres do not contribute directly to the tail regenerate. We set out to study whether dedifferentiation was present during muscle regeneration of the tadpole limb and zebrafish larval tail, mainly by cell tracing and histological observations. RESULTS: Cell tracing and histological observations indicate that zebrafish tail muscle do not dedifferentiate during regeneration. Technical limitations did not allow us to trace tadpole limb cells, nevertheless we observed no signs of dedifferentiation histologically. However, ultrastructural and gene expression analysis of regenerating muscle in tadpole tail revealed an unexpected dedifferentiation phenotype. Further histological studies showed that dedifferentiating tail fibres did not enter the cell cycle and in vivo cell tracing revealed no evidences of muscle fibre fragmentation. In addition, our results indicate that this incomplete dedifferentiation was initiated by the retraction of muscle fibres. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that complete skeletal muscle dedifferentiation is less common than expected in lower vertebrates. In addition, the discovery of incomplete dedifferentiation in muscle fibres of the tadpole tail stresses the importance of coupling histological studies with in vivo cell tracing experiments to better understand the regenerative mechanisms.

Dexmedetomidine use in the setting of cocaine-induced hypertensive emergency and aortic dissection: a novel indication.

Aortic dissection is a potentially fatal but rare disease characterized by an aortic intimal tear with blood passing into the media creating a false lumen and with resultant high mortality depending on the location of dissection if not aggressively treated. Cocaine users are known to have a higher incidence of aortic dissection. We report here aortic dissection in a patient with cocaine abuse which did not respond to traditional medication regimes used currently in this setting. Worth mentioning is the use of an alpha-2 receptor selective agonist named Dexmedetomidine as a treatment modality to control hypertension in this patient, which is approved only for sedation of intubated and mechanically ventilated patients in the intensive care settings and for sedation during invasive procedures. This paper illustrates the practical beneficial role of Dexmedetomidine in controling blood pressure in the settings of cocaine-induced sympathetic surge when other treatment modalities fail.

Correlacionando icterícia, resultados de exames laboratoriais e diagnósticos de doenças / Correlating jaundice, laboratory test results and diagnosis of diseases

Para descobrir quais as doenças que mais comumente cursam com a icterícia em pacientes internados no Hospital Universitário Antônio Pedro (HUAP) e correlacioná-las com marcadores bioquímicos foram utilizados dados extraídos de prontuários de pacientes internados durante os anos de 2005 a 2007. 0s dados foram analisados usando métodos estatísticos como qui-quadrado e teste Z. Utilizamos a análise das dosagens de aspartato-aminotrans ferase (AST), alanina-aminotransferase (ALT), fosfatase alcalina (FA), gama-glutamiltransferase (gama-GT), bilirrubina (Bb) total e suas frações direta e indireta. Os sinais e sintomas mais comuns na amostra estudada foram: dor abdominal, vômitos e colúria, que estão presentes em cerca de 60% das queixas dos pacientes estudados. Na população entre nove e 85 anos de idade, a análise sugere que AST e ALT nos chamam atenção para uma possível lesão hepática associada aos casos de icterícia. Enquanto que FA e GGT são marcadores de colestase. A bilirrubina direta tem média mais elevada no grupo de pacientes entre nove e 85 anos e a bilirrubina indireta atinge níveis maiores no grupo com até dois meses de vida. As dosagens bioquímicas são armas muito importantes na pesquisa etiológica dos casos de icterícia.

To find out which diseases most commonly lead to jaundice in hospitalized patients in HUAP and correlate them with biochemical markers. We used data from medical records of patients hospitalized during the years 2005 to 2007. The data were analyzed using statistical methods to test and chi-square-Z. We used the analysis of the strengths of AST, ALI, FA, GGT, Bb and its fractions total direct and indirect. The most common signs and symptoms in the sample studied were abdominal pain, vomiting and choluria that are present in about 60% of complaints from patients. In the population between nine and 85 years of age, the analysis suggests that AST and ALT in calling attention to a possible liver damage linked to cases of jaundice. While FA and gamma-GT are markers of cholestasis. The direct bilirubin is highest average in the group of patients between nine and 85 years and indirect bilirubin levels higher in the group with up to two months of life. The biochemical doses are very important weapons in the etiological research of cases of jaundice.

