A qualitative Design and optimization of CIGS-based Solar Cells with Sn2S3 Back Surface Field: A plan for achieving 21.83 % efficiency.

Conventional Copper Indium Gallium Di Selenide (CIGS)-based solar cells are more efficient than second-generation technology based on hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si: H) or cadmium telluride (CdTe). So, herein the photovoltaic (PV) performance of CIGS-based solar cells has been investigated numerically using SCAPS-1D solar simulator with different buffer layer and less expensive tin sulfide (Sn2S3) back-surface field (BSF). At first, three buffer layer such as cadmium sulfide (CdS), zinc selenide (ZnSe) and indium-doped zinc sulfide ZnS:In have been simulated with CIGS absorber without BSF due to optimized and non-toxic buffer. Then the optimized structure of Al/FTO/ZnS:In/CIGS/Ni is modified to become Al/FTO/ZnS:In/CIGS/Sn2S3/Ni by adding a Sn2S3 BSF to enhanced efficiency. The detailed analysis have been investigated is the influence of physical properties of each absorber and buffer on photovoltaic parameters including layer thickness, carrier doping concentration, bulk defect density, interface defect density. This study emphasizes investigating the reasons for the actual devices' poor performance and illustrates how each device's might vary open-circuit voltage (VOC), short-circuit current density (JSC), fill factor (FF), power conversion efficiency (PCE), and quantum efficiency (QE). The optimized structure offers outstanding power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 21.83 % with only 0.80 µm thick CIGS absorber. The proposed CIGS-based solar cell performs better than the previously reported conventional designs while also reducing CIGS thickness and cost.

Assessment of drug utilization pattern of antimicrobial agents in hospitalized patients with Infectious Diseases: A cross-sectional study in the United Arab Emirates.

Efficacious use of antimicrobial agents (AMAs) is paramount to combat a wide range of infections, ensure patient safety, and reduce antimicrobial resistance. To assess the drug utilization patterns of AMAs in hospitalized patients with infectious diseases in a secondary care hospital. A prospective observational study was conducted for 6 months in the internal medicine department. Data were collected, antimicrobial prescription patterns were screened, and drug utilization was assessed using the anatomical therapeutic chemical/defined daily dose methodology. Furthermore, predictors of the prescription of multiple AMAs were also analyzed. A total of 146 patient case records were reviewed and 285 AMAs were prescribed during the study period with a mean patient age of 54.2 ± 24.4 years. The average number of antimicrobials administered per patient was 1.94 ± 0.94. Respiratory tract infection and urinary tract infection were the common indications, and penicillins were the most prescribed class of AMAs. Multivariate analysis showed that the presence of comorbidities (P < 0.05) and longer hospital stays (P < 0.0001) increased the likelihood of prescribing multiple AMAs. The study provides insight into the pattern of prescribing of AMAs which help to improve the quality of care. Prescribing AMAs by generics and from the hospital formulary list according to the recommendations of the World Health Organization is a good sign of clinical practice. The study signifies the need to continuously monitor AMAs to optimize drug therapy and enhance the quality of drug use in clinical practice.

Inorganic novel cubic halide perovskite Sr3AsI3: Strain-activated electronic and optical properties.

In recent years, inorganic perovskite materials have attracted a lot of attention in the field of solar technology due to their exceptional structural, optical, and electronic properties. This study thoroughly investigated, using first-principles density-functional theory (FP-DFT), the impact of compressive and tensile strain on the structural, optical, and electrical properties of the inorganic cubic perovskite Sr3AsI3. The unstrained planar Sr3AsI3 molecule exhibits a direct bandgap of 1.265 eV value at Γ point. The bandgap of the Sr3AsI3 perovskite is lowered to 1.212 eV when the relativistic spin-orbital coupling (SOC) effect is subjected in the observations. In addition, the structure's bandgap exhibits a falling prevalence due to compressive strain and a slight rise due to tensile strain. The optical indicators such as dielectric functions, absorption coefficient, reflectivity, and electron loss function show that this component has a great ability to absorb in the visible range in accordance with band characteristics. When compressive strain is raised, it is discovered that the spikes of the dielectric constant of Sr3AsI3 move to lower photon energy (redshift), and conversely, while growing tensile strain, it exhibits increased photon energy changing behavior (blueshift). As a result, the Sr3AsI3 perovskite is regarded as being ideal for use in solar cells for the production of electricity and light management.

