Comparative Study on the Influence of TiO₂ Precursors on ZnO-Based Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

We report the rational surface engineering of ZnO photoanode films by strict control of the TiO₂ precursors for the facile design of hybrid structures and dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) with increased energy conversion efficiencies. The effects of typical Ti sources [i.e., tetrabutyl titanate (TBOT), titanium isopropoxide (TTIP), and titanium tetrachloride (TiCl₄)] on the ZnO film morphology, charge transfer, and DSSC performance were investigated systematically. The testing results revealed that TBOT-treated ZnO film exhibited the highest power conversion efficiency (PCE) and short circuit current density (<i>J</i>_sc) of 4.92% and 12.49 mA/cm², respectively, which were largely improved compared with those of TTIP- and TiCl₄-treated ZnO films under the same conditions. The excellent performance of TBOT-treated ZnO is mainly ascribed to improved light harvesting and increased charge-recombination resistance. Therefore, TBOT can be considered as a promising alternative for constructing TiO₂/ZnO hybrid structures in low-cost ZnO-based DSSCs for outstanding performance

Additional file 1: of Stroke related to androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer: a meta-analysis and systematic review

Methods S1. Literature Search Strategy. Table S1. List of Excluded Full-text Articles with Reasons for Exclusions. Table S2. Newcastle-Ottawa Scale Quality Assessment of Included Studies. Figure S1. Details of Subgroup Analyses for Stroke Related to Different Types of ADT. Figure S2. Funnel plots for Meta-analyses. (DOC 180 kb

Methyl Group-Promoted Generation of Oxygen Vacancies in an Aerobically Annealed TiO₂ Nanostructure for Photocatalytic H₂ Production

Surmounting the extreme synthesis conditions (e.g., hazardous reagents/gas and temperature) of defective nano-TiO2 photocatalysts is central for effective hydrogen production. Here, controllable synthesis of oxygen-deficient TiO2 nanostructures by a simple pre-adsorbed organic C–H group (like CH2 and CH3)-assisted strategy is first proposed. In addition to directly leading to the formation of oxygen vacancies at room temperature in the air, the surface-bound C–H groups also amazingly causes a significant crystallization delay during the annealing process, which finally realizes the creation of abundant oxygen vacancies under benign aerobic-annealing conditions. Concomitant with the generation of adjustable oxygen vacancies, the photocatalytic performance of the resultant TiO2 could be fine-tuned. The optimized oxygen vacancy-containing TiO2 nanomaterial (calcined at 300 °C) shows an extraordinary performance when doped with 1% Pt using triethanolamine as the sacrificial agent, exhibiting an impressive evolution rate of 5.47 mmol h–1 g–1 under visible-light irradiation, being more than five times higher than that of unmodified TiO2 and surpassing most of the previously reported oxygen-deficient TiO2 nanostructures. Experimental characterizations and theoretical calculations show that the exceptional performance could be attributed to oxygen vacancy-induced enhanced visible light absorption, increased electron–hole pairs separation, and reduced H2 absorption energy. This study offers a green method for creating defective TiO2 photocatalysts, making it easier for mass production and vigorously promoting commercialization

HRs of Cardiovascular Events Related to ADT.

<p>HRs of Cardiovascular Events Related to ADT.</p

Androgen Deprivation Therapy for Prostate Cancer Is Associated with Cardiovascular Morbidity and Mortality: A Meta-Analysis of Population-Based Observational Studies

<div><p>Background</p><p>There is no consensus regarding whether androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cardiovascular mortality (CVM). The objective of this study was to determine the role of ADT for prostate cancer (PCa) in development of cardiovascular events (CVD and CVM).</p><p>Methods and Findings</p><p>We performed a meta-analysis from population-based observational studies comparing ADT vs control aimed at treating PCa in patients with PCa, reporting either CVD or CVM as outcome. Publications were searched using Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library Central Register of observational studies database up to May 31th 2014, and supplementary searches in publications from potentially relevant journals. 6 studies were identified with a total of 129,802 ADT users and 165,605 controls investigating the relationship between ADT and CVD. The incidence of CVD was 10% higher in ADT groups, although no significant association was observed (HR = 1.10, 95%CIs: 1.00–1.21; P = 0.06). For different types of ADT, CVD was related with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) (HR = 1.19, 95%CIs: 1.04–1.36; P<0.001) and GnRH plus oral antiandrogen (AA) (HR = 1.46, 95%CIs: 1.03–2.08; P = 0.04), but not with AA alone or orchiectomy. For CVM, 119,625 ADT users and 150,974 controls from 6 eligible studies were included, pooled results suggested that ADT was associated with CVM (HR = 1.17, 95%CIs: 1.04–1.32; P = 0.01). Significantly increased CVM was also detected in GnRH and GnRH plus AA groups. When patients received other treatments (e.g. prostatectomy and radiotherapy) were ruled out of consideration, more increased CVD (HR = 1.19, 95%CIs: 1.08–1.30; P<0.001) and CVM (HR = 1.30, 95%CIs: 1.13–1.50; P<0.001) were found in men treated with ADT monotherapy.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>ADT is associated with both CVD and CVM. Particularly, GnRH alone and GnRH plus AA can significantly increase the incidence of cardiovascular events in patients with PCa.</p></div

