Search

Antimony selenide (Sb2Se3) is today one of the most promising alternative materials for p-type absorbers in thin-film photovoltaics, with an optimal band-gap and a very high absorption coefficient. However, its crystal structure is extremely anisotropic and its natural carrier density is generally very low. Sb2Se3 thin films have been deposited by two different high-energy techniques: magnetron RF-sputtering (MS) and low-temperature pulsed electron deposition (LT-PED). Their dominant crystallographic orientations have been studied as a function of deposition parameters and of the different used substrates, while complete solar cells have been subsequently made with the obtained samples to confirm the dependence of conversion efficiencies on the observed (Sb4Se6)n ribbon orientation. Cu-doped Sb2Se3 thin-films have been also preliminary prepared in order to evaluate a possible route to further improve the free charge-carrier density and the cell performance.

We report on the room temperature, simple and cheap preparation by mechano-synthesis of polycrystalline targets of complex sulphide semiconductors, namely CuInS2 (CIS), to be used for film deposition in physical vacuum techniques such as PLD, sputtering or LT-PED. The sulphur (S)-based targets usually require expensive high pressure equipment to compensate the high S vapour pressure; nevertheless they are indispensable for the deposition of high band-gap semiconductor materials. The comparison of CIS films grown by mechano-synthesis and by commercial targets demonstrates similar material quality, making the mechano-synthesis a viable solution in the fabrication of high band-gap, S-based targets of complex chalcogenides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Raman spectroscopy, a versatile and nondestructive technique, was employed to develop a methodology for gallium oxide (Ga 2 O 3 ) phase detection and identification. This methodology combines experimental results with a comprehensive literature survey. The established Raman approach offers a powerful tool for nondestructively assessing phase purity and detecting secondary phases in Ga 2 O 3 thin films. X-ray diffraction was used for comparison, highlighting the complementary information that these techniques may provide for Ga 2 O 3 characterization. Few case studies are included to demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed spectroscopic approach, namely the impact of deposition conditions such as metal-organic vapor-phase epitaxy and pulsed electron deposition (PED), and extrinsic elements provided during growth (Sn in the case of PED) on Ga 2 O 3 polymorphism. In conclusion, it is shown that Raman spectroscopy offers a quick, reliable, and nondestructive high-resolution approach for Ga 2 O 3 thin film characterization, especially concerning phase detection and crystalline quality., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Purpose: Over the past 40-50 years, demographic shifts and the obesity epidemic have coincided with significant changes in lifestyle habits, including a rise in excessive alcohol consumption. This increase in alcohol intake is a major public health concern due to its far-reaching effects on human health, particularly on metabolic processes and male reproductive function. This narrative review focuses on the role of alcohol consumption in altering metabolism and impairing testicular function, emphasizing the potential damage associated with both acute and chronic alcohol intake. Conclusion: Chronic alcohol consumption has been shown to disrupt liver function, impair lipid metabolism, and dysregulate blood glucose levels, contributing to the development of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and related systemic diseases. In terms of male reproductive health, alcohol can significantly affect testicular function by lowering testosterone levels, reducing sperm quality, and impairing overall fertility. The extent of these effects varies, depending on the frequency, duration, and intensity of alcohol use, with chronic and abusive consumption posing greater risks. The complexity of alcohol's impact is further compounded by individual variability and the interaction with other lifestyle factors such as diet, stress, and physical activity. Despite growing concern, research on alcohol's effects remains inconclusive, with significant discrepancies across studies regarding the definition and reporting of alcohol consumption. These inconsistencies highlight the need for more rigorous, methodologically sound research to better understand how alcohol consumption influences metabolic and reproductive health. Ultimately, a clearer understanding is essential for developing targeted public health interventions, particularly in light of rising alcohol use, demographic changes, and the ongoing obesity crisis.

Purpose: To evaluate total testosterone distribution in male idiopathic infertility., Methods: A retrospective, real-world case-control clinical study was conducted. Cases consisted of men evaluated for couple infertility, specifically those with alterations in semen parameters and normal gonadotropin levels, and after excluding all known causes of male infertility. Controls were male subjects who underwent semen analysis for screening purposes, without any abnormality detected. The total testosterone distribution was evaluated in cases and controls. Further analyses were performed subgrouping cases according to total testosterone reference threshold suggested by scientific societies (i.e., 3.5 ng/mL)., Results: Cases included 214 idiopathic infertile men (mean age 38.2 ± 6.2 years) and controls 224 subjects with normozoospermia (mean age 33.7 ± 7.5 years). Total testosterone was not-normally distributed in both cases and controls, with positive asymmetric distribution slightly shifted on the left in cases. The rate of subjects with testosterone lower than 3.5 ng/mL was higher in cases (23.8%) than controls (4.5%) (p < 0.001). In cases with testosterone lower than 3.5 ng/mL, a significant direct correlation between testosterone and the percentage of normal morphology sperms was highlighted, also applying multivariate stepwise linear regression analysis (R = 0.430, standard error = 0.3, p = 0.020)., Conclusion: Although idiopathic infertile men show by definition altered semen analysis and gonadotropins within reference ranges, testosterone serum levels are widely variable in this population. Approximately a quarter of these patients present some sort of functional hypogonadism. Our data support the need to better classify idiopathic male infertility and total testosterone serum levels could be a supportive parameter in tracing the patient's therapeutic profile., (© 2024. The Author(s).)