Assessment of health-related quality of life of COVID-19 patients during follow-up

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the quality of life of individuals worldwide. The aim of this study was to assess the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and its associated factors among COVID-19 patients discharged from hospital. Methods: This facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among laboratory confirmed COVID-19 patients who were discharged from medicine department of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University and did their first-month follow-up from April to September 2021. A validated Bengali version of International Quality of Life Assessment, Short form – 36 (SF-36) questionnaire was used to assess the HRQOL status. Univariate and multivariate analyses were done for identifying factors associated with low HRQOL. Result: Out of 225 patients, the mean (standard deviation) age was 36.9 (14.2) years and four in every ten patients were women. Out of eight subgroups, almost all scored averagely 79 out of 100. Older age, rural residence and severe to critical disease was reported as factors for low physical and mental component summary of SF-36. Conclusion: COVID-19 patients with older age, rural residence and having severe to critical disease condition need to be addressed critically as they have a higher chance of having low HRQOL status after COVID-19 infection

Assessment of health-related quality of life of COVID-19 patients during follow-up

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the quality of life of individuals worldwide. The aim of this study was to assess the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and its associated factors among COVID-19 patients discharged from hospital. Methods: This facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among laboratory confirmed COVID-19 patients who were discharged from medicine department of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University and did their first-month follow-up from April to September 2021. A validated Bengali version of International Quality of Life Assessment, Short form – 36 (SF-36) questionnaire was used to assess the HRQOL status. Univariate and multivariate analyses were done for identifying factors associated with low HRQOL. Result: Out of 225 patients, the mean (standard deviation) age was 36.9 (14.2) years and four in every ten patients were women. Out of eight subgroups, almost all scored averagely 79 out of 100. Older age, rural residence and severe to critical disease was reported as factors for low physical and mental component summary of SF-36. Conclusion: COVID-19 patients with older age, rural residence and having severe to critical disease condition need to be addressed critically as they have a higher chance of having low HRQOL status after COVID-19 infection. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Journal 2023;16(2): 91-9

Implied Open‐circuit Voltage Imaging via a Single Bandpass Filter Method—Its First Application in Perovskite Solar Cells

A novel, camera-based method for direct implied open-circuit voltage (iV$_{OC}$) imaging via the use of a single bandpass filter (s-BPF) is developed for large-area photovoltaic solar cells and precursors. The photoluminescence (PL) emission is imaged using a narrow BPF with centre energy inside the high-energy tail of the PL emission, utilising the close-to-unity and nearly constant absorptivity of typical photovoltaic devices in this energy range. As a result, the exact value of the sample\u27s absorptivity within the BPF transmission band is not required. The use of an s-BPF enables a fully contactless approach to calibrate the absolute PL photon flux for spectrally integrated detectors, including cameras. The method eliminates the need for knowledge of the imaging system spectral response. Through an appropriate choice of the BPF centre energy, a range of absorber compositions or a single absorber with different surface morphologies, such as planar and textured, can be imaged, all without the need for additional detection optics. The feasibility of this s-BPF method is first validated. The relative error in iV$_{OC}$ is determined to be ≤1.5%. The method is then demonstrated on device stacks with two different perovskite compositions commonly used in single-junction and monolithic tandem solar cells

Implied Open‐circuit Voltage Imaging via a Single Bandpass Filter Method—Its First Application in Perovskite Solar Cells

A direct, camera-based implied open-circuit voltage (iVOC) imaging method via the novel use of a single bandpass filter (s-BPF) is developed for large-area photovoltaic solar cells and solar cell precursors. This method images the photoluminescence (PL) emission using a narrow BPF with centre energy in the high-energy tail of the PL emission taking advantage of the close-to-unity absorptivity of typical photovoltaic devices with low variability in this energy range. As a result, the exact value of the sample\u27s absorptivity within the BPF transmission band is not required. The use of a s-BPF enables the adaptation of a fully contactless approach to calibrate the absolute PL photon flux for camera-based spectrally-integrated imaging tools. The method eliminates the need for knowledge of the imaging system spectral response and the use of the emission and excitation spectral shapes. Through an appropriate choice of the BPF centre energy, a range of absorber compositions or a single absorber with different surface morphologies (e.g., planar vs textured) can be imaged, all without the need for additional detection optics. The feasibility of this s-BPF method is first assessed using a high-quality Cs$_{0.05}$FA$_{0.79}$MA$_{0.16}$Pb(I$_{0.83}$Br$_{0.17}$)$_3$ perovskite neat film. The error in iVOC is determined to be less than 1.5%. The efficacy of the method is then demonstrated on device stacks with two different perovskite compositions commonly used in single-junction and monolithic tandem solar cells

