The greatest remaining barrier to the commercialization of perovskite solar cells is their instability to ambient environmental conditions. While most studies of the electronic stability of ...perovskites employ finished devices, we here exploit the contactless characterization technique time-resolved microwave conductivity to probe electronic properties in the absence of encapsulation and interface effects. By tracking the mobility of charge carriers in two archetypal perovskite compounds, methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3) and formamidinium lead iodide (FAPbI3) under various conditions, we are able to make decisive statements about the role of water in the electronic performance of perovskites. Overall, we observe a strong negative correlation between hydration and mobility in MAPbI3, but not in FAPbI3. We anticipate that the data presented herein will serve as a valuable resource in future stability studies in perovskite solar cells and, ultimately, lead to more stable devices.
Immediate lymphatic reconstruction Johnson, Anna Rose; Singhal, Dhruv
Journal of surgical oncology,
October 1, 2018, 2018-Oct, 2018-10-00, 20181001, Volume:
118, Issue:
5
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Although surgical and medical treatment options are available for the treatment of chronic lymphedema, there is no cure. Recent advances in microsurgery have provided an opportunity to perform ...immediate lymphatic reconstruction after lymphadenectomy for disease prevention. In this review, we provide the historical background leading to a paradigm shift in performing this procedure. We will also discuss the current evidence for immediate lymphatic reconstruction, potential oncologic procedures amenable to this approach, and detail ongoing challenges.
Despite their impressive performance as a solar absorber, much remains unknown on the fundamental properties of metal halide perovskites (MHPs). Their polar nature in particular is an intense area of ...study, and the relative permittivity (ε r) is a parameter widely used to quantify polarization over a range of different time scales. In this report, we have exploited frequency-dependent time-resolved microwave conductivity (TRMC) to study how ε r values of a range of MHPs change as a function of time, upon optical illumination. Further characterization of charge carriers and polarizability are conducted by femtosecond transient absorption and stimulated Raman spectroscopy. We find that changes in ε r are roughly proportional to photogenerated carrier density but decay with a shorter time constant than conductance, suggesting that the presence of charge carriers alone does not determine polarization.
We describe MusicJacket, which is a wearable system to support the teaching of good posture and bowing technique to novice violin players. The system uses an inertial motion capture system to track ...the following in real time: 1) whether the player is holding the violin correctly and 2) the player's bowing action and whether it deviates from a target trajectory. We provide the musicians with vibrotactile feedback about their bowing and posture using vibration motors that are positioned on their arms and torso. We describe a user study with novice violin players that compared a group who was trained using vibrotactile feedback with a control group who only received conventional teaching. We found that vibrotactile feedback is effective at improving novices' straight bowing technique and that half of these subjects continued to show improved bowing technique even when they no longer received vibrotactile feedback. None of the control subjects who received the same number of training sessions using conventional teaching techniques showed a comparable improvement.
Background:
Postpartum depression (PPD) is the commonest mental health disorder post-childbirth, yet there is a paucity of data in rural areas regarding the actual incidence of PPD, which excludes ...pre-existing or antenatal depression. To estimate the incidence of PPD among rural women of south Karnataka and identify predictors of PPD, including antenatal psychiatric disorders.
Methods:
A longitudinal study in 25 villages in south Karnataka among 150 pregnant women in the third trimester of pregnancy using simple random sampling. Baseline data collected and revised Clinical Interview Schedule used to screen antenatal psychiatric disorders. Participants followed-up 6–8 weeks postpartum, end-line data collected, and Edinburg Postnatal Depression Scale administered. Chi-square and Fischer’s exact tests for association between PPD and covariates. Logistic regression to calculate adjusted odds ratios.
Results:
Prevalence of antenatal psychiatric disorders was 15.3%. The incidence of PPD was 11%. A significantly higher proportion of PPD was found among women with adverse events in the last year, low socioeconomic status, and perceived lack of care/support at home. Predictors of PPD were antenatal psychiatric disorders (AOR = 4.3, 95% CI = 1.22–5.11; P = 0.028), mothers reporting worry about their infant’s health (AOR = 7.7, 95% CI = 1.22–48.32; P = 0.012) and mothers receiving postpartum care by caregivers other than their own mother (AOR = 4.0, 95% CI = 1.13–8.09; P = 0.030).
Conclusions:
Our study found that one in ten rural women is developing PPD and there is a strong link between PPD and antenatal psychiatric disorders and family factors. This calls for capacity building of general physicians and village-level workers and strengthening of the Home-Based Newborn Care Program, where weekly postpartum home visits by ASHA are an opportunity for screening and counselling mothers.
OBJECTIVE:To implement and evaluate outcomes from a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary debulking program in the United States.
SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA:Interest in and access to surgical treatment for ...chronic lymphedema (LE) in the United States have increased in recent years, yet there remains little attention on liposuction, or debulking, as an effective treatment option. In some other countries, debulking is a common procedure for the surgical treatment of LE, is covered by insurance, and has demonstrated excellent, reproducible outcomes. In this study we describe our experience implementing a debulking technique from Sweden in the United States.
