Charge-based deep level transient spectroscopy of B-doped and undoped polycrystalline diamond films

The undoped and B-doped polycrystalline diamond thin film was synthesized by hot filament chemical vapor deposition and microwave plasma, respectively. The structural characterization was performed by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. The electrical properties of synthesized diamond layer were characterized by dc-conductivity method and charge deep level transient spectroscopy. The B-doped diamond layers show higher sp²/sp³ ratios in comparison with that of undoped layers what can have an essential influence on the localized density of states associated with shallow hydrogen acceptor states what is reflected in the values of activation energies which reached the values of 38 meV for B-doped and 55 meV for undoped diamond layers, respectively. The existence of deep level traps, as, for example, associated with B-related acceptors, was not observed.     

Feasibility of diffusion-weighted imaging with DWIBS in staging Hodgkin lymphoma in pediatric patients: comparison with PET/CT

Objective

The aim of the study was to evaluate feasibility of diffusion-weighted whole-body imaging with background body signal suppression (DWIBS) method in diagnosing Hodgkin lymphoma in pediatric patients and to compare it with 18F-FDG PET/CT as a gold standard.

Materials and methods

Eleven patients (median age 14) with newly diagnosed Hodgkin lymphoma were examined with 18F-FDG PET/CT and MRI including whole-body DWIBS sequence (b = 0, 800 s/mm²), before the oncologic treatment. About 26 locations of lymphatic tissues were evaluated visually and quantitatively using ADC_mean (DWIBS) and SUV_max (18F-FDG PET/CT), respectively.

Results

All affected lymph node regions (n = 134) diagnosed in 18F-FDG PET/CT were found with DWIBS, presenting decreased diffusion. Significant correlation was found between ADC and SUV values (R² = − 0.37; p = 0.0001). Nevertheless, additional 33 regions were recognized only by DWIBS. They were significantly smaller than regions diagnosed by both methods.

Discussion

Agreement between DWIBS and 18F-FDG PET/CT for detection and staging of malignant lymphoma is high. DWIBS can be used for the evaluation of pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma.

     

Bioactivity of polycrystalline silicon layers

After oxygen, silicon is the second most abundant element in the environment and is present as an impurity in most materials. The widespread occurrence of siliceous biominerals as structural elements in lower plants and animals suggests that Si plays a role in the production and maintenance of connective tissue in higher organisms. It has been shown that the presence of Si is necessary in bones, cartilage and in the formation of connective tissue, as well as in some important metabolic processes. In this work, polycrystalline silicon layers are tested in terms of bioactivity, i.e., their ability to induce hydroxyapatite formation from simulated body fluid. Hydroxyapatite is a biologically compatible material with chemical similarity to the inorganic part of bones and teeth. Polycrystalline silicon layers are obtained by aluminum induced crystallization of Al and amorphous Si thin films deposited sequentially on glass substrates by radio-frequency magnetron sputtering and subsequently annealed in different atmospheres. The hydroxyapatite formation is induced by applying a method of laser-liquid-solid interaction. The method consists of irradiating the samples with laser light while immersed in a solution that is supersaturated with respect to Ca and P. As a result, heterogeneous porous sponge-like carbonate-containing hydroxyapatite is grown on the polysilicon surfaces. Crystals that are spherical in shape, containing Ca, P and O, Na, Cl, Mg, Al, Si and S, as well as well-faceted NaCl crystals are embedded in the hydroxyapatite layer. Enhancement of the hydroxyapatite growth and increased crystallinity is observed due to the applied laser-liquid-solid interaction.     

Onium Salts of Amino Acids as Co‐Initiators in Photoinduced Free‐Radical Polymerization

Summary: The onium salts of selected aliphatic and aromatic amino acids were investigated as electron donors in photoinduced free radical polymerization, in conjunction with either DIBF or BP as sensitizer. The laser flash photolysis experiments unmistakably documented that the free radical formation occurs via an electron transfer reaction from the amino acid salt to the chromophore triplet state. The kinetic studies clearly showed that either the DIBF or BP onium salts of selected aliphatic and aromatic sulfur‐containing amino acids exhibit a significant increase in the efficiency of free‐radical polymerization of TMPTA as compared to non‐sulfur‐containing co‐initiators and that the efficiency of all tested electron donors is only slightly dependent on the cation type coupled with co‐initiators tested.