Spectrum of thyroid dysfunctions among hospitalized patients with non-critically ill coronavirus disease 2019: A cross-sectional study

Background: Patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) particularly critically ill ones may present with different types of thyroid abnormalities. However, data regarding thyroid function tests (TFTs) among noncritical patients with COVID-19 are scarce. This study aimed to assess thyroid functions and their associations with the severity of illness among non-critically ill hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Methods: This cross-sectional study assessed TFTs in 87 (aged 18-65 years) RT-PCR-confirmed COVID-19 patients admitted to a tertiary-care hospital in Bangladesh. Diagnosis of non–critical illness and severity (mild, moderate, and severe) were defined by WHO’s interim guidance. Patients having known thyroid dysfunctions or taking drugs that may affect thyroid functions were excluded from the study. Serum TSH, FT4, and FT3 were measured by chemiluminescent immunoassay. Results: Majority of the patients (72%) had normal thyroid function. Among the abnormalities, the highest frequency was isolated hyperthyroxinemia (12.6%) and the rest were subclinical hypothyroidism (6.9%), subclinical thyrotoxicosis (4.6%), thyrotoxicosis (2.3%), isolated tri-iodothyroninemia (1.1%), and hypothyroidism (1.1%).  Serum TSH, FT4, and FT3 levels were similar across the spectrum of noncritical illness. No significant correlation was found between the inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein, ferritin, and D-dimer) and TSH levels. Conclusions: More than one-fourth of non-critically ill hospitalized patients with COVID-19 presented with a spectrum of thyroid abnormalities with isolated hyperthyroxinemia being the most common. However, TFTs had no significant associations with the severity of illness among noncritically ill patients with COVID-19. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Journal 2023;16(2): 81-86

Origin of Efficiency and Stability Enhancement in High‐Performing Mixed Dimensional 2D‐3D Perovskite Solar Cells: A Review

Perovskite solar cells are a potential game changer for the photovoltaics industry, courtesy of their facile fabrication and high efficiency. Despite this, commercialization is being held back by poor stability. To become economically feasible for commercial production, perovskite solar cells must meet or exceed industry standards for operational lifetime and reliability. In this regard, mixed dimensional 2D-3D perovskite solar cells, incorporating long carbon-chain organic spacer cations, have shown promising results, with enhancement in both device efficiency and stability. Dimensional engineering of perovskite films requires a delicate balance of 2D and 3D perovskite composition to take advantage of the specific properties of each material phase. This review summarizes and assesses the current understanding, and apparent contradictions in the state-of-the-art mixed dimensional perovskite solar cell literature regarding the origin of stability and performance enhancement. By combining and comparing results from experimental and theoretical studies it is focused on how the perovskite composition, film formation methods, additive and solvent engineering influence efficiency and stability, and identify future research directions to further improve both key performance metrics.The work was supported by the Australian Government through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and the Australian Research Council (ARC). T.P.W. is the recipient of an Australian Research Council Australian Future Fellowship (project number FT180100302) funded by the Australian Government. T.D. and J.P. acknowledge the financial support of a Postdoctoral Fellowship from the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics (ACAP)

Double‐Sided Surface Passivation of 3D Perovskite Film for High‐Efficiency Mixed‐Dimensional Perovskite Solar Cells

