Hydrogen has been long known for its ability to passivate defects in silicon devices. However, multiple recent studies on understanding the mechanism behind light- and elevated temperature-induced ...degradation (LeTID) have proposed that hydrogen plays an important role in this degradation mechanism. Despite its important role in photovoltaic applications, the quantitative assessment of hydrogen is difficult and seldom reported. In this work, we applied hydrogen effusion mass spectroscopy to quantify the hydrogen released from hydrogenated silicon nitride (SiN x :H) and atomic layer deposited (ALD) aluminum oxide (AlO x ) dielectric films at elevated temperatures. We demonstrate that the amount of hydrogen effused from these layers strongly correlates with the extent of LeTID observed in the multicrystalline silicon wafers passivated with these monolayers and their stacks. It is shown that the hydrogen effusion scales linearly with the SiN x :H thickness, similar as the extent of LeTID. The effusion measurements on the AlO x /SiN x :H stack revealed that the presence of the AlO x film modifies the total amount of hydrogen that is effused, whereas it was found to slow the hydrogen in-diffusion. This result is consistent with the LeTID extent determined after contact firing where ALD AlO x layers were found to act as a hydrogen diffusion barrier, strongly reducing LeTID when placed in between c-Si and SiN x :H and increasing LeTID when placed on top of SiN x :H.
Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is the most common cancer among white-skinned people. The main environmental risk factor for all types of skin cancer is ultraviolet (UV) exposure to the sun. However, ...significant modifiable risk factors, such as diet, have been studied about NMSC risk. Several original studies have been conducted on the link between various dietary components and the risk of NMSC in the past decade, but have not been systematically reviewed. This review focuses on the potential impact of dietary components in the prevention of NMSC and evaluates the findings of epidemiologic evidence for dietary factors. We conducted a systematic search of three databases, including Scopus, ISI Web of Science, and PubMed, to identify relevant epidemiological studies published between 2000 and July 6, 2021. Finally, forty-three articles were included. Because of the inherent limitations of epidemiological studies, no definitive conclusions can be drawn; however, the links between folate, citrus, caffeine, and alcohol with BCC are notable; thus, high dietary folate intake, as well as citrus and alcohol consumption, are associated with an increased risk of basal cell carcinoma (BCC), whereas caffeine is associated with a lower risk. More research is required to reach a definitive conclusion.
In vitro rooting as one of the most critical steps of micropropagation is affected by various extrinsic (e.g., medium composition, auxins) and intrinsic factors (e.g., species, explant). In ...Passiflora species, in vitro adventitious rooting is a difficult, complex, and non-linear process. Since in vitro rooting is a multivariable complex biological process, efficient and reliable computational approaches such as machine learning (ML) are required to model, predict, and optimize this non-linear biological process. Therefore, in the current study, a hybrid of generalized regression neural network (GRNN) and genetic algorithm (GA) was employed to predict in vitro rooting responses (rooting percentage, number of roots, and root length) of Passiflora caerulea based on the optimization of the level of auxins (indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), indolebutyric acid (IBA), and 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA)) and the type of explant (microshoots derived from leaf, node, and internode). Based on the results, the GRNN model was accurate in predicting all in vitro rooting responses of P. caerulea (R2 > 0.92) in either training or testing sets. The result of the validation experiment also showed that there was a negligible difference between the predicted-optimized values and the validated results demonstrating the reliability of the developed GRNN-GA model. Generally, the results of the current study showed that GRNN-GA is a reliable and accurate model to predict and optimize in vitro rooting of P. caerulea.
The amount of hydrogen released from plasma‐enhanced chemical vapor (PECVD) deposited hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a‐Si:H) layers is determined by gas effusion measurements. A sharp peak (SP) is ...observed in the effusion spectra of samples with substrate temperature TS ≥ 200 °C. Light microscopic images indicate the formation of bubbles after deposition for all samples and film deterioration after effusion measurement in correlation with the presence of the hydrogen SPs. Change in substrate temperature varies with the microstructure of the film, the hydrogen concentration, and the density. A low TS leads to a porous structure with large number of interface bubbles, and therefore no hydrogen‐induced SP appears during hydrogen effusion. Whereas high TS causes a compact a‐Si:H film in which the hydrogen effusion is limited by the longer diffusion, while the number of interface bubbles decreases. The storage of near substrate hydrogen in the bubbles in compact material leads to a local explosion by increase in excessive pressure. The difference between the low temperature peak and the position of the SP in the effusion spectra indicates the time required to fill the interface bubbles with hydrogen, which decreases with increasing film density, suggesting that the volume of the interface bubble decreases.
A sharp hydrogen peak is observed in the effusion spectra of a‐Si:H film deposited at high substrate temperatures. A critical pressure of hydrogen storage induced by annealing leads to film deterioration in high density films. The substrate temperature during deposition plays a key role in the void structure and influences the thermal behavior of the film at elevated temperature.
Depression is one of the most common psychological disorders among multiple sclerosis (MS) patients that characterized as the first symptoms. Ellagic acid is a natural polyphenol that may have ...neuroprotective properties through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects.
The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of Ellagic acid on circulating levels of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), interferon-γ (IFN-ƴ), nitric oxide (NO), nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), cortisol, serotonergic system, and indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase (IDO) gene expression in MS patients with mild to moderate depressive symptoms.
