Search

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.

The Earth abundant polycrystalline antimony selenide (Sb2Se3) thin film is considered to be a potential photovoltaic material for their appropriate band gap, higher absorption coefficient, and nontoxicity. Interband gap defect states play a major role for efficient solar devices, which depends on the crystallinity of the materials. In the present investigation, we have synthesized an amorphous Sb2Se3thin film by following the thermal evaporation technique and have also converted the film to crystalline after vacuum annealing it at 250 °C. Both amorphous and crystalline thin films were characterized by several analytical techniques, XRD, FE-SEM, optical absorption, XPS, and UPS spectroscopy. The interband gap defect density was found to be much higher in the amorphous thin film as compared to that of the crystalline one. To understand the charge carrier dynamics of the photoexcited Sb2Se3thin film, femtosecond broad-band pump–probe spectroscopy has been employed at cryogenic temperature (5 K) and room temperature (300 K). Carrier trapping and recombination dynamics for both the films were found to be faster at 5 K than at 300 K and were attributed to higher carrier mobility at high temperatures. Understanding carrier dynamics of this photovoltaic materials are immensely useful for designing efficient devices.

Rapid technological advancements in recent years have necessitated the creation of energy-related devices. Due to their unique properties, including an exceptional cycling life, safe operation, low processing cost, and a higher power density than batteries, supercapacitors (SCs) have been identified as one of the most promising candidates to meet the demands of human sustainability. To increase the energy density of SCs, several advanced electrode materials and cell designs have been researched during the past few years. Utilizing the Faradaic charge storage process of transition metal cations, transition metal compounds have recently received attention as prospective electrode materials for SCs with high energy densities. In this work, the structure, morphology and electrochemical properties of molybdenum oxide (MoO3) films deposited via thermal evaporation technique and annealed at various temperatures were systematically investigated in order to examine the potential use of MoO3for supercapacitors. Electrochemical analysis confirmed the pseudocapacitance characteristics of the synthesized films. The annealing temperature affects the oxidation and reduction observed in the cyclic voltammetry (CV) plots. Areal capacitance of thin films annealed at 150°C was found to be maximum and this could be attributed to the formation of hollow tube-like nanostructures which provided more active sites, than films annealed at higher temperatures. This also influences the charge storage ability of the synthesized films. It would be logical to assume that additional research in this area will result in more interesting discoveries and, eventually, the vi-ability of those promising Mo-based compounds in high-tech energy storage systems.

Vulnerable population of neonates has suboptimal immune function that results toward their susceptibility to infection and sepsis-related mortality. Till date, neonatal innate immunity has not been completely understood, yet molecular characterization of this complex system has paved a path for identifying biomarkers that hold the potential to aid clinicians in diagnosing sepsis. The last decade has seen emergence of multiple putative biomarkers for early detection of neonatal sepsis. These include surface markers, acute phase reactants, cytokines, and chemokines. Analysis of these components has led us to the conclusion that biological factors/molecules have the potential to identify the sepsis progression in neonates. Early-onset sepsis can be detected by C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, and soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1. On the other hand, specific neutrophil and monocyte markers (cluster of differentiation 64 and toll-like receptors) along with the soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor can effectively detect late-onset sepsis. These markers need to be validated by conducting multicenter clinical trials with target of enrolling more number of neonates so that statistically effective biomarkers could be identified.

Neonatal arrhythmia can be a life threatening emergency. Diagnosis of arrhythmias in newborns need high index of suspicion as signs and symptoms are non specific mimicking common neonatal problems like sepsis. Arrhythmias in neonates also need echocardiographic evaluation to exclude underlying structural heart disease. The review describes diagnosis and management of common neonatal rhythm disturbances.

The aim of the study was to determine whether higher enteral protein intake leads to improved head growth at 40 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA) in preterm infants <32 weeks or 1500 g. Randomized controlled trial in which 120 infants were assigned to either group A with higher enteral protein intake achieved by fortification with higher protein containing fortifier (1 g/100 mL expressed breast milk) or to group B with lower enteral protein intake where fortification was done with standard available protein fortifier (0.4 g /100 mL expressed breast milk). The mean (standard deviation) protein intake was higher in group A as compared to group B; 4.2 (0.47) compared with 3.6 (0.37) g · kg-1· day-1, P< 0.001. At 40 weeks PMA, the mean (standard deviation) weekly occipitofrontal circumference gain was significantly higher in group A as compared to group B; 0.66 (0.16) compared with 0.60 (0.15) cm/week (mean difference 0.064, 95% confidence interval [0.004–0.123], [P= 0.04]). Weight growth velocity in group A was 11.95 (2.2) g · kg-1· day-1as compared to 10.78 (2.6) g · kg-1· day-1in group B (mean difference 1.10, 95% confidence interval [0.25–2.07], [P= 0.01]). No difference was observed in the length between the 2 groups. There was no difference in growth indices and neurodevelopmental outcomes at 12 to 18 months corrected age in the 2 groups. Fortification of expressed human milk with fortifier containing higher protein results in better head growth and weight gain at 40 weeks PMA in preterm infants <32 weeks or 1500 g without any benefits on long-term growth and neurodevelopment at 12 to 18 months corrected age (CTRI/2014/06/004661).

