Blue sensitive sub-band gap negative photoconductance in SnO2/TiO2 NP bilayer oxide transistor.

Large negative photoconductance (NPC) of SnO2/TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) heterostructure has been observed with thin film transistor (TFT) geometry and has been investigated using sub-bandgap light (blue) illumination. This negative photoconduction has been detected both in accumulation and depletion mode operation, which effectively reduces the carrier mobility (µ) of the TFT. Moreover, the threshold voltage (Vth) widely shifted in the positive direction under illumination. The combined effects of the reduction of mobility and Vth shifting led to a faster reduction of On (or Off) state current under illumination. The negative photosensitivity of this system is as high as 3.2 A W-1, which has been rarely reported in the earlier literature. Moreover, the variation of On (or Off) current, µ and Vth shift is linear with low-intensity blue light. This SnO2/TiO2 NP bilayer channel has been deposited on top of an ionic dielectric (Li-Al2O3) that reduces its operating voltage of this TFT within 2 V. Furthermore, the device has achieved a saturation mobility of 0.4 cm2 V-1 s-1 with an on/off ratio of 7.4 × 103 in the dark. An energy band diagram model has been proposed based on the type-II heterostructure formation between SnO2/TiO2 semiconductors to explain this NPC mechanism. According to the energy band diagram model, adsorbed H2O molecules of TiO2 NPs created a depleted layer in the heterostructure that accelerated the recombination process of photo-generated carriers rather than its transport.

Scalable Synthesis of a Sub-10 nm Chalcopyrite (CuFeS2) Nanocrystal by the Microwave-Assisted Synthesis Technique and Its Application in a Heavy-Metal-Free Broad-Band Photodetector.

A heavy-metal-free chalcopyrite (CuFeS2) nanocrystal has been synthesized via microwave-assisted growth. Large-scale nanocrystals with an average particle size of 5 nm are fabricated by this technique within a very short period of time without any need for organic ligands. Scanning electron microscopy study (SEM) of individual synthesis steps indicates that aggregates of nanocrystals are formed as flakes during microwave-assisted synthesis. The colloidal solution of the CuFeS2 nanocrystal was prepared by sonicating these flakes. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) study reveals the growth of sub-10 nm CuFeS2 nanocrystals that are further characterized by X-ray diffraction. UV-visible absorption spectroscopic study shows that the band gap of this nanocrystal is ∼1.3 eV. To investigate the photosensitive nature of this nanocrystal, a bilayer p-n heterojunction photodetector has been fabricated using this nontoxic CuFeS2 nanocrystal as a photoactive material and n-type ZnO as a charge-transport layer. The detectivity of this photodetector reaches above 1012 Jones in visible and near-infrared (NIR) regions under 10 V external bias, which is significantly high for a nontoxic nanocrystal-based photodetector.

Can digital breast tomosynthesis perform better than standard digital mammography work-up in breast cancer assessment clinic?

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of use of digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) with standard digital mammography (DM) workup views in the breast cancer assessment clinic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Tomosynthesis Assessment Clinic trial (TACT), conducted between 16 October 2014 and 19 April 2016, is an ethics-approved, monocenter, multireader, multicase split-plot reading study. After written informed consent was obtained, 144 females (age > 40 years) who were recalled to the assessment clinic were recruited into TACT. These cases (48 cancers) were randomly allocated for blinded review of (1) DM workup and (2) DBT, both in conjunction with previous DM from the screening examination. Fifteen radiologists of varying experience levels in the Australia BreastScreen Program were included in this study, wherein each radiologist read 48 cases (16 cancers) in 3 non-overlapping blocks. Diagnostic accuracy was measured by means of sensitivity, specificity, and positive (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV). The receiver-operating characteristic area under the curve (AUC) was calculated to determine radiologists' performances. RESULTS: Use of DBT (AUC = 0.927) led to improved performance of the radiologists (z = 2.62, p = 0.008) compared with mammography workup (AUC = 0.872). Similarly, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of DBT (0.93, 0.75, 0.64, 0.96) were higher than those of the workup (0.90, 0.56, 0.49, 0.92). Most radiologists (80%) performed better with DBT than standard workup. Cancerous lesions on DBT appeared more severe (U = 33,172, p = 0.02) and conspicuous (U = 24,207, p = 0.02). There was a significant reduction in the need for additional views (χ2 = 17.63, p < 0.001) and recommendations for ultrasound (χ2 = 8.56, p = 0.003) with DBT. CONCLUSIONS: DBT has the potential to increase diagnostic accuracy and simplify the assessment process in the breast cancer assessment clinic. KEY POINTS: • Use of DBT in the assessment clinic results in increased diagnostic accuracy. • Use of DBT in the assessment clinic improves performance of radiologists and also increases the confidence in their decisions. • DBT may reduce the need for additional views, ultrasound imaging, and biopsy.

