Poly(methyl methacrylate) Films with High Concentrations of Silicon Quantum Dots for Visibly Transparent Luminescent Solar Concentrators.

Silicon quantum dots (Si QDs) are attractive, nontoxic luminophores for luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs). Here, we produced Si QD/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) films on glass by doctor-blading polymer solutions and achieved films with low light scattering at an order of magnitude higher Si QD weight fraction than has been achieved previously in the bulk. We suggest that the fast solidification rate of films as compared to slow bulk polymerization is an enabling factor in avoiding large agglomerates within the nanocomposites.

Air-in-Line Alarms: Decreasing Alarms Through Antisiphon Valve Implementation.

The administration of 24-hour continuous chemotherapy infusions is common in certain regimens, such as EPOCH (etoposide, prednisone, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, and doxorubicin). Such regimens are notorious for clinically insignificant air-in-line (AIL) alarms because of the naturally bubbly composition of the drugs involved. An antisiphon valve, placed at the end of the IV tubing to pressurize the infusion and to minimize air bubbles, was found to decrease clinically insignificant AIL alarms.

Synthesis of α-carboranyl-α-acyloxy-amides as potential BNCT agents.

Novel α-carboranyl-α-acyloxy-amides were prepared as potential BNCT agents utilizing three component Passerini reaction. Preliminary cytotoxicity of the representative compounds on two brain tumor cell lines (U-87 and A-172) showed no effect on cell viability; an essential requirement for utility as potential BNCT agents.