A randomized triple-blind clinical trial.
The eligible patients according to the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into two groups: either 180 mg Ellagic acid (Axenic company) (n = 25) or 180 mg maltodextrin (n = 25) group for 12 weeks. The Ellagic acid supplement were identical to placebo in shape, color and odor. Serum BDNF, NO, Nrf2, cortisol, serotonin, and IFN-ƴ were measured by ELISA kit in the baseline and end of the study. Also, demographic characteristics, anthropometric measurements, physical activity, food intake, Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and expanding disability status scale (EDSS) questionnaires, as well as IDO gene expression were assessed. SPSS software version 24 was used for statistical analysis.
Fifty patients were evaluated, and a significant decrease in BDI-II (p = 0.001), IFN-ƴ (p = 0.001), NO (p = 0.004), cortisol (p = 0.015), IDO gene expression (p = 0.001) and as well as increased the level of BDNF (p = 0.006) and serotonin (p = 0.019) was observed among those who received 90 mg Ellagic acid twice a day for 12 weeks versus control group. However, there were no significant differences between groups for Nrf2 levels (p>0.05) at the end of study.
The current study indicates that Ellagic acid intervention has a favorable effect on depression in MS patients. This is achieved by reducing BDI-II scores, as well as levels of NO, cortisol, IFN-ƴ, and IDO gene expression. Furthermore, we found a significant elevation in circulating levels of BDNF and serotonin.
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The aim of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of brain-based learning and cognitive rehabilitation interventions on the inhibition and attention shifting functions in 10-12 year-old ...children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The research employed an experimental method with a pre-test-post-test design, with a control group. Participants were selected by random sampling and assigned to two experimental groups and one control group (with 15 members in each group) using the random assignment method. Data was collected using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF). Brain-based learning and cognitive rehabilitation interventions were carried out in the experimental groups, while no intervention was performed in the control group. The data was analyzed using SPSS software version 26. The MANCOVA analysis for the scores of inhibition and attention shifting functions showed there was a significant difference between groups (p<0.05). The results indicated a significant difference between the effectiveness of brain-based learning and cognitive rehabilitation interventions in terms of inhibition and attention shifting. Therefore, it was found that the effectiveness of brain-based learning was significantly greater than cognitive rehabilitation intervention. Based on these findings, it is suggested to prioritize brain-based learning intervention in order to increase the functions of inhibition and attention shifting.
Ultraviolet radiation which exists in environment around can be regarded as a major source of textile materials. In this study, the effect of UV exposure on the cut-pile carpet was investigated. A UV ...chamber was used to expose different levels of accelerated UV radiation on the samples of the machine-woven pile carpet. Wear test were then carried out on all samples using a Hexapod tumbler machine. The short-term static loading was applied to the carpets and the thickness loss percent (TL) and recovery percent (RP) of the samples at different times after load removal was measured using standard methods. Factorial experimental design and response surface method were applied for to create polynomial regression models and predict each of the thickness loss and recovery percent of carpet samples. The model is capable to determine the contribution of different variables. The results of the modeling revealed a desirable fit. The adjusted R
2
values were also high and significant. The ANOVA test indicated that the presented models were valid at 5% significant level.
•Intra-nasal magnetic delivery was performed to guide magnetic rods to the brain.•Multi-segmented micro magnetic rods were used for magnetic delivery.•Pulling and spinning magnetic fields were ...applied simultaneously.•Particles were transported by translational and rotational motions.•Pull and drill rods can greatly improve the transport of drugs to the brain.
Getting drugs deep into the brain to treat cancers, neurological disease, and behavioral disorders is challenging. In this work, we tried to improve the efficiency of intra-nasal transport into the brain via the cribriform plate using magnetic particles. We and others have used magnetic particles for delivering heat, drugs, and genes. We performed experiments with mouse cadavers that received 250-nm-wide intra-nasal magnetic rods intra-nasally under different combinations of magnetic fields. We found that the application of helical dynamic gradients to the particles (i.e., both rotational and linear) improved transport from the nose into the brain, as compared to linear magnetic gradients alone. On histological examination, no tracks were observed to suggest significant damage to the brain during the transport process. We are currently building a system for testing with live animals, with eventual proposed application to humans.
UV exposure is a major source of degradation and deterioration of textile materials including carpets. Samples of machine-woven cut-pile carpets were prepared and exposed to different UV exposure ...times using a UV chamber. The short-term static loading was then applied to the carpets and the recovery properties and the thickness loss of the samples were measured using standard methods. The results showed that the variation of the thickness loss in different load removal times was steep at first and obeyed an exponential trend. As the time was increased, it tended to a lower slope and at a certain point, it reached a constant value. No statistically significance difference was observed in the thickness losses following 60 min of load removal time after static loading. UV radiation caused a significant increase in the thickness loss, or compression of piles, under static loading. Curve fitting process was applied and then the theoretical recovery speed equation was predicted. The results revealed that the compression of the carpets under static loading was higher in the case of UV exposure carpets. However, the speed of the recovery after load removal was much higher in the case of UV exposure carpets, in comparison to the non-exposure carpets.
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