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Presents information on a study which examined the task of analyzing electro-optic properties of thin polymetric films by incorporating the films into the spacer layers of transmission-mode Fabry-Pérot devices formed using metal mirrors. Methodology of the study; Results; Conclusions.

Background: The theoretical framework utilised in the current study included Keyes’s mental health continuum, as well as the dimensions of emotional, psychological and social well-being. Aim: The aim of this study was to explore students experiences of flourishing and languishing during their first year at university. Methods: A nominal group technique was utilised in order to obtain data regarding the experiences of 22 first-year students and was thereafter analysed by means of thematic analysis. Results: Various dimensions of emotional, psychological and social well-being were highlighted as essential in experiencing either flourishing or languishing during students first year at university. Although students experienced both flourishing and languishing, it is evident that students are more vulnerable to languishing during the beginning of their university career. Facing the big unknown, being confronted with practical difficulties, finding academics overwhelming, experiencing social isolation and being a victim of crime were prominent. Students however, learn to flourish when they achieve academic mastery, experience personal growth and independence and secure a social support system. Conclusions: The first year is seen as fundamental to student success at university, therefore the promotion of mental health during this year can be valuable in ensuring flourishing experiences during students’ academic journey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Antibiotics deserve their place a powerful pillar in modern medical care, but the development of antibiotic resistance is emerging faster than the availability of new antibiotics. This poses a major threat to public health. The primary aim was to determine the perceptions towards the prescribing of antibiotics by pharmacists and the use of antibiotics in primary care in Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa. Methodology: A questionnaire survey was conducted under community pharmacists during 2014. Purposive sampling was used. Results: Eighty percent of pharmacists were of the opinion that antibiotics are overprescribed. Amoxicillin, or the combination of amoxicillin with clavulanic acid, was indicated by 87.5% of respondents as the most often dispensed in their pharmacies, with ciprofloxacin, clarithromycin and azithromycin also commonly dispensed. One specific trade name product was mentioned by 43.8% of respondents as the antibiotic product they most often dispense. The most common diagnoses for which antibiotics were dispensed were upper respiratory tract infections and sinusitis. On average, more females (60.0%) were dispensed antibiotics. Most antibiotics were dispensed to adults (44.4%) and children (23.1%). On the question whether respondents were of the opinion that pharmacists should prescribe antibiotics, 50.0% indicated that they do not agree and 31.3% agreed. The main reason was because pharmacists are not qualified to diagnose. However, with further training they should be able to diagnose minor ailments and counsel patients. Conclusions: Pharmacists had mixed opinions on whether they should be able to prescribe antibiotics. Most pharmacists were of the opinion that antibiotics are overprescribed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study thin films of p-doped silicon were deposited on glass substrate using the hot wire chemical vapour deposition. The deposition chamber of the hot wire chemical vapour deposition was modified such that co-evaporation of the doping metal could be possible. This resulted in the p-doped silicon film, which also has a polycrystalline microstructure. Aluminium metal was used as a dopant instead of the conventional boron. To grow a silicon crystalline p-layer using this method, physical evaporation of aluminium in the hot-wire chemical vapor deposition chamber takes place, while at the same time catalytically fragmenting silane gas on the resistively heated tantulum hot wire. The microstructure (which is polycrystalline) and the electrical characterization of the p-type doping film will be presented in this work. This layer was then used to manufacture n–i–p prototype solar cell. The open circuit voltage (V oc ) and the closed circuit current (J sc ) of the solar cell will also be presented in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction In Australia the incidence of obesity is increasing rapidly and has become a significant public health concern. In addition to the many physical consequences of obesity many studies have reported significant mental health consequences, including major depression, mood and anxiety disorders. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between severity of obesity and perceived mental health in an Australian community sample. Methods A cross-sectional survey design was used. A total of 118 participants, aged between 19 and 75 years with a body mass index ( BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2 returned a completed questionnaire. The SF-36 Health Survey, Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, Social Interaction Anxiety Scale and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support were used. Results After adjusting for age, gender, perceived social support and physical health quality of life, obesity was not significantly associated with mental health quality of life ( SF-36). The strongest factor influencing mental health was perceived physical health. Mediation analyses suggest that physical health mediates the relationship between obesity and mental health quality of life. Discussion Our findings support the view that physical health mediates the relationship between obesity and mental health. Public health interventions should focus on reducing the impact of obesity on physical health by encouraging participation in healthy lifestyles, which in turn, may