Cost model for LIMA device

[EN] In this paper we show the results of the cost model developed in LIMA project (FP7-248909). The LIMA project is titled "Improve photovoltaic efficiency by applying novel effects at the limits of light to matter interaction". The project started in January 2010 and during this year a cost model of the device developed in the project has been developed to assess the industrial viability of this innovative approach to increase the efficiency and reduce the cost of photovoltaic solar cells. LIMA project exploits cutting edge photonic technologies to enhance silicon solar cell efficiencies with new concepts in nanostructured materials. It proposes nano-structured surface layers designed to increase light absorption in the solar cell while decreasing surface and interface recombination loss. Integration in a back contact design further reduces these interface losses and avoids shading. The project improves light-matter interaction by the use a surface plasmonic nanoparticle layer. This reduces reflection and efficiently couples incident radiation into the solar cell where it is trapped by internal reflection. Surface and interface recombination are minimized by using silicon quantum dot superlattices in a passivating matrix. The distance between quantum dots ensures wave-function overlap and good conductivity. © 2010 Published by Elsevier Ltd.This work has been carried out in the framework of the LIMA Project. The EC is gratefully acknowledged for financial support under Contract number FP7-248909.Vazquez, M.; Connolly, JP.; Cubero García, OJ.; Daly, G.; Halm, A.; Kopecek, R.; Mihailetchi, V.... (2011). Cost model for LIMA device. Energy Procedia. 8:443-448. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2011.06.163S443448

Cost Model Developed in European Project LIMA

[EN] In this paper we show the results of the cost model developed in LIMA project (Seventh Framework Programme, CN: 248909). The LIMA project is entitled "Improve photovoltaic efficiency by applying novel effects at the limits of light to matter interaction". The project started in January 2010 and during this year a cost model of the device developed in the project has been developed to assess the industrial viability of this innovative approach to increase the efficiency and reduce the cost of photovoltaic solar cells. During 2011 the cost model has been actualized and a new scenario has been defined. The LIMA project exploits cutting edge photonic technologies to enhance silicon solar cell efficiencies with new concepts in nanostructured materials. It proposes nanostructured surface layers designed to increase the light absorption in the solar cell while decreasing the surface and interface recombination loss. The integration on a back contact solar cell further reduces these interface losses and avoids shading. The project improves light-matter interaction by the use a surface plasmonic nanoparticle layer. This reduces reflection and efficiently couples incident radiation into the solar cell where it is trapped by internal reflection. Surface and interface recombination are minimized by using silicon quantum dot superlattices in a passivating matrix.This work has been carried out in the framework of the LIMA Project. The European Commission is gratefully acknowledged for financial support under Contract number FP7-248909.Vazquez, M.; Mihailetchi, V.; Connolly, JP.; Cubero García, OJ.; Daly, G.; Halm, A.; Kopecek, R.... (2012). Cost Model Developed in European Project LIMA. Energy Procedia. 27:646-651. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2012.07.123S6466512

Cardiopulmonary exercise variables are associated with postoperative morbidity after major colonic surgery: a prospective blinded observational study

BACKGROUND: Postoperative complications are associated with reduced fitness. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) has been used in risk stratification. We investigated the relationship between preoperative CPET and in-hospital morbidity in major colonic surgery.METHODS: We prospectively studied 198 patients undergoing major colonic surgery (excluding neoadjuvant cancer therapy), performing preoperative CPET (reported blind to clinical state), and recording morbidity (assessed blind to CPET), postoperative outcome, and length of stay.RESULTS: Of 198 patients, 62 were excluded: 11 had emergency surgery, 25 had no surgery, 23 had incomplete data, and three were unable to perform CPET. One hundred and thirty-six (89 males, 47 females) were available for analysis. The median age was 71 [inter-quartile range (IQR) 62-77] yr. Sixty-five patients (48%) had a complication at day 5 after operation. Measurements significantly lower in patients with complications than those without were O2 uptake () at estimated lactate threshold () [median 9.9 (IQR 8.3-12.7) vs 11.2 (9.5-14.2) ml kg-1 min-1, P&lt;0.01], at peak [15.2 (12.6-18.1) vs 17.2 (13.7-22.5) ml kg-1 min-1, P=0.01], and ventilatory equivalent for CO2 (/) at [31.3 (28.0-34.8) vs 33.9 (30.0-39.1), P&lt;0.01]. A final multivariable logistic regression model contained at {one-point change odds ratio (OR) 0.77 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.66-0.89], P&lt;0.0005; two-point change OR 0.61 (0.46-0.81) and gender [OR 4.42 (1.78-9.88), P=0.001]}, and was reasonably able to discriminate those with and without complications (AUC 0.71, CI 0.62-0.80, 68% sensitivity, 65% specificity).CONCLUSIONS: CPET variables are associated with postoperative morbidity. A multivariable model with at and gender discriminates those with complications after colonic surgery.<br/

European cardiovascular nurses' experiences of and attitudes towards having family members present in the resuscitation room

Purpose: To investigate cardiovascular nurses &apos; experiences of and attitudes towards the presence of family members during resuscitation of adult patients. Methods: A 36-item questionnaire exploring the experiences of and attitudes towards family members being present in the resuscitation room was distributed to a convenience sample of nurses attending three national and one international cardiovascular nursing conferences held in Europe during 2007. Results: Of 820 questionnaires distributed, 411(50%) completed ones were returned. Of these 411 respondents, 178 (44%) had experienced at least one situation of families being present. Positive (23%) and negative (21%) experiences of family presence were equally distributed. Only 28 (7%) respondents stated that their unit had a protocol covering family presence. Nurses in Ireland (n=30; 59%) and the UK (n=18; 55%) were most likely to have experienced family presence and protocols relating to this were most commonly found in the UK (n=4; 14%). Conclusion: Less than half of the included European cardiovascular nurses had experienced a situation of families being present during resuscitation and protocols pertaining to this were rare. There was no clear attitude towards family presence, though experience in nursin