Formulation of concentrated and stable ink of silver nanowires with applications in transparent conductive films

Concentrated and long-term stable Ag nanowire ink is formulated to coat transparent conductive films with superior comprehensive performance after simple cleaning.

Carbon-Based Flexible and All-Solid-State Micro-supercapacitors Fabricated by Inkjet Printing with Enhanced Performance

ABSTRACT

By means of inkjet printing technique, flexible and all-solid-state micro-supercapacitors (MSCs) were fabricated with carbon-based hybrid ink composed of graphene oxide (GO, 98.0 vol.%) ink and commercial pen ink (2.0 vol.%). A small amount of commercial pen ink was added to effectively reduce the agglomeration of the GO sheets during solvent evaporation and the following reduction processes in which the presence of graphite carbon nanoparticles served as nano-spacer to separate GO sheets. The printed device fabricated using the hybrid ink, combined with the binder-free microelectrodes and interdigital microelectrode configuration, exhibits nearly 780% enhancement in areal capacitance compared with that of pure GO ink. It also shows excellent flexibility and cycling stability with nearly 100% retention of the areal capacitance after 10,000 cycles. The all-solid-state device can be optionally connected in series or in parallel to meet the voltage and capacity requirements for a given application. This work demonstrates a promising future of the carbon-based hybrid ink for directly large-scale inkjet printing MSCs for disposable energy storage devices.

3D Interdigital Au/MnO2 /Au Stacked Hybrid Electrodes for On-Chip Microsupercapacitors

On-chip microsupercapacitors (MSCs) have application in powering microelectronic devices. Most of previous MSCs are made from carbon materials, which have high power but low energy density. In this work, 3D interdigital Au/MnO2 /Au stacked MSCs have been fabricated based on laser printed flexible templates. This vertical-stacked electrode configuration can effectively increase the contact area between MnO2 active layer and Au conductive layer, and thus improve the electron transport and electrolyte ion diffusion, resulting in enhanced pseudocapacitive performance of MnO2 . The stacked electrode can achieve an areal capacitance up to 11.9 mF cm(-2) . Flexible and all-solid-state MSCs are assembled based on the sandwich hybrid electrodes and PVA/LiClO4 gel electrolyte and show outstanding high-rate capacity and mechanical flexibility. The laser printing technique in this work combined with the physical sputtering and electrodeposition allows fabrication of MSC array with random sizes and patterns, making them promising power sources for small-scale flexible microelectronic energy storage systems (e.g., next-generation smart phones).

Silver Nanowire Transparent Conductive Films with High Uniformity Fabricated via a Dynamic Heating Method

The uniformity of the sheet resistance of transparent conductive films is one of the most important quality factors for touch panel applications. However, the uniformity of silver nanowire transparent conductive films is far inferior to that of indium-doped tin oxide (ITO). Herein, we report a dynamic heating method using infrared light to achieve silver nanowire transparent conductive films with high uniformity. This method can overcome the coffee ring effect during the drying process and suppress the aggregation of silver nanowires in the film. A nonuniformity factor of the sheet resistance of the as-prepared silver nanowire transparent conductive films could be as low as 6.7% at an average sheet resistance of 35 Ω/sq and a light transmittance of 95% (at 550 nm), comparable to that of high-quality ITO film in the market. In addition, a mechanical study shows that the sheet resistance of the films has little change after 5000 bending cycles, and the film could be used in touch panels for human-machine interactive input. The highly uniform and mechanically stable silver nanowire transparent conductive films meet the requirement for many significant applications and could play a key role in the display market in a near future.

Differential impact of maternal and paternal ethnicity on the pattern of fat distribution in infants at age 3 months

BACKGROUND

As ethnicity is typically recorded as a single demographic variable in clinical studies, little is known about the relative impact of maternal vs. paternal ethnicity on fat distribution.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to determine whether there is a differential impact of maternal and paternal ethnicity on infant adiposity.

METHODS

Three hundred fifty-five infants underwent anthropometric assessment at age 3 months, including skin-fold thickness (SFT) measurement at subscapular, suprailiac and triceps. Maternal (M) and paternal (P) ethnicity were classified as white (M = 241, P = 252), Asian (M = 50, P = 42) or other (M = 64, P = 61).