Concurrent investigation of antimony chalcogenide (Sb2Se3 and Sb2S3)-based solar cells with a potential WS2 electron transport layer.

Antimony (Sb) chalcogenides such as antimony selenide (Sb2Se3) and antimony sulfide (Sb2S3) have distinct properties to be used as absorber semiconductors for harnessing solar energy including high absorption coefficient, tunable bandgap, low toxicity, phase stability. The potentiality of Sb2Se3 and Sb2S3 as absorber material in Al/FTO/Sb2Se3(or Sb2S3)/Au heterojunction solar cells (HJSCs) with 2D tungsten disulfide (WS2) electron transport layer (ETL) layer has been investigated numerically using SCAPS-1D solar simulator. A systematic investigation of the impact of physical properties of each active material of Sb2Se3, Sb2S3, and WS2 on photovoltaic parameters including layer thickness, carrier doping concentration, bulk defect density, interface defect density, carrier generation, and recombination. This study emphasizes the exploration of causes of low performance of actual devices and demonstrates the individual variation in the open-circuit voltage (VOC), short-circuit current density (JSC), fill factor (FF), power conversion efficiency (PCE) and quantum efficiency (QE). Thereby, highly potential heterostructures of Al/FTO/WS2/absorber (Sb2Se3 or Sb2S3)/Au proposed, in which, the PCE over 28.20 and 26.60% obtained with V OC of 850 and 1230 mV, J sc of 38.0 and 24.0 mA/cm2, and FF of 86.0 and 89.0% for Sb2Se3 and Sb2S3 absorber, respectively. These detailed findings revealed that the Sb-chalcogenide heterostructure with potential WS2 ETL can be used to realize the fabrication of feasible thin film solar cells and thus the design of high-efficiency high-current (HEHC) and high-efficiency high-voltage (HEHV) solar panels.

Using drug chemical structures in the education of pharmacology and clinical therapeutics key concepts

Abstract Medicinal chemistry made it possible for pharmacists to propose pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics explanations of many existing drugs. Moreover, medicinal chemistry education provides pharmacy students with a reasonable understanding of drug physicochemical properties, mechanism of action (MOA), side effects, metabolism and structure-activity relationship (SAR). This paper highlights the importance of these medicinal chemistry key elements in understanding other pharmacy core courses, mainly pharmacology and clinical therapeutics. Such elements can be utilized as a tool for pharmacists while training or counseling their patients on the use of their treatments. Different new examples from the literature have been incorporated in this paper to show how chemical structures of existing drugs can provide essential information about main concepts in the education of pharmacology and clinical therapeutics, and the key structural elements for the discovery and development of other same class drugs.

Role of a Solution-Processed V2O5 Hole Extracting Layer on the Performance of CuO-ZnO-Based Solar Cells.

In this research, a heterostructure of the CuO-ZnO-based solar cells has been fabricated using low-cost, earth-abundant, non-toxic metal oxides by a low-cost, low-temperature spin coating technique. The device based on CuO-ZnO without a hole transport layer (HTL) suffers from poor power conversion efficiency due to carrier recombination on the surface of CuO and bad ohmic contact between the metal electrode and the CuO absorber layer. The main focus of this research is to minimize the mentioned shortcomings by a novel idea of introducing a solution-processed vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) HTL in the heterostructure of the CuO-ZnO-based solar cells. A simple and low-cost spin coating technique has been investigated to deposit V2O5 onto the absorber layer of the solar cell. The influence of the V2O5 HTL on the performance of CuO-ZnO-based solar cells has been investigated. The photovoltaic parameters of the CuO-ZnO-based solar cells were dramatically enhanced after insertion of the V2O5 HTL. V2O5 was found to enhance the open-circuit voltage of the CuO-ZnO-based solar cells up to 231 mV. A detailed study on the effect of defect properties of the CuO absorber layer on the device performance was theoretically accomplished to provide future guidelines for the performance enhancement of the CuO-ZnO-based solar cells. The experimental results indicate that solution-processed V2O5 could be a promising HTL for the low-cost, environment-friendly CuO-ZnO-based solar cells.