Generation of pig iPS cells: a model for cell therapy.

Reprogramming of pig somatic cells to induced pluripotent stem cells provides a tremendous advance in the field of regenerative medicine since the pig represents an ideal large animal model for the preclinical testing of emerging cell therapies. However, the current generation of pig-induced pluripotent stem cells (piPSCs) require the use of time-consuming and laborious retroviral or lentiviral transduction approaches, in order to ectopically express the pluripotency-associated transcription factors Oct4, Sox2, Klf4 and c-Myc, in the presence of feeder cells. Here, we describe a simple method to produce piPSC with a single transfection of a CAG-driven polycistronic plasmid expressing Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, c-Myc and a green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter gene, in gelatine-coated plates, with or without feeder cells. In our system, the derivation of piPSCs from adult pig ear fibroblasts on a gelatine coating showed a higher efficiency and rate of reprogramming when compared with three consecutive retroviral transductions of a similar polycistronic construct. Our piPSCs expressed the classical embryonic stem cell markers, exhibit a stable karyotype and formed teratomas. Moreover, we also developed a simple method to generate in vitro spontaneous beating cardiomiocyte-like cells from piPSCs. Overall, our preliminary results set the bases for the massive production of xeno-free and integration-free piPSCs and provide a powerful tool for the preclinical application of iPSC technology in a large animal setting.

Óxido nítrico: inibição das plaquetas e participação na formação do trombo / Nitric oxide: inhibition of platelets and participation in thrombus formation

Neste artigo faremos uma revisão bibliográfica de modo que entendamos como o óxido nítrico (NO) atua sobre as plaquetas, compreendendo assim mais um mecanismo antiplaquetário. Nos últimos 25 anos a função do NO na biologia evoluiu do seu reconhecimento como poluente ambiental para substância endógena envolvida em comunicação intracelular e intercelular e na transdução de sinais. O NO é uma molécula polivalente que exerce um papel na regulação da hemostasia, sendo responsável pela inibição das plaquetas em todos os seus níveis de atuação, desde adesão até agregação, impedindo, dessa forma, posterior formação de trombo. Inúmeras desordens clínicas têm sido reportadas em que a insuficiência da produção de NO endógeno e, portanto, a ausência de inibição de ação plaquetária, parece contribuir para os eventos trombóticos.

In this article we make a review above the way that nitric oxide (NO) influence platelets over the past 25 years. The role of NO in biology has evolved from being recognized as an environmental pollutant to an endogenously produced substance involved in intracellular and intercellular communication and signal transduction. NO is a multifunctional molecule that plays a role in the regulation of hemostasis. It is responsible for platelets inhibition in all levels of its action, from adhesion to aggregation, preventing in this manner, thrombus formation. Several clinical disorders have been reported in which endogenous NO production insufficiency and, as a consequence, the absence of platelets action inhibition, seems to contribute to thrombotic events.

Avaliação da função endotelial e da cinética de quilomícrons em homens saudáveis com redução isolada do HDL-Colesterol: efeitos da niacina / Endothelial function and chylomicron-like kinetics assessment in helthy men with isolated low HDL-cholesterol: niacin's effect

Cerca de 35 per cent dos coronariopatas não têm fatores de risco convencionais. Estudamos o HDL-C baixo e sua relação com a função endotelial utilizando ultra-som de alta resolução para avaliação da dilatação mediada por fluxo (DMF) da a. braquial e o clearence de quilomícrons artificiais(CQA). / Almost 35 per cen of CAD patients do not have conventional risk factors. We have studied the low HDL-C and its relationship with the endothelial function using high resolution ultra-sound to evaluate the flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery and the chylomicron-like emulsion clearence...