Defect-mediated carrier recombination at the interfaces between perovskite and neighboring charge transport layers limits the efficiency of most state-of-the-art perovskite solar cells. Passivation of interfacial defects is thus essential for attaining cell efficiencies close to the theoretical limit. In this work, a novel double-sided passivation of 3D perovskite films is demonstrated with thin surface layers of bulky organic cation–based halide compound forming 2D layered perovskite. Highly efficient (22.77%) mixed-dimensional perovskite devices with a remarkable open-circuit voltage of 1.2 V are reported for a perovskite film having an optical bandgap of ≈1.6 eV. Using a combination of experimental and numerical analyses, it is shown that the double-sided surface layers provide effective defect passivation at both the electron and hole transport layer interfaces, suppressing surface recombination on both sides of the active layer. Despite the semi-insulating nature of the passivation layers, an increase in the fill factor of optimized cells is observed. The efficient carrier extraction is explained by incomplete surface coverage of the 2D perovskite layer, allowing charge transport through localized unpassivated regions, similar to tunnel-oxide passivation layers used in silicon photovoltaics. Optimization of the defect passivation properties of these films has the potential to further increase cell efficiencies.The work was supported by the Australian Government through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and the Australian Research Council (ARC). T.P.W. is the recipient of an Australian Research Council Future Fellowship (Project No. FT180100302) funded by the Australian Government

Combined Bulk and Surface Passivation in Dimensionally Engineered 2D‐3D Perovskite Films via Chlorine Diffusion

Dimensional engineering of perovskite films is a promising pathway to improve the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). In this context, surface or bulk passivation of defects in 3D perovskite film by careful introduction of 2D perovskite plays a key role. Here the authors demonstrate a 2D perovskite passivation scheme based on octylammonium chloride, and show that it provides both bulk and surface passivation of 1.6 eV bandgap 3D perovskite film for highly efficient (≈23.62%) PSCs with open-circuit voltages up to 1.24 V. Surface and depth-resolved microscopy and spectroscopy analysis reveal that the Cl− anion diffuses into the perovskite bulk, passivating defects, while the octylammonium ligands provide effective, localized surface passivation. The authors find that the Cl− diffusion into the perovskite lattice is independent of the 2D perovskite crystallization process and occurs rapidly during deposition of the 2D precursor solution. The annealing-induced evaporation of Cl from bulk perovskite is also inhibited in 2D–3D perovskite film as compared to pristine 3D perovskite, ensuring effective bulk passivation in the relevant film.The work was supported by the Australian Government through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and the Australian Research Council (ARC). T.P.W. is the recipient of an Australian Research Council Australian Future Fellowship (project number FT180100302) funded by the Australian Government

Efficient and stable wide bandgap perovskite solar cells through surface passivation with long alkyl chain organic cations

Defects on perovskite surfaces acting as charge-carrier-traps are a key factor limiting the performance of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Here we studied the defect passivation effect of three bromide-containing alkylammonium organic cations with increasing alkyl-chain-length: n-butylammonium bromide, n-octylammonium bromide and n-dodecylammonium bromide on a perovskite composition with 1.72 eV bandgap. Long-alkyl-chain organic cations were found to have a greater passivation effect compared to their shorter counterparts due to greater reduction in surface defects and substantial changes in the electronic structure of the passivated perovskite films. The efficiency of 1.72 eV PSCs was improved to 19.1% with an excellent open-circuit-voltage of over 1280 mV. The long-alkyl-chain passivation significantly improved the moisture and light stability of PSCs as the unencapsulated devices retained >90% of the initial performance after 144 h at 70–85% relative-humidity and >93% of the initial performance after operating under light for 80 h. The study has paved the way for efficient and stable wide bandgap perovskite top cells used in perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells.This work has been supported by the Australian Government through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). T. D. and J. Z. acknowledges the financial support of Postdoc Fellowships from the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics (ACAP). T. W. is the recipient of an Australian Research Council Future Fellowship (project number FT180100302) funded by the Australian Government

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Background: Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. // Methods: We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung's disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. // Findings: We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung's disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middle-income countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in low-income countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. // Interpretation: Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030