Time‐resolved investigation of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 growth and Ga gradient formation during fast selenisation of metallic precursors

Ga segregation at the backside of Cu(In,Ga)Se₂ solar cell absorbers is a commonly observed phenomenon for a large variety of sequential fabrication processes. Here, we investigate the correlation between Se incorporation, phase formation and Ga segregation during fast selenisation of Cu–In–Ga precursor films in elemental selenium vapour. Se incorporation and phase formation are analysed by real‐time synchrotron‐based X‐ray diffraction and fluorescence analysis. Correlations between phase formation and depth distributions are gained by interrupting the process at several points and by subsequent ex situ cross‐sectional electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The presented results reveal that the main share of Se incorporation takes place within a few seconds during formation of In–Se at the top part of the film, accompanied by outdiffusion of In out of a ternary Cu–In–Ga phase. Surprisingly, CuInSe₂ starts to form at the surface on top of the In–Se layer, leading to an intermediate double graded Cu depth distribution. The remaining Ga‐rich metal phase at the back is finally selenised by indiffusion of Se. On the basis of a proposed growth model, we discuss possible strategies and limitations for the avoidance of Ga segregation during fast selenisation of metallic precursors. Solar cells made from samples selenised with a total annealing time of 6.5 min reached conversion efficiencies of up to 14.2 % (total area, without anti‐reflective coating). The evolution of the Cu(In,Ga)Se₂ diffraction signals reveals that the minimum process time for high‐quality Cu(In,Ga)Se₂ absorbers is limited by cation ordering rather than Se incorporation. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Vitamin E acetate addition to poly(d,l)lactic acid modifies its mechanical behavior without affecting biocompatibility

Mechanical properties of poly(d,l )lactic acid films enriched with Vitamin E and Vitamin E Acetate (5–40% w/w) were investigated. The addition of both formulations resulted in increased polymer Young's modulus and tensile strength. Human foreskin fibroblasts and murine pre‐osteoblasts were used to assess the biocompatibility of polymers. Pre‐osteoblasts adhesion and proliferation were strongly decreased by Vitamin E, whereas Vitamin E Acetate did not alter cell proliferation. Collagen deposition was lower onto Vitamin E blended polymers than onto native and Vitamin E Acetate blended ones. Fibroblasts adhesion and proliferation were increased by both Vitamin E and Vitamin E Acetate addition. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2014 , 131, 39970.     

The Effect of Age and Intrinsic Aerobic Exercise Capacity on the Expression of Inflammation and Remodeling Markers in Rat Achilles Tendons

Old age, adiposity, and metabolic disorders are known as risk factors for chronic tendinopathy, which is a common problem in both athletes and the general population. However, the importance of these influencing factors has not yet been well understood. This study investigated alterations in gene expression and histology of Achilles tendons of young (10 weeks) and old (100 weeks) rats bred for low (low capacity runners, LCR) and high (high capacity runners, HCR) intrinsic aerobic exercise capacity. In this rat model, LCR displayed a phenotype of reduced exercise capacity, higher body weight, and metabolic dysfunctions compared to HCR. We hypothesized that the risk factors for tendinopathy in old LCR could lead to more pronounced impairments in Achilles tendon tissue. In quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), age-related downregulation of tenocyte markers e.g., tenomodulin, genes related to matrix modeling and remodeling (e.g., collagens, elastin, biglycan, fibronectin, tenascin C) as well as transforming growth factor beta 3 (Tgfb3) have been detected. Inflammation marker cyclooxygenase 2 (Cox2) was downregulated in old rats, while microsomal prostaglandin E synthase 2 (Ptges2) was upregulated in old HCR and old LCR. In all groups, interleukin 6 (Il6), interleukin 1 beta (Il1b), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (Tnfa) showed no significant alteration. In histological evaluation, tendons of old rats had fewer and more elongated tenocyte nuclei than young rats. Even though a higher content of glycosaminoglycans, a sign of degeneration, was found in old HCR and LCR, no further signs of tendinopathy were detectable in tendons of old rats by histological evaluation. Low intrinsic aerobic exercise capacity and the associated phenotype did not show significant effects on gene expression and tendon histology. These findings indicate that aging seems to play a prominent role in molecular and structural alterations of Achilles tendon tissue and suggests that other risk factors associated with intrinsic aerobic exercise capacity are less influential in this rat model.     

