Thermionic Emission of Atomic Layer Deposited MoO3/Si UV Photodetectors.

Ultrathin MoO3 semiconductor nanostructures have garnered significant interest as a promising nanomaterial for transparent nano- and optoelectronics, owing to their exceptional reactivity. Due to the shortage of knowledge about the electronic and optoelectronic properties of MoO3/n-Si via an ALD system of few nanometers, we utilized the preparation of an ultrathin MoO3 film at temperatures of 100, 150, 200, and 250 °C. The effect of the depositing temperatures on using bis(tbutylimido)bis(dimethylamino)molybdenum (VI) as a molybdenum source for highly stable UV photodetectors were reported. The ON-OFF and the photodetector dynamic behaviors of these samples under different applied voltages of 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 V were collected. This study shows that the ultrasmooth and homogenous films of less than a 0.30 nm roughness deposited at 200 °C were used efficiently for high-performance UV photodetector behaviors with a high sheet carrier concentration of 7.6 × 1010 cm-2 and external quantum efficiency of 1.72 × 1011. The electronic parameters were analyzed based on thermionic emission theory, where Cheung and Nord's methods were utilized to determine the photodetector electronic parameters, such as the ideality factor (n), barrier height (Φ0), and series resistance (Rs). The n-factor values were higher in the low voltage region of the I-V diagram, potentially due to series resistance causing a voltage drop across the interfacial thin film and charge accumulation at the interface states between the MoO3 and Si surfaces.

Effect of a Potential Probiotic Candidate Enterococcus faecalis-1 on Growth Performance, Intestinal Microbiota, and Immune Response of Commercial Broiler Chickens.

The probiotic effect of Enterococcus faecalis-1 (isolated from healthy chickens) on growth performance, immune response, and modulation of the intestinal microbiota of broilers was assessed with a total of 100-day-old commercial Cobb chicks. The chicks were randomly divided into two equal groups. The control group received a basal diet, while the test group received a basal diet and was orally supplied with E. faecalis at a dose of 108 CFU/bird/day. Results showed that E. faecalis-1 supplement significantly (P < 0.05) improved the body weight and feed conversion ratio of treated broilers compared with the control ones. The mortality percentage was reduced in E. faecalis-1-supplemented group. The total IgY serum level was significantly (P < 0.05) increased in broilers receiving E. faecalis-1 supplement (7.1 ± 0.39) compared with the control group (5.8 ± 0.3), while the serum avidin level was significantly (P < 0.05) decreased in E. faecalis-1-supplemented broilers (76 ± 11.1). There was no significant change in the immune response towards avian influenza and Newcastle vaccines in both groups. The total Lactobacillus and Enterococcus counts were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the cecal contents of broilers given E. faecalis-1 than those that received the control treatment. E. faecalis-1 supplement enhanced the enzyme activities, antioxidant system, and liver functions of treated broilers compared with those in the control group. Collectively, these results showed that E. faecalis-1 could promote growth performance and immunological status and convey beneficial modulation of the cecal microbiota in broilers.

Solitary fibrous tumor of the ischioanal fossa-a multidisciplinary approach to management with radiologic-pathologic correlation.

Solitary fibrous tumors are primary mesenchymal tumors, which may occur in any part of the body. Overall, these tumors are considered to have intermediate malignant potential with 5- and 10-year metastasis-free and overall disease-specific survival rates of 74% and 55%, and 89% and 73%, respectively (Demicco et al, 2012). Herein we present an unusual case of solitary fibrous tumors involving the ischioanal fossa in a 19-year-old woman with radiologic-pathologic correlation. This case was complicated by extensive tumor vascularity and was thus managed with preoperative embolization followed by en bloc surgical resection.

EUV polarimetry for thin film and surface characterization and EUV phase retarder reflector development.

The knowledge and the manipulation of light polarization state in the vacuum ultraviolet and extreme ultraviolet (EUV) spectral regions play a crucial role from materials science analysis to optical component improvements. In this paper, we present an EUV spectroscopic ellipsometer facility for polarimetry in the 90-160 nm spectral range. A single layer aluminum mirror to be used as a quarter wave retarder has been fully characterized by deriving the optical and structural properties from the amplitude component and phase difference δ measurements. The system can be suitable to investigate the properties of thin films and optical coatings and optics in the EUV region.

Trematodal granulomatous uveitis in paediatric Egyptian patients: a case series.

