The addition of a compact titanium dioxide (TiO2) layer between the fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) coated glass substrate and the mesoporous TiO2 layer in the dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC) based on the iodide/triiodide redox couple (I−/I3−) is known to improve its current-voltage characteristics. The compact layer decreases the recombination of electrons extracted through the FTO layer with I3−

The occurrence of type I diabetes is associated with autoimmunity against insulin, glutamate decarboxylase (GAD65) and the transmembrane protein IA-2. Experiments in the spontaneously diabetic NOD mouse and the BB rat have shown early autoantigen treatment to confer protection from diabetes. The question remains of whether human type I diabetes can be prevented by autoantigen 'vaccination'.

Idiopathic Addison's disease develops as a consequence of autoimmune destruction of steroid-producing cells in the adrenal gland. A major autoantigen is 21-hydroxylase (21OH; P450c21), which is involved in the biosynthesis of cortisol and aldosterone in the adrenal cortex. We selected a number of functionally important 21OH amino acid substitutions, found in patients with congenital adrenal hyperp

The band offsets occurring at the abrupt heterointerfaces of suitable material combinations offer a powerful design tool for high performance or even new kinds of devices. Because of a large variety of applications for metal-semiconductor heterostructures and the promise of low-dimensional systems to present exceptional device characteristics, nanowire heterostructures gained particular interest o

Importance: Preterm birth has previously been associated with increased risks of hypertension and diabetes, but not ischemic heart disease (IHD), in adulthood. The reasons for this lack of association with IHD despite associations with its risk factors have been elusive, but may be associated with methodologic issues, such as survivor bias, in prior studies. Objective: To determine whether preterm

The X-linked DDX3X gene encodes an ATP-dependent DEAD-box RNA helicase frequently altered in various human cancers, including melanomas. Despite its important roles in translation and splicing, how DDX3X dysfunction specifically rewires gene expression in melanoma remains completely unknown. Here, we uncover a DDX3X-driven post-transcriptional program that dictates melanoma phenotype and poor dise

With this book, you will gain unique insights and a wider perspective on the impact of taxes on sustainable development in the European Union and worldwide. Based on multidisciplinary analyses, it takes an in-depth look at how tax systems can help or hinder the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. A must-read for public finance experts, tax experts and sustainable development experts.

Background: In situ fenestration of aortic stent grafts for treatment of aortic arch aneurysms is a new option for endovascular aortic arch repair. So far, only few reports have shown perioperative and short-term results of in situ fenestrations for aortic arch diseases. We present the multicenter experience with the aortic arch in situ fenestration technique documented in the AARCHIF registry for

During fracture of membranes loading often produces buckles above and below the crack surface. This changes the stress state surrounding the crack-tip and stresses in the neighbourhood of the crack-tip posses a weaker singularity than r-1/2. As a result, fracture occurs when the crack-tip stress distribution is different as compared with that when buckling is artificially prevented. Therefore the During fracture of membranes loading often produces buckles above and below the cracksurface. This changes the stress state surrounding the crack-tip and stresses in theneighbourhood of the crack-tip posses a weaker singularity than r-1/2. As a result, fractureoccurs when the crack-tip stress distribution is different as compared with that when bucklingis artificially prevented. Therefore the cond

Gastrointestinal (GI) problems constitute an important comorbidity in many patients with autism. Multiple mutations in the neuroligin family of synaptic adhesion molecules are implicated in autism, however whether they are expressed and impact GI function via changes in the enteric nervous system is unknown. We report the GI symptoms of two brothers with autism and an R451C mutation in Nlgn3 encod

Patterns of animal migration and the ecological forces that shape them have been studied for centuries. Yet ecological impacts caused by the migration, such as altered predator–prey interactions and effects on community structure, remain poorly understood. This is to a large extent due to the scarcity of naturally replicated migration systems with negative controls, that is, ecosystems without mig

Background: Abnormal P-wave morphology (PWM) has been associated with a history of atrial fibrillation (AF) in earlier studies. Although lone AF is believed to have substantial genetic basis, studies on associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) linked to lone AF and PWM have not been reported. We aimed to assess whether SNPs previously associated with lone AF (rs2200733, rs1337633

The role of the fracture process region during fast fracture is discussed. Reviewed experiments on modern pressure vessel steels show that already at crack tip speeds of one or two hundred mls fracture processes are dominantly brittle. Modelling of the process region is discussed in the light of asymptotic elastic plastic fields and process region autonomy. It is suggested that a fraction of the cThe role of the fracture process region during fast fracture is discussed. Reviewed experiments on modern pressure vessel steels show that already at crack tip speeds of one or two hundred mls fracture processes are dominantly brittle. Modelling of the process region is discussed in the light of asymptotic elastic plastic fields and process region autonomy. It is suggested that a fraction of the c

The Puchezh-Katunki impact structure, 40–80 km in diameter, located ~400 km northeast of Moscow (Russia), has a poorly constrained age between ~164 and 203 Ma (most commonly quoted as 167 ± 3 Ma). Due to its relatively large size, the Puchezh-Katunki structure has been a prime candidate for discussions on the link between hypervelocity impacts and extinction events. Here, we present new 40Ar/39Ar

A combined experimental/numerical method for determination of constitutive parameters in high strain-rate material models is presented. Impact loading, using moderate projectile velocities in combination with small specimens (sub mm) facilitate tensional strain rates in the order of 10(4)-10(5) s(-1). Loading force is measured from one-dimensional wave propagation in a rod using strain gauges and A combined experimental/numerical method for determination of constitutive parameters in high strain-rate material models is presented. Impact loading, using moderate projectile velocities in combination with small specimens (sub mm) facilitate tensional strain rates in the order of 104–105 s−1. Loading force is measured from one-dimensional wave propagation in a rod using strain gauges and deform

The aim of this pilot study was to investigate clinical symptoms during a 10-day benzodiazepine (BZD) taper procedure. Twenty-one BZD-dependent patients attended a fixed 10-day inpatient tapering program. The patients developed mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms. Concomitant codeine dependence and initially high BZD serum levels were associated with a worse prognosis.