Fetal Undernutrition Modifies Vascular RAS Balance Enhancing Oxidative Damage and Contributing to Remodeling

Fetal stress is known to increase susceptibility to cardiometabolic diseases and hypertension in adult age in a process known as fetal programming. This study investigated the relationship between vascular RAS, oxidative damage and remodeling in fetal programming. Six-month old Sprague-Dawley offspring from mothers that were fed ad libitum (CONTROL) or with 50% intake during the second half of gestation (maternal undernutrition, MUN) were used. qPCR or immunohistochemistry were used to obtain the expression of receptors and enzymes. Plasma levels of carbonyls were measured by spectrophotometry. In mesenteric arteries from MUN rats we detected an upregulation of ACE, ACE2, AT₁ receptors and NADPH oxidase, and lower expression of AT₂, Mas and MrgD receptors compared to CONTROL. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure and plasma levels of carbonyls were higher in MUN than in CONTROL. Vascular morphology evidenced an increased media/lumen ratio and adventitia/lumen ratio, and more connective tissue in MUN compared to CONTROL. In conclusion, fetal undernutrition indices RAS alterations and oxidative damage which may contribute to the remodeling of mesenteric arteries, and increase the risk of adverse cardiovascular events and hypertension.     

Osteonecrosis of the Jaws in Patients with Hereditary Thrombophilia/Hypofibrinolysis—From Pathophysiology to Therapeutic Implications

Osteonecrosis of the jaws (ONJ) usually has a clear etiology. Local infection or trauma, radiotherapy and drugs that disrupt the vascular supply or bone turnover in the jaws are its major contributors. The thrombotic occlusion of the bone’s venous outflow that occurs in individuals with hereditary thrombophilia and/or hypofibrinolysis has a less known impact on jaw health and healing capability. Our research provides the most comprehensive, up-to-date and systematized information on the prevalence and significance of hereditary thrombophilia and/or hypofibrinolysis states in ONJ. We found that hereditary prothrombotic abnormalities are common in patients with ONJ refractory to conventional medical and dental treatments. Thrombophilia traits usually coexist with hypofibrinolysis traits. We also found that frequently acquired prothrombotic abnormalities coexist with hereditary ones and enhance their negative effect on the bone. Therefore, we recommend a personalized therapeutic approach that addresses, in particular, the modifiable risk factors of ONJ. Patients will have clear benefits, as they will be relieved of persistent pain and repeated dental procedures.     

Drug-Free Nasal Spray as a Barrier against SARS-CoV-2 and Its Delta Variant: In Vitro Study of Safety and Efficacy in Human Nasal Airway Epithelia

The nasal epithelium is a key portal for infection by respiratory viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 and represents an important target for prophylactic and therapeutic interventions. In the present study, we test the safety and efficacy of a newly developed nasal spray (AM-301, marketed as Bentrio) against infection by SARS-CoV-2 and its Delta variant on an in vitro 3D-model of the primary human nasal airway epithelium. Safety was assessed in assays for tight junction integrity, cytotoxicity and cilia beating frequency. Efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 infection was evaluated in pre-viral load and post-viral load application on airway epithelium. No toxic effects of AM-301 on the nasal epithelium were found. Prophylactic treatment with AM-301 significantly reduced viral titer vs. controls over 4 days, reaching a maximum reduction of 99% in case of infection from the wild-type SARS-CoV-2 variant and more than 83% in case of the Delta variant. When AM-301 administration was started 24 h after infection, viral titer was reduced by about 12-folds and 3-folds on Day 4. The results suggest that AM-301 is safe and significantly decelerates SARS-CoV-2 replication in cell culture inhibition assays of prophylaxis (pre-viral load application) and mitigation (post-viral load application). Its physical (non-pharmaceutical) mechanism of action, safety and efficacy warrant additional investigations both in vitro and in vivo for safety and efficacy against a broad spectrum of airborne viruses and allergens.     