RESULTS

Infants with either Asian mother (compared with white) or Asian father (compared with white) had increased subscapular, suprailiac and triceps SFT (all P < 0.05). On logistic regression analysis, however, only maternal Asian ethnicity (compared with white) independently predicted the likelihood of an infant being in the highest tertile for SFT at subscapular (odds ratio [OR] = 2.72, 95% confidence interval 1.17-6.34, P = 0.02), suprailiac (OR = 3.56, 1.51-8.42, P = 0.004) and triceps (OR = 3.26, 1.40-7.55, P = 0.005). In contrast, paternal Asian ethnicity was independently associated with sum of SFT only (OR = 2.46, 1.02-5.97, P = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

Maternal and paternal Asian ethnicity have differential effects on infant fat distribution. Future clinical studies on obesity and fat composition should consider the distinct contributions of both parents to the ethnic classification of participants.

Predictors of duloxetine response in patients with oxaliplatin-induced painful chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN): a secondary analysis of randomised controlled trial - CALGB/alliance 170601

Duloxetine is an effective treatment for oxaliplatin-induced painful chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). However, predictors of duloxetine response have not been adequately explored. The objective of this secondary and exploratory analysis was to identify predictors of duloxetine response in patients with painful oxaliplatin-induced CIPN. Patients (N = 106) with oxaliplatin-induced painful CIPN were randomised to receive duloxetine or placebo. Eligible patients had chronic CIPN pain and an average neuropathic pain score ≥4/10. Duloxetine/placebo dose was 30 mg/day for 7 days, then 60 mg/day for 4 weeks. The Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form and the EORTC QLQ-C30 were used to assess pain and quality of life, respectively. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to identify demographic, physiologic and psychological predictors of duloxetine response. Higher baseline emotional functioning predicted duloxetine response (≥30% reduction in pain; OR 4.036; 95% CI 0.999-16.308; p = 0.050). Based on the results from a multiple logistic regression using patient data from both the duloxetine and placebo treatment arms, duloxetine-treated patients with high emotional functioning are more likely to experience pain reduction (p = 0.026). In patients with painful, oxaliplatin-induced CIPN, emotional functioning may also predict duloxetine response. ClinicalTrials.gov, Identifier NCT00489411.

Consequences of urban pollution upon skin status. A controlled study in Shanghai area

OBJECTIVE

After preliminary studies aimed at measuring pertinent biochemical parameters, potentially modified in subjects exposed to bad environmental conditions, a dedicated study was performed in Shanghai city to evaluate the effect of Urban pollution upon human skin and to collect feedback from the volunteers under study.

METHODS

This study was performed during summer 2008 in two different districts of Shanghai, on 159 local residents: 79 subjects from Xu Jia Hui (a centre Shanghainese area), more exposed to pollution, and 80 subjects from Chong Ming, an agricultural region closely located north of Shanghai (<100 kms) and less exposed to pollution, according to official data. Biochemical parameters were measured on skin, and feedback from volunteers was collected through a graduated 'Likert scale' questionnaire under a point scale (strongly agree, agree, disagree, strongly disagree and none).

RESULTS

The study demonstrated significant differences in several biochemical parameters measured in Chong Ming area, as compared to Urban area, with an increased ratio of squalene/lipids, a lower level of lactic acid and a better cohesion of stratum corneum. Both sebum excretion rate and sebum casual levels did not differ between the two districts. The volunteer's feedback evidenced a perceived link between pollution and their skin problems.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated a significant impact of the pollution upon the skin status, as illustrated by changes in superficial biochemical parameters and volunteers' perception.

Histoplasmosis presenting with solitary pulmonary nodule: two cases mimicking pulmonary metastases

Pulmonary histoplasmosis is a granulomatous disease, whose diagnosis is not always easy, as it may simulate metastatic lesions due to similar radiographic findings. We herein report two cases of histoplasmosis with solitary pulmonary nodule in asymptomatic patients with histories of cancer surgeries, whose diagnoses were confirmed by postoperative pathological examinations. Doctors must pay attention to risk factors for immunosuppression such as the histories of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or malignancy, which may increase chances of developing histoplasmosis. Limited surgical intervention is the treatment of choice for these localized lesions.

