Platinum-free counter electrodes of plasma-modified hybrid nanomaterials for dye-sensitised solar cells

WOS: 000433957800002Molybdenum disulphide (MoS2) nanotube and tungsten oxide (W18O49) nanowire were coated with poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) by a radio frequency (RF: 13.56 MHz)rotating plasma-modification method as alternative counter electrodes for dye-sensitised solar cells (DSSCs). Surface analysis showed the homogenous plasma nanocoating of inorganic nanostructures by P3HT and PEDOT. It was demonstrated that the plasma-modified hybrid platinum-free counter electrodes increased the efficiencies of the DSSCs. The DSSCs based on hybrid nanostructure materials showed a short circuit current density of 9.49, 7.95, 2.59 and 2.57 mAcm(-2) for MoS2/P3HT, MoS2/PEDOT, W18O49/PEDOT and W18O49/P3HT samples, respectively. The plasma nanocoating with the nanostructured materials approach for obtaining hybrid counter electrodes in the photovoltaic action shows an alternative route towards cost-effective, green energy conversion.The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK)Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [213M562]This work was supported by The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK, Project no. 213M562)

IMPROVING PHOTOVOLTAIC EFFICIENCY BY RF ROTATING PLASMA MODIFIED NANOTUBES

IEEE International Conference on Plasma Sciences (ICOPS) -- MAY 24-28, 2015 -- Belek, TURKEYWOS: 000380482200203IEEE NPSS, IEEE, PLAZAMATE

Solid State Electrochromic Devices of Plasma Modified WO₃ Hybrids

Electrochromic (EC) properties of tungsten trioxide (WO₃) was improved with preparing hybrids of tungsten trioxide–titanium dioxide (WO₃–TiO₂) and tungsten trioxide–poly­(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (WO₃–PEDOT) by a rotating capacitively coupled radio frequency (rf 13.56 MHz) plasma reactor. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy mapping results indicated that TiO₂ and PEDOT were coated homogeneously onto the surface of the WO₃ powders. Thin films of hybrid powders have been prepared by the physical vapor deposition method of the electron beam evaporation technique. Redox potentials, optical contrast at 700 nm, and durability during 2000 cycles of EC devices were investigated, comparatively. Hybrids of WO₃ indicated excellent coloration efficiency (cm² C^–1) and switching speed values compared with untreated WO₃. The coloration efficiency values were found to be 85.88 and 41.61 cm² C^–1 of WO₃–TiO₂ and WO₃–PEDOT, respectively. The switching speed of WO₃ (13.3 s, from bleached state to colored state) increased to 1.4 s for WO₃–TiO₂

Comparing female-based contraceptive methods in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis and a healthy population

Aim: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease that is 10 times more prevalent in women, particularly those of reproductive age. The varying effects of pregnancy on SLE and the differences between available SLE treatments make pregnancy timing and contraceptive methods significant. We aimed to determine the contraceptive methods used by SLE patients in the north-west part of Turkey, and compared them with those used by rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and healthy controls

Clinical outcomes and survival in AA amyloidosis patients

Abstract Aim Amyloid A amyloidosis is a rare complication of chronic inflammatory conditions. Most patients with amyloid A amyloidosis present with nephropathy and it leads to renal failure and death. We studied clinical characteristics and survival in patients with amyloid A amyloidosis. Methods: A total of 81 patients (51 males, 30 females) with renal biopsy proven amyloid A amyloidosis were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into good and poor outcomes groups according to survival results. Results: Most of the patients (55.6%) had nephrotic range proteinuria at diagnosis. Most frequent underlying disorders were familial Mediterranean fever (21.2%) and rheumatoid arthritis (10.6%) in the good outcome group and malignancy (20%) in the poor outcome group. Only diastolic blood pressure in the good outcome group and phosphorus level in the poor outcome group was higher. Serum creatinine levels increased after treatment in both groups, while proteinuria in the good outcome group decreased. Increase in serum creatinine and decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate of the poor outcome group were more significant in the good outcome group. At the time of diagnosis 18.5% and 27.2% of all patients had advanced chronic kidney disease (stage 4 and 5, respectively). Median duration of renal survival was 65 ± 3.54 months. Among all patients, 27.1% were started dialysis treatment during the follow-up period and 7.4% of all patients underwent kidney transplantation. Higher levels of systolic blood pressure [hazard ratios 1.03, 95% confidence interval: 1-1.06, p = 0.036], serum creatinine (hazard ratios 1.25, 95% confidence interval: 1.07-1.46, p = 0.006) and urinary protein excretion (hazard ratios 1.08, 95% confidence interval: 1.01-1.16, p = 0.027) were predictors of end-stage renal disease. Median survival of patients with organ involvement was 50.3 ± 16 months. Conclusion Our study indicated that familial Mediterranean fever constituted a large proportion of cases and increased number of patients with idiopathic amyloid A amyloidosis. Additionally, it was observed that patient survival was not affected by different etiological causes in amyloid A amyloidosis