PURPOSE: To describe the clinical presentations and results of laboratory analysis of waterborne ophthalmic granulomas of the anterior chamber (AC) in Egyptian patients. PARTICIPANTS: 110 patients with granulomatous anterior uveitis and distinctive AC nodules. DESIGN: Prospective, non-comparative, case series. METHODS: Demographic data including age, gender and place of residence were recorded. A full ophthalmic examination with emphasis on the inflammatory characteristics and systemic workup was performed. The nodules were surgically removed in selected cases and molecular and histopathological analyses were performed. RESULTS: 102 boys and 8 girls were recruited (mean age 11.5 years). All children came from villages along the basin of the River Nile in Egypt and were engaged in swimming in the local fresh water repertoires just prior to the development of the ocular lesions. 99 patients (103 eyes) showed active granulomatous anterior uveitis with distinct pearl-like white nodules in the AC measuring between 2 and 7 mm in diameter. Inactive scarred lesions were noted in 11 patients (12 eyes). Structural complications including cataract, corectopia and phthisis were documented in 29 eyes. PCR detected digenic trematode DNA in 6 out of 14 excised nodules. Histopathological examination showed aggregates of eosinophils and epithelioid cell granulomas. CONCLUSIONS: In Egypt, a unique pattern of granulomatous anterior uveitis in rural children attributable to a waterborne helminthic infection is reported. The River Nile and its fresh water fauna are implicated in our series, and the need for an environmental investigation to further outline best management options in the given endemic areas is highlighted.

Sofosbuvir-based treatment regimens: real life results of 14 409 chronic HCV genotype 4 patients in Egypt.

BACKGROUND: Chronic hepatitis C virus infection is one of the most important health problems in Egypt. The Ministry of Health's National Treatment Programme introduced sofosbuvir-based therapy in October 2014. AIM: To assess the clinical effectiveness and predictors of response to SOF-based treatment regimens, either dual therapy, with SOF/ribavirin (RBV) for 6 months or triple therapy with SOF/peg-IFN-alfa-2a/RBV for 3 months, in a cohort of patients treated in National Treatment Programme affiliated centres in Egypt. METHODS: Between October 2014 and end of 2014, patients who were eligible for treatment were classified according to their eligibility for interferon therapy: Group 1 (interferon eligible) were treated with triple therapy for 12 weeks and Group 2 (interferon ineligible) were treated with dual therapy for 24 weeks. Difficult to treat patients included those with F3-F4 on Metavir score, Fib-4 >3.25, albumin ≤3.5, total Bilirubin >1.2 mg/dL, INR >1.2 and platelet count <150 000 mm3 . RESULTS: Twelve weeks post-treatment data were available on 14 409 patients; 8742 in group 1 and 5667 in group 2. In group 1, the sustained virological response at week 12 (SVR12) was 94% and in group 2 the SVR12 was 78.7%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis in which treatment failure is the dependent variable was done. Male gender, being a difficult to treat patient and previous interferon therapy were significant predictors of nonresponse in both treatment groups. CONCLUSION: Results of sofosbuvir-based therapies in Egypt achieved similar rates of SVR12 as seen in phase III efficacy studies.

Prevalence of obesity and risk of chronic kidney disease among young adults in Egypt.

Increasing body mass index (BMI) has reached epidemic proportions globally and recently emerged as strong, independent risk factors for chronic kidney disease (CKD). We conducted this study to verify the prevalence of obesity and the associated risk of developing CKD among 3000 Egyptian students. The World Health Organization classification of BMI categorized study population into 1-5 groups, 1146 subjects with normal BMI (20-25), 951 subjects with BMI 25-29.9, 540 subjects with BMI 30-34.9, 225 with BMI 35-39.9, and 138 with BMI above 40. The participants were subjected to clinical examination, anthropometric measurements, laboratory investigation, including urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) and estimation of glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). The prevalence of overweight, obesity, and metabolic syndrome (MS) was 31.7%, 30.1%, and 16%, respectively. The prevalence of CKD among subjects with BMI >25 was 6.5%, almost all of them had BMI >35. ACR and eGFR rose progressively with increasing BMI. Elevated mean arterial pressure (MAP), high sensitivity C-reactive protein, and MS increased the risk of development of CKD. Moreover, MAP, waist to height ratio, and triglycerides to high-density lipoprotein ratios at levels of >95 mm Hg, >0.6, and >3 had sensitivity 91.7%, 88.4%, and 86.7%; and specificity 92.3%, 96.4%, and 96.5%, respectively to predict CKD. The prevalence of obesity among Egyptian young adults was high (30.1%) and was associated with increased the risk of CKD (6.5%).