To develop high-efficiency multijunction solar cells onto inexpensive substrates, an innovative technique for growing a large-grained Ge layer on glass is strongly desired. We investigated the ...epitaxial growth of a light absorbing Ge film (500-nm thickness) on a large-grained (>100 μm) Ge seed layer (50-nm thickness) formed on glass by Al-induced layer exchange. After examining molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) and solid-phase epitaxy (SPE) for both methods, Ge layers with a low Al concentration were epitaxial grown at 350 °C. Microwave photoconductivity decay revealed that the MBE-Ge layer exhibited a short minority carrier lifetime owing to the rough surface. Conversely, the SPE-Ge layer was relatively flat and exhibited a long bulk minority carrier lifetime (5.6 μs), which is close to that of a single-crystal Ge. Therefore, the seed layer concept that combines SPE with Al-induced layer exchange is a promising way for fabricating ideal bottom cells for high-efficiency multijunction solar cells based on inexpensive substrates.
•We propose applying Al-induced layer exchange (ALILE) of Ge to high-efficiency multijunction solar cells.•A 500-nm-thick Ge film is epitaxially grown on a large-grained (> 100 μm) Ge layer formed by ALILE.•Both molecular-beam epitaxy and solid-phase epitaxy (SPE) provide Ge layers with a low Al concentration at 350 °C.•The SPE-Ge layer exhibits a long minority carrier lifetime (5.6 μs), which is close to that of a single-crystal Ge.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Abstract Low‐pass whole genome sequencing (LP‐WGS) has been applied as alternative method to detect copy number variants (CNVs) in the clinical setting. Compared with chromosomal microarray analysis ...(CMA), the sequencing‐based approach provides a similar resolution of CNV detection at a lower cost. In this study, we assessed the efficiency and reliability of LP‐WGS as a more affordable alternative to CMA. A total of 1363 patients with unexplained neurodevelopmental delay/intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorders, and/or multiple congenital anomalies were enrolled. Those patients were referred from 15 nonprofit organizations and university centers located in different states in Brazil. The analysis of LP‐WGS at 1x coverage (>50kb) revealed a positive testing result in 22% of the cases (304/1363), in which 219 and 85 correspond to pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP) CNVs and variants of uncertain significance (VUS), respectively. The 16% (219/1363) diagnostic yield observed in our cohort is comparable to the 15%–20% reported for CMA in the literature. The use of commercial software, as demonstrated in this study, simplifies the implementation of the test in clinical settings. Particularly for countries like Brazil, where the cost of CMA presents a substantial barrier to most of the population, LP‐WGS emerges as a cost‐effective alternative for investigating copy number changes in cytogenetics.
Full text
Available for:
BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Summary
Objectives
Neoplasms that arise in the nasal cavity are reported infrequently in rabbits. This case series aims to review and determine the clinical behaviour of neoplasms in the nasal cavity ...in rabbits.
Materials and Methods
A retrospective study was conducted on seven pet rabbits diagnosed with intranasal tumours to describe the clinical and histopathological findings and prognoses after surgery and/or radiotherapy.
Results
The most common clinical signs were nasal snoring when breathing, nasal discharge, and subsequent dyspnoea and anorexia. Six different histopathological types of tumours were diagnosed: intranasal adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, osteosarcoma, carcinoid tumour, osteoma, and lymphoma. Skull radiography only revealed the abnormalities in three of seven cases but on CT, the intranasal masses were more clearly identified in all cases. All cases received tumour resection through rhinostomy and four cases received radiotherapy after surgery. In the six cases with a known outcome, the survival time after surgery was more than 13 months.
Clinical Significance
This case series provides an insight of the behavior of intranasal neoplasms in rabbits. Surgical treatment and radiotherapy could improve their clinical sings.
Full text
Available for:
BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Abstract
A quasi-axisymmetric stellarator, the CFQS, has been designed as a joint project of the National Institute for Fusion Science and Southwest Jiaotong University to prove intrinsic advantages ...of quasi-axisymmetry. Principal parameters of the CFQS are as follows: the major radius is 1 m, the magnetic field strength is 1 T, the aspect ratio is 4, and the toroidal periodic number is 2. The magnetic field configuration is designed based on that of the CHS-qa. Enhanced confinement properties within the context of neoclassical theory are achieved by its quasi-axisymmetric configuration. In the entire radial range, the magnetic well is retained to keep favourable stability features in the magnetohydrodynamic equilibrium. A magnetic field coil system was designed for the CFQS, which consists of 16 modular coils, 12 toroidal field coils, and 4 poloidal field coils. The supporting structure is designed to withstand strong electromagnetic force under 1 T operation, maintaining enough space for heating and diagnostic systems. The mock-up modular coil with the most complicated shape was constructed by Hefei Keye Electro Physical Equipment Manufacturing Co., Ltd. to check manufacturability and the achieved accuracy. A heat-run test was performed to check the temperature rise of conductors, and the capability of 1 T operation was confirmed. After various tests for the mock-up coil, construction of actual modular coils and the vacuum vessel has begun.
Insulin secretion from pancreatic islet β‐cells is stimulated by glucose. Glucose‐induced insulin release is potentiated or suppressed by hormones and neural substances. Ghrelin, an acylated 28‐amino ...acid peptide, was isolated from the stomach in 1999 as the endogenous ligand for the growth hormone (GH) secretagogue‐receptor (GHS‐R). Circulating ghrelin is produced predominantly in the stomach and to a lesser extent in the intestine, pancreas and brain. Ghrelin, initially identified as a potent stimulator of GH release and feeding, has been shown to suppress glucose‐induced insulin release. This insulinostatic action is mediated by Gαi2 subtype of GTP‐binding proteins and delayed outward K+ (Kv) channels. Interestingly, ghrelin is produced in pancreatic islets. The ghrelin originating from islets restricts insulin release and thereby upwardly regulates the systemic glucose level. Furthermore, blockade or elimination of ghrelin enhances insulin release, which can ameliorate glucose intolerance in high‐fat diet fed mice and ob/ob mice. This review focuses on the insulinostatic action of ghrelin, its signal transduction mechanisms in islet β‐cells, ghrelin's status as an islet hormone, physiological roles of ghrelin in regulating systemic insulin levels and glycaemia, and therapeutic potential of the ghrelin‐GHS‐R system as the target to treat type 2 diabetes.
Full text
Available for:
BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
PDF
