Electrical, photoelectrical, and photoelectrochemical properties of electrodeposited CdTe films subjected to high-energy irradiation

The general goal of this work is to study the structure and photoelectrical properties of the electrochemically deposited thin CdTe films. The conducted investigation has shown that (i) as-deposited films have the single-phase structure with a grain size of 1-10 μm and are of the n-type conductivity; (ii) photosensitivity abruptly decreases when the film thickness is over 10 μm; (iii) annealing at temperatures less than 500 °C improves the film quality with retention of the n-type conductivity; and (iv) photosensitivity of the films is not impaired under irradiation by 6 MeV electrons with a fluence of 5 × 10¹⁴ cm^− 2.     

From CIE 2006 physiological model to improved age-dependent and average colorimetric observers

In the context of color perception on modern wide-gamut displays with narrowband spectral primaries, we performed a theoretical analysis on various aspects of physiological observers proposed by CIE TC 1-36 (CIEPO06). We allowed certain physiological factors to vary, which was not considered in the CIEPO06 framework. For example, we analyzed that the long-wave-sensitive (LWS) or medium-wave-sensitive (MWS) peak wavelength shift in the photopigment absorption spectra, a factor not modeled in CIEPO06, contributed more toward observer variability than some of the factors considered in the model. Further, we compared the color-matching functions derived from the CIEPO06 model and the CIE 10° standard colorimetric observer to the average observer data from three distinct subgroups of Stiles-Burch observers, formed on the basis of observer ages (22-23 years, 27-29 years, and 49-50 years). The errors in predicting the x(λ) and y(λ) color-matching functions of the intragroup average observers in the long-wave range and in the medium-wave range, respectively, were generally more in the case of the CIEPO06 model compared to the 10° standard colorimetric observer and manifested in both spectral and chromaticity space. In contrast, the short-wave-sensitive z??(λ) function of the 10° standard colorimetric observer performed poorly compared to the CIEPO06 model for all three subgroups. Finally, a constrained nonlinear optimization on the CIEPO06 model outputs showed that a peak wavelength shift of photopigment density alone could not improve the model prediction errors at higher wavelengths. As an alternative, two optimized weighting functions for each of the LWS and MWS cone photopigment densities led to significant improvement in the prediction of intra-age-group average data for both the 22-23 year and 49-50 year age groups. We hypothesize that the assumption in the CIEPO06 model that the peak optical density of visual pigments does not vary with age is false and is the source of these prediction errors at higher wavelengths. Correcting these errors in the model can lead to an improved age-dependent observer and can also help update the current CIE 10° standard colorimetric observer. Accordingly, it would reduce the discrepancies between color matches with broadband spectral primaries and color matches with narrowband spectral primaries.     

Microbiological and physicochemical quality of fresh-cut apple enriched with the probiotic strain Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG

The effectiveness as protective culture of the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamonosus GG (L. rham. GG) against Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes on minimally-processed apples throughout storage as well as its effect on apple quality and natural microflora was evaluated. Survival to subsequent exposure to gastric stress was also reported. Apples were cut into wedges and dipped in a solution containing Salmonella and L. monocytogenes (10⁵ cfu mL⁻¹) and/or L. rham. GG (10⁸ cfu mL⁻¹). Apple wedges were packed and stored at 5 and 10 °C. Periodically, microbial population, bacterial survival to gastric stress and quality of apple wedges were evaluated. Although Salmonella was not affected by co-inoculation with L. rham. GG, L. monocytogenes population was 1-log units lower in the presence of L. rham. GG. L. rham. GG population maintained over recommended levels for probiotic action (10⁶ cfu g⁻¹) along storage, however, viable cells after gastric stress were only above this level during the first 14 days. Pathogen survival after gastric stress was <1% after 7 days at 5 °C. Moreover, apple wedges quality was not affected by L. rham. GG addition. Thus, L. rham. GG could be a suitable probiotic for minimally-processed apples capable to reduce L. monocytogenes growth; nevertheless shelf life should not be higher to 14 days to guarantee the probiotic effect.     

Microanatomy of the perforators of the anterior communicating artery complex

We describe the microanatomy of the perforating arteries arising from the anterior communicating artery complex (5 mm distal of the anterior cerebral artery, the anterior communicating artery, and 5 mm proximal of the distal anterior cerebral artery). Thirteen unfixed human brains were used in this study. The origin and number of perforators are described, as is the site of brain penetration, and results are correlated with previous studies. The hemodynamics of blood flow in relation to the formation of an anterior communicating artery aneurysm and different surgical approaches are mentioned. The neuropsychological outcome after aneurysm clipping with regards to the pattern of blood supply from the anterior cerebral artery complex is also discussed.     

Respiratory chain activity and mitochondrial DNA content of nonpurified and purified pancreatic islet cells

Considerable interest has recently focused on the possible role of alterations in mitochondrial activity and mutations in the mitochondrial genome for the development of non-insulin-dependent diabetes. Our study aimed at investigating the normal mitochondrial respiratory chain activity of nonpurified and purified islet cells to further explore whether some diabetic states are associated with alterations of mitochondrial oxidative processes. For this purpose, pancreatic islets were isolated from Wistar rats. Unpurified islet cells were obtained in the presence of trypsin and DNAse, and purified beta and non-beta cells were prepared by autofluorescence-activated sorting using a flowcytometer. Intact cell respiration and substrate oxidation in digitonin-permeabilized cells were measured polarographically with a Clark oxygen electrode in a micro-water-jacketed cell. Specific activity of the individual complexes of the respiratory chain was determined spectrophotometrically in unpurified islet cells. The relative amount of mitochondrial (mtDNA) and nuclear (nDNA) DNA in all three cell populations and in rat brain and skeletal muscle was estimated by dot blotting. The intact cell respiration of unpurified islet cells corresponds to the mean of values obtained for beta and non-beta islet cells. Oxidation rates of different substrates by permeabilized beta cells were lower than those for unpurified and non-beta cells. The amount of mtDNA relative to nDNA was similar in all three groups of cells, and was also similar to that obtained from brain and skeletal muscle. In summary, we have described mitochondrial respiratory chain activity in unpurified, beta, and non-beta islet cells. Our results represent an initial step in investigating the potential pathogenic role that alterations in oxidative phosphorylation could play in some diabetic states.