Solution-Processed Synthesis of Copper Oxide (Cu x O) Thin Films for Efficient Photocatalytic Solar Water Splitting.

This article reports a solution-processed synthesis of copper oxide (Cu x O) to be used as a potential photocathode for solar hydrogen production in the solar water-splitting system. Cu x O thin films were synthesized through the reduction of copper iodide (CuI) thin films by sodium hydroxide (NaOH), which were deposited by the spin coating method from CuI solution in a polar aprotic solvent (acetonitrile). The phase and crystalline quality of the synthesized Cu x O thin films prepared at various annealing temperatures were investigated using various techniques. The X-ray diffraction and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy studies confirm the presence of Cu2O, CuO/Cu2O mixed phase, and pure CuO phase at annealing temperatures of 250, 300, and 350 °C, respectively. It is revealed from the experimental findings that the synthesized Cu x O thin films with an annealing temperature of 350 °C possess the highest crystallinity, smooth surface morphology, and higher carrier density. The highest photocurrent density of -19.12 mA/cm2 at -1 V versus RHE was achieved in the photoelectrochemical solar hydrogen production system with the use of the Cu x O photocathode annealed at a temperature of 350 °C. Therefore, it can be concluded that Cu x O synthesized by the spin coating method through the acetonitrile solvent route can be used as an efficient photocathode in the solar water-splitting system.

Caffeine Treatment for Apnea of Prematurity and the Influence on Dose-Dependent Postnatal Weight Gain Observed Over 15 Years.

Background and Aim: To analyze the influence on weight gain of infants exposed to two dosage regimens of oral caffeine citrate (CC) for apnea of prematurity. Methods: Retrospective descriptive observational study of an eligible very low birth weight cohort over a 15-year period in an Irish University hospital. Data were analyzed between two distinct postnatal ages: 14-28 and 29-56 days. Results: During the 15-year study, 457 infants were prescribed caffeine. Among the 14-28-day group, after applying exclusion criteria, 418 infants qualified. Two hundred forty-eight infants received 5 mg/(kg·day) and 170 received 10 mg/(kg·day) of CC. Among the 29-56-day group, 362 infants were identified and after applying exclusions, 332 fulfilled entry criteria [214 on 5 mg/(kg·day) and 118 on 10 mg/(kg·day) regimen]. Baseline characteristics of infants were comparable between groups without statistically significant differences. Mean daily weight gain (MDWG) in grams from day 14 to 28 showed a higher rate of increase for the 5 mg/(kg·day) group compared with the 10 mg/(kg·day) group (17.2 ± 12 g vs. 13.0 ± 10.2 g [p = 0.04]). From day 29 to 56, also MDWG was higher among infants on 5 mg/(kg·day) of CC compared with 10 mg/(kg·day) group (15.6 ± 10.8 g vs. 10.2 ± 9.8 g [p = 0.011]). Conclusion: While a variety of measures are optimized to promote postnatal weight gain of premature infants close to an ideal intrauterine growth curve, not paying sufficient attention to one of the most widely used catabolic agents in neonatology is questionable and warrants vigilance. Additional nutritional measures could be offered to those with prolonged caffeine exposure.