High-frequency torsional Alfvén waves as an energy source for coronal heating.

The existence of the Sun's hot atmosphere and the solar wind acceleration continues to be an outstanding problem in solar-astrophysics. Although magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) modes and dissipation of magnetic energy contribute to heating and the mass cycle of the solar atmosphere, yet direct evidence of such processes often generates debate. Ground-based 1-m Swedish Solar Telescope (SST)/CRISP, Hα 6562.8 Å observations reveal, for the first time, the ubiquitous presence of high frequency (~12-42 mHz) torsional motions in thin spicular-type structures in the chromosphere. We detect numerous oscillating flux tubes on 10 June 2014 between 07:17 UT to 08:08 UT in a quiet-Sun field-of-view of 60" × 60" (1" = 725 km). Stringent numerical model shows that these observations resemble torsional Alfvén waves associated with high frequency drivers which contain a huge amount of energy (~105 W m-2) in the chromosphere. Even after partial reflection from the transition region, a significant amount of energy (~103 W m-2) is transferred onto the overlying corona. We find that oscillating tubes serve as substantial sources of Alfvén wave generation that provide sufficient Poynting flux not only to heat the corona but also to originate the supersonic solar wind.

All solution-processed, hybrid light emitting field-effect transistors.

All solution-processed, high performance hybrid light emitting transistors (HLETs) are realized. Using a novel combination of device architecture and materials a bilayer device comprised of an inorganic and organic semiconducting layer is fabricated and the optoelectronic properties are presented.

Heavily doped n-type PbSe and PbS nanocrystals using ground-state charge transfer from cobaltocene.

Colloidal nanocrystals (NCs) of lead chalcogenides are a promising class of tunable infrared materials for applications in devices such as photodetectors and solar cells. Such devices typically employ electronic materials in which charge carrier concentrations are manipulated through "doping;" however, persistent electronic doping of these NCs remains a challenge. Here, we demonstrate that heavily doped n-type PbSe and PbS NCs can be realized utilizing ground-state electron transfer from cobaltocene. This allows injecting up to eight electrons per NC into the band-edge state and maintaining the doping level for at least a month at room temperature. Doping is confirmed by inter- and intra-band optical absorption, as well as by carrier dynamics. Finally, FET measurements of doped NC films and the demonstration of a p-n diode provide additional evidence that the developed doping procedure allows for persistent incorporation of electrons into the quantum-confined NC states.

Over expression of resistin in adipose tissue of the obese induces insulin resistance.

