75; 95% CI, 2.56-23.48; P smaller than 0.001). Past exposure to hepatitis B did not correlate with a significant increase in overall or liver-related mortality in chronic hepatitis C or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease cohorts.Conclusion:Past exposure to hepatitis B is associated with significant increase in overall mortality among individuals

with ALD and those without CLD.”
“In order to enhance optical absorption, light trapping by multiple scattering is commonly achieved in dye sensitized solar cells by adding particles of a different sort. Herein we propose a theoretical method to find the structural parameters (particle number density and size) that optimize the conversion efficiency of electrodes of different thicknesses containing spherical inclusions of diverse composition. Our work provides GSI-IX in vivo a theoretical framework in which the response of solar cells containing diffuse scattering particles Selleck PP2 can be rationalized. Optical simulations are performed by combining a Monte Carlo approach with Mie theory, in which the angular distribution of scattered tight is accounted for. Several types of scattering centers, such

as anatase, gold and silver particles, as well as cavities, are considered and their effect compared. Estimates of photovoltaic performance, insight into the physical mechanisms responsible for the observed enhancements, and guidelines to improve the cell design are provided. We discuss the results BTSA1 in terms of light transport in weakly disordered optical media and find that the observed variations between the optimum scattering configurations attained for different electrode thicknesses can be understood as the result

of the randomization of the light propagation direction at different depths within the active layer. A primary conclusion of our study is that photovoltaic performance is optimised when the scattering properties of the film are adjusted so that the distance over which incident photons are randomized is comparable to the thickness of the film. This simple relationship could also be used as a design rule to attain the optimum optical design in other photovoltaic materials.”
“Abolhassani M, Guais A, Chaumet-Riffaud P, Sasco AJ, Schwartz L. Carbon dioxide inhalation causes pulmonary inflammation. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 296: L657-L665, 2009. First published January 9, 2009; doi:10.1152/ajplung.90460.2008.-The aim of this study was to assess whether one of the most common poisons of cellular respiration, i.e., carbon dioxide, is proinflammatory. CO(2) is naturally present in the atmosphere at the level of 0.038% and involved in numerous cellular biochemical reactions. We analyzed in vitro the inflammation response induced by exposure to CO(2) for 48 h (0-20% with a constant O(2) concentration of 21%). In vivo mice were submitted to increasing concentrations of CO(2) (0, 5, 10, and 15% with a constant O(2) concentration of 21%) for 1 h.