Development of cross-priming amplification assays for rapid and sensitive detection of Aeromonas hydrophila

Aeromonas hydrophila has been increasingly implicated as the aetiologic agent of various human diseases. Therefore, reliable laboratory detection and identification of this bacterium has become clinically and epidemiologically desirable. We developed a nearly instrument-free, simple molecular method for rapid detection of Aer. hydrophila using a cross-priming amplification (CPA) assay with the desA gene as the target. The desA gene is crucial for the survival and growth of Aer. hydrophila under iron starvation. The results can be visualized as colour changes without opening the reaction tubes. No false-positive results were observed for the 33 non-Aer. hydrophila strains tested to evaluate assay specificity. The limit of detection for Aer. hydrophila was approximately 200 copies of desA per reaction (on reference plasmids) and 5 × 10(3)  CFU g(-1) Aer. hydrophila in simulated human stool, which is the same sensitivity as a qPCR assay. The performance of the CPA assay was also evaluated with 100 stool specimens from diarrhoea patients and 40 environmental water samples. In conclusion, the simplicity, cost-effectiveness and nearly instrument-free platform of the CPA assay make it practical for use in primary care facilities and smaller clinical laboratories.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Aeromonas hydrophila is a human pathogen that infects via exposed wounds or ingestion of contaminated water and food. In this study, a CPA-based PCR method was developed for specific, rapid, cost-effective detection of Aer. hydrophila, and the test results could be visualized without opening the reaction tubes. This is the first report on the application of the CPA method for the detection of Aer. hydrophila. This novel method could be practical for use in primary care facilities and smaller clinical laboratories.

Thermal response of transparent silver nanowire/PEDOT:PSS film heaters

Thermal response behavior of transparent silver nanowire/PEDOT:PSS film heaters are intensively studied for manipulating heating temperature, response time, and power consumption. Influences of substrate heat capacity, heat transfer coefficient between air and heater, sheet resistance and dimension of Ag nanowire film, on the thermal response are investigated from thermodynamic analysis. Suggestion is given for practical applications that if other parameters are fixed, Ag nanowire coverage can be utilized as an effective parameter to adjust the thermal response. The heat transfer coefficient plays opposite roles on thermal response speed and achievable steady temperature. A value of ≈32 W m(-2) K(-1) is obtained from transient process analysis after correcting it by considering heater resistance variation during heating tests. Guidance of designing heaters with a given response time is provided by forming Ag nanowire film with a suitable sheet resistance on substrate of appropriate material and a certain thickness. Thermal response tests of designed Ag heaters are performed to show higher heating temperature, shorter response time, and lower power consumption (179 °C cm(2) W(-1)) than ITO/FTO heaters, as well as homogeneous temperature distribution and stability for repeated use. Potential applications of the Ag heaters in window defogging, sensing and thermochromism are manifested.

A route to phase controllable Cu2ZnSn(S(1-x)Se(x))4 nanocrystals with tunable energy bands

Cu₂ZnSn(S_1−xSe_x)₄ nanocrystals are an emerging family of functional materials with huge potential of industrial applications, however, it is an extremely challenging task to synthesize Cu₂ZnSn(S_1−xSe_x)₄ nanocrystals with both tunable energy band and phase purity. Here we show that a green and economic route could be designed for the synthesis of Cu₂ZnSn(S_1−xSe_x)₄ nanocrystals with bandgap tunable in the range of 1.5–1.12 eV. Consequently, conduction band edge shifted from −3.9 eV to −4.61 eV (relative to vacuum energy) is realized. The phase purity of Cu₂ZnSn(S_1−xSe_x)₄ nanocrystals is substantiated with in-depth combined optical and structural characterizations. Electrocatalytic and thermoelectric performances of Cu₂ZnSn(S_1−xSe_x)₄ nanocrystals verify their superior activity to replace noble metal Pt and materials containing heavy metals. This green and economic route will promote large-scale application of Cu₂ZnSn(S_1−xSe_x)₄ nanocrystals as solar cell materials, electrocatalysts, and thermoelectric materials.

High-density silicon nanowires prepared via a two-step template method

High density ordered Si nanowire arrays can be fabricated from a Fe2O3 template annealed from polystyrene (PS) microsphere layers via a metal-assisted chemical etching method. The metal mesh films, containing position- and density-defined pores that determine the position and density of the remaining structures after etching, are extremely important for achieving high quality Si nanowires. By adding a structural inversion process, a Au metal mesh with arrays of high density nanopores is devised as a catalyst for metal-assisted chemical etching of silicon. The density of Si nanowires can be increased to two times that of the single-layer PS microspheres and further to three times when a double layer of PS microspheres is introduced. The two-step template method for the preparation of high-density Si nanowires shows great potential in the fields of nanofabrication and nanoelectronics.

