Selenium-alloyed tellurium oxide for amorphous p-channel transistors.

Compared to polycrystalline semiconductors, amorphous semiconductors offer inherent cost-effective, simple and uniform manufacturing. Traditional amorphous hydrogenated Si falls short in electrical properties, necessitating the exploration of new materials. The creation of high-mobility amorphous n-type metal oxides, such as a-InGaZnO (ref. 1), and their integration into thin-film transistors (TFTs) have propelled advancements in modern large-area electronics and new-generation displays2-8. However, finding comparable p-type counterparts poses notable challenges, impeding the progress of complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor technology and integrated circuits9-11. Here we introduce a pioneering design strategy for amorphous p-type semiconductors, incorporating high-mobility tellurium within an amorphous tellurium suboxide matrix, and demonstrate its use in high-performance, stable p-channel TFTs and complementary circuits. Theoretical analysis unveils a delocalized valence band from tellurium 5p bands with shallow acceptor states, enabling excess hole doping and transport. Selenium alloying suppresses hole concentrations and facilitates the p-orbital connectivity, realizing high-performance p-channel TFTs with an average field-effect hole mobility of around 15 cm2 V-1 s-1 and on/off current ratios of 106-107, along with wafer-scale uniformity and long-term stabilities under bias stress and ambient ageing. This study represents a crucial stride towards establishing commercially viable amorphous p-channel TFT technology and complementary electronics in a low-cost and industry-compatible manner.

Evaluating the feasibility of air environment management system for VOCs through 'VOCs specification' of petroleum refining industry.

The chemical industry releases various types of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the atmosphere, and the concentration of VOCs emitted from chimneys is regulated worldwide. However, some VOCs such as benzene are highly carcinogenic, while others such as ethylene and propylene may cause secondary air pollution, owing to their high ozone-generating ability. Accordingly, the US EPA(United State, Environment Protect Agency) introduced a fenceline monitoring system that regulates the concentration of VOCs at the boundary of a facility, away from the chimney source. This system was first introduced in the petroleum refining industry, which simultaneously emits benzene, affecting the local community because of its high carcinogenicity, and ethylene, propylene, xylene, and toluene, which have a high photochemical ozone creation potential (POCP). These emissions contribute to air pollution. In Korea, the concentration at the chimney is regulated; however, the concentration at the plant boundary is not considered. In accordance with the EPA regulations, Korea's petroleum refining industries were identified and the limitations of the Clean Air Conservation Act were studied. The average concentration of benzene at the research facility examined in this study was 8.53 µg/m3, which complied with the benzene action level of 9 µg/m3. However, this value was exceeded at some points along the fenceline, in proximity to the benzene-toluene-xylene (BTX) manufacturing process. The composition ratios of toluene and xylene were 27% and 16%, respectively, which were higher than those of ethylene or propylene. These results suggest that reduction measures in the BTX manufacturing process are necessary. This study shows that legal regulations should enforce reduction measures through continuous monitoring at the fenceline of petroleum refineries in Korea.Implications: Although volatile organic compounds(VOCs) are essential in various industrial sites, they adversely affect the health of people in the near community. Benzene is highly carcinogenic, so it is dangerous if exposed continuously. In addition, there are various types of VOCs, which combine with atmospheric ozone to generate smog. Globally, VOCs are managed as Total VOCs. However, through this study, VOCs have priority, and in the case of the petroleum refining industry, it is suggested that VOCs should be preemptively measured and analyzed to be regulated. In addition, it is necessary to minimize the impact on the local community by regulating the concentration at the fenceline beyond the chimney measurement.

Effects of kinesiology tape after enucleation of mandibular dentigerous cysts.

OBJECTIVES: Kinesiology tape (KT) creates a pulling force on the skin, thus improving blood and lymph flow by alleviating hemorrhage and congestion of lymphatic fluid. The authors hypothesized that the use of KT could be beneficial for the management of complications after head and neck surgery and designed this study to evaluate the effects of KT on swelling, pain, and trismus after enucleation of mandibular dentigerous cysts with third molar extraction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty patients who underwent enucleation of a dentigerous cyst with extraction of the mandibular third molar were selected. The patients were randomized into two groups (n=20 each): a KT group, where KT was applied after surgery in addition to basic postoperative care, and a control group, where patients received basic postoperative care without KT application. Swelling, pain, and trismus were evaluated before surgery (T0) and on postoperative days 1 (T1), 2 (T2), and 3 (T3). Cyst volume, gauze weight for assessing bleeding, and operation time were recorded. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between the two groups in the change in swelling up to T1 and the change in swelling between T1 and T2. The maximum swelling in the KT group was significantly less than that in the No-KT group and maximum swelling appeared faster in the KT group than in the No-KT group. Both groups showed a mild pain response but there was no significant difference between the two groups. There was no significant difference on interincisal distance change between the two groups. There were no correlations between cyst volume, bleeding, operation time, and maximum swelling. CONCLUSION: KT can effectively manage facial swelling after oral and maxillofacial surgeries such as cyst enucleation and third molar extraction, thus improving postoperative patient satisfaction levels and quality of life.

Giant Magnetic Heat Induction of Magnesium-Doped γ-Fe2 O3 Superparamagnetic Nanoparticles for Completely Killing Tumors.

Magnetic fluid hyperthermia has been recently considered as a Renaissance of cancer treatment modality due to its remarkably low side effects and high treatment efficacy compared to conventional chemotheraphy or radiotheraphy. However, insufficient AC induction heating power at a biological safe range of AC magnetic field (Happl ·fappl < 3.0-5.0 × 109 A m-1 s-1 ), and highly required biocompatibility of superparamagnetic nanoparticle (SPNP) hyperthermia agents are still remained as critical challenges for successful clinical hyperthermia applications. Here, newly developed highly biocompatible magnesium shallow doped γ-Fe2 O3 (Mg0.13 -γFe2 O3 ) SPNPs with exceptionally high intrinsic loss power (ILP) in a range of 14 nH m2 kg-1 , which is an ≈100 times higher than that of commercial Fe3 O4 (Feridex, ILP = 0.15 nH m2 kg-1 ) at Happl ·fappl = 1.23 × 109 A m-1 s-1 are reported. The significantly enhanced heat induction characteristics of Mg0.13 -γFe2 O3 are primarily due to the dramatically enhanced out-of-phase magnetic susceptibility and magnetically tailored AC/DC magnetic softness resulted from the systematically controlled Mg2+ cations distribution and concentrations in octahedral site Fe vacancies of γ-Fe2 O3 instead of well-known Fe3 O4 SPNPs. In vitro and in vivo magnetic hyperthermia studies using Mg0.13 -γFe2 O3 nanofluids are conducted to estimate bioavailability and biofeasibility. Mg0.13 -γFe2 O3 nanofluids show promising hyperthermia effects to completely kill the tumors.

Bacterial formation of extracellular U(VI) nanowires.

Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 rapidly accumulates long, extracellular, U(VI) nanowires composed of polycrystalline chains of discrete meta-schoepite (UO(3)·2H(2)O) nanocrystallites. The production of uranium(VI) nanowires could provide a novel strategy for remediation of uranium contamination in sediments and aquifers, as well as the recovery of uranium in manufacturing processes.