Estimating the uncertainty of measurements of thermal conductivity of thin films of thermoelectrics with the 3-omega method

Using the method of computer simulation, the uncertainty of measurements of the thermal conductivity of silicon, which is often used as substrates, and also thin films based on bismuth, is estimated. The influence of the application of an additional dielectric layer between the thermoelectric film and the resistive heater on the measurement results is shown.

A novel and potentially scalable CVD-based route towards SnO2:Mo thin films as transparent conducting oxides

In this report, we prepared transparent and conducting undoped and molybdenum-doped tin oxide (Mo–SnO2) thin films by aerosol-assisted chemical vapour deposition (AACVD). The relationship between the precursor concentration in the feed and in the resulting films was studied by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, suggesting that the efficiency of doping is quantitative and that this method could potentially impart exquisite control over dopant levels. All SnO2 films were in tetragonal structure as confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction measurements. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy characterisation indicated for the first time that Mo ions were in mixed valence states of Mo(VI) and Mo(V) on the surface. Incorporation of Mo6+ resulted in the lowest resistivity of $$7.3 \times 10^{{ - 3}} \Omega \,{\text{cm}}$$ 7.3 × 10 - 3 Ω cm , compared to pure SnO2 films with resistivities of $$4.3\left( 0 \right) \times 10^{{ - 2}} \Omega \,{\text{cm}}$$ 4.3 0 × 10 - 2 Ω cm . Meanwhile, a high transmittance of 83% in the visible light range was also acquired. This work presents a comprehensive investigation into impact of Mo doping on SnO2 films synthesised by AACVD for the first time and establishes the potential for scalable deposition of SnO2:Mo thin films in TCO manufacturing. Graphical abstract

Effects of Dietary n–3 and n–6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Inflammation and Cancerogenesis

The dietary recommendation encourages reducing saturated fatty acids (SFA) in diet and replacing them with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) n–3 (omega–3) and n–6 (omega–6) to decrease the risk of metabolic disturbances. Consequently, excessive n–6 PUFAs content and high n–6/n–3 ratio are found in Western-type diet. The importance of a dietary n–6/n–3 ratio to prevent chronic diseases is linked with anti-inflammatory functions of linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3n–3) and longer-chain n–3 PUFAs. Thus, this review provides an overview of the role of oxylipins derived from n–3 PUFAs and oxylipins formed from n–6 PUFAs on inflammation. Evidence of PUFAs’ role in carcinogenesis was also discussed. In vitro studies, animal cancer models and epidemiological studies demonstrate that these two PUFA groups have different effects on the cell growth, proliferation and progression of neoplastic lesions.

Suplementação de Ácidos Graxos Poli-insaturados de cadeia longa durante a gestação e fatores associados ao desenvolvimento infantil

O objetivo deste estudo é descrever os benefícios do consumo dos ácidos graxos poli-insaturados durante a gestação e fatores associados no desenvolvimento infantil. Trata-se de uma revisão bibliográfica integrativa, a partir da análise de artigos científicos indexados nas bases de dados MedLine, Scielo, Science Direct e Google acadêmico, com recorte temporal de dez anos (2010-2020). Os descritores utilizados foram: ácido graxopoli-insaturados de cadeia longa; ômega 3; ômega 6; gestante e lactente, no idioma português e inglês, com o auxílio do operador boleano “AND”. Os resultados da pesquisa, após os critérios de inclusão e exclusão, obtiveram um total de 12 artigos. Os estudos demonstraram que os ácidos graxos poli-insaturados de cadeia longa (LCPUFA), tais como os das séries ômega 3 e ômega 6, em especial ácido docosahexaenóico e ácido eicosapentaenóico são fundamentais para o crescimento e desenvolvimento infantil, e tem função primordial na formação e no funcionamento do sistema nervoso central e da retina, e melhora do peso ao nascer. Além disso, os LCPUFA atuam nas gestantes reduzindo riscos de prematuridade, possui função antiinflamatória e antioxidante, reduz o estresse oxidativo, e controla os sintomas depressivos pré e pós-gestação. Conduto, são necessários mais estudos que abordem as quantidades adequadas para o período gestacional favorável à saúde materno-infantil.AbstractThis study aims to describe the benefits of consuming polyunsaturated fatty acids during pregnancy and the associated factors in child development. This is an integrative bibliographic review, based on the analysis of scientific articles indexed in the MedLine, Scielo, Science Direct and Google academic databases, with a ten-year period (2010-2020). The descriptors used were: Long chain fatty polyunsaturated acid; Omega 3; Omega 6; pregnant woman and infant in Portuguese and English, with the assistance of the Boolean operator “AND”. The results of the research, after the inclusion and exclusion criteria, obtained a total of 12 articles. Studies have shown that long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA), such as those from the omega 3 and omega 6 series, especially docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid, are essential for child growth and development, and have a primary role in the formation and in the functioning of the central nervous system and the retina and improves birth weight. In addition, in pregnant women it works by reducing the risk of prematurity. The LCPUFA have an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant function, reduce oxidative stress, and control depressive symptoms before and after pregnancy. However, further studies are needed to address the appropriate quantities for the gestational period favorable to the mother-child health.Keywords: Polyunsaturated fatty acid; Omega 3; Omega 6; Pregnant; Infant.ResumenEl objetivo de este estudio es describir los beneficios de consumir ácidos grasos poliinsaturados durante el embarazo y los factores asociados en el desarrollo infantil. Se trata de una revisión bibliográfica integradora, basada en el análisis de artículos científicos indexados en las bases de datos académicas MedLine, Scielo, Science Direct y Google, con un período de diez años (2010-2020). Los descriptores utilizados fueron: ácido graso poliinsaturado de cadena larga; omega 3; omega 6; embarazada y lactante, en portugués e inglés, con la ayuda del operador booleano “AND”. Los resultados de la investigación, luego de los criterios de inclusión y exclusión, obtuvieron un total de 12 artículos. Los estudios han demostrado que los ácidos grasos poliinsaturados de cadena larga (AGPICL), como los de las series omega 3 y omega 6, especialmente el ácido docosahexaenoico y el ácido eicosapentaenoico, son esenciales para el crecimiento y desarrollo infantil y tienen un papel principal en la formación y en el funcionamiento del sistema nervioso central y la retina, y mejora del peso al nacer. Además, los AGPICL actúan en mujeres embarazadas reduciendo el riesgo de prematurez, tienen una función antiinflamatoria y antioxidante, reducen el estrés oxidativo y controlan los síntomas depresivos antes y después del embarazo. Sin embargo, se necesitan más estudios para abordar las cantidades apropiadas para el período gestacional favorable a la salud de la madre y su hijo.Palabras Clave: Ácido graso poliinsaturado; Omega 3; Omega 6; Embarazada; Infante.