Synergetic plasmonic effect of Al and Au nanoparticles for efficiency enhancement of air processed organic photovoltaic devices.

Enhancement in the efficiency of air processed bulk heterojunction photovoltaic devices is demonstrated via the addition of highly stable uncapped gold (Au) and aluminum (Al) nanoparticles (NPs) into the photoactive layer. An enhancement in conversion efficiency by 15% is observed, which can be attributed to Localised Surface Plasmon Resonance effects at the small diameter Au NPs and to efficient scattering by the large diameter Al NPs.

Enhanced field emission from reduced graphene oxide polymer composites.

Results on electron field emission (FE) from reduced graphene oxide (rGO):poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) composite layers are presented. Three different FE cathodes were tested and compared: rGO layers on (a) n(+)-Si, (b) composite films with different rGO:P3HT ratios, (c) rGO layers on composite films with different rGO:P3HT ratios. Experiments show that there is a critical rGO:P3HT ratio in which the field-emission performance is remarkably improved.

Plasmonic organic photovoltaic devices with graphene based buffer layers for stability and efficiency enhancement.

Enhancement of photoconversion efficiency (PCE) and stability in bulk heterojunction (BHJ) plasmonic organic photovoltaic devices (OPVs) incorporating graphene oxide (GO) thin films as the hole transport layer (HTL) and surfactant free Au nanoparticles (NPs) between the GO HTL and the photoactive layers is demonstrated. In particular the plasmonic GO-based devices exhibited a performance enhancement by 30% compared to the devices using the traditional PEDOT:PSS layer. Likewise, they preserved 50% of their initial PCE after 45 h of continuous illumination, contrary to the PEDOT:PSS-based ones that die after 20 h.

Organic bulk heterojunction photovoltaic devices based on polythiophene-graphene composites.

A solution-processed graphene content was synthesized by treatment of graphite oxide (GO) with phenyl isothiocyanate (PITC) by taking advantage of the functional carboxyl groups of graphene oxide. The GO was prepared by the oxidation of natural graphite powder and was expanded by ultrasonication in order to exfoliate single or/and few-layered graphene oxide sheets. The functionalized graphene oxide, GO-PITC, can be dispersed within poly-(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and can be utilized as the electron acceptor in bulk heterojunction polymer photovoltaic cells.

Maternal social capital and birth outcomes in the mother-child cohort in Crete, Greece (Rhea study).

This cohort study aimed to estimate the effect of individual maternal social capital during pregnancy on birth outcomes in the context of the Mother-child cohort (Rhea study), in Crete-Greece. Women were recruited from four prenatal clinics in Heraklion-Crete for one year beginning in February 2007. 610 women completed the self-administered Social Capital Questionnaire at about the 24th week of gestation.

Sampled-data adaptive NN tracking control of uncertain nonlinear systems.

In this paper, for a class of single-input-single-output (SISO) uncertain nonlinear systems, adaptive neural tracking controllers designed for digital computer implementation are proposed. The overall scheme can be considered as a sampled-data adaptive neural control system. As an intermediate result, it is proven that, for a sufficiently small sampling period, the emulated adaptive neural controller i.

Exploring the effects of lifestyle, sleep factors and driving behaviors on sleep-related road risk: a study of Greek drivers.

Purpose: The present study explored the effect of various lifestyle patterns and sleep-related factors on the sleep-related road risk. Sleep-related factors included daytime sleepiness, drowsy driving and quality/quantify of sleep.

Methods: A sample of 1366 non-professional drivers aged 19-65 was selected from the broader Athens area of Greece, using stratified random sampling.

Reverse engineering techniques for cranioplasty: a case study.

This paper presents rapid prototyping and reverse engineering techniques applied to create an implant for the surgical reconstruction of a large cranial defect. A series of computed tomography (CT) images was obtained and purpose built software was used to extract the cranial geometry in a point cloud. The point cloud produced was used for: (a) the creation of a stereolithographic (STL) physical model for direct assessment of the cranial defect; and (b) the creation of a 3D mould model for the fabrication of the patient-specific implant.

Predicting human cloning acceptability: a national Greek survey on the beliefs of the public.

Background: In the era of human genome research, there is a large theoretical debate among scientists and authorities on the ethical dimension based on the moral liberty of the individuals and the scientific and economic dimension based on the freedom and the independence of the scientific and technological activities. Meanwhile, the understanding of beliefs on human cloning (HC) and its acceptability are important for the development of evidence-based policy making. However, previous research in the field of public beliefs towards human genetics is limited.

Identifying the public's knowledge and intention to use human cloning in Greek urban areas.

Purpose: The understanding of the public's knowledge on human cloning (HC) and its acceptability are considered important for the development of evidence-based policy making. The aim of this research study was to investigate the demographic and socioeconomic variables that affect the public's knowledge and intention to use HC in urban areas of Greece. Additionally, the possible association of religiousness with the knowledge and the intention to use HC were also investigated.

Freight transport and non-driving work duties as predictors of falling asleep at the wheel in urban areas of Crete.

Background: This study investigated the impact of subjective reports of drowsy driving and non-driving duties on the falling asleep responses and road crash involvement of professional drivers in Crete. An attempt was also made to elucidate other driving parameters, such as freight transportation, which could be potential predictors of risky driving, after controlling for lifestyle patterns.

Method: A sample of 317 professional drivers was studied through personal interviews.

Using attitudinal indicators to explain the public's intention to have recourse to gamete donation and surrogacy.

Background: Although the donation and receipt of gametes has become an integral part of infertility management, previous research in the field of social attitudes and intention to use medical technologies is limited. This study aimed to investigate attitudinal indicators and their potential relationship with the public's intention to have recourse to gamete donation and surrogacy.

Methods: A total of 365 individuals of reproductive age (49.

A relationship between traditionally motivated patterns and gamete donation and surrogacy in urban areas of Greece.

Background: Although gamete receipt or donation has become an integral part of infertility management, previous research in the field of social attitudes and intention to use medical technologies is limited. The aim of this paper was to investigate people's intentions to receive or donate sperm, oocyte or uterus (surrogacy) and to identify possible motivational patterns explaining this intention.

Methods: Personal interviews were conducted with 365 men and women of reproductive age (18-45 years).