There has been a continuous effort to develop standard growth charts for neonates. Reference growth charts based on cross-sectional intrauterine data were developed from measurement of anthropometric parameters of neonates of different gestations at birth. Similarly postnatal charts for preterm neonates were developed based on longitudinal measurements of infant's parameters over intervals. Fetal–infant growth charts were devised by combining cross-sectional intrauterine data and postnatal infant's longitudinal parameters. Revised Fenton 2013 charts incorporating neonatal anthropometric data look to be most adequate for preterm infants of 22 weeks gestation till 50 weeks post-menstrual age. These growth references describe how infants grew in certain time in a defined population. There was a need of developing growth standard defining growth of healthy population in optimal conditions. WHO Multicentre Growth Reference Study charts were developed as growth standards describing the growth of healthy children from term gestation till 5 years of age. Intergrowth 21st growth chart is the new growth standards for preterm infants and looks promising in infants of gestation 33 weeks or more.

Cord clamping denotes a landmark period of transition from fetus to neonate. Recently, delayed cord clamping has been advocated by most international organizations based on available scientific evidence. Delayed cord clamping reduces iron deficiency in term neonates and intraventricular hemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis, need for blood transfusion in preterm's compared to early cord clamping. Recently, the focus has shifted to umbilical cord milking as an alternate strategy to have delayed cord clamping, especially in neonates needing resuscitation. Long-term follow-up data from these trials are limited.

The aim of the study was to compare prefeed abdominal circumference (AC) and gastric residual volume (GRV) as a measure of feed intolerance in very-low-birth-weight infants (VLBW).

The aim of the study was to compare prefeed abdominal circumference (AC) and gastric residual volume (GRV) as a measure of feed intolerance in very-low-birth-weight infants (VLBW). Eighty VLBW infants were randomized to 2 groups; feed intolerance was monitored by measuring either GRV group or prefeed AC group. The primary outcome was time to full enteral feeds (180 mL · kg-1· day-1). Other main outcome measures were feed interruption days, duration of parenteral nutrition, incidence of culture positive sepsis, necrotizing enterocolitis, mortality, and duration of hospital stay. The median (interquartile range) time to achieve full feeds was 10 (9–13) versus 14 (12–17.5) days in AC and GRV groups, respectively (P< 0.001). Infants in AC group had fewer feed interruption days (0 [0–2] vs 2.0 [1, 5], P< 0.001) and shorter duration of parenteral nutrition (P< 0.001). The incidence of culture-positive sepsis in AC and GRV groups was 17.5% and 30 %, respectively (P= 0.18). Duration of hospital stay and mortality were comparable in both the groups. Prefeed AC as a measure of feed intolerance in VLBW infants may shorten the time taken to achieve full feeds.

To evaluate the incidence, risk factors and outcome of hypoglycemia in SGA neonates.

Fortification of human milk (HM) is a recommended method to improve its nutrient content but it increases osmotic load on immature gut. The present study was carried out to compare the osmolality of HM fortified with three different fortifiers after 4h of fortification.

We have investigated adsorption of pyrazine molecules on the Si(100)-2×1 surface at 300 K by using high-resolution photoemission spectroscopy (HRPES) and near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) in partial electron yield mode. The Si 2p, C 1s, and N 1s core-level spectra reveal that pyrazine is directly bonded to silicon surface dimer rows through two para-nitrogen atoms, forming two new Si–N σ-linkages at 300 K. The π* orbitals of CC bonds in the carbon K-edge NEXAFS spectra show a good angular dependence providing an average tilt-angle α ∼ 34 ± 5° of the CC bond for the chemisorbed pyrazine with respect to the surface. The experimentally measured angle of α ∼ 34° agrees reasonably well with the cross-row configuration structure

We studied the effects of substrate temperature (Ts) on the surface roughness, resistivity (r), mobility (u), charge carrier concentrations (n), transmission and optical bandgap (Eg) of amorphous In-Ga-Zn-O thin films ([?]250 nm thickness) deposited by radio-frequency magnetron sputtering. As Ts increased from RT to 300degC, n increased (2.6 x 1019 - 5.0 x 1019 /cm3), r decreased (7.0 x 10[?]3 - 4.7 x 10[?]3 O[?]cm), and Eg (3.9 - 3.7 eV) along with the average transmission (89 - 82%) in the visible region decreased. Investigation of the O 1s core level and the Ga 3d, In 4d, and Zn 3d shallow-core levels spectra obtained by high-resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed that as Ts increased, an O 1s component representing the oxygen vacancies increased in amount and that the intensity ratio of In/Ga increased but that of Zn/Ga decreased. The analysis suggests that the increase of oxygen vacancies could explain the increase of charge carrier concentration and that the compositional change could explain the change of Eg.