AIM: To compare resistin mRNA expression in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and its correlation with insulin resistance (IR) in postmenopausal obese women. METHODS: A total of 68 postmenopausal women (non obese = 34 and obese = 34) were enrolled for the study. The women of the two groups were age matched (49-70 years). Fasting blood samples were collected at admission and abdominal SAT was obtained during surgery for gall bladder stones or hysterectomy. Physical parameters [age, height, weight, body mass index (BMI)] were measured. Biochemical (plasma insulin and plasma glucose) parameters were estimated by enzymatic methods. RNA was isolated by the Trizol method. SAT resistin mRNA expression was done by real time- reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) by using Quanti Tect SYBR Green RT-PCR master mix. Data was analyzed using independent Student's t test, correlation and simple linear regression analysis. RESULTS: The mean weight (52.81 ± 8.04 kg vs 79.56 ± 9.91 kg; P < 0.001), BMI (20.23 ± 3.05 kg/m(2)vs 32.19 ± 4.86 kg/m(2); P < 0.001), insulin (8.47 ± 3.24 µU/mL vs 14.67 ± 2.18 µU/mL; P < 0.001), glucose (97.44 ± 11.31 mg/dL vs 109.67 ± 8.02 mg/dL; P < 0.001) and homeostasis model assessment index (2.01 ± 0.73 vs 3.96 ± 0.61; P < 0.001) were significantly higher in postmenopausal obese women compared to postmenopausal non obese women. The mean serum resistin level was also significantly higher in postmenopausal obese women compared to postmenopausal non obese women (9.05 ± 5.15 vs 13.92 ± 6.32, P < 0.001). Furthermore, the mean SAT resistin mRNA expression was also significantly (0.023 ± 0.008 vs 0.036 ± 0.009; P < 0.001) higher and over expressed 1.62 fold (up-regulated) in postmenopausal obese women compared to postmenopausal non obese women. In postmenopausal obese women, the relative SAT resistin mRNA expression showed positive (direct) and significant correlation with BMI (r = 0.78, P < 0.001) and serum resistin (r = 0.76, P < 0.001). Furthermore, the SAT resistin mRNA expression in postmenopausal obese women also showed significant and direct association (r = 0.45, P < 0.01) with IR, while in postmenopausal non obese women it did not show any association (r = -0.04, P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Increased SAT resistin mRNA expression probably leads to inducing insulin resistance and thus may be associated with obesity-related disorders in postmenopausal obese women.

'Giant' CdSe/CdS core/shell nanocrystal quantum dots as efficient electroluminescent materials: strong influence of shell thickness on light-emitting diode performance.

We use a simple device architecture based on a poly(3,4-ethylendioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS)-coated indium tin oxide anode and a LiF/Al cathode to assess the effects of shell thickness on the properties of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) comprising CdSe/CdS core/shell nanocrystal quantum dots (NQDs) as the emitting layer. Specifically, we are interested in determining whether LEDs based on thick-shell nanocrystals, so-called "giant" NQDs, afford enhanced performance compared to their counterparts incorporating thin-shell systems. We observe significant improvements in device performance as a function of increasing shell thickness. While the turn-on voltage remains approximately constant for all shell thicknesses (from 4 to 16 CdS monolayers), external quantum efficiency and maximum luminance are found to be about one order of magnitude higher for thicker shell nanocrystals (≥13 CdS monolayers) compared to thinner shell structures (<9 CdS monolayers). The thickest-shell nanocrystals (16 monolayers of CdS) afforded an external quantum efficiency and luminance of 0.17% and 2000 Cd/m(2), respectively, with a remarkably low turn-on voltage of ~3.0 V.

Solution-deposited sodium beta-alumina gate dielectrics for low-voltage and transparent field-effect transistors.

Sodium beta-alumina (SBA) has high two-dimensional conductivity, owing to mobile sodium ions in lattice planes, between which are insulating AlO(x) layers. SBA can provide high capacitance perpendicular to the planes, while causing negligible leakage current owing to the lack of electron carriers and limited mobility of sodium ions through the aluminium oxide layers. Here, we describe sol-gel-beta-alumina films as transistor gate dielectrics with solution-deposited zinc-oxide-based semiconductors and indium tin oxide (ITO) gate electrodes. The transistors operate in air with a few volts input. The highest electron mobility, 28.0 cm2 V(-1) s(-1), was from zinc tin oxide (ZTO), with an on/off ratio of 2 x 10(4). ZTO over a lower-temperature, amorphous dielectric, had a mobility of 10 cm2 V(-1) s(-1). We also used silicon wafer and flexible polyimide-aluminium foil substrates for solution-processed n-type oxide and organic transistors. Using poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) poly(styrenesulphonate) conducting polymer electrodes, we prepared an all-solution-processed, low-voltage transparent oxide transistor on an ITO glass substrate.

