Low-temperature self-assembled vertically aligned carbon nanofibers as counter-electrode material for dye-sensitized solar cells.

Low-temperature AC-DC PECVD is employed for direct growth of vertically aligned carbon nanofibers (VACNFs) on ordinary transparent conductive glass as counter-electrode material for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on utilization of VACNFs grown directly on ordinary FTO-coated glass as a cost-effective catalyst material in DSSCs. According to the FESEM images, the as-grown arrays are well aligned and dense, and offer uniform coverage on the surface of the substrate. In-plane and out-of-plane conductivity measurements reveal their good electrical conductivity, and Raman spectroscopy suggests a high number of electrocatalytic active sites, favoring charge transport at the electrolyte/electrode interface. Hybrid VACNF/Pt electrodes are also fabricated for performance comparison with Pt and VACNF electrodes. X-ray diffraction results verify the crystallization of Pt in hybrid electrodes and further confirm the vertical alignment of carbon nanofibers. Electrochemical characterization indicates that VACNFs provide both high catalytic and good charge transfer capability, which can be attributed to their high surface area, defect-rich and one-dimensional structure, vertical alignment and low contact resistance. As a result, VACNF cells can achieve a comparable performance (~5.6%) to that of the reference Pt cells (~6.5%). Moreover, by combination of the excellent charge transport and catalytic ability of VACNFs and the high conductivity of Pt nanoparticles, hybrid VACNF/Pt cells can deliver a performance superior to that of the Pt cells (~7.2%), despite having a much smaller amount of Pt loading, which raises hopes for low-cost large-scale production of DSSCs in the future.

Pain tracker diagnostic instrument: effect on patients' satisfaction with their interactions with the primary care physician.

In a randomized trial, the pain tracker instrument was evaluated as a diagnostic screening tool and for its effect on patients' satisfaction with their interactions with the primary care physician. The instrument form was filled in by the physician after asking the study patients about symptoms. Control (n = 53) and study patients (n = 49) were interviewed and the instrument's effect was analysed from responses to 15 statements. The pain tracker group were significantly more satisfied with the physician relationship than were controls (mean satisfaction score 85 +/- 8 versus 61 +/- 9). A direct linear correlation was found between patients' assessment of the visit and overall satisfaction (r = 0.86). The pain tracker can be an important component in history taking and a useful diagnostic screening tool in pain presentations.

Pain tracker diagnostic instrument: effect on patients' satisfaction with their interactions with the primary care physician

In a r and omized trial, the pain tracker instrument was evaluated as a diagnostic screening tool and for its effect on patients' satisfaction with their interactions with the primary care physician. The instrument form was filled in by the physician after asking the study patients about symptoms. Control [n = 53] and study patients [n = 49] were interviewed and the instrument's effect was analysed from responses to 15 statements. The pain tracker group were significantly more satisfied with the physician relationship than were controls [mean satisfaction score 85 +/- 8 versus 61 +/- 9]. A direct linear correlation was found between patients' assessment of the visit and overall satisfaction [r = 0.86]. The pain tracker can be an important component in history taking and a useful diagnostic screening tool in pain presentations