TiO₂-based thin films and nanomaterials have been fabricated via physical and solution-based techniques by various research groups around the globe. Generally, most applications of TiO₂ involve ...photocatalytic activity for water and air purification, self-cleaning surfaces, antibacterial activity, and superhydrophilicity. As a wide-bandgap semiconductor, modified TiO₂ belongs to a class of materials called transparent semiconducting oxides (TSOs), which are simultaneously optically transparent and electrically conductive. TSOs continue to be in high demand for a variety of applications ranging from transparent electronics and sensor devices to light detecting and emitting devices in telecommunications. However, reports on TiO₂ applications as an effective TSO for transparent electronics applications have been limited. In general, TiO₂ is intrinsically an n-type semiconductor but can be doped to have p-type semiconductivity. This provides a very important opportunity to fabricate all-transparent homojunction devices for light harvesting and energy storage. P-type TSOs have recently attracted tremendous interest in the field of active devices for emerging transparent electronics for potential use in ultra-violet light-based solar cells. Therefore, a detailed overview of the synthesis, band structure modification via doping, properties, and applications of modified TiO₂ as n- and p-type TSOs is warranted. This article comprehensively reviews the latest developments. The discussion includes solution-based wet chemical techniques and vacuum-based dry physical techniques fabricating TiO₂–TSOs. The synthesis of p-TiO₂ in particular is discussed in detail as it may provide interesting breakthroughs in emerging transparent electronics applications. Also, the structural, optical, and electrical properties of TiO₂ are discussed in the context of TSO applications, specifically the defect chemistry of TiO₂ to obtain n- and p-type semiconductivity, which could provide interesting insights into the band structure engineering of TiO₂ for conductivity reversal. Applications of both n- and p-type TiO₂ have been reviewed in detail in relation to thin film transparent homo/heterojunction devices, dye-sensitized solar cells, electrochromic displays, and other energy-related applications.
Water megamasers from circumnuclear disks in galaxy centers provide the most accurate measurements of supermassive black hole masses and uniquely probe the subparsec accretion processes. At the same ...time, these systems offer independent crucial constraints of the Hubble constant in the nearby universe, and thus, the arguably best single constraint on the nature of dark energy. The chances of finding these golden standards are, however, abysmally low, at 3% overall for any level of water maser emission detected at 22 GHz and 1% for those exhibiting disk-like configuration. We provide here a thorough summary of the current state of detection of water megamaser disks along with a novel investigation of the likelihood of increasing their detection rates based on a multivariate parameter analysis of the optical and mid-infrared (mid-IR) photometric properties of the largest database of galaxies surveyed for 22 GHz emission. We find that galaxies with water megamaser emission tend to be associated with strong emission in all Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer mid-IR wavelengths, with the strongest enhancement in the W4 band, at 22 m, as well as with previously proposed and newly found indicators of active galactic nucleus strength in the mid-IR, such as red W1 − W2 and W1 − W4 colors, and the integrated mid-IR luminosity of the host galaxy. These trends offer a potential boost of the megamaser detection rates to 6%-15%, or a factor of 2-8 relative to the current rates, depending on the chosen sample selection criteria, while fostering real chances for discovering 20 new megamaser disks.