Possible mechanism for the free radical photoinitiated polymerization.     

Effects of rainbow trout freshness on n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in fish offal

The effects of rainbow trout cold storage on the quality of offal left after fish processing to fillets with skin were determined. The intact farmed rainbow trout were kept at 2 °C in ice for 0, 4, 7, and 14 days of storage. The offal was, immediately after processing, frozen at ?20 °C and analysed after a month‐long frozen storage; fillets (non‐frozen) were analysed as well. Non‐protein nitrogen, volatile bases, trimethylamine, lipid oxidation (peroxide value, anisidine value, UV‐VIS spectra, and fluorescence) and fatty acid composition were determined. The offal consists in 15% of protein and in about 20% of chloroform/methanol‐extractable lipids, with n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n‐3 PUFA) accounting for 20.37 ± 1.25% of the fatty acids. The fish storage duration was found to exert a significant (p = 0.05) effect on the changes in lipids and nitrogen compounds. No losses of long‐chain n‐3 PUFA in the offal were detected during the 2 wk of storage in ice plus 1 month at ?20 °C. The rainbow trout offal is a valuable – rich and stable – source of n‐3 PUFA.     

Planetary Gear Profile Modification Design Based on Load Sharing Modelling

In order to satisfy the increasing demand on high performance planetary transmissions, an important line of research is focused on the understanding of some of the underlying phenomena involved in this...     

Diurnal Profiles of Melatonin Synthesis-Related Indoles,Catecholamines and Their Metabolites in the Duck Pineal Organ

This study characterizes the diurnal profiles of ten melatonin synthesis-related indoles, the quantitative relations between these compounds, and daily variations in the contents of catecholamines and their metabolites in the domestic duck pineal organ. Fourteen-week-old birds, which were reared under a 12L:12D cycle, were killed at two-hour intervals. The indole contents were measured using HPLC with fluorescence detection, whereas the levels of catecholamines and their metabolites were measured using HPLC with electrochemical detection. All indole contents, except for tryptophan, showed significant diurnal variations. The 5-hydroxytryptophan level was approximately two-fold higher during the scotophase than during the photophase. The serotonin content increased during the first half of the photophase, remained elevated for approximately 10 h and then rapidly decreased in the middle of the scotophase. N-acetylserotonin showed the most prominent changes, with a more than 15-fold increase at night. The melatonin cycle demonstrated only an approximately 5-fold difference between the peak and nadir. The 5-methoxytryptamine content was markedly elevated during the scotophase. The 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid, 5-hydroxytryptophol, 5-methoxyindole acetic acid and 5-methoxytryptophol profiles were analogous to the serotonin rhythm. The norepinephrine and dopamine contents showed no significant changes. The DOPA, DOPAC and homovanillic acid levels were higher during the scotophase than during the photophase. Vanillylmandelic acid showed the opposite rhythm, with an elevated level during the daytime.     

Multiphysics simulation of laser–material interaction during laser powder depositon

This work reports a theoretical and numerical study of the parameters related to the process of laser powder deposition through a lateral nozzle. For this purpose, a 3D quasi-stationary finite element model was developed analytically and implemented numerically. The proposed model estimates the shape of the melt pool depending on the process parameters including scanning speed, powder mass flow, laser power, and physical properties. Also, phase transformations and physical properties (density, thermal conductivity, and specific heat) vary as function of temperature. In addition, thermo-capillary forces and their effect on fluid flow inside the melt pool are considered. The obtained set of equations coupled through the temperature variable was solved using COMSOL Multiphysics. The results are presented and compared with previously obtained experimental data, in which chromium powder was deposited, allowing validation of the model. Finally, variations at the melt pool geometry in terms of the operational parameters are analyzed. This model aims at estimation of melt pool geometry during laser powder deposition in time reasonably short to allow for predictable process control.