ZnO-Based Electron Transporting Layer for Perovskite Solar Cells

Recently, organic/inorganic hybrid perovskite materials, APbX3 (A = CH3NH3 or HC(NH2)2; X = I, Br or Cl), have attracted much interest for their promising application in solar cells as the light-absorbing component to their broad spectral absorption, strong light-harvesting and long exciton diffusion length. The perovskite solar cells (PSCs) can reduce the production costs and achieve high power conversion efficiency significantly compared to standard silicon cells and other thin film cells. On the other hand, ZnO based materials have been recently investigated in the PSCs devices as electron injection layers for low-temperature, low-cost and flexible devices. This chapter aims to review PSCs using ZnO materials as electron extraction layers. We will discuss the electron transmission and effect of the electron-transporting layer in PSCs and the preparation method of the ZnO. ZnO is a potential material for many applications due to their high electron mobility, transparent and various nanostructure. The ZnO was introduced into the PSCs structure to improve electron extraction efficiency. This chapter summaries the effect and parameters of PSCs based on the ZnO layer/nanostructure prepared by several methods as electron transport layers

Undiagnosed diabetes mellitus among residents in Taiwanese long-term care facilities: A comparison of fasting glucose, postprandial plasma glucose, and hemoglobin A1c

AbstractBackgroundThe prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) is escalating with an aging population, and the chances of diabetic older patients admitted to long-term care facilities (LTCFs) are increased because of DM-related complications. However, undiagnosed DM among LTCF residents is a recognized hidden problem in this setting and may result in adverse outcomes.MethodsIn May 2011, 10 private LTCFs in northern Taipei participated in this study. Trained research nurses reviewed the medical records and performed physical examinations and blood sampling for all participants. Diabetes mellitus was diagnosed, based on the levels of fasting glucose, 2-hour postprandial plasma glucose, and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). Patients were categorized as having DM if they met the diagnostic cut-offs of the aforementioned criteria.ResultsOne hundred and ninety-nine residents (mean age, 79.6 ± 10.5 years; 52.3% males) participated in this study. They were all moderately/severely disabled (Karnofsky Performance Scale mean score was 50 ± 13). Forty-six (23.1%) residents were diabetic, based on their medical records, or were current users of antidiabetic agents. The prevalence was 29.6% after testing with a mean HbA1c level of 6.9% ± 0.9%. The overall undiagnosed DM rate was 4%, 3.5%, and 4.5%, based on fasting glucose, 2-hour postprandial plasma glucose, and HbA1c criteria, respectively. Diabetic patients had significantly higher serum levels of prealbumin, compared to nondiabetic patients (220.8 ± 45.9 vs. 201.1 ± 62.2 mg/L; p = 0.03), but there were no differences in the levels of hemoglobin, serum albumin, or total cholesterol. Diabetic patients had a significantly higher serum triglyceride level, compared to the nondiabetic patients (1.6 ± 0.7 vs. 1.1 ± 0.5 mmol/L; p < 0.01) and a lower high-density lipoprotein level (1.0 ± 0.3 vs. 1.2 ± 0.3 mmol/L; p < 0.01). Among 43 pharmacologically treated diabetic patients, 65.1% (28/43) of patients were using oral antidiabetic agents and 41.9% (18/43) of patients had been prescribed insulin, whereas 32.6% of the patients were managed by combination therapy.ConclusionThe prevalence of DM among LTCF residents in Taipei was 29.6%, and the undiagnosed rate was no more than 5%, based on fasting glucose, 2-hour postprandial plasma glucose, or HbA1c. Further study is needed for the optimal treatment strategy of DM in LTCFs

Factors Influencing the Usage of Mobile Value-Added Services

Mobile value-added services have drawn the attention of researchers and practitioners recently, due to the rapid development of the mobile telecommunications market. Various mobile-based services and applications have therefore been introduced in order to satisfy mobile phone subscribers’ needs. Facing intensive competition, service providers are eager to persuade mobile phone subscribers into using the mobile value-add services in the hope to expand market share and ultimately raise revenues. This study therefore intends to investigate the factors that influence mobile phone subscribers’ intention to use mobile value-added services in Taiwan by incorporating quality factors and perceived playfulness with the Technology Acceptance Model. A preliminary proposal is presented in this extended abstract, together with expected contributions for research and practice

The Adoption of Wikipedia: A Community- and Information Quality-Based View

The Web 2.0 model has aroused vast attention as it alters the traditional role of Internet users as pure information receivers. Wikipedia, as one of the most successful case of the Web 2.0 model, creates an online encyclopedia through the collective efforts of volunteers. Shared freely by all Internet users, it forms an online community platform on which users can seek and share knowledge. This study investigates the factors that affect the adoption of Wikipedia. Based on the TAM of Davis (1989), perceived critical mass, community identification, and perceived information quality were incorporated into the research model to explain the intention and usage of Wikipedia. This research is a work-in-progress and a questionnaire survey will be executed, targeting at Internet users who had prior experiences with knowledge seeking on Wikipedia