improve mental wellbeing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The supramolecular organization of the two major plant polysaccharides, glucose and starch, remains poorly understood, despite decades of investigation. Almost all recent advances in the field have relied on methods requiring crystalline samples: as a consequence, relatively little is known about the so-called amorphous regions of either cellulose or starch, or the relationship between crystalline and noncrystalline regions. Parametric nonlinear optical properties such as second harmonic generation, sum frequency generation vibrational spectroscopy, and third harmonic generation are ideally suited for studying both crystalline and amorphous regions in intact samples. In this paper we review the nonlinear optical properties of cellulose and starch in the context of their molecular and supramolecular structure. We speculate on specific questions that could be addressed with this approach, and how they might contribute to a better understanding of common structural themes in biological macromolecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The work that is presented here is focused on the results that were obtained during studies of the performance of dye solar cells under certain reverse bias conditions. This reverse voltage could permanently modify or damage a cell if it is not properly protected. Various techniques were employed to determine the physical changes in the cell. It was found that a cell that was subjected to a reverse bias of 2 V for 500 min showed a 58% recovery. The UV-vis spectra showed a blue shift (higher energy), the Raman showed no peak at 1,713 cm and the FT-IR showed the disappearance of the S-C-N absorption band at 2,100 cm. The combined conclusion is that the NCS ligand has been depleted and replaced with I ions. Nyquist and Bode plots showed an increase in the charge transfer resistance at the counter electrode. This indicates a partial oxidation of the Pt catalyst on the counter electrode. The changes in the cell after being subjected to a reverse bias potential of 2 V for 500 min are changes on the NCS bonds on the Ru containing dye as well as the Pt on the counter electrode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

im: This cross-sectional study explored the prevalence of body image dissatisfaction, body dysmorphic disorder, social anxiety and depressive symptoms in first-year medical students in China. Methods: A self-report survey design was employed, using the Body Shape Questionnaire, Swansea Muscularity Attitudes Questionnaire, Social Interaction Anxiety Scale, Dysmorphic Concern Questionnaire, Self-Rating Depression Scale and the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Questionnaire. A total of 487 first-year medical students participated. Results: About one-third of participants (32.5%) indicated that they were very concerned about some aspect of their appearance unrelated to weight, with six female participants (1.3%) screening positive for body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). Those who displayed concern with their appearance (including those who did not screen positive for BDD) had higher levels of depressive and social anxiety symptoms than those who had no appearance concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of the Dysmorphic Concerns Questionnaire (DCQ) as a screening measure for body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) and to derive DCQ cutoff scores to facilitate the screening procedure. Method: The DCQ was completed by 244 undergraduates (mean = 20.80, SD = 3.10 years) and 57 BDD outpatients (mean = 29.60, SD = 9.44 years) in Melbourne, Australia. The undergraduate sample was screened for eating disorders using the Eating Attitudes Test-26, and for BDD using the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Questionnaire. Results: The BDD outpatients obtained significantly higher scores on the DCQ than the undergraduates. This difference remained statistically significant after controlling for the severity of depression and social anxiety symptoms. A DCQ cutoff score of 9 resulted in the correct classification of 96.4% of BDD patients and 90.6% of undergraduates. Conclusions: The results supported the use of the DCQ as a brief, sensitive, and specific screening instrument for BDD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The molecular origins of second order nonlinear optical properties in proteins structures identified by sum-frequency vibrational spectroscopy are discussed. Noncentrosymmetry, existing at a molecular level, is translated to a macroscopic scale through non-covalent intermolecular interactions. In an alpha-helix hydrogen bonds align C=O and N--H groups parallel to a main axis. In contrast, in a collagen triple helix hydrogen bonds align C=O and N--H groups almost perpendicular to a main axis. The hydrogen bonds create a helical ladder. The effect of these unipolar and helical alignments on the second order nonlinearity is to produce achiral and chiral contributions, respectively. In the collagen triple helix, there is also an achiral contribution caused by methylene molecular groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: One of the prime components of a hot-wire (Cat) Chemical Vapor Deposition system is the filament used to pyro-catalytically crack the gases like silane. Burnt out tantalum filaments were studied to determine the possible improvement of lifetime for these filaments. The structure and chemical distribution in the filament were investigated, using electron microscopy and elemental analysis. It was found that at the high temperature centre section of a filament a thin surface silicide layer develops around a central metal core. At the filament ends a surface layer of metal silicide develops, that eventually consume the metal completely, causing breakages. Changes in the pre- and post-treatments of gas type and pressure were tested to improve the filament lifetime, arriving at a very simple procedure that increases the lifetime of the filament to several months. By annealing the hot filament both before and after a deposition run in a low pressure