Search

In this work, we present the ion migration of CsPbIBr

Addition of crown ether to the perovskite precursor effectively reduced the size of perovskite-based micelles and retarded the perovskite growth rate in the doctor-bladed perovsktie film.

In this study, various concentrations of the large-sized cation iodide, namely, phenylethylammonium iodide (PEAI), incorporated in lead iodide (PbI2) solid films react with heated methylammonium io...

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) employing organic–inorganic hybrid lead perovskite have attracted much attention as promising next generation solar cells because of their low fabrication cost and extremely high power conversion efficiency (PCE). Exploring new perovskite materials and additives is one of the effective strategies to improve the performance of PSCs. Here, we synthesized formamide iodide (FoAI) and applied it as both a cation material and additive. Although it was revealed that FoAI is not incorporated in the A-site of the perovskite structure, we found that the FoAI additive suppresses δ-FAPbI3 formation and improved the performance of FAPbI3 based PSCs. The PCE was improved from 12.29% to 14.49% by adding 5 mol% of FoAI in the precursor solution. Meanwhile, we found that FoAI additive can also improve the performance of triple-cation PSCs. We believe that FoAI is one of the promising additives to boost the PCE of PSCs without any influence on the composition of the perovskite materials.

The artificial gastric-juice digestive method was used to examine 250 preserved clams, 125 living Corbicula fluminea samples, and 53 preserved fish that were all bought randomly from markets. We did not observe any metacercariae in the products bought from traditional markets. However, this does not indicate that preserved aquatic products can be sold without being cooked because, we observed that self-infected metacercariae survive for 5 minutes after being digested in fish bodies can still at a temperature of 50°C, but survive for only 1 minute when the temperature rises to 80°C. In an experimental infection study, we determined that Corbicula fluminea was not infected with xiphidiocercariae, but the fins of Opsariichthys pachycephalus can be infected and experimental metacercariae were observed. Austropeplea ollula was determined to be the first intermediate host of the xiphidiocercaria parasite, and Opsariichthys pachycephalus is a suitable second intermediate host of trematodes. Therefore, raw or insufficiently cooked, they pass down parasitic diseases.

Background: Radiotherapy (RT) provides a modern treatment to enhance the malignant glioma control rate. The purpose of our study was to determine the effect of tumor coverage on disease prognosis and to predict optimal RT plans to achieve a lower normal tissue complication probability (NTCP). Methods: Ten malignant-glioma patients with tumors adjacent to organs at risk (OARs) were collected. The patients were divided into two groups according to adequate coverage or not, and prognosis was analyzed. Then, using intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), volume-modulated arc therapy (VMAT), and helical tomotherapy (TOMO) to simulate new treatment plans for 10 patients, the advantages of these planning systems were revealed for subsequent prediction of NTCP. Results: The results of clinical analysis indicated that overall survival (p = 0.078) between the adequate and inadequate groups showed no differences, while the adequate group had better recurrence-free survival (p = 0.018) and progression-free survival (p = 0.009). TOMO had better CI (p < 0.001) and also predicted a lower total-irradiated dose to the normal brain (p = 0.001) and a lower NTCP (p = 0.027). Conclusions: The TOMO system provided optimal therapeutic planning, reducing NTCP and achieving better coverage. Combined with the clinical results, our findings suggest that TOMO can make malignant glioma patients close to OARs achieve better disease control.

Whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) is commonly used in patients with multiple brain metastases. Compared with conventional WBRT, hippocampal avoidance WBRT (HA-WBRT) more favorably preserves cognitive function and the quality of life. The hippocampal volume is considerably small (approximately 3.3 cmWe included 18 patients with brain metastasis. All target and avoidance structures were contoured by an experienced radiation oncologist. The prescribed dose was 30 Gy in 10 fractions. For each patient, three different treatment plans were generated for comparison: VMAT with couch-shift, VMAT without couch-shift, and TomoTherapy. All treatment plans fulfilled Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) 0933 criteria for HA-WBRT. The Wilcoxon paired signed-rank test was used to compare different treatment plans.VMAT with couch-shift had the better average conformity index (0.823) with statistically significant difference compared to VMAT without couch-shift (0.810). VMAT with couch-shift (0.219) had a more favorable average homogeneity index (HI) than did VMAT without couch-shift (0.230), although the difference was not significant. TomoTherapy had an optimal average HI of 0.070. In terms of the hippocampus, all three treatment plans met the RTOG 0933 criteria. VMAT with couch-shift had a lower average DThe plan quality of VMAT for HA-WBRT was improved by using the couch-shift technique to simulate the half MLC leaf width. However, the improvement was not statistically significant except conformity index. The downsizing effect decreased with the use of the sophisticated grade of VMAT. TomoTherapy offered superior plan quality but required the longest delivery time.