Thermoluminescence (TL) analysis of gamma‐irradiated SrZnO2:Dy nanophosphors elucidates the presence of various trapping centers in forbidden band. Raman and Fourier‐transformed infrared spectra indicate effect on vibrational structure upon doping. Complex glow curves are obtained at varying gamma radiation doses, exhibiting glow features in low (50–180 °C) and high (220–400 °C) temperature regions. The deconvolution of glow curves indicates the presence of TL peaks at ≈100, 143, 202, 269, and 337 °C. The effect of Dy doping is observed as emergence of new glow feature at ≈143 °C. The substitution of trivalent Dy into SrZnO2host having divalent cations is proposed to be creating DyX1+(X = Sr, Zn) electron traps and VX2−hole traps, along with hitherto existing intrinsic defects. The concentration quenching of TL signal is perceived at 3 mol% Dy doping, whereas comparing glow curves for all samples at saturation dose indicate quenching of low‐ and high‐temperature glow features at different doping concentrations. The theoretical track interaction model and empirical three trap one recombination center (3T1R) model is used to explain former and latter effects, respectively. A schematic band model is proposed to predict the trap distribution upon Dy inclusion, responsible for observed TL in SrZnO2:Dy nanophosphors. Dy doping in SrZnO2creates new trapping states in the system studied through thermoluminescence glow curves upon gamma irradiation. The observed saturation and concentration quenching of glow curves with varying the Dy doping concentration is explained with theoretical and empirical models. A band model is proposed to explain the observed phenomenon.

Pure and nickel doped zirconium oxide (ZrO2) samples namely N1, N2, N3, N4 have been synthesized by sol–gel method at different doping concentrations (0, 1, 3 and 5 molar percentage respectively). Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) was used to confirm the elemental composition of samples. X-ray diffraction data following Rietveld refinement revealed the stabilization of tetragonal phase with some impurity of monoclinic phase. Unit cell volume and tetragonality (c/a) ratio was found to be in good agreement with standard values. Results showed the increase in unit cell volume with the decrease in crystallite size. UV–visible spectroscopy, revealed the variation in optical band gap with increase in Ni dopant in ZrO2nano-crystals due to combined effect of quantum confinement and generation of interstitial sites.

This paper reports the effect of surface morphology on the electrochemical performance of electrodeposited manganese oxide films. These films were deposited on stainless steel substrate by chronoamperometry for different deposition time (30s, 60s, and 120s). Morphology of deposited films were studied by scanning electron microscopy and decrease in surface area was observed with variation in deposition time. Cyclic voltammetry revealed decrease in specific capacitance with decrease in surface area of films. This effect was analyzed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) study. Further, the EIS data were fitted with equivalent circuit of electrochemical capacitor electrode and investigating electrolyte ion interaction with electrode during charge storage process. EIS fitted data were analyzed to study the electrode characteristics such as series resistance, double layer charge storage and charge transfer resistance. The variation in these characteristics was due to change in diffusion length with increased deposited electrode material content on substrate.

Tin oxide (SnO2) thin films were deposited by radio-frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering on silicon and glass substrates at different oxygen-to-argon gas-flow ratio (O2-to-Ar= 0%, 10%, 20%, 30% and 50%). All films were deposited at room temperature and fixed working pressures, 10 mTorr. X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurement suggests that all films were crystalline in nature except film deposited only in argon environment. The transparency of all of the films was more than 85% in the visible range except the film deposited only in the argon environment. Atomic force microscopy results showed that the surface of all the films were highly flat and smooth. The optical bandgap, estimated by Tauc plot was increased with oxygen environment. Blue shift was observed in the absorption edge and was accounted to decrease in the oxygen vacancies and dangling bonds.

We studied the effects of substrate temperature (Ts) on the surface roughness, resistivity (ρ), mobility (μ), charge carrier concentrations (n), transmission and optical bandgap (Eg) of amorphous In-Ga-Zn-O thin films (∼250 nm thickness) deposited by radio-frequency magnetron sputtering. As Tsincreased from RT to 300°C, nincreased (2.6 × 1019→ 5.0 × 1019/cm3), ρdecreased (7.0 × 10−3→ 4.7 × 10−3Ω−cm), and Eg(3.9 → 3.7 eV) along with the average transmission (89 → 82%) in the visible region decreased. Investigation of the O 1score level and the Ga 3d, In 4d, and Zn 3dshallow-core levels spectra obtained by high-resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed that as Tsincreased, an O 1scomponent representing the oxygen vacancies increased in amount and that the intensity ratio of In/Ga increased but that of Zn/Ga decreased. The analysis suggests that the increase of oxygen vacancies could explain the increase of charge carrier concentration and that the compositional change could explain the change of Eg.

For Abstract see ChemInform Abstract in Full Text.