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We explore the potential of laser processing aluminium oxide (Al2O3)/amorphous silicon carbide (a-SiC x:H) stacks to be used at the rear surface of p-type crystalline silicon (c-Si) solar cells. For this stack, excellent quality surface passivation is measured with effective surface recombination velocities as low as 2 cm/s. By means of an infrared laser, the dielectric film is locally opened. Simultaneously, part of the aluminium in the Al2O3 film is introduced into the c-Si, creating p+ regions that allow ohmic contacts with low-surface recombination velocities. At optimum pitch, high-efficiency solar cells are achievable for substrates of 0.5-2.5 Ω cm. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two spent mushroom substrates (fresh, F-SMS, and composted in aerobic conditions, C-SMS) were annually applied for 4 yr at two different rates (8 and 25 Mg ha-1 as dry matter) to a vineyard soil (Typic Haploxerept) located near Logroño (Ebro Valley, La Rioja, Spain). Soil samples were collected at three depths (0-5, 5-15 and 15-25 cm), and analyzed for soil organic carbon (SOC), water-soluble carbon (WSC), potentially mineralizable nitrogen (PMN), Due to image rights restrictions, multiple line equation(s) cannot be graphically displayed. and exchangeable Due to image rights restrictions, multiple line equation(s) cannot be graphically displayed. , microbial biomass carbon (MBC), soil C02 evolution (SR), β-glucosidase activity (CLU) and soil mean weight diameter (MWD) of aggregates and water-stable aggregates (WSA). The highest rate of F-SMS and C-SMS (25 Mg ha-1) increased SOC, total nitrogen ( Total N), and labile organic forms (WSC and PMN) at 0- to 5- and 5- to 15-cm soil depth and microbiological activity (MBC and GLU) at 5- to 15-cm soil depth. There were no differences in soil C02 emissions between F-SMS and C-SMS amendments. Applications of SMS did not increase the soil aggregation but increased the content of inorganic N in the soil surface (0- to 5-cm depth) layer. Factor analysis showed the positive relationship between labile organic matter fractions and N availability. Finally, application of SMS to semiarid vineyard soils facilities SMS recycling with simultaneous improvement in soil quality indicators related to labile organic matter and microbiologic activity. However, increased PMN and soil Due to image rights restrictions, multiple line equation(s) cannot be graphically displayed. indicate a potential risks for N leaching from SMS amendments that should be further evaluated. INSET: 1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT In this work we study the optimization of laser-fired contact (LFC) processing parameters, namely laser power and number of pulses, based on the electrical resistance measurement of an aluminum single LFC point. LFC process has been made through four passivation layers that are typically used in c-Si and mc-Si solar cell fabrication: thermally grown silicon oxide (SiO2), deposited phosphorus-doped amorphous silicon carbide (a-SiC x/H( n)), aluminum oxide (Al2O3) and silicon nitride (SiN x/H) films. Values for the LFC resistance normalized by the laser spot area in the range of 0.65-3 mΩ cm2 have been obtained. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the basic features and outcomes of synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis (SAPHO) syndrome., Methods: We identified all patients seen in our unit between 1990 and 2008 diagnosed according to the proposed inclusion criteria with SAPHO syndrome, who had a followup of at least 2 years., Results: Seventy-one patients (48 women, 23 men) with SAPHO syndrome were identified. The median disease duration at the end of followup was 10 years (interquartile range [IQR] 7-15 years), and the median followup duration was 11 years (IQR 6-11.5 years). Six patients were diagnosed with Crohn's disease. Fourteen patients had never had cutaneous involvement, but 8 patients presented >1 skin manifestation. Nine patients (13%) presented a limited (<6 months) monophasic disease course, 25 cases (35%) had a relapsing-remitting course, and 37 patients (52%) had an acute painful phase with a prolonged course lasting >6 months. A total of 4% of the patients were HLA-B27 positive. Female sex (odds ratio [OR] 7.2, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 2.2-22.9) and the presence at onset of anterior chest wall (ACW) involvement (OR 5.7, 95% CI 1.8-18.1), peripheral synovitis (P = 0.0036), skin involvement (OR 10.3, 95% CI 3.4-31.1), and high values of acute-phase reactants (OR 7.7, 95% CI 2.7-22) were correlated with a chronic disease course and involvement of new osteoarticular sites., Conclusion: A chronic course is the more common evolution of SAPHO syndrome. Female sex, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein values, ACW involvement, peripheral synovitis, and skin involvement at the onset seem to be associated with a chronic course.