Use of β-hydroxyacyl-CoA-dehydrogenase (HADH) activity to differentiate frozen from unfrozen fish and shellfish

 Further work on an enzymic method to differentiate frozen from unfrozen fish and shellfish is reported. The method is based on the release of the β-hydroxyacyl-CoA-dehydrogenase (HADH) from mitochondria during freezing. Enzymic activity was evaluated in fresh and frozen thawed samples from sole (Solea solea), sea bream (Pagellus centrodontus), hake (Merluccius merluccius), gilt headed bream (Sparus aurata), sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax), salmon (Salmo salar), prawn (Penaeus japonicus) and Norwegian lobster (Nephrops norvegicus). Changes in the HADH activity of fresh and frozen thawed samples were compared after freezing at –196  °C for 15 min. Two values were obtained: U (by dividing: HADH activity of samples frozen at –196  °C, then thawed/HADH activity of unfrozen samples) and F (by dividing: HADH activity of samples frozen at –18  °C, thawed, then frozen at –196  °C /HADH activity of samples frozen at –18  °C, then thawed). Statistical analysis showed significant differences (P≤0.05) between both quotients for gilt headed bream, salmon, sea bream, sole and prawn, and an arbitrary limit was set at 2 to differentiate frozen thawed from unfrozen samples. The application of this limit made it possible to discriminate the unfrozen from the frozen thawed state of around 90% of the total samples analysed. Best results were obtained for prawn (100% of samples differentiated). In the present paper, a laboratory routine is proposed based on the comparison of the HADH activity of a sample analysed straight away and that of a sample frozen at –196  °C and then thawed. The reported method is simple and fast. The entire laboratory procedure can be performed in 45 min. Received: 20 July 1998 / Revised version: 2 November 1998     

Influence of edible coating on quality of plum (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Prunus salicina</Emphasis> Lindl. cv. ‘Sapphire’)

Edible coating may enhance the boundary layer resistance resulting in enhanced shelf life of fruits. Plums (Prunus salicina Lindl. cv. ‘Sapphire’) were treated with coating material based on carbohydrate (Versasheen) with sorbitol as plasticizer and stored at 20 °C and 85% RH. The influence of coating on the gas transmission rates was estimated using a carrier of 100% cellulose paper. Coating treatment reduced the transmission rate of CO₂, O₂, and H₂O. Changes in fruit weight, fruit flesh firmness, color parameters (L*, a*, and hue angle), soluble solids content, pH, titratable acidity, ethylene, CO₂, malondialdehyde (MDA), and VIS/NIR fruit reflectance spectrum were recorded in 2-day interval. Edible coating was effective in delaying the increase of pH and the loss of firmness, titratable acidity, L*, hue angle, and MDA. The incorporation of sorbitol showed beneficial effects on decreasing the weight loss, CO₂, and ethylene exchange. In the room temperature storage period, not only fruit ripening was measurable in the VIS (350–750 nm) and NIR (750–1,400 nm) wavelength ranges due to the decrease in the fruit chlorophyll absorption but also water loss, respectively. After 5-day room temperature storage the chlorophyll absorption peak in the spectra was already beyond the detection limit in all treatments, while after 3-day storage, the coating effect on the spectral intensities was feasible to separate control from coated plums.     

The Production, Benefits, and Applications of Monoacylglycerols and Diacylglycerols of Nutritional Interest

In light of the increasing interest in the development of functional food, several researches have focused on the production of food grade emulsifiers of nutritional interest, especially enriched in the eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acids (DHA). The aim of this paper is to make a review of the production of monoacylglycerols (MAG) and diacylglycerols (DAG) obtained from different feedstock, mainly fish oil. A section of this paper is dedicated to the raw materials used as feedstock for these emulsifiers production. The health benefits of these partial acylglycerols are outlined. The chemical and enzymatic methods for producing these esters of glycerol are discussed, focusing on glycerolysis reactions. Recent advances on the lipase-catalyzed production of these partial acylglycerols in alternative reaction media and systems are also reviewed.