Solution processable,precursor based zinc oxide buffer layers for 4.5% efficient organic tandem solar cells

In this work we present regular and inverted organic tandem solar cells from poly[N-9′-hepta-decanyl-2,7-carbazole-alt-5,5-(4′,7′-di-2-thienyl-2′,1′,3′-benzothiadiazole): [6,6]-phenyl C₇₀-butyric acid methyl ester (PCDTBT:PC₇₁BM) with power conversion efficiencies of up to 4.5%. The recombination zone comprises an electron conducting, precursor based zinc oxide buffer layer that was applied from solution under ambient conditions and at moderate processing temperatures. Optimized active layer thicknesses in both subcells were derived from optical Transfer Matrix simulations. The short circuit current density of the tandem cell exceeds half the short circuit current density of the single absorber cells indicating a real gain in quantum yield when utilizing the tandem architecture.     

A Bayesian framework for automated cardiovascular risk scoring on standard lumbar radiographs

We present a fully automated framework for scoring a patient's risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality from a standard lateral radiograph of the lumbar aorta. The framework segments abdominal aortic calcifications for computing a CVD risk score and performs a survival analysis to validate the score. Since the aorta is invisible on X-ray images, its position is reasoned from 1) the shape and location of the lumbar vertebrae and 2) the location, shape, and orientation of potential calcifications. The proposed framework follows the principle of Bayesian inference, which has several advantages in the complex task of segmenting aortic calcifications. Bayesian modeling allows us to compute CVD risk scores conditioned on the seen calcifications by formulating distributions, dependencies, and constraints on the unknown parameters. We evaluate the framework on two datasets consisting of 351 and 462 standard lumbar radiographs, respectively. Promising results indicate that the framework has potential applications in diagnosis, treatment planning, and the study of drug effects related to CVD.     

P-type doping utilizing nitrogen and Mn doping of ZnO using MOCVD for ultraviolet lasers and spintronic applications

ZnO has distinct advantages over competing technologies such as GaN. Two advantages are the inherent improvement in ultraviolet (UV) brightness, necessary for the biological sensor application where the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is enhanced by a bright UV source, and the second is the availability of ZnO lattice-matched substrates, which will result in lower defect densities than GaN, higher manufacturing yield, and then lower cost. The ZnO material system’s advantage in exciton binding energy of 60 MeV, a three-time improvement over GaN, will result in UV emitters with superior performance.¹ An erratum to this article is available at .     

Preference for consistency: The development of a valid measure and the discovery of surprising behavioral implications.

A measure of preference for consistency (the PFC Scale) was developed. In three construct validation experiments, scores on the PFC successfully predicted individuals who would and would not be susceptible to a set of standard consistency-based effects: cognitive balance, foot in the door, and dissonance. The pattern of results in each of the experiments suggested the type of consistency that the PFC measures: a tendency to base one's responses to incoming stimuli on the implications of existing (prior entry) variables, such as previous expectancies, commitments, and choices. A surprisingly large percentage (at least half) of our participants showed no strong inherent preference for consistency—a finding that may explain the frequent failure to detect or replicate (a) traditional consistency effects and (b) a wide variety of other experimental phenomena. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The rabbit properdin system: I. Identification of a new factor and purification of rabbit properdin

Pure preparations of rabbit properdin were obtained from rabbit serum by ion-exchange chromatography. These preparations functioned as properdin when they were measured with the zymosan assay or with a serum reagent selectively depleted of properdin by a specific immunoabsorbent. Properdin in these preparations was in its activated state. A new serum factor was required to measure properdin activity when purified preparations of rabbit properdin were tested with the zymosan assay. This factor was designated as ZBP, or zymosan-binding protein. ZBP appeared to be distinct from known components of the alternative complement pathway and the classical complement system, and it did not appear to be an immunoglobulin.     

Risk behavior for HIV transmission among gay men surveyed in Seattle bars

Men attending four Seattle gay bars were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire including measures of sexual behavior, perceptions of peer norms in the area of sexual safety, personal human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) risk estimate, and knowledge and use of a variety of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) prevention services. Twenty-nine percent of the sample reported engaging in unprotected anal intercourse at least once during the 2 months before the survey. Differences in peer norm perceptions, age, HIV risk estimate, and intent to be sexually safe in the future were found between those engaging in unprotected anal intercourse and those not reporting unprotected anal intercourse. No significant differences were found in level of education, use of AIDS prevention services, and whether or not a person had been tested for HIV. Implications for prevention programs are discussed.