A comprehensive and comparative exploration research performed, aiming to elucidate the fundamental mechanisms of rare-earth (RE) metal-ion doping into Li4Ti5O12 (LTO), reveals the enhanced ...electrochemical performance of the nanocrystalline RE-LTO electrodes in high-power Li-ion batteries. Pristi ne Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) and rare-earth metal-doped Li4–x/3Ti5–2x/3Ln x O12 (RE-LTO with RE = Dy, Ce, Nd, Sm, and Eu; x ≈ 0.1) nanocrystalline anode materials were synthesized using a simple mechanochemical method and subsequent calcination at 850 °C. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of pristine and RE-LTO samples exhibit predominant (111) orientation along with other characteristic peaks corresponding to cubic spinel lattice. No evidence of RE-doping-induced changes was seen in the crystal structure and phase. The average crystallite size for pristine and RE-LTO samples varies in the range of 50–40 nm, confirming the formation of nanoscale crystalline materials and revealing the good efficiency of the ball-milling-assisted process adopted to synthesize nanoscale particles. Raman spectroscopic analyses of the chemical bonding indicate and further validate the phase structural quality in addition to corroborating with XRD data for the cubic spinel structure formation. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) reveals that both pristine and RE-LTO particles have a similar cubic shape, but RE-LTO particles are better interconnected, which provide a high specific surface area for enhanced Li+-ion storage. The detailed electrochemical characterization confirms that the RE-LTO electrodes constitute promising anode materials for high-power Li-ion batteries. The RE-LTO electrodes deliver better discharge capacities (in the range of 172–198 mAh g–1 at 1C rate) than virgin LTO (168 mAh g–1). Among them, Eu-LTO provides the best discharge capacity of 198 mAh g–1 at a 1C rate. When cycled at a high current rate of 50C, all RE-LTO electrodes show nearly 70% of their initial discharge capacities, resulting in higher rate capability than virgin LTO (63%). The results discussed in this work unfold the fundamental mechanisms of RE doping into LTO and demonstrate the enhanced electrochemical performance derived via chemical composition tailoring in RE-LTO compounds for application in high-power Li-ion batteries.
Aims
To confirm, in a 26‐week extension study, the sustained efficacy and safety of a fixed combination of insulin degludec and liraglutide (IDegLira) compared with either insulin degludec or ...liraglutide alone, in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Methods
Insulin‐naïve adults with type 2 diabetes randomized to once‐daily IDegLira, insulin degludec or liraglutide, in addition to metformin ± pioglitazone, continued their allocated treatment in this preplanned 26‐week extension of the DUAL I trial.
Results
A total of 78.8% of patients (1311/1663) continued into the extension phase. The mean glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) concentration at 52 weeks was reduced from baseline by 1.84% (20.2 mmol/mol) for the IDegLira group, 1.40% (15.3 mmol/mol) for the insulin degludec group and 1.21% (13.2 mmol/mol) for the liraglutide group. Of the patients on IDegLira, 78% achieved an HbA1c of <7% (53 mmol/mol) versus 63% of the patients on insulin degludec and 57% of those on liraglutide. The mean fasting plasma glucose concentration at the end of the trial was similar for IDegLira (5.7 mmol/l) and insulin degludec (6.0 mmol/l), but higher for liraglutide (7.3 mmol/l). At 52 weeks, the daily insulin dose was 37% lower with IDegLira (39 units) than with insulin degludec (62 units). IDegLira was associated with a significantly greater decrease in body weight (estimated treatment difference, −2.80 kg, p < 0.0001) and a 37% lower rate of hypoglycaemia compared with insulin degludec. Overall, all treatments were well tolerated and no new adverse events or tolerability issues were observed for IDegLira.
Conclusions
These 12‐month data, derived from a 26‐week extension of the DUAL I trial, confirm the initial 26‐week main phase results and the sustainability of the benefits of IDegLira compared with its components in glycaemic efficacy, safety and tolerability.
•TNT with undoped and (Nd, Yb)-doped PbTe are studied for supercapacitors.•TNT arrays are formed by electrochemical anodization of Ti.•Undoped and doped PbTe are hydrothermally synthesized and ...deposited on TNT.•TNT with Yb-doped PbTe offers good electrochemical behavior and cycling stability.
