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This work investigates cobalt doped ZnO nanoparticles prepared by using wet chemical methods. The nanoparticles have a typical size of 3–8 nm. The electronic structure as well as the optical and magnetic properties of Co2+ have been characterized. X-ray diffraction spectra of the powder show wurtzite ZnO with no secondary Co phases. In the energy range below the bandgap, the optical absorption spectra show the internal d–d transitions related to Co2+ incorporated on the Zn lattice site in ZnO. Low temperature photoluminescence measurements confirm these results. Based on the analysis of the g-valuesfor bulk ZnO:Co., electron paramagnetic resonance measurements coincide with the simulation of Co-doped ZnO powder. Thus far, no evidence for ferromagnetism has been obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ternary compound semiconductor CuInS2 is one of the most attractive materials for high efficiency solar cells due to its bandgap of 1.55 eV which is well matched to the solar spectrum. We deposit CuInS2 films on float glass substrates by a reactive RF sputter process using a Cu-In alloy target and H2S gas. By optimizing the sputter parameters, such as the sputter power, temperature of the substrate, and the flow of H2S, high quality films were obtained. The surface morphology, phase structure and composition of the layers were analyzed by atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) and Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS), respectively. The electrical properties of the films were characterized by Hall effect measurements. photoluminescence (PL) and transmission measurements were performed to examine the optical properties of the films, and the absorption coefficients and the direct band gap of the films were evaluated by transmission measurements. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Home-based telemonitoring in heart failure patients can reduce all-cause mortality and the relative risk of heart failure-related hospitalization compared to standard care. However, technology use depends, among other things, on user acceptance, making it important to include potential users early in development. In a home-based healthcare project (a feasibility project) a participatory approach was chosen in preparation for future development of contactless camera-based telemonitoring in heart disease patients. The project study patients (n = 18) were surveyed regarding acceptance and design expectations, and acceptance-enhancing measures and design suggestions were then drawn from the results. The study patients corresponded to the target group of potential future users. 83% of respondents showed high acceptance. 17% of those surveyed were more skeptical with moderate or low acceptance. The latter were female, mostly living alone, and without technical expertise. Low acceptance was associated with a higher expectation of effort and lower perception of self-efficacy and lower integratability into daily rhythms. For the design, the respondents found independent operation of the technology very important. Furthermore, concerns were expressed about the new measuring technology, e.g., anxiety about constant surveillance. The acceptance of a new generation of medical technology (contactless camera-based measuring technology) for telemonitoring is already quite high in the surveyed group of older users (60+). Specific user expectations concerning design should be considered during development to increase acceptance by potential users even more., Competing Interests: The authors declare they have no competing interests., (Copyright: © 2023 Borchers et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Background: Quality of life (QOL) data following pediatric fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are rare. Present study assessed the QOL in neurologically non-impaired children before and after laparoscopic hemifundoplication (LHF) in comparison to healthy controls., Methods: PedsQL™ questionnaires assessed data on gastrointestinal symptoms (GIS) and general well-being (GWB) were compared in a propensity score-matched analysis (60 patients' pairs for time-point of surgery and 51 for follow-up)., Results: Preoperatively, the LHF group had more GIS (72.2 ± 53.9 vs. 38.8 ± 31.6; p  < 0.001) and a lower GWB (16.7 ± 5.5 vs. 23.8 ± 3.5, p  < 0.001) compared with controls. Postoperatively, GIS decreased significantly (74.3 ± 52.9 vs. 36.3 ± 33.5; p  < 0.001) and the GWB was significantly higher (16.2 ± 6.0 vs. 20.8 ± 5.8; p  < 0.001). GIS were similar in the LHF and control groups (39.1 ± 36.4 vs. 40.1 ± 31.0; p  = 0.885) but GWB was lower in the LHF group than the control group (20.5 ± 6.3 vs. 23.4 ± 3.9; p  = 0.009)., Conclusions: QOL significantly improves after LHF in neurologically non-impaired children.

Background: Peer-assisted learning is well established in medical education; however, peer tutors rarely act as assessors for the OSCE. In the compulsory, near-peer teaching programme covering basic medical skills at the University of Heidelberg, peer tutors serve as assessors on a formative OSCE. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility and acceptance of peer assessors and to survey the perceived advantages and disadvantages of their use., Methods: In 2016 and 2017 all OSCE peer assessors (third to sixth-year medical students) and all of the peer-assessed students in 2017 (second-year-medical students) were invited to participate in a survey. Both groups were asked to complete a tablet-based questionnaire immediately after the OSCE. Peer assessors were asked to rate eight statements and the peer-assessed students to rate seven statements on a five-point Likert scale. Both were asked to comment on the advantages and disadvantages of peer-assessors., Results: Overall, 74 of 76 peer assessors and 307 of 308 peer-assessed students participated in the study. 94% (67/74) of peer assessors and 90% (276/307) of the peer-assessed group thought that it is important to have peer tutors as assessors. Of the peer assessors, 92% (68/74) felt confident in giving structured feedback during the OSCE and 66% (49/74) felt they had improved their teaching skills. Of the peer-assessed students, 99% (306/307) were satisfied with their peers as OSCE assessors and 96% (292/307) considered the peer feedback during the OSCE as helpful. The participants mentioned structural benefits, such as lower costs, and suggested the quality of the OSCE was higher due to the use of peer assessors. The use of peer assessors was found to be beneficial for the learners in the form of high-quality feedback and an overall reduction in stress. Furthermore, the use of peer assessors was found to be beneficial for the peer assessors (improved teaching and clinical skills)., Conclusion: From a learner's perspective, the use of peer assessors for a formative OSCE that is part of a near-peer teaching program aimed at junior medical students is favourable for all. A broad implementation of peer assessment in the formative OSCE should be encouraged to investigate effects on quality and stress-reduction.