Ultrafast Infrared Laser Crystallization of Amorphous Ge Films on Glass Substrates.

Amorphous germanium films on nonrefractory glass substrates were annealed by ultrashort near-infrared (1030 nm, 1.4 ps) and mid-infrared (1500 nm, 70 fs) laser pulses. Crystallization of germanium irradiated at a laser energy density (fluence) range from 25 to 400 mJ/cm under single-shot and multishot conditions was investigated using Raman spectroscopy.

Outcomes of Laparotomic Myomectomy during Pregnancy for Symptomatic Uterine Fibroids: A Prospective Cohort Study.

: The incidence of pregnant women with uterine fibroids is increasing. As they are reactive to hormonal stimuli, in some cases, uterine fibroids tend to grow during pregnancy and potentially generate symptoms with different levels of severity, causing maternal-fetal complications. In very select cases, when other treatment strategies fail to manage symptoms and there is a substantial risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, a surgical approach during pregnancy may be considered.

Ultrafast Infrared Laser Crystallization of Amorphous Si/Ge Multilayer Structures.

Silicon-germanium multilayer structures consisting of alternating Si and Ge amorphous nanolayers were annealed by ultrashort laser pulses at near-infrared (1030 nm) and mid-infrared (1500 nm) wavelengths. In this paper, we investigate the effects of the type of substrate (Si or glass), and the number of laser pulses (single-shot and multi-shot regimes) on the crystallization of the layers. Based on structural Raman spectroscopy analysis, several annealing regimes were revealed depending on laser fluence, including partial or complete crystallization of the components and formation of solid Si-Ge alloys.

Fast Recombination of Charge-Transfer State in Organic Photovoltaic Composite of P3HT and Semiconducting Carbon Nanotubes Is the Reason for Its Poor Photovoltaic Performance.

Although the photovoltaic performance of the composite of poly-3-hexylthiophene (P3HT) with semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (s-SWCNT) is promising, the short-circuit current density is much lower than that for typical polymer/fullerene composites. Out-of-phase electron spin echo (ESE) technique with laser excitation of the P3HT/s-SWCNT composite was used to clarify the origin of the poor photogeneration of free charges. The appearance of out-of-phase ESE signal is a solid proof that the charge-transfer state of P3HT/s-SWCNT is formed upon photoexcitation and the electron spins of P3HT and s-SWCNT are correlated.

Investigation of the Densification Behavior of Alumina during Spark Plasma Sintering.

The article presents the results of the investigation of the mechanism of the densification behavior of alumina-based ceramics during spark plasma sintering. The role of the heating rates and additives were investigated. The first (initial) stage of sintering was investigated by the Young-Cutler model.

Development and in vitro assessment of a bi-layered chitosan-nano-hydroxyapatite osteochondral scaffold.

An innovative approach was developed to engineer a multi-layered chitosan scaffold for osteochondral defect repair. A combination of freeze drying and porogen-leaching out methods produced a porous, bioresorbable scaffold with a distinct gradient of pore size (mean = 160-275 μm). Incorporation of 70 wt% nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA) provided additional strength to the bone-like layer.

Robotic sacrocolpopexy in pelvic organ prolapse: a review of current literature.

Purpose Of Review: Recently, robotic sacrocolpopexy has become the gold standard for treating genital prolapse. Despite this, there is still much interest in this procedure, and many questions remain unanswered. This review focuses on the most critical articles on this issue that have been published in the last 2 years.

One-Pot Synthesis of 2--Naphtho[2,3-]thiophene-4,9-diones via Cyclization of 2-(-Ethynyl)-1,4-naphthoquinones with NaSO.

The concise and efficient one-pot synthesis of 2--naphtho[2,3-]thiophene-4,9-diones from 2-bromo-1,4-naphthoquinone and alkynes has been developed. The reaction proceeds through the formation of 2-(-ethynyl)-1,4-naphthoquinones, which undergo transformation with NaSO to 2--naphtho[2,3-]thiophene-4,9-diones via C-H sulfuration, accompanied by the formation of the aromatic Bunte salt, followed by its air oxidation and 5-endo-dig cyclization. The protocol is characterized by simplicity, good tolerance for functional groups, relatively mild conditions, and commercially available starting compounds.

Time-domain shape of electron spin echo signal of spin-correlated radical pairs in polymer/fullerene blends.

Temporal shape of electron spin echo (ESE) signal of photoinduced spin-correlated radical pairs (SCRP) in composite of conductive polymer P3HT and substituted fullerene PCBM is studied in details. ESE signals of radical pairs (RP) P3HT/PCBM are calculated in realistic model, taking into account finite microwave pulse length. Inhomogeneous broadening of resonant lines and interradical distance distribution are included.

Light-induced charge separation in a P3HT/PCBM composite as studied by out-of-phase electron spin echo spectroscopy.

A composite material of semiconducting polymer P3HT and fullerene derivative PCBM was studied by means of electron spin echo (ESE) spectroscopy. The out-of-phase ESE signal was observed under laser irradiation of the composite at low temperature. We assume that during the charge separation process firstly the spin-correlated radical pairs in the singlet-polarized spin state are formed, and then the net polarization of radical pairs arises due to spin evolution.

Out-of-Phase Electron Spin Echo Studies of Light-Induced Charge-Transfer States in P3HT/PCBM Composite.

The light-induced charge-transfer (CT) state in the composite of the conductive polymer poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and the fullerene derivative [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) has been studied by electron spin echo (ESE) spectroscopy. The out-of-phase ESE signal corresponding to the spin-correlated radical pair P3HT(+)/PCBM(-) has been observed in this composite material. The time-domain ESE shape for different delays between the laser flash and the microwave pulse sequence has been analyzed.

Mesh-related and intraoperative complications of pelvic organ prolapse repair.

Introduction: To evaluate the rates of complications of pelvic organ prolapse repair and to determine their risk factors.

Material And Methods: The study included 677 patients operated for pelvic organ prolapse with trocar guided Prolift mesh. Patients were followed up within 1 and 3 months.