Simultaneous nanoscale excitation and emission mapping by cathodoluminescence

Free-electron-based spectroscopies can reveal the nanoscale optical properties of semiconductor materials and nanophotonic devices with a spatial resolution far beyond the diffraction limit of light. However, the retrieved spatial information is constrained to the excitation space defined by the electron beam position, while information on the delocalization associated with the spatial extension of the probed optical modes in the specimen has so far been missing, despite its relevance in ruling the optical properties of nanostructures. In this study, we demonstrate a cathodoluminescence method that can access both excitation and emission spaces at the nanoscale, illustrating the power of such simultaneous excitation and emission mapping technique by revealing a sub-wavelength emission position modulation as well as by visualizing electromagnetic energy transport in nanoplasmonic systems. Besides the fundamental interest of these results, our technique grants us access into previously inaccessible nanoscale optical properties

Impact of preoperative uncontrollable hepatic hydrothorax and massive ascites in adult liver transplantation.

First online: 08 February 2014[Purpose]Uncontrollable hepatic hydrothorax and massive ascites (H&MA) requiring preoperative drainage are sometimes encountered in liver transplantation (LT). We retrospectively analyzed the characteristics of such patients and the impact of H&MA on the postoperative course. [Methods]We evaluated 237 adult patients who underwent LT in our institute between April 2006 and October 2010. [Results]Recipients with uncontrollable H&MA (group HA: n = 36) had more intraoperative bleeding, higher Child–Pugh scores, lower serum albumin concentrations and higher blood urea nitrogen concentrations than those without uncontrollable H&MA (group C:n = 201). They were also more likely to have preoperative hepatorenal syndrome and infections. The incidence of postoperative bacteremia was higher (55.6 vs. 46.7 %, P = 0.008) and the 1- and 3-year survival rates were lower (1 year: 58.9 vs. 82.9 %; 3 years: 58.9 vs. 77.7 %; P = 0.003) in group HA than in group C. The multivariate proportional regression analyses revealed that uncontrollable H&MA and the Child–Pugh score were independent risk factors for the postoperative prognosis. [Conclusions]Postoperative infection control may be an important means of improving the outcome for patients with uncontrollable H&MA undergoing LT, and clinicians should strive to perform surgery before H&MA becomes uncontrollable

Rapid preparation of solution-processed InGaZnO thin films by microwave annealing and photoirradiation

We fabricated solution-processed indium–gallium–zinc oxide (IGZO) thin-film transistors (TFTs) by microwave (MW) annealing an IGZO precursor film followed by irradiating with vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) light. MW annealing allows more rapid heating of the precursor film than conventional annealing processes using a hot plate or electric oven and promotes the crystallization of IGZO. VUV irradiation was used to reduce the duration and temperature of the post-annealing step. Consequently, the IGZO TFTs fabricated through MW annealing for 5 min and VUV irradiation for 1 min exhibited an on/off current ratio of 108 and a field-effect mobility of 0.3 cm2 V−1 s−1. These results indicate that MW annealing and photoirradiation is an effective combination for annealing solution processed IGZO precursor films to prepare the semiconductor layers of TFTs

Chemical stability and oxygen transport properties of La1−xCaxFe1−yByO3−δ (with B = Co, Ni, Mg) perovskite membranes

International audienc

Pre- and perioperative factors affecting infection after living donor liver transplantation.

[Objective]: Infectious complications, including sepsis, that often occur after liver transplantation (LT) comprise the most frequent causes of in-hospital death. This study investigated the predictors of post-transplantation infectious complications to establish a strategy with which to improve short-term outcomes after LT. [Methods]: We used univariate and multivariate analyses to assess pre- and perioperative risk factors for post-transplantation infectious complications in 100 consecutive patients who underwent living donor LT from February 2008 through February 2010 at our institute. [Results]: Multivariate analysis showed that low preoperative body cell mass and the absence of preoperative supplementation with branched-chain amino acids were of prognostic significance for post-transplantation sepsis. In addition, Child–Pugh classification C and massive operative blood loss were independent risk factors for post-transplantation bacteremia, and preoperative low body cell mass was an independent risk factor for in-hospital death from infection. [Conclusion]: Pretransplantation nutritional intervention and decreases in operative blood loss would help prevent post-transplantation infectious complications from developing during living donor LT. Branched-chain amino acid supplementation before LT affects the occurrence of infectious complications

A vessel sealing system can help reduce the risk of postoperative complications after tumour resection in the medial thigh

Aims: The risk of postoperative complications after resection of soft-tissue sarcoma in the medial thigh is higher than in other locations. This study investigated whether a vessel sealing system (VSS) could help reduce the risk of postoperative complications after wide resection of soft-tissue sarcoma in the medial thigh. Methods: Of 285 patients who underwent wide resection for soft-tissue sarcoma between 2014 and 2021 at our institution, 78 patients with tumours in the medial thigh were extracted from our database. Information on clinicopathological characteristics, preoperative treatment, surgical treatment (use of VSS, blood loss volume, operating time), and postoperative course (complications, postoperative haemoglobin changes, total drainage volume, and drainage and hospitalization durations) were obtained from medical records. We statistically compared clinical outcomes between patients whose surgery did or did not use VSS (VSS and non-VSS groups, respectively). Results: There were 24 patients in the VSS group and 54 in the non-VSS group. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of clinicopathological background. The total drainage volume in the VSS group was significantly less than that in the non-VSS group (1,176 ml vs 3,114 ml; p = 0.018). Moreover, the drainage and hospitalization durations were significantly shorter in the VSS group compared to the non-VSS group (p = 0.017 and p = 0.024, respectively). Conclusion: Our results suggest that use of VSS can help reduce the risk of postoperative complications after wide resection of soft-tissue sarcoma in the medial thigh. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2023;4(6):442–446