In this study, bismuth trioxide (Bi2O3) membranes in an electrolyte–insulator–semiconductor (EIS) structure were fabricated with pH sensing capability. To optimize the sensing performance, the membranes were treated with two types of plasma—NH3 and N2O. To investigate the material property improvements, multiple material characterizations were conducted. Material analysis results indicate that plasma treatments with appropriate time could enhance the crystallization, remove the silicate and facilitate crystallizations. Owing to the material optimizations, the pH sensing capability could be greatly boosted. NH3 or N2O plasma treated-Bi2O3 membranes could reach the pH sensitivity around 60 mV/pH and show promise for future biomedical applications.

In this study, bismuth trioxide (Bi

Problematic smartphone use (PSU) is an expanded public health heed that requires more study to clarify the influence elements of different populations. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between smartphone use, and sleep quality, self-perceived health, and exercise participation in university students. A total of 1,575 Taiwanese undergraduate students from 7 universities participated in the study. Three questionnaires were completed by the study individuals. The results show the overall PSU rate was 11.8%. Average smartphone users were more likely to feel in good health, better sleep quality and less unsatisfactory exercise participation than those who were problematic smartphone users. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that PSU, low weekly exercise frequency, and poor sleep quality were significant indicators of poor self-perceived health. We concluded that both low physical activity and PSU did have negative impacts on self-perceived health and sleep quality for undergraduate students.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) requires radiotherapy (RT) as its definitive management. However, GBM still has a high local recurrence rate even after RT. Cancer stem‐like cells (CSCs) might enable GBM to evade irradiation damage and cause therapeutic failure. The optimal RT plan should achieve a planning target volume (PTV) coverage of more than 95% but cannot always meet the requirements. Here, we demonstrate that irradiation with different tumor coverage rates to different brain areas has similar effects on GBM. To retrospectively analyze the relationship between PTV coverage and the survival rate in 26 malignant glioblastoma patients, we established primary cell lines from patient‐derived malignant glioblastoma cells with the PTV95 (PTV coverage of more than 95%) program (GBM‐MG1 cells) and the Non‐PTV95 (poor PTV coverage of less than 95%) program (GBM‐MG2 cells). The clinical results of PTV95 and Non‐PTV95 showed no difference in the overall survival (OS) rate (P = .390) between the two different levels of PTV coverage. GBM‐MG1 (PTV95 program) cells exhibited higher radioresistance than GBM‐MG2 (Non‐PTV95 program) cells. CD44 promotes radioresistance, CSC properties, angiogenesis and cell proliferation in GBM‐MG1 (PTV95 program) cells. GBM patients receiving RT with the PTV95 program exhibited higher radioresistance, CSC properties, angiogenesis and cell proliferation than GBM patients receiving RT with the Non‐PTV95 program. Moreover, CD44 plays a crucial role in these properties of GBM patients with the PTV95 program., Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) patients receiving radiotherapy (RT) with the PTV95 program exhibited higher radioresistance, CSC properties, angiogenesis and cell proliferation than GBM patients receiving RT with the Non‐PTV95 program. Moreover, CD44 plays a crucial role in these properties of GBM patients with the PTV95 program.