METHODS:Patients who presented with chronic lymphedema followed a systematic multi-disciplinary work-up. For debulking with power assisted liposuction, the surgical protocol was modeled after that developed by Håkan Brorson. A retrospective review of consecutive patients who underwent debulking at our institution was conducted.
RESULTS:Between December 2017 and January 2020, 39 patients underwent 41 debulking procedures with power assisted liposuction, including 23 upper and 18 lower extremities. Mean patient age was 58 years and 85% of patients had LE secondary to cancer, the majority of which (64%) was breast cancer. Patients experienced excess volume reductions of 111% and 115% in the upper and lower extremities, respectively, at one year post-operatively. Overall quality of life (LYMQOL) improved by a mean of 33%. Finally, patients reported a decreased incidence of cellulitis and decreased reliance on conservative therapy modalities post-operatively.
CONCLUSIONS:Debulking with power assisted liposuction is an effective treatment for patients with chronic extremity lymphedema. The operation addresses patient goals and improves quality of life, and additionally reduces extremity volumes, infection rates and reliance on outpatient therapy. A comprehensive, multi-disciplinary debulking program can be successfully implemented in the United States healthcare system.
Purpose In order to implement problem-based learning (PBL), extensive staff training is required. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively evaluate the efficacy of a training programme for ...inexperienced PBL tutors. Methods Data included anonymous feedback from programme participants, semi-structured interviews with programme participants, and feedback from students. Results Data from these independent sources were analysed, resulting in three main themes that painted a comprehensive picture of the success and limitations of the PBL tutor training programme: I) pedagogical knowledge of PBL was obtained but needs to be reinforced by practice; II) the mock tutorial was a relevant experience; III) a written PBL tutor guide supports training efforts. Conclusions Using diverse sets of data, this study demonstrated that the acquisition of pedagogical knowledge is contextual and partial, and multiple sources of knowledge are required to achieve a complete and interpretable picture of the subject.
To report the short term anatomic response of intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin, Genentech) as salvage treatment in progressive retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in a small series of patients.
The ...study included five eyes of three patients with progressive ROP despite peripheral laser ablation. Patients received intravitreal injections of bevacizumab (Avastin, Genentech). RetCam (Clarity Medical Systems, Inc., Pleasanton, CA) photography and ultrasonography were used to document effect.
Three patients were transferred to the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute/Jackson Memorial Hospital for management of progressive ROP despite laser therapy at an outside facility. RetCam fundus photography and ultrasonography were used to document all cases. After informed consent was obtained from the parents, the patients received off-label intravitreal bevacizumab as salvage treatment. Repeat intravitreal injections of bevacizumab were utilized in several cases. The ROP stabilized allowing laser supplementation. There was varying development of tractional retinal detachments in several of the eyes but the ROP component quieted in all cases.
Off-label use of bevacizumab appears to be useful as a salvage treatment for ROP when laser treatment is precluded. It improves dilation, quiets the disease when visibility is difficult, and temporizes the disease until laser can be supplemented.
Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer mortality in India, yet breast cancer literacy remains poor. This study aimed to assess community perceptions and experiences with breast cancer in ...order to identify and address the gaps in our understanding of the socio-cultural barriers to awareness and care-seeking for breast cancer.
Qualitative focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were conducted among breast cancer survivors and caretakers, health workers, and general population individuals in a tertiary care facility, urban underprivileged community, and rural setting around Bangalore city. Data was thematically analyzed using inductive approach.
Breast cancer awareness was commonly gained through interpersonal relationships or self-experiencing breast cancer, mass media, and medical personnel. The most significant barriers to seeking care for breast cancer were cost of care, lack of female doctors, fears of diagnosis, and death. Stigma of breast cancer was attributed to possible isolation by the community members and misconception that cancer is infectious thereby delaying care-seeking.
This study provides an understanding of what individuals perceive about breast cancer and highlights some important anecdotes from breast cancer survivors who have experienced the full extent of a breast cancer diagnosis in India. The institutional and social barriers brought out by this study may be taken into consideration when planning targeted interventions for breast cancer in India.
The young people on the wrong side of the law are incarcerated at specific penitentiaries known as Young Offenders' Rehabilitation Centres (YORCs) in Malawi. Using the good lives model and risk needs ...responsivity principles, this study sought to explore the perspectives of young offenders and correctional officers on the nature and meaningfulness of the offenders' rehabilitation at the five YORCs in Malawi. The study involved 340 participants in mixed-methods research utilising a convergent design. Specifically, the study involved randomly selected 290 young offenders (mean age = 19.8) in a descriptive survey, 25 ex-offenders and 25 correctional officers in semi-structured interviews. The key findings were that although most inmates were socio-economically disadvantaged, signalling the need for comprehensive rehabilitation, the study found that both inmates and correctional offenders viewed correctional activities in the YORCs as not inadequate. Thus, a few rehabilitative activities, such as education, farming and skills training, were haphazardly accessible at various YORCs. Many young offenders were forced to work in prison farms at three facilities disregarding their educational statuses. It was concluded that offender rehabilitation was not handled as a constitutionally mandated obligation in Malawi since the rehabilitation centres focused on security and agricultural productivity.
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