Processing strategies are presented for controlling junction quality as both window and absorber layer thickness are reduced in polycrystalline superstrate CdS/CdTe thin-film solar cells. High resistance In2O3 and SnO2 oxide buffer layers improve coverage of chemical bath deposited CdS and device performance with PVD CdTe, resulting in efficiencies >13.5%. A new method of CdS and Cd1-xZnxS chem...

Simulation training may be useful in the preclinical operative dentistry curriculum; however, the optimal timing and duration of training have not been defined. This study compared eight hours of adjunctive computerized dental simulator (CDS) training at two different time points to traditional teaching alone. First-year dental students (n=75) were randomized to CDS training (n=39) or tradition...

Nitrogen-doped carbon dots (N-CDs) were synthesized using a one-pot hydrothermal treatment with citric acid in the presence of polyethylenimine. Transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed that the N-CDs were monodispersed and quasi-spherical with an average size of ~2.6 nm. Under ultraviolet irradiation the N-CDs emitted a strong blue luminescence with a quantum yield as high as 51%. Mo...

A highly efficient novel photocatalyst consisting of nitrogen-carbon dots (N-CDs) and three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical BiOBr was synthesized via a simple ultrasonic-assisted method and used for the degradation of hazardous dyes. Deposition of N-CDs onto the surface of BiOBr was confirmed through structure and composition characterizations. The N-CDs/BiOBr composites exhibited superior activi...

Using a comprehensive dataset of mutual funds’ quarterly holdings of credit default swap (CDS) contracts during 2007-2011, we analyze the motives for and consequences of mutual funds’ participation in the CDS market preand post-financial crisis. Consistent with theoretical work, funds resort to CDS (especially selling) when they face unpredictable liquidity needs and when the CDS securities are...

CdS/ZnO branched heterostructures have been successfully synthesized by combining thermal vapour deposition and a hydrothermal method. Drastic optoelectronic performance enhancement of such heterostructures was revealed, compared to plain CdS nanobelts, as documented by comparative in situ optoelectronic studies on corresponding individual nanostructures using an originally designed laser-compa...

X-ray computed tomography (CT) is the most commonly used imaging technique for noninvasive diagnosis of disease. In order to improve tissue specificity and prevent adverse effects, we report the design and synthesis of iodine-doped carbon dots (I-doped CDs) as efficient CT contrast agents and fluorescence probe by a facile bottom-up hydrothermal carbonization process. The as-prepared I-doped CD...

In the conventional CdS/CdTe device structure, the poly-CdS window layer has a bandgap of ~2.4 eV, which causes absorption in the short-wavelength region. Higher short-circuit current densities (Jsc) can be achieved by reducing the CdS thickness, but this can adversely impact device open-circuit voltage (Voc) and fill factor (FF). Also, poly-CdS film has about 10% lattice mismatch related to th...

Carbon dots (CDs) are novel fluorescent materials with low toxicity and good biocompatibility. Herein, the collisional/dynamic and photoluminescence (PL) center destruction quenching behaviors of a novel type of CDs were investigated. Moreover, the quenching behaviors of the CDs were exploited in applications. Firstly, dynamic PL quenching was achieved by Fe(3+) ions, which was proved by the St...

In this paper we study the counterparty risk on a payer CDS in a Markov chain model of two reference credits, the firm underlying the CDS and the protection seller in the CDS. We first state few preliminary results about pricing and CVA of a CDS with counterparty risk in a general set-up. We then introduce a Markov chain copula model in which wrong way risk is represented by the possibility of ...