On the electroluminescence overshoot of quantum-dot light-emitting diodes.

The charge-carrier dynamics is a fundamental question in quantum-dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs), determining the electroluminescence (EL) properties of the devices. By means of a hole-confined QLED design, the distribution and storage/residing of the charge carriers in the devices are deciphered by the transient electroluminescence (TrEL) spectroscopic technology. It is demonstrated that the holes stored in the quantum dots (QDs) are responsible for the EL overshoot during the rising edge of the TrEL response. Moreover, the earlier electroluminescence turn-on behavior is observed due to the holes residing in the hole-confined structure. The hole storage effect should be attributed to the ultralow hole mobility of QD films and large barrier for hole escape from the cores of the QDs. Our findings provide a deep understanding of the charge transport and storage at the most critical interface between QDs and hole-transport layer, where the excitons are formed.

The relationship between quality of life and health promotion behavior in patients with type B aortic dissection: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: To understand the current situation of health promotion behavior and quality of life among aortic dissection survivors and the correlation between them. METHODS: Sociodemographic characteristics were collected. T-test and variance analysis were applied for univariate analysis. Quality of life was measured using the SF-36 Questionnaire, and health-promoting behaviors were measured using the aortic dissection health promotion behavior questionnaire. The association between type B aortic dissection survivors' health promotion behavior and health status questionnaire (SF-36) scores was determined through Pearson's correlation coefficients. This association was analyzed through multivariable regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 131 type B aortic dissection survivors were evaluated through the self-developed aortic dissection patient health promotion behavior scale and health status questionnaire (SF-36). Results showed that the health promotion behavior of Stanford B aortic dissection survivors (85.05 ± 11.28) correlated with their Mental Component Summary (MCS) (55.23 ± 30.72; r = 0.359, P < 0.01). The model showed 39.00% variance shared between behavior motivation and MCS (R2 = 0.390, F = 13.189, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Type B aortic dissection survivors in Zunyi, China had a lower quality of life. Medical staff can formulate intervention measures from behavioral motivation to improve the quality of life of aortic dissection survivors.

Efficient Quantum-Dot Light-Emitting Diodes Enabled via a Charge Manipulating Structure.

Charge carriers are the basic physical element in an electrically driven quantum-dot light-emitting diode (QLED), which acts as a converter transforming electric energy to light energy. Therefore, it is widely sought after to manage the charge carriers for achieving efficient energy conversion; however, to date, there has been a lack of understanding and efficient strategies. Here, an efficient QLED is achieved by manipulating the charge distribution and dynamics with an n-type 1,3,5-tris(N-phenylbenzimidazole-2-yl)benzene (TPBi) layer embedded into the hole-transport layer. Compared with the control QLED, the maximum current efficiency of the TPBi-containing device is enhanced over 30%, reaching 25.0 cd/A, corresponding to a 100% internal quantum efficiency considering the ∼90% photoluminescence quantum yield of the QD film. Our results suggest that there is still a great deal of room to further improve the efficiency in a standard QLED by subtly manipulating the charge carriers.

[Changes in serum contents of inflammatory mediators after tetramethylene-disulfo-tetramine poisoning and clinical study of a new treatment regime for the poisoning].

OBJECTIVE: To study the changes in serum contents of beta-endorphin (beta-EP), endothelins (ET), nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) after acute tetramethylene-disulfo-tetramine (TDT) poisoning and therapeutic effect of a new treatment regime. METHODS: (1) Forty-eight patients with tetramethylene-disulfo-tetramine poisoning (experiment group) were enrolled in this study. The serum levels of beta-EP, ET, NO and TNF were measured upon hospitalization and 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17 and 19 days after poisoning, respectively, and compared with those of 30 healthy individuals (control group B). (2) They were treated with the improved regime and compared with patients treated with the conventional regime designated as control group A. RESULTS: (1) In 48 patients treated with improved regime, 45 were cured and 3 died. (2) The serum levels of beta-EP, ET, NO and TNF from 45 patients who were cured were significantly higher at hospitalization compared with those of healthy individuals, with the peak values appeared on day 1 after poisoning in the mild, moderate and severe groups. Beta-EP levels returned to normal range on days 9, 13 and 17 after poisoning respectively in the mild, moderate and severe groups. ET levels returned to normal range on days 7, 13 and 15 after poisoning respectively in the mild, moderate and severe groups. NO levels returned to normal range on days 7, 11 and 11 after poisoning respectively in the mild, moderate and severe groups. TNF levels returned to normal range on days 9, 11 and 17 after poisoning respectively in the mild, moderate and severe groups. (3) The serum levels of beta-EP, ET, NO and TNF in 3 non-survivors were very high at hospitalization and continued to increase in the course of treatment. (4) The cumulative doses of diazepam and Phenobarbital, and the eclampsia time were significantly less in the experiment group than those of control group A. CONCLUSION: (1) The serum levels of beta-EP, ET, NO and TNF are correlated with the severity of tetramethylene-disulfo-tetramine poisoning and general conditions of the patients. (2) When the serum levels of beta-EP, ET, NO and TNF decrease gradually in the course of treatment, prognosis is better. On the contrary, the prognosis is poor when their levels increase gradually. (3) Measures to decrease levels of beta-EP, ET, NO and TNF result in a better prognosis of patients with tetramethylene-disulfo-tetramine poisoning. (4) The improved regime can be considered a better therapeutic strategy in tetramethylene-disulfo-tetramine poisoning.

GPR48 regulates epithelial cell proliferation and migration by activating EGFR during eyelid development.

PURPOSE: Eyelid development is a dynamic process involving cell proliferation, differentiation, and migration regulated by a number of growth factors and cytokines. Mice deficient in the orphan G protein-coupled receptor 48 (GPR48) showed an eye open at birth (EOB) phenotype. In this study, the authors attempted to clarify the role of GPR48 in eyelid development and the molecular mechanisms leading to the EOB phenotype. METHODS: Phenotypic analysis of the eyelids of Gpr48(-/-) mice was carried out using histology and scanning electron microscopy. GPR48 expression pattern was determined using X-gal staining. In vitro scratch assay was used to determine cell motility defects in Gpr48(-)(/)(-) keratinocytes. The molecular mechanism underlying GPR48-mediated eyelid closure was explored using Western blot and immunostaining analyses. Expression levels of EGFR and its phosphorylated counterpart were examined in Gpr48(-/-) and wild-type keratinocytes and in eyelids. RESULTS: GPR48 is highly expressed in the epithelium and apical mesenchymal cells of eyelids during embryonic development. Detailed analysis revealed that Gpr48(-/-) mice exhibited delayed leading-edge extension, reduced filopodia formation, and decreased rounded periderm cell formation around eyelid margins. Keratinocytes lacking GPR48 are defective in cell proliferation and migration with reduced F-actin staining. In addition, the phosphorylation of EGFR was dramatically decreased in cultured keratinocytes and developing eyelids in the absence of GPR48. CONCLUSIONS: Inactivation of GPR48 induces the EOB phenotype by reducing epithelial cell proliferation and migration, indicating that GPR48 plays an essential role in eyelid development. Furthermore, GPR48 contributes to eyelid development through the regulation of the EGFR signaling pathway.