hydrogen ambient, a surface layer of pure silicon developed at the lower temperature ends, essentially protecting the metal from further silicidation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: The aim of this paper was to review whether the $50m spent by the US National Institute of Mental Health in doing the Clinical Antipsychotic Trials of Intervention Effectiveness (CATIE) trials found any useful evidence to change the clinical management of schizophrenia by psychiatrists. Conclusion: The CATIE trials were conducted in the US on 1460 enrolled patients in an effort to track how the drugs used to treat schizophrenia actually work in clinical practice (rather than in 6-week clinical trials). In a complex 3- phase design, patients were randomized to various types of (mostly) atypical antipsychotic drugs. Some 69-74% of patients switched antipsychotics for one reason or another during the 18 months of treatment. Some of the results were expensive confirmations of known prior results; of the commonly prescribed drugs, clozapine was the most effective, and olanzapine and ziprasidone caused the most and fewest metabolic side effects, respectively. The most stunning finding was that psychiatrists tend to ignore life-threatening, treatable medical conditions in patients presenting for treatment with schizophrenia. Of patients entering the study, 45% had untreated diabetes, 89% had untreated hyperlipidemias and 62% had untreated hypertension. This study failed to reveal anything of significant importance in the psychopharmacological treatment of schizophrenia, but did expose a woeful standard in the medical management of schizophrenia offered by psychiatrists. Psychiatrists should learn to properly treat diabetes, hyperlipidemia and hypertension when detected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Results of photoresponse, activation energy and light soaking measurements on selected hydrogenated nanocrystalline Si thin films are presented. The films were deposited by hot-wire chemical vapour deposition. Values of photoresponse better than 1×102 were obtained. They are lower for porous material as the crystalline volume fraction increases. Activation energy results are related to the intrinsic character and the microstructure of the films. Light soaking experiments show that the nanocrystalline films are very stable. Their amorphous counterparts attain a stable photoconductivity value after 300 h of illumination. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Irradiation of SiO x layers and multilayers (0⩽ x ⩽2) with swift heavy ions gives rise to a rich variety of phenomena. These phenomena imply displacement of atoms inside the layer structure, removal of species from the material by electronic sputtering or molecule formation, the extent of which depends strongly on the x-value and irradiation parameters. Other phenomena are phase separation inside the material and modifications on the nano-scale at Si/SiO x interfaces. The paper briefly reviews these phenomena and presents new data concerning nano-scale modifications in the multilayers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Hot-wire chemical vapour deposition (HWCVD) has been used to prepare both hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) and nano/microcrystalline thin layers as intrinsic material at different deposition conditions, in order to establish optimum conditions where the hydrogen content would be minimal and the films would still exhibit good optical properties. Experimental data shows that by varying deposition conditions the transition to the nano/microcrystalline phase can be achieved. Transitional films in the regime tending towards the crystalline phase showed no infrared-active hydrogen. XRD analysis failed to show any discernible crystalline peaks, while Raman spectroscopy as a tool is more promising for the identification of films in changeover to the nano/microcrystalline state. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A method is presented that incorporates thin, lossy layers into a finite-difference frequency-domain algorithm designed for structures with circular geometry. The method allows the grid spacing to be much larger than the thickness of the thin layers. This greatly reduces the computational effort required when simulating circular structures such as optical fibers that incorporate thin layers. The method is validated by a comparison with the analytical solutions. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 48: 453–457, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.21378 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most -widely utilized absorbing boundaries for the finite difference frequency domain (FDFD) method is the perfectly matched layer (PML); however, this boundary is not ideal, as it significantly increases the computational complexity of a simulation. We compare three alternatives to the PML for modal solution using the FDFD method: the Higdon absorbing boundary condition, the complementary operators method, and the transparent absorbing boundary. These methods are integrated into an FDFD algorithm and applied to a well-known ridge waveguide test structure. The errors introduced by the absorbing boundaries are quantified in terms of propagation constant error and modal distortion, and compared to reported results using the PML. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A method is presented to incorporate thin, lossy layers into a finite-difference frequency-domain model while retaining a coarse grid-spacing. This approach significantly reduces computational effort. The new method is validated by a comparison with analytical solutions. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 43: 40–44, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.20369 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Describes the structures of a tetradentate ferrocenyl ligand and its oxorhenium(V) complex in solution and in the solid state. Synthesis of the novel ferrocynyl ligand rac-1,6-diferrocenyl-N,N'-bis(2-hydroxypropyl)-2,5-diazahexane; Incorporation of ferrocenyl units into cmplex molecules containing transition metals.