Rainfall influences on ungulate population abundance in the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem.

1. Rainfall is the prime climatic factor underpinning the dynamics of African savanna ungulates, but no study has analysed its influence on the abundance of these ungulates at monthly to multiannual time scales. 2. We report relationships between rainfall and changes in age- and sex-structured abundances of seven ungulate species monitored monthly for 15 years using vehicle ground counts in the Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya. 3. Abundance showed strong and curvilinear relationships with current and cumulative rainfall, with older topi, Damaliscus korrigum (Ogilby); warthog, Phacochoerus aethiopicus (Pallas); waterbuck, Kobus ellipsyprimnus (Ogilby); and impala, Aepyceros melampus (Lichtenstein) responding to longer lags than younger animals, portraying carryover effects of prior habitat conditions. 4. The abundances of newborn calves were best correlated with monthly rainfall averaged over the preceding 5-6 months for topi, waterbuck, warthog, and 2 months for the migratory zebra Equus burchelli (Gray), but with seasonal rainfall averaged over 2-5 years for giraffe, Giraffa camelopardalis (L.); impala; and kongoni, Alcelaphus busephalus (Pallas). The cumulative late wet-season rainfall was the best predictor of abundance for quarter- to full-grown animals for most species. Monthly rainfall exerted both negative and positive effects on the abundances of zebra, impala and waterbuck. Ignoring age, both sexes responded similarly to rainfall. 5. Births were strongly seasonal only for warthog and topi, but peaked between August and December for most species. Hence abundance was strongly seasonal for young topi and warthog and the migratory zebra. Pronounced seasonality in births for warthog and topi obliterated otherwise strong relationships between abundance and rainfall when both month and rainfall were included in the same model. Aggregated density produced relationships with rainfall similar to those for fully grown animals, emphasizing the necessity of demographic monitoring to reliably reveal rainfall influences on ungulate abundance in the Mara. 6. Strong relationships between abundance and rainfall suggest that rainfall underpins the dynamics of African savanna ungulates, and that changes in rainfall due to global warming may markedly alter the abundance and diversity of these mammals. Ungulates respond to rainfall fluctuations through movements, reproduction or survival, and the responses appear independent of breeding phenology and synchrony, dietary guild, or degree of water dependence. Newborns and adults have contrasting responses to rainfall. Males and females respond similarly to rainfall when age is ignored.

Protective effect of Ocimum sanctum on 3-methylcholanthrene, 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene and aflatoxin B1 induced skin tumorigenesis in mice.

A study on the protective effect of alcoholic extract of the leaves of Ocimum sanctum on 3-methylcholanthrene (MCA), 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) induced skin tumorigenesis in a mouse model has been investigated. The study involved pretreatment of mice with the leaf extract prior to either MCA application or tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate (TPA) treatment in a two-stage tumor protocol viz a viz, DMBA/TPA and AFB1/TPA. The results of the present study indicate that the pretreatment with alcoholic extract of the leaves of O. sanctum decreased the number of tumors in MCA, DMBA/TPA and AFB1/TPA treated mice. The skin tumor induced animals pretreated with alcoholic extract led to a decrease in the expression of cutaneous gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and glutathione-S-transferase-P (GST-P) protein. The histopathological examination of skin tumors treated with leaf extract showed increased infiltration of polymorphonuclear, mononuclear and lymphocytic cells, decreased ornithine decarboxylase activity with concomitant enhancement of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in the serum, implying the in vivo antiproliferative and immunomodulatory activity of leaf extract. The decrease in cutaneous phase I enzymes and elevation of phase II enzymes in response to topical application of leaf extract prior to MCA, AFB1, DMBA/TPA and AFB1/TPA treatment indicate the possibility of impairment in reactive metabolite(s) formation and thereby reducing skin carcinogenicity. Furthermore, pretreatment of leaf extract in the carcinogen induced animals resulted in elevation of glutathione levels and decrease in lipid peroxidation along with heat shock protein expression, indicating a scavenging or antioxidant potential of the extract during chemical carcinogenesis. Thus it can be concluded that leaf extract of O. sanctum provides protection against chemical carcinogenesis in one or more of the following mechanisms: (i) by acting as an antioxidant; (ii) by modulating phase I and II enzymes; (iii) by exhibiting antiproliferative activity.

