Hole conductivity holds promise for transparent bipolar devices

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The effect of video information on anxiety levels in women attending colposcopy: a randomized controlled trial

Contains fulltext : 182397.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)OBJECTIVE: The aim was to investigate whether additional information, in video form, reduces anxiety, depression and pain levels in women referred for colposcopy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between September 2012 and March 2015, 136 patients referred for colposcopy were randomized into two study arms. Group A received video information in addition to the regular information leaflet, and group B (control group) received only the regular information leaflet. The patients were requested to complete standardized online questionnaires. The first online questionnaire (T1) was pre-randomization, and was completed at home, 5 days prior to the appointment. The second online questionnaire (T2) was completed directly before the colposcopy appointment, and the last online questionnaire (T3) was completed directly following colposcopy at the out-patient clinic. The questionnaires included the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) to assess pain. RESULTS: The STAI state anxiety score was high (44.6), but there was no significant difference in STAI, HADS and NRS between the two groups at the three measuring points. A post hoc analysis showed that women with a generally higher baseline anxiety trait had significantly lower HADS anxiety levels following video information. CONCLUSIONS: Additional information (video) before colposcopy did not significantly reduce anxiety, depression, and expected or experienced pain, as measured by the STAI, HADS and NRS in patients attending their first colposcopy appointment. However, most patients positively appreciated the video information, which may reduce the anxiety of extremely anxious patients

Semiconductive behavior of Sb doped SnO2 thin films

Sb doped SnO2 has been deposited on polished ceramic Al2O3 substrates by Pulsed Laser Deposition. Conductivity, charge carrier density and mobility of these thin films have been measured as a function of temperature. A model for the electrical properties of the films is proposed. Since Sb doped SnO2 is a transparent, high mobility material, it is shown that it can be used as channel material for an all-oxide thin film transparent field-effect transistor with a linear dielectric.<br/

Rationale and design of a randomised clinical trial for an extended cardiac rehabilitation programme using telemonitoring: the TeleCaRe study.

BACKGROUND: Despite the known positive effects of cardiac rehabilitation and an active lifestyle, evidence is emerging that it is difficult to attain and sustain the minimum recommendations of leisure time physical activity. The long-term benefits are often disappointing due to lack of adherence to the changes in life style. Qualitative research on patients' perspectives suggests that motivation for lifestyle change tends to diminish around 3 months after the index-event. The time most cardiac rehabilitation programmes end. The aim of the present study is to determine if prolongation of a traditional cardiac rehabilitation programme with additional heart rate based telemonitoring guidance for a period of 6 months results in better long term effects on physical and mental outcomes, care consumption and quality of life than traditional follow-up. METHODS: In this single centre randomised controlled trial 120 patients with an absolute indication for cardiac rehabilitation will be randomised in a 1:1 ratio to an intervention group with 6 months of heart rate based telemonitoring guidance or a control group with traditional follow-up after cardiac rehabilitation. The primary endpoint will be VO2peak after 12 months. Secondary endpoints are VO2peak after 6 months, quality of life, physical-, emotional- and social functioning, cardiac structure, traditional risk profile, compliance to the use of the heart rate belt and smartphone, MACE and care-consumption. DISCUSSION: The TeleCaRe study will provide insight into the added value of the prolongation of traditional cardiac rehabilitation with 6 months of heart rate based telemonitoring guidance. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Dutch Trial Register: NTR4644 (registered 06/12/14)

The sustained effects of extending cardiac rehabilitation with a six-month telemonitoring and telecoaching programme on fitness, quality of life, cardiovascular risk factors and care utilisation in CAD patients: The TeleCaRe study