Digital optical data storage and processing are rapidly increasing in technological importance. The magneto-optic spatial light modulator (MOSLM) is a relatively low-cost, small pixel optical parallel input device that is capable of binary amplitude or binary phase modulation of each pixel. Thus, it is well matched to digital optical coherent storage and processing technology. However, potential problems associated with its use include: lack of a design for a general minicomputer interface, lack of interactive data-page file generation software, lack of ability to switch single pixels in some cases, lack of remote-from-computer operation capability, spurious pixel switching, and catastrophic failure due to thermal effects. The hardware and software components of a versatile minicomputer interface that has been successful in overcoming all of these problems are described. This interface allows easy data entry of entire data pages or single pixels and minimizes cross talk and noise developed over long cable lengths. In tests, the designed interface has produced highly stable operating characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The material properties of hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) have been known to change when exposed to elevated temperatures. In this work we report on the thermal stability of the structural disorder, hydrogen content and defect structure of hot-wire deposited a-Si:H when exposed to temperatures in excess of 100 °C. Prior to thermal hydrogen diffusion a change in the defect structure is observed, caused by the creation of low concentrations of microvoids. There is evidence of vacancy clustering at 400 °C, caused by the alignment of unterminated Si dangling-bonds that consequently results in an increase in the defect size, concentration or both. Raman scattering shows evidence that no crystallization is induced at 400 °C and that the structural disorder increases upon annealing. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Presents an experimental technique for corona poling a nonlinear polymer thin film for use in electro-optic modulators. Elimination of pinhole and surface roughness damage; Comparison of the corona poling technique with the contact poling technique; Production of large areas of large-second nonlinearity and high optical quality films.

The article offers information on use of the prostate-specific membrane antigen radioligand therapy (PSMA-RLT) with 177Lu-PSMA as a safe treatment option in patients with metastasized castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) with appropriate selection, with reference to a case study of a patient.

Actinium-225 (225Ac) prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) radioligand therapy (RLT) is a novel therapy for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). We aimed to report the safety and antitumour activity of 225Ac-PSMA RLT of mCRPC in a large cohort of patients treated at multiple centres across the world. This retrospective study included patients treated at seven centres in Australia, India, Germany, and South Africa. We pooled data of consecutive patients of any age and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status with histopathologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the prostate who were treated with one or more cycles of 8 MBq 225Ac-PSMA RLT administered intravenously for mCRPC. Previous lines of mCRPC treatment included taxane-based chemotherapy, androgen-receptor-axis inhibitors, lutetium-177 (177Lu) PSMA RLT, and radium-223 dichloride. The primary outcomes were overall survival and progression-free survival. Between Jan 1, 2016, and May 31, 2023, 488 men with mCRPC received 1174 cycles of 225Ac-PSMA RLT (median two cycles, IQR 2–4). The mean age of the patients was 68·1 years (SD 8·8), and the median baseline prostate-specific antigen was 169·5 ng/mL (IQR 34·6–519·8). Previous lines of treatment were docetaxel in 324 (66%) patients, cabazitaxel in 103 (21%) patients, abiraterone in 191 (39%) patients, enzalutamide in 188 (39%) patients, 177Lu-PSMA RLT in 154 (32%) patients, and radium-223 dichloride in 18 (4%) patients. The median follow-up duration was 9·0 months (IQR 5·0–17·5). The median overall survival was 15·5 months (95% CI 13·4–18·3) and median progression-free survival was 7·9 months (6·8–8·9). In 347 (71%) of 488 patients, information regarding treatment-induced xerostomia was available, and 236 (68%) of the 347 patients reported xerostomia after the first cycle of 225Ac-PSMA RLT. All patients who received more than seven cycles of 225Ac-PSMA RLT reported xerostomia. Grade 3 or higher anaemia occurred in 64 (13%) of 488 patients, leukopenia in 19 (4%), thrombocytopenia in 32 (7%), and renal toxicity in 22 (5%). No serious adverse events or treatment-related deaths were recorded. 225Ac-PSMA RLT shows a substantial antitumour effect in mCRPC and represents a viable therapy option in patients treated with previous lines of approved agents. Xerostomia is a common side-effect. Severe bone marrow and renal toxicity are less common adverse events. None. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Actinium-225-labeled prostate-specific membrane antigen ([225Ac]Ac-PSMA-617) is safe and effective in the treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). No study has specifically assessed its safety in patients with extensive skeletal metastases of mCRPC. We aimed to investigate the hematologic toxicity and efficacy of [225Ac]Ac-PSMA-617 therapy in patients with extensive skeletal metastases of mCRPC. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical record of patients treated with [225Ac]Ac-PSMA-617 for mCRPC. We included patients with a superscan pattern of skeletal metastases and those with 20 or more multifocal sites of skeletal metastases on baseline [68 Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT. We reviewed the levels of hemoglobin, white blood cell (WBC), and platelet prior to each cycle of treatment and determined the presence of impaired bone marrow function at baseline and the grade of toxicity in the hematologic parameters induced by treatment. We evaluated the predictors of hematologic toxicity using binary logistic regression analysis. We also determined the presence of renal dysfunction before or during treatment. We assessed response to treatment using prostate-specific antigen response and the progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Results: A total of 106 patients were included. Skeletal metastasis was in the superscan pattern in 34 patients (32.1%) and multifocal in 72 patients (67.9%). The median treatment cycle was 4 (range = 1–9). Ninety-eight patients (92.5%) had abnormal baseline hematologic parameters. One patient had grade 4 thrombocytopenia. Grade 3 anemia, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia were seen in 1 (0.9%), 3 (2.8%), and 2 (1.9%) patients, respectively. Age, the number of treatment cycles, and the presence of renal dysfunction were significant predictors of hematologic toxicity. Eighty-five patients (80.2%) achieved PSA response. The median PFS and OS of the study population were 14:00 (95%CI: 8.15–19.86) months and 15.0 (95%CI: 12.8–17.2) months, respectively. Conclusions: [225Ac]Ac-PSMA-617 induces a good anti-tumor effect in about 80% of patients with extensive skeletal metastases of mCRPC with a rare incidence of severe hematologic toxicity. Age, number of treatment cycles, and the presence of renal dysfunction were significant risk factors for hematologic toxicity of [225Ac]Ac-PSMA-617 therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We report on the growth kinetics of hydrogenated nanocrystalline silicon, with specific focus on the effects of the deposition time and hydrogen dilution on the nano-structural properties. The growth in the crystallite size, attributed to the agglomeration of smaller nano-crystallites, is accompanied by a reduction in the compressive strain within the crystalline region and an improved ordering and reduction in the tensile stress in the amorphous network. These changes are intimately related to the absorption characteristics of the material. Surface diffusion determines the growth in the amorphous regime, whereas competing reactions between silicon etching by atomic hydrogen and precursor deposition govern the film growth at the high-dilution regime. The diffusion of hydrogen within the film controls the growth during the transition from amorphous to nanocrystalline silicon. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Changes in the transit time of a short electrical pulse propagating through a coplanar transmission line (CTL) are used to sense protein interactions at an aqueous–solid interface. The effective permittivity of the CTL is lowered as a result of protein binding at the interface. This decrease is sensed by the relative decrease in propagation transit time of a baseband picosecond electrical pulse through the probe. It is shown that the microwave probe is sensitive to protein binding at a liquid–solid interface and can be used for measuring dissociation constants in the nM range. In comparison with previous microwave sensors, this sensor is relatively insensitive to temperature fluctuations. It has the capability of operating in non-optical environments such as porous capillaries, capillaries filled with separation media, or opaque substrates. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The potentially terdentate ligand 1-(S-methyldithio)-3,5-dimethyl-3-(S-methyldithiocarbazato)pyrazoline (H2mdp) was prepared by the reaction of S-methyldithiocarbazate with acetylacetone in an acidic ethanol solution. The neutral complex [TcOCl(mdp)](1) was formed by the reaction of (n-Bu4N)[TcOCl4] with H2mdp in ethanol at room temperature. Compound 1 has a square-pyramidal geometry with the thiolate, thiocarbonyl and amide donor atoms of the terdentate chelate mdp and chloride forming a square plane, with the oxo oxygen in the apical position. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The displacement of water from a solid–aqueous interface by a low-dielectric constant film that is a few nanometers thick can be detected as a change in the transit time of a baseband electrical pulse, of picosecond duration, propagating in a coplanar transmission line. The results of an electromagnetic analysis are experimentally verified by depositing polyelectrolyte monolayers on the probe surface and measuring changes in the pulse transit time of a short baseband electrical pulse. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Hydrogenated amorphous silicon has been deposited on 80 g m− 2 wood-free paper, with and without an intermediate metallic interlayer, using low temperature hot wire chemical vapor deposition (HW-CVD). Electrical measurements show these layers to be of good quality. In this paper we compare the differences in microstructural properties of the two types of layer, concentrating on the influence of the substrates, including their effect on the deposition rate of the material and substrate temperature. During the deposition process, the metallized substrates reach a higher temperature than plain paper. Both X-diffraction and positron annihilation lifetime studies indicate that the growth rate on the uncoated substrate is slightly higher than with prior metallization. There is no evidence of a crystalline phase or voids in the a-Si:H layers, and the internal defect structure is similar, with a dominant dangling-bond complex of similar size. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) is a widely used thin film semiconductor material which is still incompletely understood. It is generally assumed to form a continuous random network, with a high concentration of coordination defects (dangling bonds), which are hydrogen terminated. Neither the exact nature of these sites nor the degree of medium range order has been fully determined. In this paper, we present the first results for the local structure, from a combined study using angular correlation of positron annihilation radiation (ACAR) and synchrotron radiation diffraction. Reciprocal space information is obtained directly, for the mesoscale structure and the local defect structure, from the orientation dependent diffraction and 2D-ACAR patterns, respectively. Furthermore, inversion of both patterns yields a comparison of real space information through maps of the silicon–silicon pair correlation function and the electron–positron autocorrelation function B 2γ (r). From this information, it is possible to identify the dominant structural defect as a vacancy-size dangling bond cluster, around which the network strain is fully relaxed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In thin film electronic applications, the limiting factor, in terms of cost and usability, is generally the substrate material. As a consequence, different materials are being investigated as potential lightweight, inexpensive and flexible substrates. In this respect, we have been the first research collaboration to produce silicon-based electronics on paper substrates. Here we present structural characterisation of hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) layers deposited on 80gm−2 wood-free paper, with and without an intermediate metallic interlayer, using low temperature hot wire chemical vapour deposition (HW-CVD). Both pulsed positron beam profiling and X-ray diffraction studies indicate that the growth rate on the uncoated substrate is slightly higher than with prior metallization. There is no evidence of a crystalline phase or voids in the a-Si:H layers. The internal defect structure is similar, with a dominant dangling bond complex of similar size, which has a slightly longer lifetime than in layers grown at higher temperatures on conventional substrates. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The residual strain in an a-Si:H layer has been directly determined with X-ray diffraction techniques from variations in the diffraction angle of the first amorphous peak using CuKα radiation. The layer was deposited by HW-CVD on glass substrates at a growth temperature of 300 °C, and is known from previous studies to be highly disordered. It was found to have an average compressive stress of 750 MPa, using the c-Si lattice parameter as a reference, and typical values of the elastic constants for a-Si:H, increasing strongly towards the surface. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Electrooptic modulators that consist of an optical fiber waveguide coupled to an electrooptic waveguide are reviewed. Desirable attributes of these devices are that the optical fiber is uninterrupted and the interaction with the electrooptic region occurs only where the optical properties are modulated. In this paper we review in-line fiber evanescent field modulators that we have implemented with electrooptic polymers and compound semiconductor quantum wells. We show that the beam propagation method can accurately simulate the behavior measured in these devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy conservation in microorganisms is classically categorized into respiration and fermentation; however, recent work shows some species can use mixed or alternative bioenergetic strategies. We explored the use of extracellular electron transfer for energy conservation in diverse lactic acid bacteria (LAB), microorganisms that mainly rely on fermentative metabolism and are important in food fermentations. The LAB Lactiplantibacillus plantarum uses extracellular electron transfer to increase its NAD+/NADH ratio, generate more ATP through substrate-level phosphorylation, and accumulate biomass more rapidly. This novel, hybrid metabolism is dependent on a type-II NADH dehydrogenase (Ndh2) and conditionally requires a flavin-binding extracellular lipoprotein (PplA) under laboratory conditions. It confers increased fermentation product yield, metabolic flux, and environmental acidification in laboratory media and during kale juice fermentation. The discovery of a single pathway that simultaneously blends features of fermentation and respiration in a primarily fermentative microorganism expands our knowledge of energy conservation and provides immediate biotechnology applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy conservation in microorganisms is classically categorized into respiration and fermentation; however, recent