A Review on Gallium Oxide Materials from Solution Processes

Gallium oxide (Ga₂O₃) materials can be fabricated via various methods or processes. It is often mentioned that it possesses different polymorphs (α-, β-, γ-, δ- and ε-Ga₂O₃) and excellent physical and chemical properties. The basic properties, crystalline structure, band gap, density of states, and other properties of Ga₂O₃ will be discussed in this article. This article extensively discusses synthesis of pure Ga₂O₃, co-doped Ga₂O₃ and Ga₂O₃-metal oxide composite and Ga₂O₃/metal oxide heterostructure nanomaterials via solution-based methods mainly sol-gel, hydrothermal, chemical bath methods, solvothermal, forced hydrolysis, reflux condensation, and electrochemical deposition methods. The influence of the type of precursor solution and the synthesis conditions on the morphology, size, and properties of final products is thoroughly described. Furthermore, the applications of Ga₂O₃ will be introduced and discussed from these solution processes, such as deep ultraviolet photodetector, gas sensors, pH sensors, photocatalytic and photodegradation, and other applications. In addition, research progress and future outlook are identified.

Zinc Gallium Oxide-A Review from Synthesis to Applications

Spinel ZnGa2O4 has received significant attention from researchers due to its wide bandgap and high chemical and thermal stability; hence, paving the way for it to have potential in various applications. This review focuses on its physical, optical, mechanical and electrical properties, contributing to the better understanding of this material. The recent trends for growth techniques and processing in the research and development of ZnGa2O4 from bulk crystal growth to thin films are discussed in detail for device performance. This material has excellent properties and is investigated widely in deep-ultraviolet photodetectors, gas sensors and phosphors. In this article, effects of substrate temperature, annealing temperature, oxygen partial pressure and zinc/gallium ratio are discussed for device processing and fabrication. In addition, research progress and future outlooks are also identified.

Structural, Electrical, Magnetic and Resistive Switching Properties of the Multiferroic/Ferroelectric Bilayer Thin Films

Bi_0.8Pr_0.2Fe_0.95Mn_0.05O₃/Bi_3.96Gd_0.04Ti_2.95W_0.05O₁₂ (BPFMO/BGTWO) bilayer thin films with Multiferroic/Ferroelectric (MF/FE) structures were deposited onto Pt(111)/Ti/SiO₂/Si(100) substrates by using the sol-gel method with rapid thermal annealing. The BPFMO/BGTWO thin films exhibited well-saturated ferromagnetic and ferroelectric hysteresis loops because of the electro-magnetic coupling induced by the MF/FE structure. The remnant magnetization (2Mr) and remnant polarization (2Pr) were 4.6 emu/cm³ and 62 μC/cm², respectively. Moreover, the bipolar I-V switching curves of BPFMO/BGTWO bilayer thin films resistive random access memory (RRAM) devices were discussed, and investigated for LRS/HRS.

Nasotracheal intubation using a flexible lighted stylet

Nasotracheal intubation is an essential skill for clinicians involved in the care of acutely ill or injured patients. Unfortunately, it has the dangers and difficulties of any blind technique. Although usually performed in the awake patient, nasotracheal intubation has also been used in the apneic patient. Transillumination of the soft tissues of the neck with a lighted stylet has been shown to be a reliable method of orotracheal intubation. The usefulness of a longer, flexible lighted stylet as an aid to nasotracheal intubation in the apneic patient has been examined. Eighty patients, who were paralyzed, apneic, and about to undergo nasotracheal intubation for elective ear, nose, and throat or maxillofacial surgery were randomized to be nasotracheally intubated blindly or with a stylet by an emergency medicine resident or anesthesiologist. Sixty-three percent intubated in the lighted-stylet group and 41% in the blind nasotracheal intubation group were successfully intubated. There were no significant differences in the time needed to intubate or the number of attempts. There were notable differences in the success rates of individual intubators with each technique. Although not statistically significant, our results suggest a useful role for the lighted stylet in nasotracheal intubation in the apneic patient.

Long-term corticosteroid effect on lymphocyte and polymorphonuclear cell function in asthmatics

The effect of long-term alternate-day steroid administration on lymphocyte and polymorphonuclear cell (PMN) functions was studied in 10 steroid-dependent adult asthmatic patients. The duration of alternate-day prednisone usage ranged from 3 to 12 yr with an average of 6.7 +/- 3.6 yr. Maintenance steroid dosage at the time of study ranged from 20 to 50 mg on alternate days, averaging 31 +/- 8 mg. Prednisone caused marked lymphopenia, suppression of phytohemagglutin (PHA) lymphocyte transformation and PMN adherence 4 hr after ingestion. By 24 hr these measurements returned to normal or higher. These effects appeared at all doses between 20 and 50 mg of prednisone. In contrast, there was no statistically significant suppression of the total leukocyte count, total and active erythrocyte (E) rosette-forming lymphocytes, serum immunoglobulin concentrations, polymorphonuclear cell (PMN) phagocytosis, or delayed skin reactivity. We conclude that the acute effects of prednisone on lymphocyte and PMN function are transient and return to normal levels by 24 hr. The continued administration of beclomethasone dipropionate by inhalation did not interfere with the recovery of the transient leukocyte abnormalities induced by oral prednisone.

The syndrome of hypergammaglobulinemia M, eosinophilia, edema, and fatigue. Immunologic studies and long-term evaluation of two patients

2 patients with an elevated serum IgM, eosinophilia, nonpitting edema, and fatigue previously reported, were reevaluated. Their clinical course remains relatively benign without evidence of organ damage after 19 patient years of evaluation. Corticosteroid therapy suppresses clinical manifestation, although IgM levels remain elevated. The numbers of T and B cells are normal. T cell function as studied by phytohemagglutinin stimulation of lymphocytes was normal.