Cytogenetic effects of commercial formulations of deltamethrin and/or isoproturon on human peripheral lymphocytes and mouse bone marrow cells.

The cytogenetic effects of deltamethrin (DEL) and/or isoproturon (ISO) were examined in human lymphocytes and mouse bone marrow cells. Peripheral lymphocytes were exposed to DEL (2.5, 5, 10, or 20 microM), ISO (25, 50, 100, or 200 microM), or DEL + ISO (2.5 + 25, 5 + 50, 10 + 100, or 20 + 200 microM) and cytogenic effects were evaluated via chromosomal aberrations (CA) and the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay (CBMN). Mice were orally gavaged to single dose of DEL (6.6 mg/kg), ISO (670 mg/kg), or DEL+ISO (6.6 + 670 mg/kg) for 24 hr or to DEL (3.3 mg/kg/day), ISO (330 mg/kg/day), or DEL + ISO (3.3 + 330 mg/kg/day) for 30 days and analyzed for CA. DEL induced a significant frequency of CA at 10 microM whereas ISO (25-100 microM) alone, or in combination with DEL, did not show any significant effect. Micronucleus (MN) induction was observed to be concentration-dependent though significant frequencies were observed at 5 microM DEL, 100 microM ISO, or 5 + 50 microM DEL + ISO. In mice, DEL inhibited the mitotic index (MI) significantly (P < 0.001) at 24 hr while ISO alone, or in combination with DEL, did not cause any statistically significant effect. Following a 24 hr exposure, DEL and ISO alone induced significant (P < 0.01) frequencies of CA, whereas DEL + ISO in combination did not. Furthermore, 30 days exposure of ISO significantly inhibited the MI (P < 0.02 or < 0.01) and induced CA while DEL alone, or in combination with ISO, resulted in no significant effect on CA or the MI. The present findings indicate that the in vitro and in vivo exposure of a commercial formulation of DEL can cause genotoxic effects in mammals. However, the coexposure of DEL and ISO did not show additive effects, but instead demonstrated somewhat reduced genotoxicity.

Comparative behavioural effects of typical and atypical antipsychotic drugs in rhesus monkey.

Behavioural effects of typical and atypical antipsychotic agents were compared in unrestrained rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) living in social colonies. The behaviours were categorized as social, solitary and abnormal. They were studied with the help of video cameras fixed in the observation chamber. The behavioural effects were recorded on videotape and analyzed for significant changes. Chlorpromazine (2.5-10 mg/kg, i.m.), haloperidol (0.01-0.04 mg/kg, i.m.), risperidone (0.05-0.2 mg/kg, p.o.) and clozapine (5-20 mg/kg, p.o.) induced significant alterations in parameters of social and solitary behaviour. Chlorpromazine produced a marked decrease in locomotor activity whereas haloperidol showed marked extrapyramidal effects. Risperidone produced minimal extrapyramidal effects and sedation compared to haloperidol and chlorpromazine. Clozapine had intermediate extrapyramidal effects similar to those of chlorpromazine but it produced hypersalivation and dose-related sedation. Thus, risperidone had advantages over the other antipsychotics used in this study because it did not produce salivation, had minimal extrapyramidal effects and caused less sedation. These antipsychotic drugs produced many behavioural effects in the rhesus monkey that were similar to their clinically observed effects. A study of behavioural effects in the monkey can thus be a useful predictive tool in the preclinical development of new antipsychotics.