work shows some species can use mixed or alternative bioenergetic strategies. We explored the use of extracellular electron transfer for energy conservation in diverse lactic acid bacteria (LAB), microorganisms that mainly rely on fermentative metabolism and are important in food fermentations. The LAB Lactiplantibacillus plantarum uses extracellular electron transfer to increase its NAD+/NADH ratio, generate more ATP through substrate-level phosphorylation, and accumulate biomass more rapidly. This novel, hybrid metabolism is dependent on a type-II NADH dehydrogenase (Ndh2) and conditionally requires a flavin-binding extracellular lipoprotein (PplA) under laboratory conditions. It confers increased fermentation product yield, metabolic flux, and environmental acidification in laboratory media and during kale juice fermentation. The discovery of a single pathway that simultaneously blends features of fermentation and respiration in a primarily fermentative microorganism expands our knowledge of energy conservation and provides immediate biotechnology applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigates the formation of NiSi through a semipermeable membrane of amorphous Cr(Ni). Segregation of Cr atoms at the original NiCr/Si interface; Selective passing of Ni to form a uniform NiSi layer.

The author of this article wanted to change the ethical approval statement of the originally published version of this article. Correct statement is indicated below. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents information on an experiment that described the evolution of the mechanisms of formation of the intermixed and segregated amorphous layers in sputtered nickel chromium films on silicon substrates. Experimental procedure; Results and discussion; Conclusion.

Background: A remarkable therapeutic efficacy has been demonstrated with 225Ac-prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-617 in heavily pre-treated metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients. We report our experience with 225Ac-PSMA-617 therapy in chemotherapy-naïve patients with advanced metastatic prostate carcinoma.Methods: Seventeen patients with advanced prostate cancer were selected for treatment with 225Ac-PSMA-617 in 2-month intervals, with initial activity of 8 MBq, then de-escalation to 7 MBq, 6 MBq or 4 MBq in cases of good response. In one patient, activity was escalated to 13 MBq in the third cycle. Fourteen patients had three treatment cycles administered, while in three patients treatment was discontinued after two cycles due to good response. Six out of 17 patients received additional treatments after the third cycle. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was measured every 4 weeks for PSA response assessment. 68Ga-PSMA-PET/CT was used for functional response assessment before each subsequent treatment cycle. Serial full blood count, renal function test, and liver function were obtained to determine treatment-related side effects.Results: Good antitumor activity assessed by serum PSA level and 68Ga-PSMA-PET/CT was seen in 16/17 patients. In 14/17 patients, PSA decline ≥90% was seen after treatment, including seven patients with undetectable serum PSA following two (2/7) or three cycles (5/7) cycles of 225Ac-PSMA-617. Fifteen of 17 patients had a > 50% decline in lesions avidity for tracer on 68Ga-PSMA-PET/CT including 11 patients with complete resolution (PET-negative and either stable sclerosis on CT for bone or resolution of lymph node metastases) of all metastatic lesions. Grade 1/2 xerostomia was seen in all patients, and none was severe enough to lead to discontinuation of treatment. One patient had with extensive bone marrow metastases and a background anemia developed a grade 3 anemia while another patient with solitary kidney and pre-treatment grade 3 renal failure developed grade 4 renal toxicity following treatment. The group presented with significant palliation of bone pain and reduced toxicity to salivary glands due to de-escalation.Conclusions: 225Ac-PSMA-617 RLT of chemotherapy-naïve patients with advanced metastatic prostate carcinoma led to a ≥ 90% decline in serum PSA in 82% of patients including 41% of patients with undetectable serum PSA who remained in remission 12 months after therapy. The remarkable therapeutic efficacy reported in this study could be achieved with reduced toxicity to salivary glands due to de-escalation of administered activities in subsequent treatment cycles. This necessitates further exploration for informing clinical practice and clinical trial design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The melting temperature of probe-target nucleic acid hybrids plays an important role in sensor performance. This study employed surface plasmon resonance (SPR) techniques to investigate the hybridization of both DNA and RNA targets to their complementary surface-bound DNA oligonucleotide and the corresponding melting temperatures. The target molecule was a 26 nucleotide strand of RNA selected because of its utility in detecting the tobacco mosaic virus, a common plant pathogen with an RNA genome. The melting temperatures of duplexes with immobilized probes were determined by hybridization of the DNA and RNA targets with the bound DNA probe at different temperatures using a custom-built thermostated dual-channel SPR cell. Hybridization conditions and binding efficiencies were compared for both DNA and RNA binding to the gold-coated surface-bound