Characteristics of Studies Investigating CVM Related to ADT.

<p>Abbreviations: LOE =  level of evidence; CVM =  cardiovascular mortality; ADT =  androgen deprivation therapy; CAB =  combined androgen blockade; GnRH =  gonadotropin-releasing hormone (leuteinizing hormone releasing hormone, LHRH); AA =  oral antiandrogens; RP =  Radical prostatectomy/Curative Treatment; RT =  radiation therapy; WW/AS =  watchful waiting(WW)/active surveillance (AS); HRs =  Hazard Ratios; RRs =  Risk Ratios; AMI =  Acute Myocardial Infarction; SD =  standard deviation; NA =  not applicable; CaPSURE  =  Cancer of the Prostate Strategic Urologic Research Endeavor; ICES =  Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences; NPCR =  National Prostate Cancer Register; SEER =  Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Medicare data; GPRD =  UK General Practice Research Database.</p>a<p>mean or median.</p>b<p>compared with WW/AS.</p>c<p>The HR/RR was directly given in the publication.</p>d<p>Combined estimates from all types of ADT with random effects meta-analysis.</p><p>Characteristics of Studies Investigating CVM Related to ADT.</p

HRs of Cardiovascular Events Related to ADT Monotherapy vs WW/AS.

<p>HRs of Cardiovascular Events Related to ADT Monotherapy vs WW/AS.</p

Aqueous Solution-Processed Multifunctional SnO₂ Aggregates for Highly Efficient Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

A room temperature based environmentally friendly aqueous solution synthesis route was developed to fabricate highly dispersed small SnO₂ nanoparticles (3–5 nm) without the application of any pressurized reaction vessel or organic solvents. The subsequent treatments, that is, dialyzing and freezing, allow for the acquision of dual-function nanostructures with sheet-like feature and large aspect ratio except for the ordinary irregular aggregates. Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) constructed with the resultant multifunctional SnO₂ showed an outstanding photovoltaic conversion efficiency (PCE) of 6.92% and an unexpected <i>J</i>_SC of 19.5 mA cm^–2 at an optimized thickness of 14.1 μm. The excellent performance can be ascribed to the effective coordination of the favorable features (i.e., strong light scattering, large dye loading capability, and fast electron transport) via rational film thickness control as indicated by diffused reflectance spectra, UV–vis absorption spectra, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS)

Layered and Pb-Free Organic–Inorganic Perovskite Materials for Ultraviolet Photoresponse: (010)-Oriented (CH₃NH₃)₂MnCl₄ Thin Film

Organic–inorganic lead perovskite materials show impressive performance in photovoltaics, photodetectors, light-emitting diodes, lasers, sensors, medical imaging devices, and other applications. Although organic–inorganic lead perovskites have shown good performance in numerous fields, they contain toxic Pb, which is expected to cause environmental pollution in future large-scale applications. Thus, the photoelectric properties of Pb-free organic–inorganic perovskite materials should be developed and studied. In this paper, we report on the photoresponse of Pb-free organic–inorganic hybrid manganese perovskite (CH₃NH₃)₂MnCl₄. To the best of our knowledge, this study demonstrates the first time that organic–inorganic hybrid manganese perovskites are used for this type of application. We found that the solution-processed MA₂MnCl₄ thin film tends to be oriented along the <i>b</i>-axis direction on the TiO₂ surface. The evident photoresponse of the FTO/TiO₂/MA₂MnCl₄/carbon electrode devices was observed under 10–30 Hz flashlight frequencies and a 330 nm light beam. This simple, green, and low-cost photoresponsive device is beneficial for the future industrial production of optical recorders and optical memory devices

Electronic Supplementary Information from From two-dimensional graphene oxide to three-dimensional honeycomb-like Ni₃S₂@graphene oxide composite: insight into structure and electrocatalytic properties

The normalized photovoltaic parameters based on 3D honeycomb-like Ni3S2@GO synthetized by different concentration of Ni(NO₃)<sub>2</sub