Dual Role of Cu-Chalcogenide as Hole-Transporting Layer and Interface Passivator for p–i–n Architecture Perovskite Solar Cell

Inorganic hole-transport layers (HTLs) are widely investigated in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) due to their superior stability compared to the organic HTLs. However, in p–i–n architecture when these inorganic HTLs are deposited before the perovskite, it forms a suboptimal interface quality for the crystallization of perovskite, which reduces device stability, causes recombination, and limits the power conversion efficiency of the device. The incorporation of an appropriate functional group such as sulfur-terminated surface on the HTL can enhance the interface quality due to its interaction with perovskite during the crystallization process. In this work, a bifunctional Al-doped CuS film is wet-deposited as HTL in p–i–n architecture PSC, which besides acting as an HTL also improves the crystallization of perovskite at the interface. Urbach energy and light intensity versus open-circuit voltage characterization suggest the formation of a better-quality interface in the sulfide HTL–perovskite heterojunction. The degradation behavior of the sulfide-HTL-based perovskite devices is studied, where it can be observed that after 2 weeks of storage in a controlled environment, the devices retain close to 95% of their initial efficiency.     

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy studies of surfactant adsorption to a hydrophobic interface

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy is used to investigate the kinetics of adsorption of the cationic surfactant cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) to hydrophobic surfaces from water. A hydrophobic surface, with stable and reproducible SERS activity, is produced by binding gold colloids to an amine-terminated glass slide and then modifying this surface with octadecyltrimethoxysilane. In situ SERS-detected adsorption of CPC from aqueous solution is found to follow a Frumkin isotherm. Interactions between the charged head groups could be detected in frequency shifts in the symmetric ring breathing mode, consistent with an interfacial surfactant environment similar to a CPC micelle. Rates of surfactant adsorption were determined by time-resolved SERS measurements and were found to be much slower than the diffusion-controlled limit, indicating a significant kinetic barrier to adsorption. Desorption kinetics were heterogeneous, consistent with the spectroscopic results. Alkylsilane-modified gold colloids were shown to be useful substrates for investigating amphiphile adsorption from aqueous solutions to hydrophobic surfaces, where the adsorption kinetics could also be used to determine analyte concentrations in solution.     

Enhanced Archimedes Optimization Algorithm for Clustered Wireless Sensor Networks

Wireless sensor networks (WSN) encompass a set of inexpensive and battery powered sensor nodes, commonly employed for data gathering and tracking applications. Optimal energy utilization of the nodes in WSN is essential to capture data effectively and transmit them to destination. The latest developments of energy efficient clustering techniques can be widely applied to accomplish energy efficiency in the network. In this aspect, this paper presents an enhanced Archimedes optimization based cluster head selection (EAOA-CHS) approach for WSN. The goal of the EAOA-CHS method is to optimally choose the CHs from the available nodes in WSN and then organize the nodes into a set of clusters. Besides, the EAOA is derived by the incorporation of the chaotic map and pseudo-random performance. Moreover, the EAOA-CHS technique determines a fitness function involving total energy consumption and lifetime of WSN. The design of EAOA for CH election in the WSN depicts the novelty of work. In order to exhibit the enhanced efficiency of EAOA-CHS technique, a set of simulations are applied on 3 distinct conditions dependent upon the place of base station (BS). The simulation results pointed out the better outcomes of the EAOA-CHS technique over the recent methods under all scenarios.     

C18-modified metal-colloid substrates for surface-enhanced Raman detection of trace-level polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in aqueous solution

Metal colloids immobilized on a glass support substrate are modified with a self-assembled alkylsilane (C18) layer to promote adsorption of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from aqueous solutions. Detection of these compounds from low concentration solutions is accomplished by using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). SERS spectra of pyrene adsorbed to C18-modified immobilized silver colloids are dominated by Raman bands that are not consistent with pyrene and indicate that pyrene undergoes a chemical reaction at the surface. The origins of this surface product are investigated, and it is determined that silver and oxygen are required to form the product, whose Raman spectrum is consistent with oxidation to a quinone. When a C18-modified gold-colloid substrate is used, Raman scattering consistent with unreacted pyrene is observed. The adsorption and detection of pyrene adsorbed from low (2 ppb) concentration aqueous solutions onto C18-modified gold-colloid substrates is reported; naphthalene and phenanthrene are detected at approximately 5 ppb. Adsorption kinetics are rapid (<5 min), and the concentration-dependent SERS response is consistent with a Langmuir isotherm.     

Cephalopod coloration model. II. Multiple layer skin effects

A mathematical model of multiple layer skin coloration in cephalopods, a class of aquatic animals, is presented. The model incorporates diffuse and specular reflection from both pigment and structural photonic components found in the skin of these animals. Specific physical processes of this coloration are identified and modeled utilizing available biological materials data. Several examples of combination spectra are calculated to illustrate multiple layer and incident light effects as well as the potentially rich repertoire of color schemes available to these animals. A detailed understanding of the physical principles underlying cephalopod coloration is expected to yield insights into their possible functions.     

Does the exposure to microgravity affect dendritic cell maturation from monocytes?

