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Zinc-indium-oxide (ZIO) films were deposited on non-alkali glass substrates by RF superimposed DC magnetron sputtering with a ZIO (9.54 wt% In2O3 content) high-density, sintered target at room temperature. The electrical, structural and optical properties of the ZIO films deposited with different sputtering parameters were examined. The total power for RF superimposed DC magnetron sputtering was 80 W. The RF power ratio in the total sputtering power was changed from 0 to 100% in steps of 25%. The ZIO films deposited with a 100% RF discharge showed the lowest resistivity, 1.28×10−3 Ω cm, due to the higher carrier concentration. The ZIO film deposited at 50% RF power showed a relatively larger grain size and smaller FWHM. XPS suggested an increase in the level of In3+ substitution for Zn2+ in the ZnO lattice with increasing RF/(DC+RF) due to the low damage process. The average transmittance of all ZIO films in the visible light region was >80%. The increasing RF power portion of the total sputtering power led to a broadening of the optical band gap, which was attributed to the increase in carrier density according to Burstein–Moss shift theory.

We report a case of Baker's cyst that induced compression of both the tibial and common peroneal nerves. The patient presented with calf atrophy and foot drop over a 6-month period. These signs and symptoms could have been mistaken for those of spinal origin. Based on an electrodiagnostic study and magnetic resonance imaging, compression of nerves by an asymptomatic Baker's cyst measuring 6x4 cm was confirmed. This cyst communicated with the articular joint which was also associated with a medial meniscal lesion. We treated the patient arthroscopically by performing partial medial meniscectomy, and through the posterolateral and the posteromedial portal, decompression of the Baker's cyst was performed. Approximately 6 weeks after the arthroscopic decompression, the cyst recurred. Therefore open resection was performed. At 1-year follow-up, the patient had considerable improvement in motor as well as sensory function and showed no evidence of recurrence. Although the electrodiagnostic studies showed an improvement in symptoms, the patient continued to complain of lower leg weakness owing to delayed diagnosis and cyst decompression. We believe that Baker's cysts should also be considered in the differential diagnoses of patients who present with neuromuscular dysfunction in the calf and leg.

The AZO, GZO and ZIO films were deposited on glass substrates by DC magnetron sputtering at substrate temperatures ranging from RT to 300 °C using impurity-doped ZnO targets containing 2.0 wt.% Al 2 O 3 , 5.56 wt.% Ga 2 O 3 and 9.54 wt.% In 2 O 3 , respectively. The lowest resistivity of 6.41 × 10 –4 Ω cm was obtained for the GZO films deposited at 300 °C. The AZO, GZO and ZIO films were used as an anode contact to fabricate organic emitting diodes. The turn-on voltage at current density of 0.01 mA/cm 2 is 6.42, 9.33 and 12.19 V for the devices with AZO, ZIO and GZO anodes, respectively. These results can be explained by carrier density and resistivity distribution of AZO, ZIO and GZO films.

It has been well documented that there is opioid resistance in neuropathic pain. This indicates that the endogenous opioid system may not be involved effectively in modulating neuropathic pain. The present study sought to determine if activation of the descending pain inhibition system might produce analgesia in the animal neuropathic model we developed. Under ketamine anesthesia, male Sprague-Dawley rats were chronically implanted with stimulating electrodes in the ventral periaqueductal gray matter (PAG) and both the tibial and sural nerves of the sciatic nerve branches were severed. Pain sensitivity was measured with a von Frey filament and acetone applied to the sensitive area for 1 week postoperatively. Rats with neuropathic pain syndrome after transection of the tibial and sural nerves were tested as to the analgesic effects of ventral PAG stimulation for an additional two weeks. Electrical stimulation of the ventral PAG turned out to be highly effective in alleviating neuropathic pain. Mechanical allodynia and cold allodynia were reduced by PAG stimulation. Naloxone reversed the antiallodynic effects of ventral PAG stimulation. These results suggest that activation of the descending pain inhibition system including the ventral PAG reduces neuropathic pain syndrome and that opiates are involved in this system.