Organic/inorganic hybrid nanostructures-based dual light-detecting/gas-sensing devices were fabricated. In this research, polycrystalline perylene diimide (PDI) membrane was coated on ZnO nanorods (NRs), functioning as sensing nanocomposites. Multiple material analyses including scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) indicate that organic perylene diimide was successfully deposited on ZnO NRs, forming organic/inorganic membrane on the sensing device. To examine the influence of organic/inorganic hybrid nanostructure on photo-sensing and gas-sensing behaviors, UV light detection and CO gas sensing impulse response were measured. Results reveal that organic/inorganic hybrid nanostructure can effectively enhance UV light and CO gas dual-sensing properties with addition of PDI. The coating of organic PDI on the ZnO NRs not only improves the gas interaction capability and gas-sensing stability but also enhances the UV absorption efficiency. Owing to advantages of low cost, simple fabrication, compact size, and device stability, hybrid PDI/ZnO organic/inorganic light/gas dual-sensing devices are promising for future portable hazardous light and gas sensing applications.

Organic–inorganic hybrid perovskites have emerged as a promising light absorber for the solar cells due to their remarkable optoelectronic properties. The high-efficiency perovskite solar cells (PSCs) mainly employ the sandwich architecture in which the perovskite active layer is sandwiched between two selective contacts. However, there is an inevitable optical loss in sandwich structures when the light propagates through the transparent conductive substrate and selective contact layer. In order to prevent the transmission loss, novel designs of back-contact structures are demonstrated for the light illumination upon the perovskite. To achieve the back-contact structure, the selective contact and electrode are deposited and patterned on the substrate. The perovskite light absorber is finally deposited on the top of patterned electrode to complete the back-contact device. The photogenerated carriers (hole and electron) are transported in the same direction and extracted by the selective contacts. In this chapter, we summarize recent advances in the back-contact perovskite solar cells (BC-PSCs).

Multiple-color reflectors using bichiral liquid crystal polymer films (BLCPFs) are investigated. The BLCPFs consist of alternate layers of two different single-pitch cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) layers, named CLC#A and CLC#B. The thickness of each CLC layer equals its single pitch length. The optical properties in terms of reflections, reflection-wavelength ranges, and distributions of reflection spectra of the BLCPFs that result from the fixed pitch length of CLC#A along with the decrease of the pitch length of CLC#B are qualitatively simulated and investigated. The results indicate that the above optical properties of the BLCPFs depend on the LC birefringence and pitch lengths of CLC#A and CLC#B layers. The concept of fabrication method of the BLCPFs by using polymerizable CLCs and thin films of poly(vinylalcohol) or photoalignment materials is discussed. They have potential practical applications in functional color filters, asymmetrical transmission systems, etc., owing to the multiple reflection bands of BLCPFs. Moreover, the BLCPFs, which can enhance the color gamut and light-utilization efficiency of light sources/LC displays, are reported herein.

Electrolyte&ndash, insulator&ndash, semiconductor (EIS) sensors, used in applications such as pH sensing and sodium ion sensing, are the most basic type of ion-sensitive field-effect transistor (ISFET) membranes. Currently, some of the most popular techniques for synthesizing such sensors are chemical vapor deposition, reactive sputtering and sol-gel deposition. However, there are certain limitations on such techniques, such as reliability concerns and isolation problems. In this research, a novel design of an EIS membrane consisting of an optical material of indium gallium oxide (IGO) was demonstrated. Compared with conventional treatment such as annealing, Ti doping and CF4 plasma treatment were incorporated in the fabrication of the film. Because of the effective treatment of doping and plasma treatment, the defects were mitigated and the membrane capacitance was boosted. Therefore, the pH sensitivity can be increased up to 60.8 mV/pH. In addition, the hysteresis voltage can be improved down to 2.1 mV, and the drift voltage can be suppressed to as low as 0.23 mV/h. IGO-based membranes are promising for future high-sensitivity and -stability devices integrated with optical applications.

In this article, we demonstrate mechanically stacked four-terminal perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells. N-type C-Si solar cell with PERT structure were used as the bottom cell and the perovskite solar cell on FTO glass substrate was used for top cell under 1.02 cm2 active area. In order to increase the FF for PSC, we introduce a metal mesh design for connecting TCO layers. With the metal mesh inside, the best power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 20.46% with 1.02cm2 was performed.