Effectiveness and safety of nasal mask versus binasal prongs for providing continuous positive airway pressure in preterm infants-A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) delivered via binasal prongs has been the cornerstone of respiratory management in preterm infants. Though effective, the use of binasal prongs is associated with nasal trauma, and CPAP failure. To overcome these issues, nasal masks are increasingly used to deliver CPAP in preterm infants. The aim was to conduct a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing nasal mask versus binasal prongs to deliver CPAP in preterm infants. Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cumulative Index of Nursing, and Allied Health Literature, and E-abstracts from the Pediatric Academic Society meetings were searched in May 2017. All RCTs comparing nasal mask versus binasal prongs for delivering CPAP in preterm infants were included. Primary outcome was CPAP failure (need for mechanical ventilation within 72 h of initiating CPAP). Secondary outcomes included duration of CPAP, moderate to severe nasal trauma, any nasal trauma, pneumothorax, severe IVH, bronchopulmonary dysplasia at 36 weeks postmenstrual age, and mortality. Five RCTs with low risk of bias were included. Nasal mask significantly decreased the risk of CPAP failure (4 RCTs [N = 459]; relative risk [RR]: 0.63; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.45-0.88; P=.007; I2 = 0%, NNT: 9), and the incidence of moderate to severe nasal trauma (3 RCTs [N = 275], RR: 0.41; 95%CI, 0.24-0.72; P = 0.002; I2 = 74%, NNT: 6). Other outcomes did not differ significantly between the groups. Compared to binasal prongs, nasal mask may provide a safe and effective alternative by minimizing the risk of CPAP failure in preterm infants needing CPAP support.

Early predictors of brain damage in full-term newborns with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy.

OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the value of serum creatine phosphokinase-brain specific (CK-BB) and urinary lactate/creatinine (L/C) ratio as early indicators of brain damage in full-term newborns with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A case-control study including 25 full-term new-born infants with perinatal asphyxia who were admitted to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) with a proven diagnosis of HIE, compared to 20 healthy age- and sex-matched full-term newborns. All newborn infants were subjected to full history taking, clinical examination, routine investigations (cord blood gases and complete blood picture), and assessment of serum CK-BB (cord blood, 6 and 24 hours after birth) and urinary L/C ratio (collected within the first 6 hours, on the 2nd and 3rd day after birth). RESULTS: The serum CK-BB and urinary L/C ratio in infants with HIE were significantly higher in samples collected throughout the monitoring period when compared with the control group (all P<0.001). The cord CK-BB and urinary L/C ratio within the first 6 hours were significantly higher in infants with severe HIE than in infants with mild and moderate HIE (P<0.001). Cord CK-BB level at 12.5 U/L had 100% sensitivity and 84% specificity in the detection of severe HIE infants. Urinary L/C ratio of more than 10.5 collected within the first 6 hours after birth had 100% sensitivity and 78% specificity for the detection of severe HIE infants. CONCLUSION: The serum CK-BB and urinary L/C ratio in HIE infants were significantly increased early in the course of the disease, which can be used as useful indicators for predicting the development of HIE.

Investigation on light-addressable potentiometric sensor as a possible cell-semiconductor hybrid.

This article reports an investigation on light-addressable potentiometric sensor (LAPS) to be used as a possible biological cell-semiconductor hybrid that will enable us to make an interface between the physical and biological system. To increase the surface potential sensitivity, we used a LAPS structure with single insulator (SiO2) coated with poly-L-ornithine and laminin (PLOL) on Si. Efficient culturing of PC-12 and nerve cells of Lymnaea stagnalis on PLOL-coated Si3N4 and SiO2 was achieved. The thickness of the PLOL layer was found to be about 4 nm by the atomic force microscope (AFM) measurement. Using the advantage of this thin layer of PLOL, we compared the performance of a novel structure to the previously reported "PLOL-coated Si3N4/SiO2/Si" structure. Due to high insulating capacitance, the photocurrent response of the novel LAPS was found to be very steep. As a result, higher sensitivity was achieved. This steepness did not degrade during 10 days when the sensor surface was kept in contact with the cell culture medium and environment. The thickness of PLOL layer, its ability to improve the biological cell adhesion, enhanced sensitivity, and experiment with simulated neural action potential (AP) applied to the novel LAPS show a good promise for LAPS to be a biological cell-semiconductor hybrid.