ABSTRACT
Metal-halide perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) have emerged as suitable light-emitting materials for light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and other practical applications. However, LEDs with perovskite NCs undergo environment-induced and ion-migration-induced structural degradation during operation; therefore, novel NC design concepts, such as hermetic sealing of the perovskite NCs, are required. Thus far, viable synthetic conditions to form a robust and hermetic semiconducting shell on perovskite NCs have been rarely reported for LED applications because of the difficulties in the delicate engineering of encapsulation techniques. Herein, a highly bright and durable deep-blue perovskite LED (PeLED) formed by hermetically sealing perovskite NCs with epitaxial ZnS shells is reported. This shell protects the perovskite NCs from the environment, facilitates charge injection/transport, and effectively suppresses interparticle ion migration during the LED operation, resulting in exceptional brightness (2916 cd m-2 ) at 451 nm and a high external quantum efficiency of 1.32%. Furthermore, even in the unencapsulated state, the LED shows a long operational lifetime (T50 ) of 1192 s (≈20 min) in the air. These results demonstrate that the epitaxial and hermetic encapsulation of perovskite NCs is a powerful strategy for fabricating high-performance deep-blue-emitting PeLEDs.
ABSTRACT
Silver nanowires (AgNWs) are one of the important flexible electrode material candidates that can replace brittle indium tin oxide (ITO). In this work, we demonstrated novel patterned sandwich-type AgNW-based transparent electrodes easily prepared using the photolithography method for application in flexible devices. A cross-linked underlayer was introduced to increase the adhesion properties between a poly(ethylene terephthalate) substrate and AgNWs, and as a result, a uniform AgNW layer was easily deposited. Finally, the AgNW layer could be easily patterned by introducing a photocross-linkable upper layer without lift-off, dry transfer, and removal methods. A mixture of poly(sodium-4-styrene sulfonate) (PSS-Na+) and 2,4-hexadiyne-1,6-diol (HDD), which is a component of the upper layer, exhibited good cross-linking properties as well as excellent adhesion to the AgNW layer. Through the above method, it was possible to easily fabricate a patterned electrode with smooth surface morphology. Moreover, AgNW-based patterned electrodes exhibit good optical and electrical properties (Rs = 29.8 Ω/â¡, T550â¯nm = 94.6%), making them suitable for optoelectronic devices. Flexible polymer solar cells (PSCs) using patterned AgNW electrodes showed a high power conversion efficiency of over 10%, which is comparable to that of PSCs using rigid ITO electrodes. In addition, the high mechanical stability of AgNW-based PSCs was confirmed by bending experiments.
ABSTRACT
Chyle leakage after modified radical neck dissection is a rare condition that could be occasionally life-threatening if untreated. We report the first case of successful management of a thoracic duct injury using Viscum album extract (Helixor-M). A 54-year-old woman diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer of the right lobe of the thyroid with metastasis to cervical lymph node levels II-VI, bilaterally, underwent total thyroidectomy and modified radical neck dissection. Three days postoperatively, the surgical team identified a thoracic duct injury due to drainage of chyle from the Jackson-Pratt drain inserted in the right side of the patient`s neck. Various medical treatments (octreotide, withdrawal of enteral feeding, and total parenteral nutrition) and surgical treatments [lymphatic ligation of cervical lymph node level IV and negative pressure wound therapy (vacuum-assisted closure)] were performed, but the drainage persisted. Viscum album extract (Helixor-M) was then injected through the drain. The dose of Viscum album extract was increased while being cautious of its adverse effects, such as nausea, vomiting, erythema, induration at the injection site, and flu-like symptoms. The injection was effective in stopping the drainage and the patient's condition improved, without recurrence. The patient was discharged on the 64th postoperative day without any further complications. Our results suggest that treatment of thoracic duct injury after neck surgery with Viscum album extract (Helixor-M) may be a novel, less invasive alternative approach to treat cases resistant to standard treatments.
ABSTRACT
Purpose: Single incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) is a surgical method to treat gallbladder disease designed to reduce postoperative pain and improve cosmetic results. However, pure SILC (pSILC) has several inherent limitations. In this study, we report the surgical outcomes of SILC with needlescopic grasper (nSILC) compared with those of pSILC and conventional three-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy (TPLC). Methods: This retrospective study enrolled 103 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for benign gallbladder disease in our hospital between January 2013 and January 2015. Among them, 33 patients underwent pSILC, 35 underwent nSILC, and 35 underwent TPLC. We collected demographic characteristics and operative data to analyze outcomes between groups. Results: All procedures were done by laparoscopy and the gallbladder of each patient was completely removed. Women and younger patients were more to undergo SILC than TPLC. Analysis showed that the operation time of the nSILC group was longer than that of the TPLC group, but shorter than that of the pSILC group (skin to skin operation time [pSILC: 65.2±19.1 min, nSILC: 49.7±12.9 min, and TPLC: 43.4±14.7 min, p<0.001], and major procedure time [pSILC: 42.2±18.7 min, nSILC: 25.9±8.9 min, and TPLC: 23.4±12.7 min, p<0.001]). There were no significant differences between the groups for patient visual analogue scale score, length of hospital stay, or intraoperative blood loss. Conclusion: nSILC is feasible surgical method in patients with benign gallbladder disease compared to TPLC, and that is an effective procedure to overcome the disadvantage of pSILC.