Copper indium diselenide: crystallography and radiation-induced dislocation loops

Copper indium diselenide (CIS) is a prime candidate as the absorber layer in solar cells for use in extraterrestrial environments due to its good photovoltaic efficiency and ability to resist radiation damage. While CIS-based devices have been tested extensively in the laboratory using electron and proton irradiation, there is still little understanding of the underlying mechanisms which give rise to its radiation hardness. To gain better insight into the response of CIS to displacing radiation, transmission electron microscope samples have been irradiated in situ with 400 keV Xe ions at the Intermediate Voltage Electron Microscope facility at Argonne National Laboratory, USA. At room temperature, dislocation loops were observed to form and grow with increasing fluence. These loops have been investigated using g  ·  b techniques and inside/outside contrast analysis. They have been found to reside on {112} planes and to be interstitial in nature. The Burgers vector were calculated as b  = 1/6 221. The compositional content of these interstitial loops was found to be indistinguishable from the surrounding matrix within the sensitivity of the techniques used. To facilitate this work, experimental electron-diffraction zone-axis pattern maps were produced and these are also presented, along with analysis of the [100] zone-axis pattern

The Global Rating Scale in clinical practice: A comprehensive quality assurance programme for endoscopy departments

Background: The Global Rating Scale is an endoscopy quality assurance programme, successfully implemented in England. It remains uncertain whether it is applicable in another health care setting. Aim: To assess the applicability of the Global Rating Scale as benchmark tool in an international context. Methods: Eleven Dutch endoscopy departments were included for a Global Rating Scale-census, performed as a cross-sectional evaluation, July 2010. Two Global Rating Scale-dimensions - 'clinical quality' and 'patient experience' - were assessed across six items using a range of levels: from level-D (basic) to level-A (excellent). Construct validity was assessed by comparing department-specific colonoscopy audit data to GRS-levels. Results: For 'clinical quality', variable scores were achieved in items 'safety' (9% = B, 27% = C, 64% = D) and 'communication' (46% = A, 18% = C, 36% = D). All departments achieved a basic score in 'quality' (100% = D). For 'patient experience', variable scores were achieved in 'timeliness' (18%=A, 9%=B, 73%=D) and 'booking-choice' (36%=B, 46%=C, 18%=D). All departments achieved basic scores in 'equality' (100%=D). Departments obtaining level-C or above in 'information', 'comfort', 'communication', 'timeliness' and 'aftercare', achieved significantly better audit outcomes compared to those obtaining level-D (p<0.05). Conclusion: The Global Rating Scale is appropriate to use outside England. There was significant variance. across departments in dimensions. Most Global Rating Scale-levels were in line with departments' audit outcomes, indicating construct validity. (C) 2012 Editrice Gastroenterologica Italiana S.r.l. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved