Copper (I) Oxide (Cu2O) based back contact for p‐i‐n CdTe solar cells

In this paper a promising solution for the notorious problem of manufacturing a stable low ohmic back contact of a CdTe thin film superstrate solar cell is presented without using elemental copper. Instead we have used a Cu₂O layer inserted between the CdTe absorber and metal contact (Au). In contrast to the barrier free band alignment gained by using the transitivity rules, XPS measurements show a barrier in the valence band of the Cu₂O layers directly after deposition, which results in a low performing JV curve. The contact can be improved by a short thermal treatment resulting in efficiencies superior to copper based contacts for standard CdS/CdTe hetero junction solar cells prepared on commercial glass/FTO substrates. By replacing the CdS window layer with a CdS:O buffer layer efficiencies of >15% could be achieved. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Organic photodetector with spectral response tunable across the visible spectrum by means of internal optical microcavity

We demonstrate an organic photodetector (OPD) structure in which the active layers and a thick optical spacer are sandwiched between two metallic electrodes, forming a Fabry–Perot resonant cavity. The second resonant mode of this cavity can be positioned by means of an optical spacer so that its maximum intensity overlaps with the donor–acceptor interface, leading to a peak in the external quantum efficiency (EQE) of the OPD for this resonant wavelength. The photoresponse can thus be tuned across the visible spectrum by adjusting the spacer thickness, while the full width half maximum remains approximately 50 nm. Because the active layers can be thin in this approach, the EQE is not sacrificed, and the device can achieve a relatively high response frequency that does not suffer from the inclusion of the optical spacer. We simulate the photoresponse of OPD structure using transfer matrix optical calculations and an exciton diffusion model; our simulation also explicitly accounts for interface roughness measured by atomic force microscopy. Angular dependence of the OPD’s response is also measured and discussed.     

Lipolytic synthesis of optically active 1,2-dibutyryl-sn-glycerol. Identification of diglyceride by solvent-dependent specific rotation

The objective was to determine whether the initial pregastric lipase catalyzed hydrolysis of a triacylglycerol to 1,2(2,3)-diacylglycerol was a consequence of sn-specific hydrolysis. The identity of the reaction products for the enzyme-assisted hydrolysis and uncatalyzed acyl-transfer reaction sequence of tributyrylglycerol was assigned by ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance. The optical activity of the product 1,2-dibutyryl-sn-glycerol (yield >50%, pH 6.5, 35°C, 13 min) was solvent dependent, being −2.92° (c ∼1.3, CHCl₃) and +3.32° (c ∼1.2, pyridine), and confirmation of sn-3 specificity by pregastric lipase was obtained.     

System to monitor a portion of the total testing process in medical clinics and laboratories: evaluation of a split-specimen design

Only scant information is available in the scientific literature on the parathyroids and ultimobranchial bodies in the primitive mammals, the echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) and platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus). The major aim of this paper is to describe the morphology of the monotreme parathyroid gland and to compare it with parathyroids in mammals and reptiles. The gross anatomy and light microscopic structure of the ultimobranchial body, thymus, and thyroid are also given. Animals were dissected and routine light and electron microscopic techniques used to examine the microscopic morphology. The locations of parathyroid hormone, calcitonin and calcitonin gene-related peptide in tissue sections were identified by immunostaining. Monotremes have one pair of parathyroid glands located in the thorax and they are often associated with thymic tissue but never with the thyroid which is also present in the mediastinum. Ultimobranchial bodies are ventrolateral to the commencement of the trachea. Thymic lobules with Hassall's corpuscles are scattered in the fibrofatty tissue of the mediastinum and the ventral surface of the pericardium. Histologically, principal cells, water-clear cells, and non-secretory cells were identified in the parathyroid glands. Principal cells showed polarity and had microlamellar projections that formed intercellular canaliculi. Non-secretory cells had features similar to those of thymic epithelial reticular cells. Immunostaining of parathyroid hormone showed a diffuse distribution in parathyroid principal cells and none in ultimobranchial bodies. Identification of the ultimobranchial bodies was confirmed by immunostaining. The monotreme parathyroid gland, ultimobranchial bodies and thyroid show reptilian as well as mammalian features.     

Microfiltration of skim milk using polymeric membranes for casein concentrate manufacture

Ceramic membranes are classically used for microfiltration of dairy fluids with large wall shear stress values achieved through the use of high crossflow velocities. In this paper, both pilot and laboratory scale studies have been used to investigate the use of polymeric membranes for the production of a casein concentrate from skim milk. Results suggest that very high casein rejections are possible with this approach, but that a low transmembrane pressure is required to facilitate whey protein transmission. As expected, membrane flux increases with both transmembrane pressure and temperature. Permeate composition is essentially independent of temperature, with the notable exception of the κ-casein content, which is detected at 50 °C but not at 10 °C. This leakage of κ-casein at the higher temperature may result from damage to the surface of the casein micelles induced by shear forces in the membrane circuit pump. The work has also shown the usefulness of a laboratory crossflow apparatus for such experiments, with results on this unit consistent with those obtained using a full scale spiral wound element.     

The basis for using the Internet to support the information needs of primary care

Synthesizing the state of the art from the published literature, this review assesses the basis for employing the Internet to support the information needs of primary care. The authors survey what has been published about the information needs of clinical practice, including primary care, and discuss currently available information resources potentially relevant to primary care. Potential methods of linking information needs with appropriate information resources are described in the context of previous classifications of clinical information needs. Also described is the role that existing terminology mapping systems, such as the National Library of Medicine's Unified Medical Language System, may play in representing and linking information needs to answers.     

A simple preparation of autologous fibrin glue for skin-graft fixation

Numerous uses of fibrin glue as a sealant, hemostatic agent, and adhesive have been reported. We developed a simple method of preparing autologous fibrin glue for skin-graft fixation. Fifty patients have undergone the autologous fibrin glue technique for trauma, burns, and difficult wounds. The mean area grafted was 237 cm2 (range 50 to 700 cm2), and grafts were typically 0.012 to 0.016 inch thick (meshed 1.5:1). A standard gauze dressing was applied to all wounds, and no sutures or staples were used. At a mean follow-up of 3.4 months (range 1 to 9 months), 45 of 50 patients had over 95 percent take, and no patient had less than 90 percent take. There were no adverse reactions or infections noted, and no patient required additional grafting. This method offers a simple, cost-effective alternative for skin-graft fixation that leads to minimized postoperative care, subjectively cleaner wounds, and high patient satisfaction.     

Constructing a SenseCam visual diary as a media process

The SenseCam is a small wearable personal device which automatically captures up to 2,500 images per day. This yields a very large personal collection of images, or in a sense a large visual diary of a person’s day. Intelligent techniques are necessary for effective structuring, searching and browsing of this image collection for locating important or significant events in a person’s life. In this paper we identify three stages in the process of capturing and structuring SenseCam images and then displaying them to an end user to review. These stages are expressed in terms of the Canonical process stages to which they correlate.