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We evaluated whether modified Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores are useful for predicting the postdischarge prognosis in hospitalized patients with heart failure (HF) who are discharged alive. The MELD-XI and MELD-Na scores were calculated at discharge for a total of 1156 patients in the HIJ-HF II study. We also studied 3 groups on the basis of the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF): the HFrEF (LVEF < 40%), HFmrEF (LVEF 40–49%) and HFpEF (LVEF ≥ 50%) groups. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality, and the secondary outcome was rehospitalization due to worsening HF. The median MELD-XI and MELD-Na scores were 12 and 14, respectively. After a median follow-up of 19 months, there were significantly higher rates of all-cause mortality in patients with MELD-XI scores ≥ 12 than in those with MELD-XI scores < 12; there were also higher rates of all-cause mortality in patients with MELD-Na scores ≥ 14 than in those with MELD-Na scores < 14 (both log-rank p < 0.001). The cumulative incidence function based on a competing risks model showed a higher rate of rehospitalization due to worsening HF in patients with MELD-XI scores ≥ 12 than in those with MELD-XI scores < 12 and a higher rate of rehospitalization due to worsening HF in those with MELD-Na scores ≥ 14 than in those with MELD-Na scores < 14 (both Gray's test p < 0.001). The adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) of all-cause mortality for patients with MELD-XI scores ≥ 12 and those with MELD-Na scores ≥ 14 were 2.07 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.25–3.44] and 2.79 [95% CI 1.63–4.79], respectively, in the HFrEF group; however, the HRs were not significant in the HFmrEF or HFpEF groups. Thus, MELD-XI and MELD-Na scores may be useful for predicting prognosis in hospitalized HF patients who are discharged alive, especially for those in the HFrEF group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fabrication and characterization of methylammonium lead iodide CH3NH3PbI3 (MAPbI3) perovskite solar cells using decaphenylpentacyclosilane (DPPS), metal phthalocyanine complex doped with tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) as hole-transporting materials were performed. Additive effects of carboxylic acid, amino, or sulfonic acid sodium salt substituted phthalocyanine complex (MPcX4, M = Cu, Zn, Co, X = COOH, NH2 or SO3Na) doped with TCNQ on the photovoltaic properties, crystal orientation, morphologies and electronic structure were investigated. Incorporation of DPPS and CuPc(NH2)4 doped with TCNQ on the perovskite layer promoted the carrier generation and charge transfer, yielding the best performance of conversion efficiency as compared with other cases. The photovoltaic performance depended on the (100) crystal orientation in the perovskite layer. The surface modification and passivation in the perovskite layer supported the photovoltaic performance with stability under air atmosphere. The molecular interaction based on overlap of π-orbital on CuPc(NH2)4, TCNQ and the perovskite crystal promoted the charge transfer at the interface between the perovskite layer and hole-transporting layer, improving the photovoltaic performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Later-borns tend to be shorter than first-borns in childhood and adulthood. However, large-scale prospective studies examining growth during infancy according to birth order are limited. We aimed to investigate the relationship between birth order and growth during the first 4 years of life in a Japanese prospective birth cohort study. A total of 26,249 full-term singleton births were targeted. General linear and multivariable logistic regression models were performed and adjusted for birth weight, parents' heights, maternal age at delivery, gestational weight gain, maternal smoking and alcohol drinking status during pregnancy, household income, breastfeeding status, and Study Areas. The multivariate adjusted mean length Z-scores in "first-borns having no sibling", "first-borns having siblings", "second-borns", and "third-borns or more" were −0.026, −0.013, 0.136, and 0.120 at birth and −0.324, −0.330, −0.466, and −0.569 at 10 months, respectively. Results similar to those at 10 months were observed at 1.5, 3, and 4 years. The adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of short stature at 4 years in "first-borns having siblings", "second-borns", and "third-borns or more" were 1.08 (0.84–1.39), 1.36 (1.13–1.62), and 1.50 (1.20–1.88), respectively, versus "first-borns having no sibling". Birth order was significantly associated with postnatal growth and may be a factor predisposing to short stature in early childhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite compounds are unstable in air due to the migration of CH3NH3. The purpose of the present work is to investigate the effects of addition of guanidinium C(NH2)3 (GA) and cesium (Cs) on CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite solar cells. The addition of GA/Cs and the insertion of decaphenylpentasilane between the perovskite and hole transport layer improved the external quantum efficiency and short-circuit current density, and the conversion efficiencies were stable. First-principles calculations on the density of states and band structures showed reduction in the total energy by the GA addition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copper, alkali metals, and organic cations were added to perovskite precursor solutions to enhance the photovoltaic conversion properties and durability of perovskite solar cells. Device properties were improved by the co-addition of copper and sodium. The enhancement of open-circuit voltage by bromine substitution also contributed to the improvement of conversion efficiency. First-principles calculations indicated that the energy levels derived from the Cu d orbital would function as an acceptor level. While the conversion efficiency of the device increased, the durability of the device decreased. Considering the results of the first-principles calculation, the decrease in device durability was attributed to the instability of the crystal structure due to the Cu and sodium substitutions. To enhance the crystal stability, ethylammonium was introduced as a stable organic cation, and the addition of ethylammonium to the perovskite precursor solution significantly enhanced the device's durability while maintaining conversion efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the stabilities and conversion efficiencies of perovskite solar cells including cesium (Cs) or formamidinium (FA) at the CH₃NH₃ site were investigated. The additive effects on the photovoltaic properties and crystalline structures were investigated via current–voltage measurements, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. The simultaneous co-addition of Cs and FA to the CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite crystal improved the photovoltaic properties, which may be due to the suppression of the decomposition of the perovskite crystals and the promotion of crystal growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells have the advantage of being able to implement a high conversion efficiency, easy fabrication process and low cost to commercial products of photovoltaic devices. The perovskite solar cells have a photovoltaic performance with reduced durability due to the volatility of organic cations and toxic lead in the perovskite crystal as an active layer. The purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of additives such as cupper chloride and potassium iodide in the perovskite crystal on the photovoltaic properties and electronic structure. The distribution of 3d orbital of cupper ion conjugated with 5p orbital of iodine ion at the valence band, and 6p orbital of lead ion at the conduction band, influences the charge generation and transfer, as well as the carrier mobility with a narrowing band gap. The addition of potassium iodide delocalizes the charge distribution near the cupper, iodide, and lead ions, which promotes the charge generation and carrier diffusion, yielding an increase in the short circuit current density relating to the conversion efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]