ABSTRACT
Kesterite-structured Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 (CZTSSe) thin film photovoltaics have attracted considerable attention in recent years because of its low-cost and eco-friendly raw material, as well as high theoretical conversion efficiency. However, its photovoltaic performance is hindered by large open-circuit voltage (V OC ) deficiency due to the presence of intrinsic defects and defect clusters in the bulk of CZTSSe absorber films. The doping of extrinsic cation to the CZTSSe matrix was adopted as an effective strategy to ameliorate defect properties of the solar cell absorbers. Herein, a novel Se&Sb2Se3 co-selenization process was employed to introduce Sb into CZTSSe crystal lattice. The results reveal that Sb-doping plays an active role in the crystallization and grain growth of CZTSSe absorber layer. More importantly, one of the most seriously detrimental SnZn deep defect is effectively passivated, resulting in significantly reduced deep-level traps and band-tail states compared to Sb free devices. As a result, the power conversion efficiency of CZTSSe solar cell is increased significantly from 9.17% to 11.75%, with a V OC especially enlarged to 505 mV from 449 mV. This insight provides a deeper understanding for engineering the harmful Sn-related deep defects for future high-efficiency CZTSSe photovoltaic devices.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Blood pressure fluctuation is very common during non-cardiac surgery in elderly. This retrospective study was to analyse whether intraoperative hypotension in elderly and other risk factors relate to the postoperative mortality. METHODS: A total of 118 cases (Observational group), who underwent noncardiac surgery in three medical centers between September 2014 and March 2017, and died in the hospital after the noncardiac surgery. With 1:2 ratio of propensity matching, 236 survival cases (Control group) were selected for comparison analyses with the death cases. Intraoperative blood pressure and perioperative parameters from both groups were collected from electronic anaesthesia charts. Data were analysed with univariate logistic regression analysis where variables with p values less than 0.05 were analysed with multivariate logistic regression analysis. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed. RESULTS: There are five risk factors related to postoperative death in elderly patients: ASA grade, COPD, emergency surgery, general anesthesia, 60 < MAP ≤ 65mmHg (OR > 1), and one factor may reduce the risk of postoperative mortality, which is PACU therapy (OR < 1). Compared with the Control group, the Observational group had a higher proportion of cerebral hernia, kidney injury and trauma (p < 0.001). The intraoperative blood transfusion volume and intraoperative blood loss volume were higher in the Observational group than the Control group (p < 0.001). The proportion of using vasoactive drugs was higher in the Observational group (p < 0.001), and there was more urine output during the operation in the Observational group (p = 0.005). CONCLUSION: The intraoperative MAP of geriatric patients lower than 65mmHg is highly related to the postoperative mortality. Elderly patients with emergency surgery, high ASA grade and a history of COPD have an increased risk of postoperative mortality. General anesthesia is a risk factor for postoperative death in elderly patients, and the PACU therapy is a protective factor to avoid postoperative death. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study has been retrospectively registered in the Chinese Clinical Trials Registry (ChiCTR2000038912, 10/10/2020).
Subject(s)
Hypotension , Postoperative Complications , Aged , Anesthesia, General/adverse effects , Humans , Retrospective Studies , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To establish a new animal model to mimic the clinical condition of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS). CP/CPPS is a highly prevalent condition with detrimental effect on the quality of life, but the etiology, pathogenesis, and optimal treatment of CP/CPPS remain unknown. This new animal model would greatly contribute to the understanding and treatment of CP/CPPS. METHODS: Forty Wistar rats were averagely and randomly divided into 5 groups (3 experimental groups, a normal control group, and a positive group) of 8 rats each. Experimental groups were subcutaneously injected with the mixture of prostate extract and aluminum hydroxide, the positive control group with prostate extract and complete Freund adjuvant (CFA), and the normal control group with 0.01 mol/L phosphate-buffered saline (0.01 M PBS). Hematoxylin and eosin stain and immunohistochemistry were respectively used to investigate the inflammatory lesion and the expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF)-α in the prostate. In addition, the serum IgG was also evaluated. The t test was used to compare the statistical differences among groups. RESULTS: Histopathological analyses indicated that prostate lesions in the group immunized with high concentrations of aluminum hydroxide in the presence of prostate extract 3 times was most severe, in addition there was also the highest expression of TNF-α and IgG in this group. CONCLUSIONS: Prostate extract with aluminum hydroxide injection could successfully induce CP/CPPS in Wistar rats, which was in a dose-dependent and injection number-dependent fashion. This animal model might greatly benefit with further understanding of the etiology, pathogenesis, and optimal treatment of CP/CPPS.
