Photon color conversion enhancement of colloidal quantum dots inserted into a subsurface laterally-extended GaN nano-porous structure in an InGaN/GaN quantum-well template.

To improve the color conversion performance, we study the nanoscale-cavity effects on the emission efficiency of a colloidal quantum dot (QD) and the Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) from quantum well (QW) into QD in a GaN porous structure (PS). For this study, we insert green-emitting QD (GQD) and red-emitting QD (RQD) into the fabricated PSs in a GaN template and a blue-emitting QW template, and investigate the behaviors of the photoluminescence (PL) decay times and the intensity ratios of blue, green, and red lights. In the PS samples fabricated on the GaN template, we observe the efficiency enhancements of QD emission and the FRET from GQD into RQD, when compared with the samples of surface QDs, which is attributed to the nanoscale-cavity effect. In the PS samples fabricated on the QW template, the FRET from QW into QD is also enhanced. The enhanced FRET and QD emission efficiencies in a PS result in an improved color conversion performance. Because of the anisotropic PS in the sample surface plane, the polarization dependencies of QD emission and FRET are observed.

Mesh size control in forming an Ag/AgO nano-network structure for transparent conducting application.

The variation behaviors of the morphology, transmission, and sheet resistance of the surface Ag/AgO nano-network (NNW) structures fabricated under different illumination conditions and with different Ag deposition thicknesses and thermal annealing temperatures in forming initial Ag nanoparticles (NPs) are studied. Generally, an NNW structure with a smaller mesh size or a denser branch distribution has a lower transmission and a lower sheet resistance level. Under the fabrication condition of a broader illumination spectrum, a lower thermal annealing temperature, or a thicker Ag deposition, we can obtain an NNW structure of a smaller mesh size. The mesh size of an NNW structure is basically controlled by the seed density of Brownian tree (BT) at the beginning of light illumination. A BT seed can be formed through a stronger local localized surface plasmon resonance for accelerating Ag oxidation in a certain region. Once an Ag/AgO BT seed is formed, the surrounding Ag NPs are reorganized to form the branches of a BT. Multiple BTs are connected to form a large-area NNW structure, which can serve as a transparent conductor. Under the fabrication conditions of a broader illumination spectrum, 3 nm Ag deposition, and 100 °C thermal annealing, we can implement an NNW structure to achieve ∼1.15µm in mesh size, ∼90 Ω sq-1in sheet resistance, and 93%-77% in transmittance within the wavelength range between 370 and 700 nm.

[Factors Influencing the Recovery of Walking Ability in Older Adults After Hospital Discharge].

BACKGROUND: Functional decline is a common complication in hospitalized older adults, and decline in the ability to walk is often the first change in physical functioning in this population. Decline in walking ability leads to a loss of independence in the activities of daily living in older adults after discharge from the hospital. PURPOSE: To explore the factors associated with the recovery of walking ability in older adults after discharge from the hospital. METHODS: This study used a longitudinal research design. Potential participants were recruited from a tertiary medical center in southern Taiwan. Patients were eligible for inclusion if they were at least 65 years old and were affected by a decline in walking ability at discharge. The data collected at discharge included: demographic information, Charlson Comorbidity Index, Modified Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living (walking item), Mini Nutritional Assessment, Mini-Mental State Examination, and ambulation during hospital stay. The follow-up data collected at three months after discharge included: Modified Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living (walking item), exercise habit, rehabilitation, and social support. RESULTS: A total of 78 older adults were enrolled as participants. Three-quarters (75.64%) of the participants had regained their ability to walk at three months after discharge. Moreover, nutritional status, cognitive function, and exercise habit were significantly associated with the recovery of walking ability. The results of multiple logistic regression analysis showed having an exercise habit to be significantly associated with the recovery of walking ability at three months after discharge (OR = 10.212, p = .004). CONCLUSIONS / IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: In addition to treating the acute medical issues of older patients, healthcare professionals should screen and provide them with appropriate nutritional, cognitive, and physical care plans. Moreover, emphasizing the importance of an exercise habit in nursing discharge plans is also important. This effort may help older adults recover their walking ability and maintain their independence.

Numerical study of pattern formation in miscible rotating Hele-Shaw flows.

The dynamics of the diffusing interface separating two miscible fluids in a rotating Hele-Shaw cell is studied by intensive and highly accurate numerical simulations. We perform numerical experiments in a wide range of parameters, focusing on the influence of viscosity contrast and Korteweg stresses on the shape of the interfacial patterns. A great variety of morphological behaviors is systematically introduced, and a wealth of interesting phenomena related to finger competition dynamics, filament stretching, and interface pinch off are reveal. Our simulations exhibit miscible patterns that bear a strong resemblance to their immiscible counterparts for larger Korteweg stresses. The quantitative equivalence between such stresses and the usual immiscible surface tension is studied. The concept of an effective interfacial tension is considered, allowing the direct and precise calculation of the important fingering properties under miscible circumstances. Our results show excellent agreement with existing experiments and simulations for corresponding immiscible displacements. This agreement refers to a striking similarity between miscible and immiscible pattern morphologies, and also to an accurate prediction for the typical number of miscible fingering structures formed. Our findings suggest that the effective interfacial tension is both qualitatively and quantitatively equivalent to its immiscible counterpart.