Undoped and doped PbTe nanoparticles with neodymium (Nd) and ytterbium (Yb) ions were hydrothermally synthesized and deposited on anodized TiO2 nanotube (TNT) arrays to form hybrid binder-free TNT electrodes for supercapacitor. The as-prepared TNT electrodes were characterized by XRD, SEM, and XPS. Besides, BET method was used to confirm the surface area of as-synthesized nanoparticles. Among TNT electrodes, the one with Yb-doped PbTe exhibited enhanced capacitance (0.93 mF/cm2 at 10 mV/s, 2.16 mF/cm2 at 5 µA/cm2) and low resistance (4.68 Ω), along with good stability (~93%). Overall, TNT in combination with Yb-doped PbTe nanoparticles could provide an ideal platform for efficient delivery of capacitance.
The risk factors for development of paradoxical response were studied in a cohort of 104 patients with culture-documented Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Paradoxical deterioration occurred in ...16 (15.4%) patients (case group) during antituberculosis therapy, involving lungs and pleura (n=4), spine and paraspinal tissue (n=5), intracranium (n=3), peritoneum (n=2), bone and joint (n=1), and lymph node (n=1). The median time from commencement of treatment to paradoxical deterioration was 56 days (range, 20-109 days). Compared with 53 patients without clinical deterioration after antituberculosis therapy (control group), patients with paradoxical response were more likely to have extrapulmonary involvement (62.5% vs. 17.0%; P<0.05) at initial diagnosis, to have lower baseline lymphocyte counts (672+/-315 cells/microl vs. 1,328+/-467 cells/microl; P<0.001), and to exhibit a greater surge in lymphocyte counts (627+/-465 cells/microl vs. 225+/-216 cells/microl; P<0.05) during paradoxical response. Further studies on lymphocyte subsets and cytokine levels would be useful in understanding the exact immunological mechanisms involved in immunorestitution.
Abstract Background The novel swine-origin influenza A H1N1 virus (S-OIV) causes the current pandemic. Its tissue tropism and replication in different cell lines are not well understood. Objective ...Compare the growth characteristics of cell lines infected by S-OIV, seasonal influenza A H1N1 (sH1N1) and avian influenza A H5N1 (H5N1) viruses and the effect of temperature on viral replication. Study design Cytopathic effect (CPE), antigen expression by immunofluorescence (IF) and viral load profile by quantitative RT-PCR in 17 cell lines infected by S-OIV, sH1N1 and H5N1 were examined. Comparison of their replication efficiency in chick embryo was performed. The effect of temperature on viral replication in Madin–Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells was determined by TCID50 at 33 °C, 37 °C and 39 °C for 5 consecutive days. Results S-OIV replicated in cell lines derived from different tissues or organs and host species with comparable viral load to sH1N1. Among 13 human cell lines tested, Caco-2 has the highest viral load for S-OIV. S-OIV showed a low viral load with no CPE or antigen expression in pig kidney cell PK-15, H5N1 demonstrated the most diverse cell tropism by CPE and antigen expression, and the highest viral replication efficiency in both cell lines and allantoic fluid. All three viruses demonstrated best growth at 37 °C in MDCK cells. Conclusion Cell line growth characteristics of S-OIV, sH1N1 and H5N1 appear to correlate clinically and pathologically with involved anatomical sites and severity. Low replication of S-OIV in PK-15 suggests that this virus is more adapted to human than swine.
Titania (TiO2) nanotube arrays (TNAs) with different pore diameters (140 - 20 nm) are fabricated via anodization using hydrofluoric acid (HF) containing ethylene glycol (EG) by changing the HF-to-EG ...volume ratio and the anodization voltage. To evaluate the effects of different pore diameters of TiO2 nanotubes on bacterial biofilm formation, Shewanella oneidensis (S. oneidensis) MR-1 cells and a crystal-violet biofilm assay are used. The surface roughness and wettability of the TNA surfaces as a function of pore diameter, measured via the contact angle and AFM techniques, are correlated with the controlled biofilm formation. Biofilm formation increases with the decreasing nanotube pore diameter, and a 20 nm TiO2 nanotube shows the maximum biofilm formation. The measurements revealed that 20 nm surfaces have the least hydrophilicity with the highest surface roughness of ∼17 nm and that they show almost a 90% increase in the effective surface area relative to the 140 nm TNAs, which stimulate the cells more effectively to produce the pili to attach to the surface for more biofilm formation. The results demonstrate that bacterial cell adhesion (and hence, biofilm formation) can effectively be controlled by tuning the roughness and wettability of TNAs via controlling the pore diameters of TNA surfaces. This biofilm formation as a function of the surface properties of TNAs can be a potential candidate for both medical applications and as electrodes in microbial fuel cells.
