Tuning in optoelectronic properties of In/Te bilayer heterostructure upon annealing at different temperatures: surface wettability and photo response study for photonic and solar cell applications.

The current study depicted the influence of annealing temperature on In/Te bilayer thin film of 350 nm synthesized by thermal evaporation method. The interfacial diffusion of In into Te sites at different annealing temperatures (100 °C, 150 °C, 200 °C, 250 °C) modified the structural as well as the electro-optical response of the films. The structural study showed the appearance of an orthorhombic In4Te3 peak with annealing. The surface texture showed the particle nature with homogeneous distribution with annealing temperatures. The cross-sectional view of the bilayer and annealed film confirmed the formation of In/Te film with a total thickness of 350 nm. Surface mapping images confirm the homogeneous and uniform elemental distribution. The transmission was enhanced with annealing and showed broad transparency over the NIR region, making them suitable for IR device applications. The enhanced optical bandgap with annealing due to induced local structural changes reduced the optical parameters, such as refractive index, dielectric constant, and nonlinear susceptibility. The surface wettability measurements showed an enhanced hydrophobic nature with annealing. The variation of photocurrent with respect to voltage showed an ohmic nature, with enhancement from nA to ∼mA with annealing. Such alteration opened new ways to be used in solar cells, photodetectors, and photonic device applications.

Abdominal wall reconstruction (AWR) for post-trauma laparotomy ventral hernia and follow-up assessment of functional quality of life (QOL): experience of a level-1 trauma centre in India.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine the postoperative outcomes and follow-up QOL of patients after AWR at a level-1 trauma centre in India. METHODS: The study cohort included AWR patients treated between January 2011 and July 2022. The Activities Assessment Scale (AAS) was used to measure QOL, and the Ventral Hernia Recurrence Inventory (VHRI) was used to determine the occurrence of recurrence. In patients suspected of having recurrence, thorough clinical examination and relevant imaging were performed to confirm or rule out recurrence. RESULTS: Out of 89 patients, 35 patients whose complete perioperative and follow-up data were available were enrolled. The mean age of the patients was 28 (SD, 9) years. The mean defect size was 14. 9 (SD, 7) cm. The mean time from laparotomy to AWR surgery was 21 months. During the postoperative course, 37% of patients developed complications, such as SSI and seroma. The mean follow-up time was 53 (SD, 43) months. Upon comparing procedures involving the mesh placed in the sublay position with procedures involving the mesh placed in other positions, no statistically significant difference in the recurrence rate (one in each group, p = 0.99), surgical complication rate (33% v/s 66%, p = 0.6), or mean AAS QOL score (94.7 v/s 98, p = 0.4) was observed. The specificity of the VHRI for diagnosing recurrence was 79%. CONCLUSION: Overall, the recurrence rate was low in these patients despite the presence of large hernia defects. Long-term QOL was not affected by the specific procedure used. Timely planning and execution are more important than the specific repair approach for post-trauma laparotomy ventral hernia.