The exposure to microgravity conditions results in a significant impairment of the immune function. Many reports describe morphological and functional changes in T-lymphocytes, monocytes and neutrophil granulocytes cultured in microgravity, both real and modeled, but very few studies have been made on the effect of microgravity on dendritic cells (DCs) and DC differentiation. DCs are able to process antigens and are the most efficient cells in presenting them to T-lymphocytes, thus giving a crucial contribution to the rise of an effective immune response. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the maturation of DCs from monocytes of astronauts was altered postflight. Blood samples from a crew-member of the Eneide mission were collected before the flight, soon after the return to earth and one year after the mission. In order to generate DCs, monocytes were used as precursors. They were separated, cultured for 6 days in medium supplemented with granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin 4 (IL-4), then furtherly stimulated for 24 hours with a cocktail of cytokines. Differentiation was assessed by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence, assaying the expression of typical DC markers. Gene expression was analysed by RT-PCR. Morphological and functional characteristics were studied by autofluorescence microscopy. The findings showed that the maturation of DCs from monocytes collected from the astronaut immediately postflight was altered. In comparison with controls, significant differences were found in expression of DC markers, expression of genes involved in DC maturation, morphological and functional characteristics.     

Synthesis of glycerol-derived diallyl spiroorthocarbonates and the study of their antishrinking properties in acrylic dental resins

In this work was evaluated the efficiency of an antishrinkage additive in a dental resin. This additive was a mixture 1:1 of five and six-membered ring spiroorthocarbonates functionalized with allylic groups (SOC DA). The aim of this study was to reduce the shrinkage of a typical dental resin composed of a blend of the dimethacrylates, Glycerolate bisphenol A dimethacrylate (Bis-GMA)/2-[(3,5,5-trimethyl-6-[2-(2-methyl prop-2-enoyloxy) ethoxycarbonylamino] hexyl) carbamoyloxy] ethyl, 2-methyl prop-2-enoate, (UDMA)/triethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) in a 50:30.20 molar ratio, and silicon dioxide as filler. SOC DA was added at 5, 10 and 20 mol% to the already mentioned formulation. It was found that the addition of 20 mol% of SOC DA decreased 53 % the shrinkage of the cured composite material, in comparison with a formulation where it was not added the antishrinkage additive. Besides, the kinetics of photopolymerization determined by Real-Time infrared spectroscopy, demonstrated that the addition of increasing concentration of SOC DA improved the conversion of double bonds of dimethacrylates. Additionally, the presence of SOC DA at 10 % mol, helped to increase the flexural strength and the compressive strength of the composite, as a consequence of the augment of the crosslink density, induced by the ring opening polymerization of SOC DA.     

Action and object processing in brain-injured speakers of Chinese.

Objective: To see whether action and object processing across different tasks and modalities differs in brain-injured speakers of Chinese with varying fluency and lesion locations within the left hemisphere. Method: Words and pictures representing actions and objects were presented to a group of 33 participants whose native and/or dominant language was Mandarin Chinese: 23 patients with left-hemisphere lesions due to stroke and 10 language-, age- and education-matched healthy control participants. A set of 120 stimulus items was presented to each participant in three different forms: as black and white line drawings (for picture-naming), as written words (for reading) and as aurally presented words (for word repetition). Patients were divided into groups for two separate analyses: Analysis 1 divided and compared patients based on fluency (Fluent vs. Nonfluent) and Analysis 2 compared patients based on lesion location (Anterior vs. Posterior). Results: Both analyses yielded similar results: Fluent, Nonfluent, Anterior, and Posterior patients all produced significantly more errors when processing action (M = 0.73, SD = 0.45) relative to object (M = 0.79, SD = 0.41) stimuli, and this effect was strongest in the picture-naming task. Conclusions: As in our previous study with English-speaking participants using the same experimental design (Arévalo et al., 2007, Arévalo, Moineau, Saygin, Ludy, & Bates, 2005), we did not find evidence for a double-dissociation in action and object processing between groups with different lesion and fluency profiles. These combined data bring us closer to a more informed view of action/object processing in the brain in both healthy and brain-injured individuals. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Extracellular amino acid levels in the interpositus nucleus during classical eyeblink conditioning in alert cats.

The extracellular levels of selected amino acids in the cerebellar posterior interpositus nucleus (PIN) during classical eyeblink conditioning was analyzed in alert cats using a delay paradigm. Animals were prepared for the chronic recording of eyelid movements (with the magnetic search-coil technique) and the electromyographic activity of the orbicularis oculi muscle. With the help of a guide and push-pull cannulae, selected PIN sites were perfused daily during classical eyeblink conditioning. The perfusate was sampled at intervals of 5 min and analyzed with a high-pressure liquid chromatography- electrochemical detection (HPLC-EC) method. The analysis of push-pull perfusate revealed a significant increase in the release of glycine, taurine, and glutamate across the successive conditioning sessions, in parallel with the acquisition of eyelid conditioned responses (CRs). Both CRs and extracellular levels of these three amino acids returned to control values during extinction. Other amino acids (alanine, GABA, glutamine, serine, and threonine) did not undergo modifications in their extracellular concentrations across the training. Results are discussed with regard to the role of PIN in this type of associative learning. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Social exchanges and subjective well-being among older Chinese: Does age make a difference?

The authors examined the effects of social support and negative interactions on life satisfaction and depressed affect among older Chinese, and age differences in these associations. The sample consisted of 2,943 Chinese elders who were 60-94 years of age. Structural equation modeling results suggest that both social support and negative interactions have significant contributions to life satisfaction and depressed affect. Social support has stronger effects than negative interactions on life satisfaction; their effects on depressed affect are comparable. Further, depressed affect of old-old (70+ years) Chinese reacts more strongly to both social support and negative interactions than the young-old (60-69 years). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)