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to assess the acute and sustained effects of a six-month heart-rate-based telerehabilitation programme, following the completion of cardiac rehabilitation (CR), on peak oxygen uptake (peakVO(2)), quality of life (QoL), cardiovascular risk factors and care utilisation in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: A total of 122 patients with CAD were randomised, after the completion of CR, to an intervention group with six months of telemonitoring and telecoaching (TELE) or a control group with a traditional six-month follow-up programme with monthly calls (CON). The primary outcome was peakVO(2) at 12 months, to assess the sustained effects of TELE. The secondary outcomes included QoL, cardiovascular risk factors (lipid spectrum), major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and habitual physical activity. RESULTS: PeakVO(2) increased significantly from baseline to 12 months in TELE (+2.5 mL·kg(-1)min(-1) (95% CI 1.5-3.2)) and CON (+1.9 mL·kg(-1)min(-1) (95% CI 1.0-2.5)), and did not differ between groups (P = 0.28). Similarly, QoL (P = 0.31), total cholesterol (P = 0.45), MACE (P = 0.86) did not differ between groups and in time. DISCUSSION: Extending CR with a heart-rate-based telerehabilitation programme did not yield additional sustainable health benefits compared with regular care with monthly telephone calls. These observations highlight that both telerehabilitation and regular care with monthly telephone calls may prevent the typically observed reductions in peakVO(2) following the completion of a CR programme.Trial registration: Dutch Trial Register NL4140 (registered 6 December 2014)

Semiconductive behavior of Sb doped SnO2 thin films

Sb doped Sn02 has been deposited on polished ceramic A1203 substrates by Pulsed Laser Deposition. Conductivity, charge carrier density and mobility of these thin films have been meas ured as a function of temperature. A model for the electrical properties of the films is proposed. Since Sb doped Sn02 is a transparent, high mobility material, it is shown that it can be used as channel material for an all-oxide thin film transparent field-effect transistor with a linear dielectric

EU-CaRE study: Could exercise-based cardiac telerehabilitation also be cost-effective in elderly?

Background: The role of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is well established in the secondary prevention of ischemic heart disease. Unfortunately, the participation rates across Europe remain low, especially in elderly. The EU-CaRE RCT investigated the effectiveness of a home-based mobile CR programme in elderly patients that were not willing to participate in centre-based CR. The initial study concluded that a 6-month home-based mobile CR programme was safe and beneficial in improving VO2 peak when compared with no CR.Objective: To assess whether a 6-month guided mobile CR programme is a cost-effective therapy for elderly patients who decline participation in CR.Methods: Patients were enrolled in a multicentre randomised clinical trial from November 11, 2015, to January 3, 2018, and follow-up was completed on January 17, 2019, in a secondary care system with 6 cardiac institutions across 5 European countries. A total of 179 patients who declined participation in centre-based CR and met the inclusion criteria consented to participate in the European Study on Effectiveness and Sustainability of Current Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs in the Elderly trial. The data of patients (n = 17) that were lost in follow-up were excluded from this analysis.The intervention (n = 79) consisted of 6 months of mobile CR programme with telemonitoring, and coaching based on motivational interviewing to stimulate patients to reach exercise goals. Control patients did not receive any form of CR throughout the study period. The costs considered for the cost-effectiveness analysis of the RCT are direct costs 1) of the mobile CR programme, and 2) of the care utilisation recorded during the observation time from randomisation to the end of the study. Costs and outcomes (utilities) were compared by calculation of the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio.Results: The healthcare utilisation costs (P = 0.802) were not significantly different between the two groups. However, the total costs were significantly higher in the intervention group (P = 0.040). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for the primary endpoint VO(2)peak at 6 months was (sic)1085 per 1-unit [ml/kg/min] improvement in change VO(2)peak and at 12 months it was (sic)1103 per 1 unit [ml/kg/min] improvement in change VO(2)peak. Big differences in the incremental cost-effectiveness ratios for the primary endpoint VO(2)peak at 6 months and 12 months were present between the adherent participants and the non-adherent participants.Conclusion: From a health-economic point of view the home-based mobile CR programme is an effective and cost-effective alternative for elderly cardiac patients who are not willing to participate in a regular rehabilitation programme to improve cardiorespiratory fitness. The change of QoL between the mobile CR was similar for both groups. Adherence to the mobile CR programme plays a significant role in the cost-effectiveness of the intervention. Future research should focus on the determinants of adherence, on increasing the adherence of patients and the implementation of comprehensive home-based mobile CR programmes in standard care