Textile based dye-sensitized solar cells with natural dyes

Natural dyes extracted from hibiscus petals, elderberries and mallow flowers were investigated in dye-sensitized solar cells. Two approaches were followed: 1. Hybrid glass/fabric cells with titanium dioxide on glass as working electrode and a textile counter electrode; 2. hybrid fabric/glass cells with zinc oxide as working electrode on textile and a glass counter electrode. The zinc oxide layer on cotton was prepared by electroless deposition whereas the titanium dioxide coated glass electrodes were obtained directly from the manufacturer. In both cases the redox couple consisted of iodine / triiodide and the counter electrode was based on an electrically conductive fabric

Digital printing of electroluminescent devices on textile substrates

Alternating current–driven electroluminescent devices on polyester fabrics were realized using a combination of coating and printing. The PEDOT:PSS front electrode was coated onto the fabric using knife coating. All other layers were digitally printed using a specially modified three-dimensional printer and three-dimensional printing software. Slicing parameters (line distance, printing speed, printing pattern) as well as other hardware parameters and ink viscosity were evaluated for each ink to obtain a good print. Final results show a complex interaction of all investigated parameters. Fully digitally printed electroluminescent devices show a luminescence of 44 lx, but combinations of digital printing and knife coating show a much higher luminescence of up to 128 lx for samples with an even smaller luminous layer thickness

Influence of Plastic Deformation on Low Temperature Surface Hardening of Austenitic and Precipitation Hardening Stainless Steels by Gaseous Nitriding

Abstract This article addresses an investigation of the influence of plastic deformation on low temperature surface hardening by gaseous nitriding of three commercial austenitic stainless steels: AISI 304, EN 1.4369 and Sandvik Nanoflex® with various degrees of austenite stability. The materials were plastically deformed to different equivalent strains by uniaxial tension. Gaseous nitriding of the strained material was performed in ammonia gas at atmospheric pressure at 703 K (430 °C) and 693 K (420 °C) depending on the material. Microstructural characterization of the as-deformed states and the nitrided case included X-ray diffraction analysis, reflected light microscopy and microhardness. The results demonstrate that a case of expanded austenite develops and that, in particular, strain-induced martensite has a large influence on the nitrided zone. ▪</jats:p

Sol-gel coatings with the fluorescence dye Rhodamine B for optical modification of cotton

The sol-gel method is a versatile tool for the modification and functionalization of textiles. This method can be also used to support the application of dyes on textile materials. This paper is related to the application of the fluorescence dye Rhodamine B together with an industrial sol-gel component. Beside fluorescence spectroscopy, also scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) are used for the investigation of the produced textile samples. The realized fluorescence effects are strongly related to the applied dye concentration and can be drastically enhanced by presence of the applied sol-gel system. By use of sol-gel method also the dry and the wet rubbing fastness can be improved. These results could be the starting point for future development of new fluorescent textile materials

Risk reduction before surgery. The role of the primary care provider in preoperative smoking and alcohol cessation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Daily smokers and hazardous drinkers are high-risk patients, developing 2-4 times more complications after surgery. Preoperative smoking and alcohol cessation for four to eight weeks prior to surgery halves this complication rate. The patients' preoperative contact with the surgical departments might be too brief for the hospital to initiate these programmes. Therefore, it was relevant to evaluate a new clinical practice which combined the general practitioner's (GP) referral to surgery with a referral to a smoking and alcohol intervention in the surgical pathway.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The design was an exploratory prospective trial. The outcome measured was the number of patients referred to a preoperative smoking and alcohol cessation programme at the same time as being referred for elective surgery by their GP. The participants consisted of 72 high-risk patients who were referred for elective surgery by 47 local participating GPs.</p> <p>The GPs, nurses, and specialists in internal medicine, prehabilitation and surgery developed new clinical practice guidelines based on the literature and interviews with 11 local GPs about the specific barriers for implementing a smoking and alcohol cessation programme. The role of the GP was to be the gatekeeper: identifying daily smokers and hazardous drinkers when referring them to surgery; handing out information on risk reduction; and referring those patients identified to a preoperative smoking and alcohol cessation programme. The role of the hospital was to contact these patients to initiate smoking and alcohol cessation at the hospital out-patient clinic for life-style intervention.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The GPs increased their referral to the smoking and alcohol cessation programme from 0% to 10% (7/72 patients) in the study period.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The effect of the study was limited in integrating the efforts of primary care providers and hospital surgical departments in increasing the up-take of preoperative smoking and alcohol cessation programmes aimed at smokers and harmful drinkers referred for surgery. New strategies for cooperation between GPs and surgical departments are urgently needed.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>J.nr. 2005-54-1781 in Danish Data Protection Agency.</p> <p>J.nr. 07 268136 in Scientific Ethical Committee for Copenhagen and Frederiksberg Municipalities.</p

RiskBIM - Risikostyring i BIM-drevne offentlige samferdselsprosjekter

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Use of KIDSCREEN health-related quality of life instruments in the general population of children and adolescents - A scoping review

Purpose Subjectively assessing health related quality of life (HRQoL) in children and adolescents is increasingly important in the public health field. One valid and widely used generic HRQoL instrument is the KIDSCREEN questionnaire. The aim of this study was to map all studies using KIDSCREEN instruments in the general population of children and adolescents aged 6–18 years. Methods A scoping review was conducted. The search strategy was formulated according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Scoping Reviews guidelines. The databases Cinahl, socINDEX, Medline, Embase, APA Psychinfo, Scopus, and Eric were searched in October 2021. Results In total, 1365 papers were eligible for screening, 1031 were excluded and 334 reports were read in full. 252 reports were included. KIDSCREEN studies in the general population was predominantly conducted in Europe (n = 211). Most studies (n = 179) had a cross sectional design, while few experimental studies (n = 24) were found. The three KIDSCREEN versions comprising of 10, 27 and 52 items, were equally distributed between studies. The self-reported version (n = 225) of the KIDSCREEN instrument was more prevalent than the proxy version, while few studies discussed a cut point. Study contexts reflected international trends of public health challenges, commonly including mental- and psychosocial health, physical activity, socioeconomic status, and obesity. Conclusion KIDSCREEN is widely used in cross sectional studies assessing common public health challenges. Experimental and longitudinal assessments, possibly including relevant cut offs remain mainly unexplored and are recommended for future research.publishedVersio