Automatic release of silicon nanowire arrays with a high integrity for flexible electronic devices

Automatic release and vertical transferring of silicon/silicon oxide nanowire arrays with a high integrity are demonstrated by an Ag-assisted ammonia etching method. By adding a water steaming step between Ag-assisted HF/H2O2 and ammonia etching to form a SiOx protective layer sheathing Si nanowires, we can tune the composition of the nanowires from SiOx (0 ≤ x ≤ 2) to Si nanowires. Ag plays a key role to the neat and uniform release of Si/SiOx nanowire arrays from Si wafer in the ammonia etching process. The vertical Si nanowire array device, with both sides having high-quality Ohmic contact, can be transferred to arbitrary substrates, especially on a flexible substrate. The method developed here offers a facile method to realize flexible Si nanowire array functional devices.

HBx mutants differentially affect the activation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α in hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Mutations in HBx gene are frequently found in HBV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Activation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) contributes to HCC development and progression. Wild-type HBx has been demonstrated to activate HIF-1α, but the effect of HBx mutations on HIF-1α has not been elucidated.

METHODS

HBx mutations were identified by gene sequencing in 101 HCC tissues. Representative HBx mutants were cloned and transfected into HCC cells. Expression and activation of HIF-1α were analysed by western blot and luciferase assays, respectively. The relationship between HBx mutants and HIF-1α expression in HCC tissues was also evaluated.

RESULTS

The dual mutations K130M/V131I enhanced the functionality of HBx as they upregulated the expression and transcriptional activity of HIF-1α. The C-terminal truncations and deletion mutations, however, weakened the ability of HBx to upregulate HIF-1α. Meanwhile, the C-terminus was further found to be essential for the stability and transactivation of HBx. In the HCC tissues, there was a positive association between the HBx mutants and HIF-1α expression.

CONCLUSION

Different mutations of HBx exert differentiated effects on the functionality of HIF-1α, however, the overall activity of HBx mutants appears to increase the expression and transcriptional activity of HIF-1α.

Effect of maternal gestational diabetes on the cardiovascular risk factor profile of infants at 1 year of age

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Offspring of women with gestational diabetes (GDM) exhibit an adverse cardiovascular risk factor profile by as early as age 5 years. Recently, maternal glycemia has been associated with epigenetic modification of genes on the fetal side of the placenta, including those encoding emerging risk factors (adiponectin, leptin), suggesting that vascular differences may emerge even earlier in life. Thus, we sought to evaluate cardiovascular risk factors and determinants thereof in 1-year-old infants of women with and without GDM.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Traditional (glucose, lipids) and emerging (C-reactive protein (CRP), adiponectin, leptin) risk factors were assessed in pregnancy in 104 women with (n = 36) and without GDM (n = 68), and at age 1-year in their offspring. In pregnancy, women with GDM had higher triglycerides (2.49 vs 2.10 mmol/L, p = 0.04) and CRP (5.3 vs 3.6 mg/L, p = 0.03), and lower adiponectin (7.3 vs 8.5 μg/mL, p = 0.04) than did their peers. At age 1-year, however, there were no differences in cardiovascular risk factors (including adiponectin) between the infants of women with and without GDM. Of note, maternal and infant adiponectin levels were associated in the non-GDM group (r = 0.39, p = 0.001) but not in the GDM group (r = 0.07, p = 0.67). Furthermore, on multiple linear regression analyses, maternal adiponectin emerged as an independent predictor of infant adiponectin in the non-GDM group only (beta = 776.1, p = 0.0065).

CONCLUSION

Infants of women with and without GDM have a similar cardiovascular risk factor profile at age 1-year. However, there are differences in their early-life determinants of adiponectin that may be relevant to the subsequent vascular risk of GDM offspring.

Photocurrent enhancement for Ti-doped Fe₂O₃ thin film photoanodes by an in situ solid-state reaction method

In this work, a higher concentration of Ti ions are incorporated into hydrothermally grown Ti-doped (2.2% by atomic ratio) micro-nanostructured hematite films by an in situ solid-state reaction method. The doping concentration is improved from 2.2% to 19.7% after the in situ solid-state reaction. X-ray absorption analysis indicates the substitution of Fe ions by Ti ions, without the generation of Fe²⁺ defects. Photoelectrochemical impedance spectroscopy reveals the dramatic improvement of the electrical conductivity of the hematite film after the in situ solid-state reaction. As a consequence, the photocurrent density increases 8-fold (from 0.15 mA/cm² to 1.2 mA/cm²), and it further increases up to ∼1.5 mA/cm² with the adsorption of Co ions. Our findings demonstrate that the in situ solid-state reaction is an effective method to increase the doping level of Ti ions in hematite films with the retention of the micro-nanostructure of the films and enhance the photocurrent.