Aggregation/disaggregation properties in organic/inorganic interfaces have been intensively investigated recently because modulation of the aggregation effect can enhance the fluorescent emission, facilitate light scattering and strengthen the material strength. In this study, bisindolo quinoxaline-tips (BIQ-TIPs) organic polymers dropped on ZnO nanorods (NRs) to form organic/inorganic hybrid photosensing materials. Multiple morphological and material characterizations reveal that as-deposited BIQ-TIPs polymers self-aggregated on ZnO NR surfaces. UV/VIS measurements and photoluminescence (PL) mapping indicate that the absorption spectra of ZnO NRs can be broadened by incorporating BIQ-TIPs on top of ZnO NRs. Furthermore, light photosensitive measurements indicate that BIQ-TIPs /ZnO NRs-based devices exhibited better UV sensing behaviors than ZnO NR-based devices. Interestingly, BIQ-TIPs /ZnO NRs still possessed moderate green light sensing capability while ZnO NRs and BIQ-TIPs only samples possessed no green light sensing capability. Owing to their compact size, facile fabrication, and versatility, BIQ-TIPs /ZnO NR devices show promise for integration with BIQ-TIPs analogue-based electronic devices and future broadband sensing and light-harvesting applications.

Purpose Hypofractionated radiotherapy can reduce treatment durations and produce effects identical to those of conventionally fractionated radiotherapy for treating prostate cancer. Volumetric arc radiotherapy (VMAT) can decrease the treatment machine monitor units (MUs). Previous studies have shown that VMAT with multileaf collimator (MLC) rotation exhibits better target dose distribution. Thus, VMAT with MLC rotation warrants further investigation. Methods and materials Ten patients with prostate cancer were included in this study. The prostate gland and seminal vesicle received 68.75 and 55 Gy, respectively, in 25 fractions. A dual-arc VMAT plan with a collimator angle of 0° was generated and the same constraints were used to reoptimize VMAT plans with different collimator angles. The conformity index (CI), homogeneity index (HI), gradient index (GI), normalized dose contrast (NDC), MU, and modulation complexity score (MCSV ) of the target were analyzed. The dose-volume histogram of the adjacent organs was analyzed. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare different collimator angles. Results Optimum values of CI, HI, and MCSV were obtained with a collimator angle of 45°. The optimum values of GI, and NDC were observed with a collimator angle of 0°. In the rectum, the highest values of maximum dose and volume receiving 60 Gy (V60 Gy ) were obtained with a collimator angle of 0°, and the lowest value of mean dose (Dmean ) was obtained with a collimator angle of 45°. In the bladder, high values of Dmean were obtained with collimator angles of 75° and 90°. In the rectum and bladder, the values of V60 Gy obtained with the other tested angles were not significantly higher than those obtained with an angle of 0°. Conclusion This study found that MLC rotation affects VMAT plan complexity and dosimetric distribution. A collimator angle of 45° exhibited the optimal values of CI, HI, and MCSv among all the tested collimator angles. Late side effects of the rectum and bladder are associated with high-dose volumes by previous studies. MLC rotation did not have statistically significantly higher values of V60 Gy in the rectum and bladder than did the 0° angle. We thought a collimator angle of 45° was an optimal angle for the prostate VMAT treatment plan. The findings can serve as a guide for collimator angle selection in prostate hypofractionated VMAT planning.

Inorganic–organic hybrid perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are considered as one of the promising devices for green energy. Bifacial-illuminated solar cells have been studied for many practical applications such as in wearable electronics and building window devices. p-Type transparent conductive oxides (TCOs) are highly desired for efficient bifacial-illuminated solar cells. However, the preparation of p-type TCOs usually requires high power sputtering and high temperature processes, and the thus-prepared TCOs can hardly be applied to PSCs due to the vulnerability of perovskites. In this study, p-type Cu/Cu2O (CCO) composite films are developed for bifacial-illuminated PSCs. The p-type CCO composite films can be easily prepared by sputtering at room temperature and do not damage the underlying organic materials Spiro-OMeTAD and perovskites. With a reduced film thickness of about 12 nm, the p-type CCO films can be employed as transparent conductive films in PSCs. The power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 14.10% and 9.37% have been achieved for bifacial PSCs illuminated via the fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) and CCO sides, respectively. In addition, the CCO films are stable under ambient conditions and can serve as a protection layer for PSCs. Therefore, ultra-thin p-type CCO films are promising candidates for applications in bifacial-illuminated, efficient and stable PSCs under ambient conditions.