The Psoriatic Arthritis Registry of Turkey: results of a multicentre registry on 1081 patients

WOS: 000397050600018PubMed ID: 27794533Objective. The aim was to assess the characteristics of PsA, find out how well the disease is controlled in real life, demonstrate the treatments and identify the unmet needs. Methods. The PsA registry of Turkey is a multicentre Web-based registry established in 2014 and including 32 rheumatology centres. Detailed data regarding demographics for skin and joint disease, disease activity assessments and treatment choices were collected. Results. One thousand and eighty-one patients (64.7% women) with a mean (S.D.) PsA duration of 5.8 (6.7) years were enrolled. The most frequent type of PsA was polyarticular [437 (40.5%)], followed by oligoarticular [407 (37.7%)] and axial disease [372 (34.4%)]. The mean (S.D.) swollen and tender joint counts were 1.7 (3) and 3.6 (4.8), respectively. Of these patients, 38.6% were on conventional synthetic DMARD monotherapy, 7.1% were on anti-TNF monotherapy, and 22.5% were using anti-TNF plus conventional synthetic DMARD combinations. According to DAS28, 86 (12.4%) patients had high and 105 (15.2%) had moderate disease activity. Low disease activity was achieved in 317 (45.7%) patients, and 185 (26.7%) were in remission. Minimal disease activity data could be calculated in 247 patients, 105 of whom (42.5%) had minimal disease activity. The major differences among sexes were that women were older and had less frequent axial disease, more fatigue, higher HAQ scores and less remission. Conclusion. The PsA registry of Turkey had similarities with previously published registries, supporting its external validity. The finding that women had more fatigue and worse functioning as well as the high percentage of active disease state highlight the unmet need in treatment of PsA

Taking care of someone with suspected Ebola : be safe while you wait

Publication date from document properties.CS95757Ebola_Safe_Care_Flipbook_ENG-P.pdf201

Nationwide Experience With Off-Label Use of Interleukin-1 Targeting Treatment in Familial Mediterranean Fever Patients

WOS: 000436403100017PubMed ID: 28992387ObjectiveApproximately 30-45% of patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) have been reported to have attacks despite colchicine treatment. Currently, data on the treatment of colchicine-unresponsive or colchicine-intolerant FMF patients are limited; the most promising alternatives seem to be anti-interleukin-1 (anti-IL-1) agents. Here we report our experience with the off-label use of anti-IL-1 agents in a large group of FMF patients. MethodsIn all, 21 centers from different geographical regions of Turkey were included in the current study. The medical records of all FMF patients who had used anti-IL-1 treatment for at least 6 months were reviewed. ResultsIn total, 172 FMF patients (83 [48%] female, mean age 36.2 years [range 18-68]) were included in the analysis; mean age at symptom onset was 12.6 years (range 1-48), and the mean colchicine dose was 1.7 mg/day (range 0.5-4.0). Of these patients, 151 were treated with anakinra and 21 with canakinumab. Anti-IL-1 treatment was used because of colchicine-resistant disease in 84% and amyloidosis in 12% of subjects. During the mean 19.6 months of treatment (range 6-98), the yearly attack frequency was significantly reduced (from 16.8 to 2.4; P < 0.001), and 42.1% of colchicine-resistant FMF patients were attack free. Serum levels of C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and 24-hour urinary protein excretion (5,458.7 mg/24 hours before and 3,557.3 mg/24 hours after) were significantly reduced. ConclusionAnti-IL-1 treatment is an effective alternative for controlling attacks and decreasing proteinuria in colchicine-resistant FMF patients

A Nationwide Experience with the Off Label Use of Interleukin 1 Targeting Treatment in Familial Mediterranean Fever Patients

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