The x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results provide evidence that Ag ions are mainly in the monovalent state and incorporated into the ZnO lattice at Zn2+ sites. It was found from the UV-visible spectra that the bandgap of ZnO decreases due to Ag doping. Excellent enhancement of luminescence properties in the green band is observed in Ag-doped ZnO nanocrystals. The origin of

this enhancement was discussed. It was demonstrated that oxygen vacancies and a spin-split impurity band are the key factors for deep level emissions. We believe that the present approach is a very simple but effective one for synthesis of novel ZnO complex micro/nanostructures, and these flowerlike Ag-doped ZnO nanocrystals may have good prospects in scientific and industrial applications. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3549826]“
“Little

is known about the proportion of renal transplant candidates PX-478 Angiogenesis inhibitor who are considered ineligible by the transplant center, the ABT-888 inhibitor reasons of their ineligibility and their survival during dialysis. In this retrospective, single-center study of 445 adult patients referred between 2001 and 2006, 36 (8%) were deemed ineligible for medical contraindications. The leading reason was cardiovascular (CV) (75%), specifically aorto-iliac, and/or limb vessels atheromatosis or calcifications; ischemic heart disease; or a combination thereof. Nine patients had other contraindications that were absolute for three of them; six patients displayed a combination of relative contraindications. When compared to eligible patients (N = 409),

those ineligible were significantly older (60 yr vs. 48), more often diabetics (50% vs. 15%), obese (39% vs. 17%) suffering from coronary artery disease (53% vs. 11%) and peripheral arterial disease selleck (86% vs. 11%). Their primary nephropathy was more often diabetic and/or hypertensive/nephroangiosclerosis (61% vs. 23%), and their median dialysis vintage prior to evaluation was longer (29 months vs. 10, p < 0.0001). The actuarial survival of ineligible patients was significantly lower than that of eligible patients (at five yr: 53% vs. 88%). Adequate control of CV risk factors before dialysis and early referral for transplantation might help to improve eligibility of renal transplant candidates.”
“Quasistatic measurements of room-temperature anelastic relaxation were used to characterize the properties of shear transformation zones (STZs) in amorphous Al(86.8)Ni(3.7)Y(9.5) in the dilute limit. Using a combination of nanoindenter cantilever bending and mandrel bend relaxation techniques, anelastic relaxation was measured over times ranging from 1 s to 3 x 10(7) s. Direct spectrum analysis yields relaxation-time spectra, which display seven distinct peaks. The results were analyzed using a linear dashpot-and-spring model, combined with transition-state theory, to yield several STZ properties.