Classification of primary and incisional abdominal wall hernias

A classification for primary and incisional abdominal wall hernias is needed to allow comparison of publications and future studies on these hernias. It is important to know whether the populations described in different studies are comparable.Comparative StudyConsensus Development ConferenceJournal ArticleReviewSCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Free Bipedicled Radial Forearm and Posterior Interosseous Artery Perforator Flap Phalloplasty

Introduction: The free radial forearm (FRFA) flap is universally still considered as the gold standard technique in penile reconstruction. Typically, a considerably large flap is required, often involving almost the entire circumference of the forearm. Partial necrosis may occur at the distal-most (dorsoradial) part of the flap as a result of insufficient perfusion. Aim: To describe a new technique using the posterior interosseous artery (PIOA) to supercharge FRFA phalloplasty. Methods: In a 12-month period, all patients having FRFA flap phalloplasty were enrolled. Perioperative, after complete flap dissection, an indocyanine green perfusion scan was performed. In case of insufficient perfusion at the distalmost part of the flap, a supramicrosurgical anastomosis was performed between the FRFA pedicle and the PIOA (artery only). Main Outcome Measures: Studied outcomes included the rate of marginal necrosis, surgical time, postoperative posterior interosseous nerve damage and urethral complications (fistula, stenosis or necrosis). Results: A total of 27 FRFA flap phalloplasties was performed. Anastomosis of the PIOA was needed in 15 cases. No marginal necrosis was observed in these cases. There were no cases of postoperative posterior interosseous nerve damage. There were no significant differences in urethral complications (fistula, stenosis or necrosis) between the 2 groups. Clinical Implications: In selected cases where insufficient perfusion of the dorsoradial part of the flap is present, patients may benefit from arterial supercharging to prevent postoperative marginal necrosis. Strength & Limitations: Strengths include a single surgeon, thus lending continuity of skill and technique, a consecutive series, and 100% short-term follow-up. Limitations include single institution series and a limited number of patients. Conclusion: Arterial supercharging is effective in improving perfusion of large FRFA flaps used in phalloplasty when dorsoradial hypoperfusion is detected on an indocyanine green perfusion scan. It is a technically challenging addition to the standard technique because of the small size of the vessels, the close relationship between the PIOA and the posterior interosseous nerve, and the vulnerability of the newly constructed intra-flap anastomosis. De Wolf E, Claes K, Sommeling CE, et al. Free Bipedicled Radial Forearm and Posterior Interosseous Artery Perforator Flap Phalloplasty. J Sex Med 2019;16:1111–1117

Carrier transport in dye-sensitized solar cells using single crystalline TiO<inf>2</inf> nanorods grown by a microwave-assisted hydrothermal reaction

Single crystalline rutile nanorod was grown directly on top of fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrate via a microwave assisted hydrothermal reaction which dramatically increased a growth rate over a conventional hydrothermal method. In addition, the introduction of thin TiO2 seed layer to FTO substrates promotes heterogeneous nucleation and increases the density. Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were fabricated using the rutile nanorods that were differently treated with TiCl4 solution and the carrier transport mechanism in the nanorod-based DSSCs was systematically examined. When the nanorods were treated with TiCl4, more dye was adsorbed on the TiO2 films and the energy conversion efficiency increased to 3.7% for a 2.5 μm thick TiO2 film. Stepped light induced-transient measurement of photocurrent and voltage measurements showed that the role of the nanorods in DSSCs is to increase an electron diffusion coefficient in TiO2 mesoporous films. In contrast to the diffusion coefficient, the lifetime of electron is not dependent on the presence of the nanorods. To explain the experimental observations, we propose a surface diffusion model for electrons that are injected into the rutile nanorods from dye molecules. This surface diffusion may originate from the high crystallinity of nanorods and the homogeneous contact between nanorod and coated nanoparticle layer. © 2011 American Chemical Society

Worldwide outdoor round robin study of organic photovoltaic devices and modules

Accurate characterization and reporting of organic photovoltaic (OPV) device performance remains one of the important challenges in the field. The large spread among the efficiencies of devices with the same structure reported by different groups is significantly caused by different procedures and equipment used during testing. The presented article addresses this issue by offering a new method of device testing using suitcase sample approach combined with outdoor testing that limits the diversity of the equipment, and a strict measurement protocol. A round robin outdoor characterization of roll-to-roll coated OPV cells and modules conducted among 46 laboratories worldwide is presented, where the samples and the testing equipment were integrated in a compact suitcase that served both as a sample transportation tool and as a holder and test equipment during testing. In addition, an internet based coordination was used via plasticphotovoltaics.org that allowed fast and efficient communication among participants and provided a controlled reporting format for the results that eased the analysis of the data. The reported deviations among the laboratories were limited to 5% when compared to the Si reference device integrated in the suitcase and were up to 8% when calculated using the local irradiance data. Therefore, this method offers a fast, cheap and efficient tool for sample sharing and testing that allows conducting outdoor measurements of OPV devices in a reproducible manner