A comprehensive and comparative exploration research performed, aiming to elucidate the fundamental mechanisms of rare-earth (RE) metal-ion doping into Li
Ti
O
(LTO), reveals the enhanced ...electrochemical performance of the nanocrystalline RE-LTO electrodes in high-power Li-ion batteries. Pristi ne Li
Ti
O
(LTO) and rare-earth metal-doped Li
Ti
Ln
O
(RE-LTO with RE = Dy, Ce, Nd, Sm, and Eu;
≈ 0.1) nanocrystalline anode materials were synthesized using a simple mechanochemical method and subsequent calcination at 850 °C. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of pristine and RE-LTO samples exhibit predominant (111) orientation along with other characteristic peaks corresponding to cubic spinel lattice. No evidence of RE-doping-induced changes was seen in the crystal structure and phase. The average crystallite size for pristine and RE-LTO samples varies in the range of 50-40 nm, confirming the formation of nanoscale crystalline materials and revealing the good efficiency of the ball-milling-assisted process adopted to synthesize nanoscale particles. Raman spectroscopic analyses of the chemical bonding indicate and further validate the phase structural quality in addition to corroborating with XRD data for the cubic spinel structure formation. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) reveals that both pristine and RE-LTO particles have a similar cubic shape, but RE-LTO particles are better interconnected, which provide a high specific surface area for enhanced Li
-ion storage. The detailed electrochemical characterization confirms that the RE-LTO electrodes constitute promising anode materials for high-power Li-ion batteries. The RE-LTO electrodes deliver better discharge capacities (in the range of 172-198 mAh g
at 1C rate) than virgin LTO (168 mAh g
). Among them, Eu-LTO provides the best discharge capacity of 198 mAh g
at a 1C rate. When cycled at a high current rate of 50C, all RE-LTO electrodes show nearly 70% of their initial discharge capacities, resulting in higher rate capability than virgin LTO (63%). The results discussed in this work unfold the fundamental mechanisms of RE doping into LTO and demonstrate the enhanced electrochemical performance derived
chemical composition tailoring in RE-LTO compounds for application in high-power Li-ion batteries.
Paradoxical deterioration during antituberculosis therapy, defined as the clinical or radiological worsening of pre-existing tuberculous lesions or the development of new lesions in a patient who ...initially improves, remains a diagnostic dilemma. Although different clinical presentations of paradoxical response have been described, a systematic analysis of the entity in non-HIV-infected patients is lacking. Reported here are two cases of paradoxical deterioration in which sequential changes in lymphocyte counts and tuberculin skin test results are emphasized. In addition, 120 episodes of paradoxical response after antituberculosis treatment were reviewed. Of the total 122 episodes, 101 (82.8%) were associated with extrapulmonary tuberculosis. The median time from commencement of treatment to paradoxical deterioration was 60 days. The median time to onset of central nervous system manifestations (63 days) was longer than the time to onset of manifestations at other sites (56 days) ( P=0.02). Development of new lesions in anatomical sites other than those observed at initial presentation was observed in 31 (25.4%) episodes. A surge in the lymphocyte count, accompanied by an exaggerated tuberculin skin reaction, was observed in our patients during the paradoxical deterioration, analogous to the findings in HIV-positive patients. Treatment of the paradoxical response included surgical intervention (60.7%) and administration of steroids (39.3%). The use of steroids appeared to be safe in this series, as 95% of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates were susceptible to first-line antituberculosis therapy.
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