DNA probe. The melting temperature for the DNA–DNA duplex was approximately 15 °C higher than the DNA–RNA in the solid state. The melting temperature in solution was also measured for comparison to the surface values. For both RNA and DNA, the melting transitions were substantially lower (∼20 °C) for solid state binding relative to solution. Particularly for surface immobilized DNA–RNA hybrids, the melting temperature was reduced to room temperature or below. Since most biosensor platforms operate at room temperature, they may consequently exhibit poor sensor performance due to weakened probe-target interactions. This result emphasizes that for optimal sensor performance, the hybrid melting temperature should be considered. The ability to study and optimize the binding of complementary strands of genomic materials to bound DNA probes could facilitate the rapid detection and identification of plant viruses having genomic RNA using various biosensor rapid analytical techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electron backscatter diffraction revealed that during the hot-wire deposition of silicon nitride, a tantalum filament partially transformed to some of its nitrides and silicides. The deposition of an encapsulating silicon nitride layer occurred at the cooler filament ends. Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy disclosed the presence of hydrogen, nitrogen and silicon containing ions within the aged filament bulk. Hardness measurements revealed that the recrystallized tantalum core experienced significant hardening, whereas the silicides and nitrides were harder but more brittle. Crack growth, porosity and the different thermal expansion amongst the various phases are all enhanced at the hotter centre regions, which resulted in failure at these areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Silicon nitride films deposited at total gas flow rate <33sccm using hot-wire CVD. [•] Growth rate increased with NH3 flow rate and is competitive with other techniques. [•] Independent EDS and XPS corroborate each other on the N/Si ratio. [•] ToF-SIMS, ERD and FTIR disclose a decreasing Si H and H concentration at higher N/Si. [•] Thickness of N-rich Si oxide interface decreased with increasing NH3 flow rate. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The estimation of design floods is necessary for the design of hydraulic structures. Commonly used event-based approaches to design flood estimation have several limitations, which include the estimation of antecedent soil moisture conditions and the assumption that the exceedance probability of the design flood is the same as the exceedance probability of the design rainfall. Many of the limitations of event-based approaches may be overcome by the use of continuous simulation modelling for design flood estimation. This paper contains a brief summary on the development and assessment of a continuous simulation modelling system for design flood estimation in ungauged catchments. These developments include an investigation into the appropriate spatial scale of model configuration for optimum performance of the system, the temporal disaggregation of daily rainfall for hydrograph generation, flood routing in ungauged catchments and the use of radar information and rain-gauge data to improve the estimation of catchment rainfall. Results from the application of the system for design flood estimation in the Thukela Catchment in South Africa are presented and discussed. The results from the study highlight the challenges of hydrological modelling in an operational catchment and the need for reliable rainfall and runoff data. From the results obtained, it is concluded that reasonable and consistent estimates of design floods in the Thukela Catchment, particularly in smaller sub-catchments, can be obtained using the ACRU model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The estimation of design floods is necessary for the design of hydraulic structures. Commonly used event-based approaches to design flood estimation have several limitations, which include the estimation of antecedent soil moisture conditions and the assumption that the exceedance probability of the design flood is the same as the exceedance probability of the design rainfall. Many of the limitations of event-based approaches may be overcome by the use of continuous simulation modelling for design flood estimation. This paper contains a brief summary on the development and assessment of a continuous simulation modelling system for design flood estimation in ungauged catchments. These developments include an investigation into the appropriate spatial scale of model configuration for optimum performance of the system, the temporal disaggregation of daily rainfall for hydrograph generation, flood routing in ungauged catchments and the use of radar information and rain-gauge data to improve the estimation of catchment rainfall. Results from the application of the system for design flood estimation in the Thukela Catchment in South Africa are presented and discussed. The results from the study highlight the challenges of hydrological modelling in an operational catchment and the need for reliable rainfall and runoff data. From the results obtained, it is concluded that reasonable and consistent estimates of design floods in the Thukela Catchment, particularly in smaller sub-catchments, can be obtained using the ACRU model [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]