Effects of Nano/Microstructures on Performance of Si-based Microfuel Cells

We investigated the effects of the contact surface structure of porous Si-based membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) on the performance of microfuel cells, because the contact area of the triple-phase boundary among the MEA components plays an important role in the performance of polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs). An n-type silicon substrate was first wet-etched with KOH and subsequently anodically etched to fabricate a porous Si substrate. The cross section of the mechanically polished Si wafer showed pores with high aspect ratios. Electrolyte solutions were filled into the pores to prepare a porous Si membrane (PSM), and the MEA was fabricated by hot-pressing the PSM between two conventional catalyst-coated carbon-paper electrodes. The porous Si-based MEA worked well and showed a power density higher than that of the Nafion®-212-based membrane. Further, we examined the effects of the nano/microstructures at the triple-phase boundary and found that the more densely arranged nano/microstructures reduced the magnitudes of the activation overvoltage and ohmic overvoltage, thereby improving the cell performance.International Symposium on Innovative Materials for Processes in Energy Systems 2013 (IMPRES2013), September 4-6, 2013 in Fukuoka, Japan

Effects of Nano/Microstructures on Performance of Si-based Microfuel Cells

We investigated the effects of the contact surface structure of porous Si-based membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) on the performance of microfuel cells, because the contact area of the triple-phase boundary among the MEA components plays an important role in the performance of polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs). An n-type silicon substrate was first wet-etched with KOH and subsequently anodically etched to fabricate a porous Si substrate. The cross section of the mechanically polished Si wafer showed pores with high aspect ratios. Electrolyte solutions were filled into the pores to prepare a porous Si membrane (PSM), and the MEA was fabricated by hot-pressing the PSM between two conventional catalyst-coated carbon-paper electrodes. The porous Si-based MEA worked well and showed a power density higher than that of the Nafion®-212-based membrane. Further, we examined the effects of the nano/microstructures at the triple-phase boundary and found that the more densely arranged nano/microstructures reduced the magnitudes of the activation overvoltage and ohmic overvoltage, thereby improving the cell performance

鹿児島県における退院後生活環境相談員の業務の現状と課題 : 精神保健福祉士へのアンケート調査から明らかになったこと

The purpose of this study was to clarify the current status and issues of “social worker for living conditions after discharge” that was introduced in 2014 by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare in Kagoshima. Of the 51 psychiatric hospitals in Kagoshima, the survey aimed at examining the viewpoints of social workers for living conditions after discharge in 38 hospitals regarding the living conditions of patients after being discharged. The social workers for living conditions after discharge were members of Kagoshima Association of Psychiatric Social Workers, which is a cooperative research organization.The results of the survey revealed that 58 social workers for living conditions after discharge (45.3%) experienced difficulty and / or conflict but had also experienced a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment. In addition, 28 categories were extracted from the data of 3 open-ended questions. The results thus revealed the problems related to completion of an inpatient care plan within the prescribed deadline; conflicts that the social workers experienced due to the living conditions after the patients have been discharged and the institution’s understanding regarding the same; varying degrees of recognition of varied occupations enjoyed at conferences; the condition of powerless people; the difficulties of coordinating chronic shortages, especially when the person and his/her family had different intentions; and high ratio of office work and insufficient direct support

Needlescopic versus conventional laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer ~a comparative study~

Objectives: This study set out to determine whether Needlescopic surgery (NS) produces comparable surgical outcomes for patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) compared to conventional multi-port laparoscopic surgery (MPS). Methods: We used the five-port method with a 3.5 cm umbilical incision for extraction and reconstruction during MPS for CRC. One or two 5 mm ports were exchanged for needle forceps and all surgical procedures were as for previous MPS since July 2012. We investigated the short-term outcomes of 138 consecutive patients who underwent curative resection of CRC by NS (July 2012-August 2014) and 130 consecutive patients with CRC treated with MPS during a previous period (January 2010-June 2012). Results: Operative time in the NS group was comparable to that of MPS (p=0.467); the NS group had significantly less estimated blood loss (p=0.002) and a shorter postoperative hospital stay (p<0.001). The mean number of dissected lymph nodes was 27 in both groups (p=0.730). No mortality occurred in either group, and similar morbidity rates were observed (p=0.454). Conclusions: NS using Endo Relief needle forceps is a safe and feasible option compared to conventional MPS for CRC

Element Strategy Using Ru-Mn Substitution in CuO-CaCu3Ru4O12 Composite Ceramics with High Electrical Conductivity

CaCu3Ru4−xMnxO12 bulks with various substitution amounts x and sintering additive CuO (20 vol.%) were prepared, and the influence of x on the electrical conductivity in a wide temperature range (8–900 K) was investigated. Microstructural observations showed an enhancement of bulk densification upon Mn substitution. Although the resistivity increased with increasing x, the resistivity was as low as a few mΩcm even in the sample with x = 2.00, where half of Ru is substituted by Mn. This high conductivity despite the loss of Ru 4d conduction following the substitution is explained by the A-site (Cu2+) conduction in CaCu3Ru4−xMnxO12. The thermopower of CaCu3Ru4−xMnxO12 was found to be influenced by the substitution, and a sign inversion was observed in the substituted samples at low temperature. The partial substitution of Ru by Mn in CaCu3Ru4O12 enables the reduction of the materials cost while maintaining good electrical conductivity for applications as a conducting device component

Adhesive intestinal obstruction increases the risk of intestinal perforation in peritoneal dialysis patients: a case report

Abstract Background Peritonitis secondary to bowel perforation is a rare and potentially fatal complication in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. However, the early diagnosis of bowel perforation is difficult in PD patients because the initial symptoms and signs of bowel perforation are similar to those of PD-associated peritonitis. Furthermore, the risk of bowel perforation in PD patients is unclear. Here, we present a case of intestinal perforation located at the site of adhesive intestinal obstruction in a PD patient. Case presentation A 73-year-old man on PD presented with progressive worsening of abdominal pain and cloudy peritoneal fluid. The peritoneal fluid cell count was increased to 980/ml and peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis was diagnosed. Computed tomography showed local adhesions causing agglomeration of the dilated intestine. He initially responded to antibiotic treatment; however, his abdominal pain was rapidly worsened after resumption of oral intake. On hospital day 23, computed tomography showed loss of contents from the dilated intestine and discharge of fecal material from the PD tube was noted. Thus, small bowel perforation was diagnosed, and he underwent ileocecal resection with colostomy creation. As indicators of EPS was not evident, PD catheter was removed. Since then, he has been on maintenance of hemodialysis since then. Conclusion The findings of the present case suggest that adhesive intestinal obstruction in PD patients can increase the risk of intestinal perforation. Careful monitoring for the early detection of intestinal perforation is required in such cases

Reduced-port surgery for rectal cancer

Laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer has short-term and long-term oncological outcomes similar to those of open surgery. Conventional multiport laparoscopic surgery (CMLS) for rectal cancer requires four or five abdominal incisions for trocars, each of which could lead to complications and/or pain. Single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) would reduce the incidence of such wound-related complications and achieve better cosmetic outcomes relative to CMLS. The potential advantages of SILS are less pain and more rapid recovery than achieved with CMLS. However, SILS is rarely used for rectal cancer because of the high-level technical expertise required. Reduced-port laparoscopic surgery (RPS), which involves one additional port, may bridge the technical gap between CMLS and SILS and has a less steep learning curve. RPS for rectal cancer has a short history, and its usefulness has not yet been fully established. Here, we review the present situation, challenges, and future prospects for RPS for rectal cancer