Caracteristicas clínicas de indivíduos jovens com infarto agudo do miocárdio / Clinical characteristics of young peoplo with acute myocardial infarction

A prevalência do infarto agudo do miocárdio (IAM) em indivíduos jovens é baixa 4-8( por cento) e não dispomos de trabalhos que avaliem as características do IAM em um grande número de pacientes dessa população. O presente estudo teve como objetivo analisar os fatores de risco, caracteristicas angiográficas, tratamento e evolução hospitalar de indivíduos com IAM, com idades até 40 anos. Foram estudados 76 pacientes(61 homens e 15 mulheres), com idade média 36,9 mais ou menos 3,57 anos, admitidos no Instituto do Coração do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de São Paulo, entre janeiro de 1996 e julho de 1999. O infarto foi de parede anterior em 35,5(por cento), inferior em 50 (por cento) e 14,5 ( por cento) tiveram IAM sem supradesnivelamento do segmento ST. O tabagismo foi o fator de risco ponderante ( 72,4 por cento). História de infarto prévio foi relatada em apenas 9,7 ( por cento). Artérias coronárias normais à cinecoronariografia ocorreram em 22,7(por cento) dos pacientes; 42,4(por cento) eram uniarteriais: 22,7(por cento), biarteriais e 12(por cento)triarteriais. Não houve lesões no tronco de coronária esquerda e a fração de ejeção média foi de 0,62 mais menos 0,16. A mortalidade hospitalar foi 2,6(por cento) (dois pacientes) e reinfarto ocorreu em quatro (5,2 por cento) doentes. Estes dados sugerem que pacientes jovens com IAM frequentemente são fumantes, têm incidência elevada de coronárias normais ou lesões uniarteriais e fração de ejeção normal, e bom prognóstico a curto prazo.

Comparison between young males and females with acute myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the differences between young males and females after acute myocardial infarction. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 236 patients (54 females and 182 males) after acute myocardial infarction and during hospital stay assessed the following parameters: risk factors; the treatment used; the pattern of coronary artery obstruction; left ventricular ejection fraction; complications; and, using a logistic regression model, the factors related to the occurrence of reinfarction and death. RESULTS: No significant difference was observed between the sexes in risk factors, pattern of coronary artery obstruction, and left ventricular function. The time interval between symptom onset and treatment was longer in females (p=0.03), who underwent thrombolysis (p=0.01) and angioplasty (p=0.03) less frequently than males did, but not myocardial revascularization. Female sex (OR = 5.98) and diabetes (OR = 14.52) were independent factors related to the occurrence of reinfarction and death. CONCLUSION: Young males and females after acute myocardial infarction did not differ in coronary risk factors, and clinical and hemodynamic characteristics. Females had their treatment started later, and they underwent chemical thrombolysis and angioplasty less frequently than males did. Female sex and diabetes were related to the occurrence of reinfarction and death.

Comparaçäo entre homens e mulheres jovens com infarto agudo do miocárdio / Comparison between young males and females with acute myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVE - To assess the differences between young males and females after acute myocardial infarction. METHODS - We retrospectively studied 236 patients (54 females and 182 males) after acute myocardial infarction and during hospital stay assessed the following parameters: risk factors; the treatment used; the pattern of coronary artery obstruction; left ventricular ejection fraction; complications; and, using a logistic regression model, the factors related to the occurrence of reinfarction and death. RESULTS - No significant difference was observed between the sexes in risk factors, pattern of coronary artery obstruction, and left ventricular function. The time interval between symptom onset and treatment was longer in females (p=0.03), who underwent thrombolysis (p=0.01) and angioplasty (p=0.03) less frequently than males did, but not myocardial revascularization. Female sex (OR = 5.98) and diabetes (OR = 14.52) were independent factors related to the occurrence of reinfarction and death. CONCLUSION - Young males and females after acute myocardial infarction did not differ in coronary risk factors, and clinical and hemodynamic characteristics. Females had their treatment started later, and they underwent chemical thrombolysis and angioplasty less frequently than males did. Female sex and diabetes were related to the occurrence of reinfarction and death